Foundations of Democracy and Constitution
16 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

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 (B)

    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.

    <p>Connecticut</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>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</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines the majoritarian model of democracy?

    <p>Decisions made by majority rule (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Initiatives allow citizens to propose laws or constitutional amendments.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

    <p>Thomas Jefferson</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Government funding of religious schools (A), Banning a specific religion (C), Imposing a specific religious belief (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three Civil War Amendments?

    <p>13th, 14th, and 15th amendments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>Lemon</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of the Civil Rights movement?

    <p>Protection against discrimination (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between PACs and Super PACs?

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

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

    <p>Free Exercise</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Direct Democracy

    A system of government where citizens vote directly on laws and policies.

    Indirect Democracy

    A system of government where citizens elect representatives to make laws and decisions on their behalf.

    Social Contract Theory

    The idea that the government's legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed.

    Federalism

    A system of government where power is divided between national and state governments.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Separation of Powers

    The division of government powers among different branches (like legislative, executive, and judicial).

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Checks and Balances

    A system where each branch of government limits the power of other branches to prevent abuse.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Judicial Review

    The power of courts to review laws and government actions to see if they are constitutional.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Declaration of Independence

    A document declaring the American colonies' independence from British rule, stating the reasons for separation.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Habeas Corpus

    The right to be informed of charges and have a trial.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Bill of Attainder

    Law declaring someone guilty without a trial (unconstitutional).

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Ex Post Facto Laws

    Laws that punish actions retroactively (unconstitutional).

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Establishment Clause

    Prohibits government establishment of religion.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Civil Rights

    Protections against discrimination.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Civil War Amendments

    13th (abolition of slavery), 14th (equal protection and due process), 15th (voting rights).

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Public Opinion

    Collective attitudes toward government, policies, or political issues.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Interest Groups

    Organized groups seeking to influence government policy.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Two-Party System

    Dominance of two major political parties.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Primary vs. General Elections

    Primary: chooses party nominees, General: elects officeholders

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    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.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    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.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser