Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies the principle of 'vertical checks and balances'?
Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies the principle of 'vertical checks and balances'?
- The Supreme Court declares a state law unconstitutional.
- Congress overrides a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote.
- The Senate confirms a presidential appointment to the Supreme Court.
- A state government challenges a federal environmental regulation in court. (correct)
How did the Great Compromise resolve the debate over representation in the newly formed government?
How did the Great Compromise resolve the debate over representation in the newly formed government?
- By creating a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.
- By granting the executive branch the power to veto legislation passed by either house.
- By leaving the decision of representation to each individual state.
- By establishing a bicameral legislature with one house based on population and the other with equal state representation. (correct)
The 'elastic clause,' found in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, has been interpreted to justify what type of powers for the federal government?
The 'elastic clause,' found in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, has been interpreted to justify what type of powers for the federal government?
- Expressed powers, directly stated and limited by the Constitution.
- Implied powers, those necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers. (correct)
- Inherent powers, those naturally held by sovereign nations.
- Enumerated powers, specifically listed in the Constitution.
What is the primary distinction between block grants and categorical grants in the system of fiscal federalism?
What is the primary distinction between block grants and categorical grants in the system of fiscal federalism?
How does the principle of 'limited government,' as envisioned by John Locke and incorporated into the U.S. Constitution, most directly influence the relationship between the government and its citizens?
How does the principle of 'limited government,' as envisioned by John Locke and incorporated into the U.S. Constitution, most directly influence the relationship between the government and its citizens?
What constitutional principle was most directly established by the Supreme Court's ruling in Marbury v. Madison?
What constitutional principle was most directly established by the Supreme Court's ruling in Marbury v. Madison?
In what way did the Civil War Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th) seek to alter the balance of power between the federal government and the states?
In what way did the Civil War Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th) seek to alter the balance of power between the federal government and the states?
Which foundational document argued most strongly for a large republic with diverse interests to prevent the tyranny of factions?
Which foundational document argued most strongly for a large republic with diverse interests to prevent the tyranny of factions?
Which of the following is the MOST accurate comparison of 'fiscal federalism' and 'cooperative federalism'?
Which of the following is the MOST accurate comparison of 'fiscal federalism' and 'cooperative federalism'?
In the context of political participation, what is the key distinction between a political party and an interest group?
In the context of political participation, what is the key distinction between a political party and an interest group?
How did the replacement of the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution of 1787 MOST significantly alter the balance of power in the United States?
How did the replacement of the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution of 1787 MOST significantly alter the balance of power in the United States?
What is the MOST direct implication of the Tenth Amendment regarding the division of powers between the federal and state governments?
What is the MOST direct implication of the Tenth Amendment regarding the division of powers between the federal and state governments?
Which of the following scenarios BEST illustrates the concept of an 'unfunded mandate'?
Which of the following scenarios BEST illustrates the concept of an 'unfunded mandate'?
What is the PRIMARY function of 'amicus curiae' briefs in the judicial process?
What is the PRIMARY function of 'amicus curiae' briefs in the judicial process?
Considering the functions of lobbyists, which activity would be considered MOST effective in influencing legislation?
Considering the functions of lobbyists, which activity would be considered MOST effective in influencing legislation?
Given James Madison's arguments in Federalist No. 10, what was his proposed solution to the problem of factions in a republic?
Given James Madison's arguments in Federalist No. 10, what was his proposed solution to the problem of factions in a republic?
Flashcards
Lobbyists
Lobbyists
Individuals who work to influence government officials for specific causes or clients.
Cause Groups
Cause Groups
Groups representing those who feel strongly about a specific cause.
Free Rider
Free Rider
A situation where individuals benefit from a collective effort without contributing.
Federalism
Federalism
Signup and view all the flashcards
Amicus Curiae Briefs
Amicus Curiae Briefs
Signup and view all the flashcards
Constitutional Amendment
Constitutional Amendment
Signup and view all the flashcards
Political Action Committees (PACs)
Political Action Committees (PACs)
Signup and view all the flashcards
Independent Voter
Independent Voter
Signup and view all the flashcards
Constitutional Amendment Process
Constitutional Amendment Process
Signup and view all the flashcards
Judicial Review
Judicial Review
Signup and view all the flashcards
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Signup and view all the flashcards
Direct Democracy
Direct Democracy
Signup and view all the flashcards
Democratic Republic
Democratic Republic
Signup and view all the flashcards
Limited Government
Limited Government
Signup and view all the flashcards
Majoritarianism
Majoritarianism
Signup and view all the flashcards
Enumerated Powers
Enumerated Powers
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
- Constitutional amendments are proposed either by a two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate or by a national convention called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures, and ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or by conventions in three-fourths of the states.
- Foundational Documents include The Federalist Papers #10 and #51, Brutus No. 1, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Structure of the Constitution.
- Judicial review was established in Marbury v. Madison.
- Federalists favored a strong central government and the Constitution, while Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution, preferring a decentralized government.
- Direct democracy involves citizens making policy decisions directly, while in a republic, citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
- Referendum is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, initiative is a process that allows citizens to propose legislation, and recall is a procedure that allows citizens to remove an elected official from office.
- John Locke advocated for natural rights, including life, liberty, and property, ideas that influenced the Declaration of Independence.
- A Democratic Republic is a system of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
- Limited government is the principle that governmental power is restricted by law, usually in a written constitution.
- Majoritarianism is a political philosophy holding that in a democracy, the numerical majority should hold considerable power.
