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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of primary elections?
What is the primary purpose of primary elections?
In which type of primary can individuals from either party participate, but must choose one to vote for?
In which type of primary can individuals from either party participate, but must choose one to vote for?
What refers to the process by which voters can remove elected officials from office?
What refers to the process by which voters can remove elected officials from office?
Which of the following accurately describes the concept of 'realignment' in politics?
Which of the following accurately describes the concept of 'realignment' in politics?
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What mechanism is used for electing the president in the United States?
What mechanism is used for electing the president in the United States?
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What is the main principle underlying 'Popular Sovereignty'?
What is the main principle underlying 'Popular Sovereignty'?
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Which of the following best describes a key weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
Which of the following best describes a key weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
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Which Enlightenment principle argues that the government is dependent on the approval of the people?
Which Enlightenment principle argues that the government is dependent on the approval of the people?
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What event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
What event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
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Which document was primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson and emphasized 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness'?
Which document was primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson and emphasized 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness'?
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What was one of the central focuses of the Constitutional Convention in 1787?
What was one of the central focuses of the Constitutional Convention in 1787?
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Which principle emphasizes the idea of government acting for the benefit of the nation as a whole?
Which principle emphasizes the idea of government acting for the benefit of the nation as a whole?
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Which term describes the agreement between the people and their government regarding rights and responsibilities?
Which term describes the agreement between the people and their government regarding rights and responsibilities?
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What is the main purpose of Political Action Committees (PACs)?
What is the main purpose of Political Action Committees (PACs)?
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How does a candidate win all the electoral votes from a state?
How does a candidate win all the electoral votes from a state?
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What does the term 'logrolling' refer to in the context of Congress?
What does the term 'logrolling' refer to in the context of Congress?
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Which of the following statements about the electoral process is accurate?
Which of the following statements about the electoral process is accurate?
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What role does the media serve in the political process?
What role does the media serve in the political process?
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What is 'pork barrel spending'?
What is 'pork barrel spending'?
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What does the 'revolving door' refer to in the context of politics?
What does the 'revolving door' refer to in the context of politics?
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In the U.S. Congress, how are representatives apportioned among the states?
In the U.S. Congress, how are representatives apportioned among the states?
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What role does the House Rules Committee play in legislative processes?
What role does the House Rules Committee play in legislative processes?
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How long do senators serve in their position?
How long do senators serve in their position?
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What is required to end a filibuster in the Senate?
What is required to end a filibuster in the Senate?
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Which type of committee is a permanent panel with legislative functions and oversight responsibilities?
Which type of committee is a permanent panel with legislative functions and oversight responsibilities?
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What purpose do conference committees serve?
What purpose do conference committees serve?
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What is one of the main responsibilities of the Senate?
What is one of the main responsibilities of the Senate?
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Which committee is likely to oversee military and defense matters?
Which committee is likely to oversee military and defense matters?
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What is the main function of select/special committees?
What is the main function of select/special committees?
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What are riders in the legislative context?
What are riders in the legislative context?
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Who confirms the heads of the president's cabinet agencies?
Who confirms the heads of the president's cabinet agencies?
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What principle ensures that each branch of government can limit the powers of the others?
What principle ensures that each branch of government can limit the powers of the others?
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Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?
Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?
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Which form of federalism is characterized by a clear division of responsibilities between state and federal governments?
Which form of federalism is characterized by a clear division of responsibilities between state and federal governments?
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What is the purpose of the Due Process Clause?
What is the purpose of the Due Process Clause?
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What term describes federal funds allocated for a specific purpose, such as building an airport?
What term describes federal funds allocated for a specific purpose, such as building an airport?
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Which amendment is primarily responsible for the process of selective incorporation?
Which amendment is primarily responsible for the process of selective incorporation?
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Which court case established the principle of judicial review?
Which court case established the principle of judicial review?
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Which right is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment?
Which right is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment?
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Which amendment granted women the right to vote?
Which amendment granted women the right to vote?
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Which case determined that the government can limit speech under the clear and present danger test?
Which case determined that the government can limit speech under the clear and present danger test?
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What type of federalism involves shared powers between the state and federal governments?
What type of federalism involves shared powers between the state and federal governments?
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What does the Equal Protection Clause ensure?
What does the Equal Protection Clause ensure?
