Government Final Exam Review - Flex Key PDF
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This document appears to be a review sheet for a government final exam, including questions and answers on various government topics, such as functions of government, democracy, and the U.S. Constitution. Key topics include different forms of government, definitions of democracy and authoritarianism and principles of democracy.
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Name: ________________________________________ Class___ Government Final Exam Review- Flex 1. What the 5 functions of government (1.1)? Provide Leadership- Government officials set priorities and make decisions on be...
Name: ________________________________________ Class___ Government Final Exam Review- Flex 1. What the 5 functions of government (1.1)? Provide Leadership- Government officials set priorities and make decisions on behalf of the people. Maintaining Order- Governments try to control and contain conflict between people by placing limits on what individuals are permitted to do. Governments also provide courts where people can settle their conflicts. Providing Public Services- Governments create schools, build sewer systems, pave roads, have agencies that inspect the safety of our foods and infrastructure. Providing National Security- Governments are tasked with keeping the people safe from attacks from another country or terrorists. Providing Economic Security and Economic Assistance- Governments negotiate trade deals with other countries, protect business that are important to our economy, and provide economics assistance to people in need. 2. Define the following terms: Democracy: a government in which the people rule Authoritarian: Controlling all aspects of citizens’ economic, social, and political lives. Republic: a government in which voters hold sovereign power and elected representatives are responsible to the people. 3. Under which type of government system are the following categorized: Absolute monarchy, constitutional monarchy, republic, dictatorship, oligarchy. Democracy Authoritarian Constitutional monarchy Absolute monarchy Republic Dictatorship Oligarchy 4. What are the 14 Principles of Democracy explained in your textbook (1.2) Citizen Participation- This can include becoming informed, debating issues, voting in elections, serving in the military, paying taxes, etc. Regular Free and Fair Elections Accepting Results of Elections- Democracy depends on the peaceful transfer of power from one leader to the next. The Rule of Law- In a democracy, no one is above the law. Majority Rule with Minority Rights Accountability Transparency- A transparent government holds public meetings or allows citizens to learn what happened in meetings. Limited Government by Bill of Rights Control of the Abuse of Power Economic Freedom- The government allows some private ownership of property and businesses. People can choose their own work and participate in labor unions. Equality Individual or Human Rights Independent Judiciary- The judicial branch must be free to act without influence or control from the executive or legislative branches. Competing Political Parties- Rival parties make elections meaningful because they give voter a choice of candidates and policies. 5. Place the following documents in chronological order: the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Articles of Confederation. Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitution, Bill of Rights 6. What are the three parts of the structure of the U.S. Constitution? How many articles and amendments are there? (3.1) Preamble (Introduction) Articles- 7 articles make up the body of the Constitution. Amendments- These are changes to the Constitution. There are 27 amendments. 7. What do articles 1-3 of the Constitution establish? Which branch is the most powerful? Which is the weakest? (3.1) I. The Legislative Branch (this branch is the most powerful, but still has checks) II. The Executive Branch III. The Judicial Branch (this branch is the weakest) 8. What are the 7 principles of the Constitution as explained in your textbook (3.1) Popular Sovereignty and Republicanism Limited Government Federalism Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Individual Rights Beliefs and Principles Today- The Constitution is designed to be flexible and dynamic to meet the changing needs of our democracy. This can happen through the amendment process or by the Supreme Court exercising Judicial Review. 9. What are enumerated powers? (3.2) Powers of Congress that are listed in the Constitution. 10.What is the elastic clause? Which Supreme Court case addressed the concept of “necessary and proper”? (3.2) The final enumerated power of Congress states that they have the authority to “make all laws which should be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing powers”. This clause is sometimes called the elastic clause because it lets Congress stretch its powers to meet situations that the Founders could not anticipate. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) 11.What is Judicial Review? In which Supreme Court case was judicial review first exercised? (3.2) One of the Supreme Court’s most important powers is judicial review. Judicial review is the power the Court has to examine the laws and actions of local, state, and national governments and to overturn them if they violate the Constitution. This power is not specifically mentioned in the Constitution. The Supreme Court first exercised this power in 1803, in the case of Marbury v. Madison, when the justices unanimously ruled a federal law unconstitutional. 