Political Science and Constitutional Democracy
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Questions and Answers

What does the elitist theory of power suggest?

  • Majority opinion always dictates policy decisions.
  • Power is held solely by elected representatives.
  • Wealthy individuals influence certain public policies. (correct)
  • Power is distributed equally among all citizens.

    • Which theory posits that society's interests are represented through group activities?

  • Pluralist theory (correct)
  • Social contract theory
  • Majoritarian theory
  • Elitist theory

    • What concept refers to the notion of a governing authority being subject to the will of the people?

  • Popular sovereignty (correct)
  • Political equality
  • Tyranny of the majority
  • Social contract

    • Which thinker believed that individuals have the right to remove a ruler who fails to safeguard their natural rights?

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

    What is the primary concern of Hobbes regarding social order?

    <p>The necessity of an unaccountable sovereign</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'tyranny of the majority' refer to?

    <p>Majority influence that harms minority interests.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best defines constitutional democracy?

    <p>A system emphasizing minority rights and democratic elections.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Rousseau, what causes conflict and social injustice?

    <p>Societies imposing ownership and divisions of labor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one potential downside of centralized power?

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

    Which characteristic of bureaucracy involves a clear chain of authority?

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

    What does judicial activism advocate for?

    <p>Development of new legal principles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is required for the Supreme Court to grant certiorari?

    <p>Four justices must agree</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the writ of certiorari?

    <p>To allow a case to be appealed to a higher court</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which judicial philosophy emphasizes deference to legislative judgment?

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

    What is the main purpose of judicial review?

    <p>To assess governmental actions for constitutionality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best defines political socialization?

    <p>The learning process of acquiring political opinions and values</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one defining feature of the judicial branch established by Article III of the Constitution?

    <p>The right to a fair trial by a jury of peers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do agents of political socialization play?

    <p>They impact citizens' political socialization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic of bureaucracy ensures roles are filled based on merit rather than personal relationships?

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

    Which term describes a meeting of party members to select candidates?

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

    How does centralized power affect innovation?

    <p>It stifles innovation and creativity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term political party dealignment mean?

    <p>Voter groups leaving to become independent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of agenda setting in the context of news media?

    <p>To focus public attention on specific issues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does public opinion refer to?

    <p>The relevant opinions held by ordinary citizens</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

    <p>To outline the principles of American identity and government</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes federalism?

    <p>A system that divides authority between national and regional governments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Necessary and Proper Clause allow the federal government to do?

    <p>Exercise powers not expressly authorized by the Constitution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the main functions of the Federalist Papers?

    <p>To urge New Yorkers to ratify the new United States Constitution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which powers are specifically granted to the national government in the Constitution?

    <p>Powers related to foreign affairs and both federal and state taxation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does fiscal federalism operate?

    <p>By providing federal funds for programs implemented by states and localities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What key role does the Tenth Amendment play in federalism?

    <p>It reserves powers not assigned to the federal government for the states and the people</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary impact of decentralized power in government?

    <p>Enhances transparency and civil society participation in decision making</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is issue framing?

    <p>The portrayal of certain elements of a situation while ignoring others.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes yellow journalism?

    <p>Use of sensationalism and exaggeration to attract readers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is inside lobbying primarily based on?

    <p>Direct communication with policy makers based on close contacts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do collective goods provide to members of a group?

    <p>Benefits that can be shared with nonmembers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes selective perception?

    <p>Ignoring facts in favor of personal beliefs and goals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do linkage institutions serve?

    <p>To connect citizens with governmental processes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the committee system within the United States Congress?

    <p>To organize the legislative process and divide labor among members</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main issue posed by the free-rider problem?

    <p>Increased costs for members due to nonmembers benefiting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a filibuster?

    <p>A tactic preventing a bill from coming to a vote by prolonged speech</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of interest group aims to improve the economic situation of its members?

    <p>Economic groups representing industries or professionals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes the process of cloture in the Senate?

    <p>It limits debate to 30 hours if a three-fifths majority agrees</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about the Speaker of the House is accurate?

    <p>The Speaker is selected by the entire House of Representatives every two years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one consequence of a president having high popular support?

    <p>The president can execute policies with less opposition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the implication of the lame duck period for a president?

    <p>The president’s ability to influence is often diminished</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor has significantly contributed to the expansion of presidential power over time?

    <p>National crises and technological advancements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines single-member districts in the context of electoral representation?

