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Questions and Answers
What is government best defined as?
What is government best defined as?
Institutions and procedures by which a territory and its people are ruled.
How did the framers design the Senate to act as a check against excessive democracy?
How did the framers design the Senate to act as a check against excessive democracy?
- Senators were elected by the public directly.
- Senators serve unlimited terms.
- Senators were appointed by state legislatures. (correct)
- Senators represent popular votes.
What is an example of political equality?
What is an example of political equality?
The right of each citizen to vote.
How have the incomes of middle-class Americans changed over the last 40 years?
How have the incomes of middle-class Americans changed over the last 40 years?
Why did the delegates at the Philadelphia Convention turn down the idea of a citizens' rights list?
Why did the delegates at the Philadelphia Convention turn down the idea of a citizens' rights list?
What is a good example of checks and balances?
What is a good example of checks and balances?
What is the term for having a share in the government's leadership and policies?
What is the term for having a share in the government's leadership and policies?
A government that is not constrained by legal limits and seeks to eliminate challenges to its authority is known as a(n) ________ government.
A government that is not constrained by legal limits and seeks to eliminate challenges to its authority is known as a(n) ________ government.
What was the Bill of Rights designed to protect?
What was the Bill of Rights designed to protect?
The American population grew from approximately ________ million people in 1790 to approximately ________ million people in 2018.
The American population grew from approximately ________ million people in 1790 to approximately ________ million people in 2018.
Why was the Declaration of Independence remarkable for its time?
Why was the Declaration of Independence remarkable for its time?
What is critical to being a good citizen in the United States?
What is critical to being a good citizen in the United States?
What did Baron de la Brède et de Montesquieu argue?
What did Baron de la Brède et de Montesquieu argue?
Which office was designed to be directly elected by the people?
Which office was designed to be directly elected by the people?
What does 'no taxation without representation' exemplify?
What does 'no taxation without representation' exemplify?
________ is a system of government in which member states retain almost all of their sovereign authority and delegate limited powers to a weak central body.
________ is a system of government in which member states retain almost all of their sovereign authority and delegate limited powers to a weak central body.
What is a representative democracy?
What is a representative democracy?
What does the supremacy clause assert?
What does the supremacy clause assert?
How was the issue of representation addressed in the Great Compromise?
How was the issue of representation addressed in the Great Compromise?
What is direct democracy defined as?
What is direct democracy defined as?
Willingness to be restrained by the power of social institutions, but not political or legal institutions, is a hallmark of a(n) ________ regime.
Willingness to be restrained by the power of social institutions, but not political or legal institutions, is a hallmark of a(n) ________ regime.
When does democracy function best?
When does democracy function best?
What did the framers of the U.S. Constitution intend for the presidency?
What did the framers of the U.S. Constitution intend for the presidency?
What is 'digital citizenship'?
What is 'digital citizenship'?
How has Americans' sense of political efficacy changed from 1960 to 2015?
How has Americans' sense of political efficacy changed from 1960 to 2015?
What best summarizes John Locke's arguments regarding government?
What best summarizes John Locke's arguments regarding government?
What is true about the U.S. Constitution's amendment process?
What is true about the U.S. Constitution's amendment process?
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Study Notes
Government Basics
- Government refers to the institutions and procedures that rule a territory and its people.
- The right to vote exemplifies political equality, fundamental to democratic systems.
The Senate and Democracy
- Senators were initially appointed by state legislatures, serving as a check against excessive democracy.
Economic Trends
- Middle-class incomes in the U.S. have largely stagnated over the last 40 years.
The Constitution and Rights
- Delegates at the Philadelphia Convention rejected a bill of rights, believing federal powers were already limited.
- The Bill of Rights was introduced to guarantee individual liberties.
Checks and Balances
- The presidential veto of congressional bills illustrates the system of checks and balances designed to prevent abuse of power.
Power Dynamics
- Power in governance entails having a say in leadership composition and policy-making processes.
- Totalitarian government is characterized by a lack of legal constraints and suppression of opposition.
Historical Population Growth
- U.S. population grew from approximately 4 million in 1790 to around 327 million by 2018.
Philosophical Foundations
- The Declaration of Independence emphasized "unalienable rights," asserting that governments cannot infringe upon them.
- Montesquieu advocated for a balance of power to guard against tyranny.
Democracy and Representation
- U.S. House representatives are the only office directly elected by the people, highlighting democratic engagement.
- The Great Compromise established equal Senate representation for states, with House representation based on population.
Political Reforms and Systems
- The rallying cry for "no taxation without representation" signified a push for greater public influence in governance.
- Confederal systems maintain state sovereignty while delegating limited powers to a weak central authority.
Political Efficacy and Citizenship
- A representative democracy allows citizens regular opportunities to elect government officials.
- Political efficacy among Americans has notably decreased between 1960 and 2015.
- Digital citizenship emphasizes active online participation in society.
Constitutional Principles
- The supremacy clause establishes that the Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws.
- Altering government structure is justified according to Locke, who stated that governments exist to protect individual rights.
Electoral Process
- The U.S. presidency was designed to endure democratic pressures through indirect election via the electoral college, balancing popular influence.
Informed Citizenry
- Democracy thrives when citizens are well-informed, underpinning effective governance and civic engagement.
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