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What was the ruling in Brown v. Board of Education?
What was the ruling in Brown v. Board of Education?
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Which of the following is NOT a right protected by the Eighth Amendment?
Which of the following is NOT a right protected by the Eighth Amendment?
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Which statement about the Free Exercise Clause is correct?
Which statement about the Free Exercise Clause is correct?
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What power allows the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional?
What power allows the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional?
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What does non-protected speech include?
What does non-protected speech include?
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Which system of government gives most power to individual states rather than a central authority?
Which system of government gives most power to individual states rather than a central authority?
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Study Notes
Fundamental Principles of Democracy
- Direct Democracy - citizens vote directly on government decisions
- Representative Democracy (Republic) - citizens elect officials to make decisions
- Magna Carta (1215) - first form of limited government
- Enlightenment Philosophers (17th Century) - influenced ideas about government
- Social Contract - agreement between people and government
- Consent of the Governed - all rulers depend on the people's approval
- Natural Rights - Life, Liberty, Property
- Declaration of Independence (1776): based on social contract, consent of the governed; declared independence from England
- Common Good - best for the nation overall
- Popular Sovereignty - ultimate authority rests with the people
- Majority Rule - government based on majority will
- Articles of Confederation (1777) - first US government; weak central authority
- Weaknesses: weak state association, no federal executive, no direct taxation power
- No central executive
- No federal power to tax citizens directly
- 9/13 states required to pass laws
- Shay's Rebellion (1786-1787) - highlighted weaknesses of the central government
Constitutional Convention
- Meeting in Philadelphia (1787) to create a new constitution
- Delegates - supported representative democracy (republic)
- Three Branches - executive, legislative, judicial branches
- Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists - debate over the new constitution
- 3/5 Compromise - counted slaves as 3/5 of a person for representation
- Connecticut Compromise - created a bicameral legislature (House and Senate)
- Federalist Papers - articles by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay to support the Constitution
The Constitution
- Articles – outline the structure and functions of the government
- Article I - Legislative Branch
- Article II - Executive Branch
- Article III - Judicial Branch
- Article IV - Interstate Relations
- Article V - Amendment process
- Amendments – changes to the Constitution
- Bill of Rights – first 10 amendments (protecting individual rights)
- Separation of Powers – three distinct branches
- Checks and Balances – each branch limits the power of the other
- Federalism – power divided between the federal and state governments
The Presidency
- Powers - executive orders, agenda setting, informal powers;
- Cabinet, informal powers, executive privilege, impoundment
- Bureaucracy – administrative system
- Impeachment and removal of the President
- Implementation, Administration, and Regulation roles of bureaucracy
The Role of Congress
- Bicameral Legislature (House and Senate)
- Powers - appropriating funds; passing laws; oversight of the executive branch
- Committees – handle specific legislative tasks
- Standing Committees – permanent committees
- Subcommittees – tackle specific tasks within standing committees
- Joint Committees – from both House and Senate
- Conference Committees – reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of bills
The Judiciary
- Judicial Review – power of courts to review laws
- Judicial Restraint – avoiding overturning prior decisions
- Structure - District Courts, Courts of Appeals, Supreme Court
- Appointing judges- Presidents nominate and Senate confirms judges
Political Culture, Beliefs, and Behaviors
- Political Socialization – process of developing political views
- Ideologies (e.g., liberal, conservative)- Beliefs about government
- Voting (e.g. general, primary, referendum)- How citizens participate in government
- Electoral system (e.g., electoral college, voter turnout)
- Linkage Organizations (e.g. Political parties, Interest groups, mass media)- Connecting the people to the government
Economic Policy and Social Welfare
- Economic policy - involves taxation, government spending, and monetary policy, and inflation
- Social Welfare - universal programs (e.g., Social Security, Medicare) and client-based programs
- Keynesianism, Monetarism, Supply-Side Economics - economic theories
Foreign Policy
- Positive and Negative Actions (mutuals)- how countries interact on the world stage
- Power of the Purse - Congress's power to control spending on foreign policy
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Description
Explore the essential concepts of democracy, including direct and representative democracy, the influence of Enlightenment philosophers, and the significance of the Magna Carta. This quiz also covers key documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, highlighting their impact on modern governance. Test your understanding of these foundational principles and their relevance today.
