Political Science: Elections and Government Structure

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Questions and Answers

Who draws congressional districts every 10 years?

State legislatures, independent commissions, or a combination of both.

What does the Senate approve of the presidents appointees?

Cabinet Members (e.g., Secretary of State, Defense, etc.)
Federal Judges (including Supreme Court justices)
Ambassadors
Heads of Independent Agencies
All of the above (correct)

Which of the following ideologies are commonly discussed in American politics?

Republican
Democrat
Libertarian
Socialism
Populism
Centrism
Anarchism
All of the above (correct)

What are some checks on the bureaucracy in the United States?

The President can appoint bureaucratic heads, issue executive orders to mandate an agency policy, and reduce an agency's budget. Federal courts can use judicial review to declare a bureaucratic action as unconstitutional. Congress uses congressional oversight. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are types of voting?

All of the above (K) Signup and view all the answers

What are voting restrictions often intended to prevent?

Fraud Signup and view all the answers

What does the president appoint that the Senate affirms?

The President appoints Cabinet members (e.g., Secretary of State, Defense, etc.), federal judges (including Supreme Court justices), ambassadors, and heads of independent agencies. Signup and view all the answers

How do PACs (Political Action Committees) promote incumbents?

PACs can contribute to, or spend on behalf of, both incumbent and challenger candidates. However, they often tend to favor incumbents as they have a record of achievement and are more likely to be in positions of power. Signup and view all the answers

Where do revenue bills originate?

The House of Representatives Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a president is impeached?

The House of Representatives votes to impeach the President, and the Senate then conducts a trial to determine guilt or innocence. Signup and view all the answers

The power of the president includes declaring war.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of Shays' Rebellion?

The rebellion was a protest against economic hardships, particularly against high taxes and debt. Farmers, many of whom were veterans, faced the loss of their farms due to unpaid debts and taxes. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the differences between prospective and retrospective voting.

Prospective voting occurs when voters choose candidates based on their promises and future plans. Retrospective voting occurs when voters consider the past performance of a candidate or party, often judging them based on their record in office. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of realigning elections in the political landscape?

Realigning elections are moments of significant political change that can lead to the emergence of new coalitions, parties, or ideologies. They often involve a shift in the dominant parties or a major change in voter alignments. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following amendments are important to understand in the context of American government?

All of the above (G) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate?

The House of Representatives is responsible for making and passing federal laws, while the Senate has the sole power to conduct impeachment trials, serving as both jury and judge. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Supremacy Clause?

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of 'large republic' as it relates to governance.

The concept of a large republic is based on the idea that a large and diverse population will prevent any single faction from gaining too much power, thereby protecting individual rights and fostering stability. Signup and view all the answers

What is popular sovereignty?

Popular sovereignty is the belief that ultimate power resides in the people. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of the 'social contract' in government.

A social contract is a voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules. This agreement involves the exchange of individual rights for the protection and benefits provided by government. Signup and view all the answers

To what government did the Bill of Rights first apply?

The Bill of Rights initially applied to the federal government. Signup and view all the answers

What type of voter typically bases their decisions on past performance?

A retrospective voter Signup and view all the answers

Explain the meaning of habeas corpus.

Habeas corpus is an order to produce an arrested person before a judge to ensure that the detention is lawful. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Bureau of Census?

It collects data about the population, including how many people live in the country, their age, race, and other characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for reapportioning districts every 10 years?

State legislatures Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case?

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission granted corporations and unions the right to spend unlimited amounts of money on elections. Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical outcome of aligning elections for Republicans?

Realigning elections often result in a political realignment that favors the Republican Party. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'necessary and proper' Clause?

The 'necessary and proper' Clause grants Congress the power to make all laws "necessary and proper" for executing its powers. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are considered civil liberties?

All of the above (E) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 19th Amendment and the Equal Rights Amendment (Title IX) regarding women's rights?

They protect the rights of women by guaranteeing voting rights and equal opportunities in education and other public spheres. Signup and view all the answers

Voter turnout is an important indicator of civic engagement.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of affirmative action.

Affirmative action is a policy designed to redress past discrimination by creating equal opportunities for women and minority groups. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'prior restraint' in the context of freedom of speech?

Prior restraint is government censorship of information before it is published or broadcast. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Exclusionary Rule?

It prevents improperly gathered evidence from being introduced in a criminal trial. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) case?

Brown v. Board of Education declared that racially segregated facilities are inherently unequal and ordered all public schools desegregated. Signup and view all the answers

What was the central ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?

The Supreme Court ruled that federal law was stronger than the state law, upholding the national bank's constitutionality. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) case?

It granted corporations and unions the right to spend unlimited money on independent political campaigns, leading to the rise of Super PACs. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of the Marbury v. Madison (1803) case and its relation to judicial review.

The case established the principle of judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to determine whether laws passed by Congress are constitutional. Signup and view all the answers

How did the ruling in Marbury v. Madison impact the U.S. judicial system?

The decision established the Supreme Court's power of judicial review, significantly strengthening its role as the final arbiter of the law. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Who draws congressional districts every 10 years?

State legislatures, independent commissions, or a combination of both.

What does Senate approve of presidents appointees?

Cabinet Members (e.g., Secretary of State, Defense, etc.) Federal Judges (including Supreme Court justices) Ambassadors Heads of Independent Agencies

Popular Sovereignty

A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.

Social Contract

A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.