Government Structure & Powers Overview

Government Structure & Powers

• Enumerated Powers: Specific federal government powers listed in the Constitution (e.g., taxation, defense).
• Implied Powers: Powers not explicitly stated but necessary to carry out enumerated powers (e.g., creating the IRS).
• Reserved Powers: Powers not given to the federal government or forbidden to states, held by states (10th Amendment).
• Bicameral Legislature: Two-house system (e.g., Senate and House of Representatives).
• Dual Court System: Coexistence of state and federal courts.
• Federal System: Power shared between national and state governments.
• Confederate System: States hold more power than the central government.

Political Roles & Institutions

• Speaker of the House: Leader of the House of Representatives, sets the legislative agenda.
• Solicitor General: Represents the federal government in Supreme Court cases.
• Standing Committees: Permanent congressional committees focusing on specific policy areas.
• Governor Powers: State-level executive powers like vetoing bills, managing budgets, and appointing officials.
• Bureaucracy: Administrative organizations implementing laws and policies.

Presidential Powers & Foreign Policy

• Presidential Responsibilities: Enforcing laws, managing the executive branch, foreign affairs, and being commander-in-chief.
• Appointment Power: President nominates federal officials and judges, often needing Senate approval.
• Executive Agreements: International agreements made by the president without Senate approval.
• Going Public: President appealing directly to the public to gain support for policies.
• Expanded Presidential Powers: Growth of presidential authority beyond constitutional limits, often during crises.
• U.S. Foreign Policy Goals: National security, economic interests, promoting democracy, and humanitarian concerns.
• Realism: Foreign policy focused on national interest and power.
• Idealism: Foreign policy emphasizing moral values and international cooperation.
• Neoconservatism: Proactive foreign policy, often promoting democracy and military strength.
• Selective Engagement: Strategic use of diplomatic, economic, and military tools to engage in global affairs without overextending resources.

Policy and Budget

• Public Policy Process: Agenda setting, formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation.
• Agenda Setting: Prioritizing issues for governmental action.
• Discretionary Spending: Government spending not mandated by law (e.g., defense, education).
• Mandatory Spending: Spending required by law (e.g., Social Security, Medicare).

Elections & Civil Rights

• Plurality Voting: Candidate with most votes wins, even without a majority.
• Party-in-the-Electorate: Party supporters within the public.
• Civil Liberties: Individual rights protected from government interference.
• Civil Rights: Protections from discrimination and equal treatment.

Three Models of Bureaucracy

• Weberian Model: Bureaucracy based on hierarchy, rules, and merit.
• Acquisitive Model: Bureaucratic agencies seek to expand power and resources.
• Monopolistic Model: Bureaucracies operate inefficiently due to lack of competition.

This quiz covers key concepts related to the structure and powers of government. You'll explore enumerated and implied powers, the bicameral legislature, and the roles of political institutions. Test your knowledge on how federal and state powers are defined and exercised.