US Government and Politics

10 Questions

What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution

Which type of federalism is characterized by a clear division of power between the national government and states?

Dual federalism

What is protected by the 5th Amendment?

Protection against self-incrimination and double jeopardy

What was the main purpose of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

To protect voting rights for racial and language minorities

How many members are there in the House of Representatives?

435

What is the main function of the President's executive privileges?

To issue executive orders and grant pardons

What is the highest court in the land?

The Supreme Court

What is the primary function of political parties?

To nominate candidates and campaign

What is the main goal of interest groups?

To shape public policy

What is the process of learning and internalizing political values and attitudes?

Political socialization

Study Notes

Constitutional Foundations

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land
Separation of powers: Legislative, Executive, Judicial
System of checks and balances
Federalism: Division of power between national government and states

Federalism

Dual federalism: National government and states have separate spheres of authority
Cooperative federalism: National government and states share authority
Fiscal federalism: National government provides funding to states

Civil Liberties

Bill of Rights: First 10 amendments to the Constitution
Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition (1st Amendment)
Right to bear arms (2nd Amendment)
Protection against self-incrimination and double jeopardy (5th Amendment)

Civil Rights

13th Amendment: Abolition of slavery
14th Amendment: Due process and equal protection
15th Amendment: Voting rights for African Americans
Civil Rights Act of 1964: Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin
Voting Rights Act of 1965: Protects voting rights for racial and language minorities

Congress

Bicameral legislature: House of Representatives and Senate
House of Representatives:
- 435 members, each representing a district
- Serve 2-year terms
Senate:
- 100 members, each representing a state
- Serve 6-year terms
Powers:
- Lawmaking
- Budget and appropriations
- Advice and consent (presidential appointments)

The Presidency

Executive power: Enforces laws, commander-in-chief
Executive privileges:
- Executive orders
- Pardons
- Diplomatic appointments
Presidential roles:
- Head of state
- Head of government
- Commander-in-chief

The Judiciary

Supreme Court: Highest court in the land
Jurisdiction: Original and appellate
Types of cases:
- Original jurisdiction: Cases involving states or ambassadors
- Appellate jurisdiction: Cases appealed from lower courts
Judicial review: Supreme Court's power to declare laws unconstitutional

Political Parties and Elections

Functions of political parties:
- Nominate candidates
- Campaign and electioneering
- Governance
Types of party systems:
- Two-party system
- Multi-party system
Election types:
- Primary elections
- General elections
- Caucuses and conventions

Interest Groups and the Media

Interest groups:
- Types: Economic, environmental, social
- Strategies: Lobbying, litigation, grassroots mobilization
Media:
- Types: Print, broadcast, digital
- Functions: Inform, persuade, entertain
Relationship between interest groups and media:
- Agenda-setting
- Framing
- Priming

Public Opinion and Political Socialization

Public opinion:
- Formation: Socialization, media, events
- Measurement: Surveys, polls, focus groups
Political socialization:
- Agents: Family, school, media
- Processes: Learning, internalization, reinforcement
Political ideology:
- Liberalism
- Conservatism
- Libertarianism