- McCulloch v. Maryland affirmed the supremacy of the federal government over the states.
- Pluralism is a theory of government that holds that open, multiple, and competing groups can check the asserted power by any one group.
- Political socialization is the process by which individuals acquire political beliefs and values.
- Capitalism is an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.
- The US voter turnout is historically low compared to other developed countries.
- Mayflower Compact established a self-governing colony based on majority rule.
- Common Sense advocated for American independence from Britain.
- The Bill of Rights contains the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, which protect individual liberties.
- The Articles of Confederation was the first government of the U.S. and had a weak central authority.
- The Great Compromise established a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.
- The Three-Fifths Compromise counted three-fifths of the slave population for representation and taxation purposes.
- The Supreme Court checks Congress through judicial review, declaring laws unconstitutional.
- The President checks Congress by vetoing legislation.
- The US Constitution was set to be ratified when approved by 9 of the 13 states.
- Federalism provides for multiple access points for citizens, makes it easier to protect rights, and prevents one party from taking total control.
- Enumerated powers are powers specifically listed in the Constitution as powers of the federal government.
- The "elastic clause" grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.
- Inherent powers are powers held by a sovereign state.
- The Tenth Amendment, states that the powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
- The Supremacy Clause establishes that the Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land.
- Vertical checks and balances refer to the balance of power between the federal government and state governments.
- The full faith and credit clause requires states to recognize the laws and judicial decisions of other states, and the privileges and immunities clause prevents a state from treating citizens of other states in a discriminatory manner.
- In Gibbons v. Ogden, the Supreme Court broadly interpreted the commerce clause, increasing federal power over interstate commerce.
- Dual federalism is a system where state and federal governments operate independently in their own areas of authority.
- Categorical grants are federal grants given to states for specific purposes.
- Federal mandates are requirements imposed by the federal government on state and local governments, sometimes without funding. Examples include the ADA, Civil Rights Act of 1964, Endangered Species Act, Brady Bill, Welfare Reform Act, NCLB, REAL ID Act of 2005, Clean and Air & Water Acts
- Devolution is the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states.
- Revenue sharing is the distribution of a portion of federal tax revenues to state and local governments.
- Civil War Amendments include the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which abolished slavery, guaranteed equal protection under the law, and prohibited denying the right to vote based on race.
- Plessy v. Ferguson upheld state segregation laws under the doctrine of "separate but equal."
- Obstacles to minority voting include poll taxes, literacy tests, and gerrymandering.
- Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional.
- Affirmative action is a set of policies designed to address past and present discrimination by providing equal opportunity.
- Reverse discrimination is discrimination against members of a dominant or majority group.
- The electoral college system is a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.
- The commerce clause of the Constitution gives Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes.
- Roe v. Wade (1973) established a woman's right to an abortion under certain circumstances.
- Block grants are given to states with few strings attached, project grants fund specific proposals, and formula grants are distributed based on specific criteria.
- Incorporation theory applies the Bill of Rights to the states through the 14th Amendment.
- Registered voters directly elect the President and Vice President (through the Electoral College), Members of the Senate, and Members of the House of Representatives.
- Liberal voters typically support Democratic candidates, while acknowledging leaning towards one party or another.
- Sampling error is the error in a statistical analysis arising from the unrepresentativeness of the sample taken.
- Interest groups represent people in the electorate who feel strongly about a certain cause.
- "Iron triangle" is the stable relationship between a congressional committee, an interest group, and a federal agency.
- "Revolving door" is the movement of individuals from government positions to jobs in the private sector, and vice versa.
- A voter or a candidate who does not identify with a political party is called an independent.
- A faction is a small, organized, dissenting group within a larger one, especially in politics.
- Christian Coalition is aligned with the Republican Party.
- The Tenth Amendment, states that the powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
- Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a national government and regional governments.
- Amicus curiae briefs are filed by non-parties to a case to provide information and perspective to the court.
- "Fiscal federalism" deals with the financial relations between units of government in a federal government system, while "cooperative federalism" involves cooperation and collaboration between federal and state governments.
- Dred Scott decision ruled that slaves were not citizens and could not sue in federal court.
- Articles V describes the formal amendment process requires a proposed amendment to be ratified by three-fourths of the states.
- The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.
- Lobbyists try to influence legislators by providing information, making campaign contributions, and building relationships.
- States and localities have the most discretion in establishing policy when federal funding that is derived from block grants.
- James Madison argued that factions are inevitable and can be managed through a large republic.
- Unfunded mandates are federal requirements imposed on states without providing funding.
- Replacing the Articles of Confederation with Constitution of 1787 created a stronger national government.
- The 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law and due process.
- In Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional.
- A "free rider" is someone who benefits from a good or service without paying for it.
- Means-tested programs are those that provide benefits only to individuals or households whose incomes and/or assets fall below specified levels, while entitlement programs guarantee benefits to anyone who meets eligibility requirements.
- A party machine is a political organization that controls enough votes to maintain political and administrative control of a city, county, or state.
- Closed primaries are open only registered party members, while open primaries allow voters of any affiliation to vote in the primary of their choice.
- Realignment is a major shift in political party alignment, while dealignment is a decline in party identification and loyalty.
- Winner-take-all systems award seats to the candidate with the most votes, while proportional systems allocate seats based on the proportion of votes received.
- A single-member district is an electoral district that returns one officeholder to a body with multiple members such as a legislature.
- Historical factors, electoral rules, and political culture contribute to in the two-party system in America.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