    <p>Each district has only one officeholder representing it</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Political Science

    • Study of power: US citizens are bound by core American ideals. Americans study the political system as citizens hold power in a democracy.
    • Elitist theory of power: Wealthy, connected individuals control policy areas.
    • Majoritarian theory of power: Majority rules in elections and policy.
    • Pluralist theory of power: Diverse interests shape policy through group activity.

    Constitutional Democracy

    • Social contract theory: Individuals voluntarily agree to form a government bound by agreement.
    • Popular sovereignty: Supreme authority rests with citizens in making laws, maintaining order and autonomy.
    • Political equality: Extent to which citizens have equal voices in policy.
    • Locke's philosophy: Individuals have natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Rulers can be removed if they fail to protect these rights.
    • Hobbes' philosophy: Conflict avoidance is vital; humans need an absolute ruler for social order.
    • Rousseau's philosophy: People are born free and equal, but societal rules and labor division create inequality.

    Federalism

    • Federalism: Power divided between national and regional governments.
    • Enumerated powers: Specific powers granted to national government (Article I, Section 8).
    • Implied powers: Powers derived from enumerated powers through the "necessary and proper" clause.
    • Tenth Amendment: Powers not delegated to federal gov't belong to states or the people.
    • State-centered/nation-centered federalism: Power distribution balance.
    • Fiscal federalism: Expenditure of federal funds on state/local programs.
    • Federalist papers: 85 essays to persuade NY citizens to ratify the US Constitution. Advocated decentralization of power.
    • Supremacy/Necessary & Proper Clauses: Define scope of federal power and relationship between federal and state governments.

    Congress

    • Article I: Establishes the legislative branch (Congress).
    • Impact of decentralized power: Increased citizen participation and transparency in policymaking.
    • Perceptions of Congress: Viewed as slow by most Americans.
    • Committee system: Divides labor in Congress.
    • Congress structure: House (representation based on population) and Senate (two senators per state).

    President/Bureaucracy

    • Article II: Establishes the executive branch and presidential powers.
    • Evolution of presidential power: Growth due to crises, technology, and acting quickly; broadened presidential roles.
    • Popular support and presidential power: Presidents with popular support gain more sway with Congress.
    • Honeymoon period: Initial months of a new presidency marked by high public support willingness to support initiatives.
    • Lame duck period: End of presidency, less public and congressional support.
    • Centralized power: Strong unified government; potential downsides include reduced local autonomy and less innovation.

    Federal Courts

    • Article III: Creates the judicial branch (Supreme Court and lower courts).
    • Judicial philosophies: Activism (developing new laws) vs. restraint (following precedent), judicial review (determining legal action).
    • Judicial review: Authority of courts to declare governmental actions unconstitutional.

    Political Socialization/Public Opinion/Participation

    • Political socialization: Learning process forming political opinions, values, and beliefs.
    • Agents of political socialization: Factors impacting views (family, media).

    Political Parties/Campaigns/Elections

    • Two-party system: Two major political parties dominate.
    • Election to public office
    • Caucuses: Meetings to select political candidates.
    • Primaries: Elections deciding party candidates.
    • General elections: Voting for the final candidates.
    • Political party realignment: Voter shifts in preference between parties.
    • Political party dealignment: Voters leave one party without joining another.
    • Linkage institution: Connects citizens and government (elections, parties, groups, media).

    News Media

    • News media roles: Signaling, watchdog, agenda-setting.
    • Issue framing: Media's interpretation of current issues.
    • Yellow journalism: Sensationalized journalism.
    • Selective perception: Filtering information based on existing beliefs.
    • Linkage institution: Connects citizens and government (elections, parties, interests, media).

    Interest Groups

    • Interest groups: Organizations influencing public policy.
    • Inside lobbying: Direct communication between interest groups and policymakers.
    • Outside lobbying: Public pressure to influence policy.
    • Economic groups/citizen groups: Types of interest groups.
    • Pluralism: A system with multiple groups influencing policies.
    • Collective goods/free rider problem: Shared, indivisible benefits with the incentive to join a group reducing if non-members also receive benefits.

    Civil Liberties/Civil Rights

    • Differences between civil liberties and civil rights.
    • U.S. Bill of Rights: Fundamental rights protections.
    • Due process procedures: Fair legal procedures must be followed.
    • Selective incorporation: Bill of Rights applies to state actions.

    Landmark Supreme Court Cases

    • Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): Upheld racial segregation laws.
    • Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

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    Description

    Explore key theories and concepts in Political Science and Constitutional Democracy, including power dynamics, social contract theory, and philosophies of well-known thinkers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. Delve into how citizens engage in democracy, influence policy, and the principles that maintain political equality.

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