Foundations of Democracy and Constitution

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Questions and Answers

Which principle of democracy emphasizes equal participation and opportunity?

Majority Rule

Universal Suffrage

Elite Theory

Equality (correct)

The Articles of Confederation established a strong central government.

False

What is the purpose of judicial review?

To review laws and government actions for constitutionality.

The ______ compromise created a bicameral legislature by blending the Virginia and New Jersey Plans.

Connecticut Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Federalism = Power is divided between national and state governments Direct Democracy = Citizens vote directly on laws Social Contract Theory = Government's legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed Devolution = Transfer of powers from federal to state governments Signup and view all the answers

What defines the majoritarian model of democracy?

Decisions made by majority rule Signup and view all the answers

Initiatives allow citizens to propose laws or constitutional amendments.

True Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions is prohibited by the Establishment Clause?

Government funding of religious schools Signup and view all the answers

The Bill of Attainder allows the government to declare someone guilty without a trial.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are the three Civil War Amendments?

13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. Signup and view all the answers

The ____ test is used to determine if government actions violate the Establishment Clause.

Lemon Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the Civil Rights movement?

Protection against discrimination Signup and view all the answers

Soft power refers to a country's ability to influence others through military force.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between PACs and Super PACs?

PACs raise money for specific candidates, while Super PACs can raise unlimited funds for independent activities. Signup and view all the answers

The ____ clause protects individuals' religious practices from government interference.

Free Exercise Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Foundations of Democracy

Democracy balances individual liberties with societal order and equality with freedom.
Direct democracy involves citizens directly voting on laws, while indirect democracy uses elected representatives.
Initiatives allow citizens to propose laws or constitutional amendments.
Democracy's critical principles include universal suffrage, majority rule, and equality of participation and opportunity.
Majoritarian models focus on majority rule, while pluralist models emphasize interest group competition.

Constitutional Foundations

The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, declared independence from Britain.
The social contract theory suggests government legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed.
A republic is a form of government where citizens elect representatives.
The Articles of Confederation (1781) established a weak central U.S. government.
The Connecticut Compromise created a bicameral legislature, combining aspects of the Virginia and New Jersey Plans.
Republicanism, Federalism, Separation of Powers, and Checks and Balances are key pillars of the U.S. Constitution.
Federalists advocated for a strong central government, while Antifederalists opposed it.
Judicial review allows courts to assess laws for constitutionality, shaping the "living constitution."

Federalism

Federalism divides power between national and state governments.
Unitary systems concentrate power in a central government, while confederation systems distribute power among states.
Dual federalism clearly divides federal and state powers, unlike cooperative federalism’s overlapping powers.
Grants-in-aid, including categorical, block, and revenue-sharing grants, transfer funds between levels of government.
Devolution is the transfer of power from the federal government to states.

Civil Liberties

Civil liberties protect citizens from government intrusion, including freedoms of speech and religion.
Habeas corpus, bill of attainder, and ex post facto laws are protections against government overreach (unconstitutional).
The Establishment Clause prevents government endorsement of religion.
The Lemon Test assesses government actions relating to religion.
Free Exercise Clause protects religious practices from government interference.
Freedom of speech is protected, except for incitement to harm, defamation, or obscenity.
Right to privacy is implied by several constitutional amendments.
Due process protects against self-incrimination and double jeopardy

Civil Rights

Civil rights ensure protections against discrimination.
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments (Civil War Amendments) addressed slavery, equal protection, and voting rights, respectively.
Voting barriers, like literacy tests, poll taxes, and grandfather clauses, historically hindered voting rights.
Affirmative action policies aim to address historical inequalities.
Discrimination standards (strict, heightened, ordinary scrutiny) define the level of legal review for different types of discrimination.

Public Opinion and Media

Public opinion encompasses collective attitudes on government and political issues.
Polling methods, like push polls, influence public opinion.
Political socialization is the process of shaping individual political beliefs.
The gender gap reflects differing political views between men and women.
Media ownership can introduce bias into reporting.

Interest Groups and Political Parties

Interest groups advocate for specific policy agendas.
Political parties seek to elect candidates to office.
The two-party system is common in the U.S., often influenced by winner-take-all systems.
Third parties challenge dominant ideologies but rarely win elections.

Elections and Voting

Primary elections nominate candidates for office, while general elections elect officeholders.
Political Action Committees (PACs) and Super PACs raise funds for political campaigns in different ways.
The Electoral College determines presidential elections based on states' results.
Midterm elections, held between presidential terms, elect members of Congress.

The Legislative Branch

Congress, a bicameral legislature, comprises the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Incumbency rates are high due to name recognition and resources.
Filibusters in the Senate delay or block legislation.
Legislative committees focus on specific policy areas.

The Executive Branch

Presidential powers include emergency powers, executive orders, and executive privilege.
The cabinet, a group of presidential advisors, has varying influence.
The line-item veto (no longer available) allows presidents to remove specific parts of a bill.

The Bureaucracy

Bureaucracies implement government policies.
The spoils system rewards political supporters, while the merit system prioritizes qualifications.
Agency capture is the phenomenon of regulatory agencies favouring the industries they regulate.

The Judiciary

The judicial branch interprets laws and resolves disputes.
Judicial review allows courts to rule laws unconstitutional.
Courts function in hierarchy from district courts to appellate courts to the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court opinions may be majority, concurring, or dissenting.

Domestic Policy

Domestic policy includes government actions within a country, addressing issues like the economy.
Taxation types (progressive, regressive, flat) affect different income levels differently.
Budget terms—deficit (spending exceeds revenue), surplus (revenue exceeds spending), and national debt—shape fiscal policy.

Foreign Policy

Foreign policy involves strategies to deal with international relations and actions.
Soft power utilizes diplomacy and cultural influence; hard power uses military force.
Political realism focuses on national interests, while moral idealism prioritizes global cooperation and values.

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Description

Explore the essential principles of democracy and its constitutional foundations in this quiz. Understand concepts like direct and indirect democracy, universal suffrage, and the significance of the Declaration of Independence. Test your knowledge on the structure of government as defined by the Articles of Confederation and social contract theory.