Political Science: Nomination Process Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the role of the FBI in the nomination process?

Facilitate the oath of office for judges

Perform a background check on nominees (correct)

Conduct a public hearing on candidates

Provide a list of judges for nomination

What happens after the Senate Judiciary Committee votes on a nominee?

The nominee is automatically confirmed

The committee sends a recommendation to the full Senate (correct)

The candidate is re-evaluated for a new nomination

The nominee holds a press conference

Why do judges serve life terms, and how does it impact their rulings?

It ensures they can retire at an older age

It allows them to change the law through tenure

It prevents them from being influenced by political factors (correct)

It restricts them from hearing controversial cases

What is the primary belief of libertarianism?

Focus on individual and business rights with minimal government Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic is reported to vote the most?

Wealthy whites Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of adjusting congressional districts based on population changes called?

Redistricting Signup and view all the answers

What is gerrymandering?

Redrawing district lines to benefit a specific party Signup and view all the answers

Which group tends to vote more liberally?

Educated young people Signup and view all the answers

What demographic characteristics are measured during the Census?

Income, education, race, and gender Signup and view all the answers

Which group has historically been noted to vote less frequently?

Young and uneducated individuals Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary issue at stake in the McCulloch vs. Maryland case?

Whether the state had the authority to tax a national bank Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Supreme Court's ruling in McCulloch vs. Maryland?

The Bank of the United States did not have to pay Maryland state taxes Signup and view all the answers

Which clause gives the federal government the authority to regulate interstate commerce?

Commerce Clause Signup and view all the answers

What does the Take Care Clause require of the president?

To enforce all laws passed by Congress Signup and view all the answers

What does the Full Faith and Credit Clause ensure?

States honor public acts and judicial proceedings from other states Signup and view all the answers

What requirement does the Privileges and Immunities Clause impose on states?

States have to provide the same privileges to all citizens, regardless of their home state Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments guaranteeing individual rights Signup and view all the answers

What effect did the McCulloch vs. Maryland ruling have on the concept of nullification?

It invalidated the idea that states could nullify federal laws Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the powers of the president as Commander in Chief?

Head of the Army and Navy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a power of the president as Chief Executive of the Government?

Initiate constitutional amendments Signup and view all the answers

What is required for the president to make treaties?

Approval from the Senate Signup and view all the answers

How long does the president have to justify troop deployment under the War Powers Act?

48 hours Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the presidential veto is correct?

It can be overridden by 2/3 of Congress Signup and view all the answers

Under what condition can the president send troops anywhere in the world?

If Congress authorizes it or during a national emergency Signup and view all the answers

What does the Cabinet consist of?

Heads of major federal agencies confirmed by the Senate Signup and view all the answers

Which power allows the president to bypass Congress regarding a bill?

Pocket veto Signup and view all the answers

During which era did the federal government first take significant responsibility for social welfare?

Federal Era Signup and view all the answers

Which program was established under FDR's New Deal?

Social Security Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary belief of Reagan regarding welfare during his administration?

Welfare created dependency on the state. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following programs was established during the Great Society?

Medicaid Signup and view all the answers

What was a characteristic of the Block Grant Era from 1995 to 2010?

Return of welfare responsibility to the states. Signup and view all the answers

During the State Sponsored Era, which level of government primarily dealt with social problems?

State governments Signup and view all the answers

Which key social issue was NOT addressed by state laws during the State Sponsored Era?

Universal healthcare Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of welfare policy during the Safety Net Era?

Reducing welfare to a basic safety net Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of governments concerning deficits and debt?

To avoid spending more than they make and manage debt Signup and view all the answers

What does opportunity cost represent in economic decision-making?

The most valued alternative forgone when a choice is made Signup and view all the answers

What does the Law of Supply indicate about producer behavior as prices increase?

The quantity supplied increases as prices rise Signup and view all the answers

How does the Law of Demand describe consumer behavior when prices decrease?

The quantity demanded tends to increase Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the critical roles of maintaining a balance between supply and demand?

To stabilize product prices Signup and view all the answers

What is referred to as monetary policy?

Actions taken by the Federal Reserve to control the economy Signup and view all the answers

What happens during inflation in an economy?

The value of money falls due to excessive currency in circulation Signup and view all the answers

Why does the Federal Reserve have independence in setting monetary policy?

To prevent political influences on economic stability Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Constitutional Underpinnings

Direct Democracy involves citizens voting directly on government decisions
Representative Democracy (a republic) involves citizens electing officials to make decisions
Magna Carta (1215) was the first attempt to limit British King's power, guaranteeing rights to people
Enlightenment Philosophers (Locke and Rousseau) developed Social Contract Theory, stating people agree to be governed
Consent of the Governed is the principle that rulers depend on the people's approval
Natural Rights (life, liberty, and property, later pursuit of happiness) are inherent to all people
The Declaration of Independence was based on life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, consent of the governed, and social contract theory. It justified the American Revolution
Common Good emphasizes actions benefiting the nation
Popular Sovereignty states that ultimate authority lies with the people.
Majority Rule suggests government is run by the majority's will
Articles of Confederation: A weak association of states with no central executive power and no federal power to tax citizens
No federal power to tax citizens directly
Federal government could raise an army, declare war, run the postal service but not pay for it, or print money
Federal government had to have 9 out of 13 states for a law to pass.
Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts (1786-1787) highlighted the weaknesses of the central government in response to economy problems and mortgage foreclosures
Constitutional Convention (1787) created a new constitution
Representative Democracy: people elect representatives to make laws, supported by the delegates
Three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial, were supported

Federalist vs Anti-Federalist Debate

Debate between Federalists (e.g., Hamilton, Madison) supported a strong central government and Anti-Federalists (opposed) who feared too much national power
Federalist Papers, written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay, argued in favor of the Constitution
Federalist Paper #10 addressed the importance of factions in a large republic
Federalist Paper #51 discussed checks and balances and separation of powers
Weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation: Congress couldn't tax, regulate interstate commerce, or enforce laws; no national court system
Solutions to these problems were provided by the Constitution: The national government gained power to tax, regulate interstate commerce, and enforce laws; it created a national court system.

Federalism

Federalism divides powers between federal and state governments.
Confederacies have weak central governments
Unitary systems have strong central governments with limited state powers
Dual/Layer Cake Federalism(1789-1932) is characterized by separate powers between state and federal government
Cooperative/Marble Cake Federalism (since 1932) involves shared powers between state and federal governments
Fiscal Federalism involves money transfer between the federal and state/local governments through grants
Categorical grants are specific purpose grants.
Block grants are broad grants
Revenue sharing involves federal sharing of revenue with states
Mandates are requirements states must meet if they accept federal funds.
Devolution returns power to the states.

Federal Powers

Express powers are specifically listed in the Constitution
Implied powers are derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause (elastic clause)
Inherent powers are not explicitly listed but belong to the national government because of its existence

Denied Powers

Powers explicitly denied to the government include suspending habeas corpus, passing bills of attainder, and enacting ex post facto laws.

Supreme Clause

Federal law is superior to state law

Checks and Balances

Each branch of government has some power over the others
Legislative Branch:
- Approves budget, passes laws, can impeach/remove president and judges
Executive Branch:
- Can veto laws, appoints judges, makes treaties
Judicial Branch:
- Interprets laws, can declare laws unconstitutional

Constitutional Amendments

First 10 amendments to the Constitution form the Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10). These amendments protect individual and states' rights.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the nomination process in political science. This quiz covers topics such as the role of the FBI, senatorial courtesy, and gerrymandering. Dive into the intricacies of voting behaviors and the impact of judges serving life terms.