12.Checks and Balances: Directions: Label the Legislative Executive Legislative Branch, the Branch Branch Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch. How does the Legislative Branch How does the Executive Branch check the Judicial Branch and vice check the Legislative Branch and versa? vice versa? The Senate confirms the President can veto congressional president’s judicial nominations. Judicial legislation. Branch Congress can impeach judges and Congress can override a remove them from office. president’s veto. 13. What is the Supremacy Clause? (3.3) Included in Article VI of the Constitution. This states that the Constitution and laws passed by Congress are the supreme law of the land. If an amendment to a state’s Constitution is in conflict with the U.S. Constitution, that amendment must be removed from the state’s Constitution. 14. What is federalism? (4.1) A system of government in which two or more governments exercise power over the same people at the same time. 15. If 2 states have a conflict that they are unable to solve with an interstate compact, what is the next step? (4.3) States can file lawsuits. A lawsuit between two states is heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. This is a case that is part of the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. 16.Define: Delegated powers, implied powers, reserved powers, concurrent powers, denied powers. (4.2) Delegated powers- powers that the Constitution grants or delegates to the national government. Implied powers- powers the government requires to carry out its expressed constitutional powers/ Necessary and Proper Clause. Reserved powers- powers that belong strictly to the states. Concurrent powers- powers shared by the federal and state governments. Denied powers- Powers denied to all levels of government. 17.What is public policy and what is a basic way that people can influence public policy? (4.4) Public Policy is the stated course of action the government takes to address problems and issues. You can influence public policy by voting on a regular basis. 18. Use the table below to list the national powers, state powers, concurrent powers, and denied powers. (4.1) Admit new states Establish courts and define crimes Coin money Declare war Create and support local schools Manage elections Levy and collect taxes Raise an army or navy Grant titles of nobility Set rules for marriages and divorces National Government Concurrent Powers State Government Denied Powers (expressed and implied (Reserved Powers) powers) -Admit new states -Levy and collect taxes -Create and support local -Grant titles of nobility -Coin money -Establish courts and define schools -Declare War crimes -Manage elections -Raise and army or navy -Set rules for marriages and divorces. 19.Define bicameral. What are the 2 chambers of Congress called? (5.1) Two chamber legislature; Senate and House of Representatives 20.What are the requirements to serve in the house of representatives? How many representatives are there? How is representation among the states decided for the house of representatives? (5.1) At least 30 years old, be citizens of the United States for at least 9 years, be legal residents of the state they represent. 435 members Representatives are assigned by population. Each congressional district has a comparable number of people. 21.What are the requirements to serve in the senate? How many senators are there? How is representation among the states decided for the senate? (5.1) At least 25 years old, be citizens of the United States for at least 7 years, be legal residents of the state and district they represent. 100 members Each state has 2 Senators. Representation in the Senate is not proportional. Because all states get 2 Senators, the Senators from states with large populations represent more people than states with smaller populations. 22.What is the House Rules Committee? Why would a political party want to have control of the Rules Committee? (5.2) The House Rules Committee is responsible for scheduling when bills coming out of committee are scheduled on the calendar for action on the House floor. A political party would want control over the Rules Committee because they can delay or block legislation from coming to the floor. 23.What is the purpose of committees in congress? As a congressman, why is your committee assignment important? (5.4) Committees are where most of the work on bills happen. Committees allow Congress to divide their work among smaller groups, hold hearings to gather information from the public and experts, and work on the language of a bill. 24.What is the purpose of a conference committee? Who makes up the conference committee? (5.4) Because the House and Senate must pass an identical form of a bill, a conference committee made up of members of both chambers to work out differences between a House bill and a Senate bill. 25.Which type of bill must start in the House of Representatives? Why? (6.1) “All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives.” This provision was adopted at the Constitutional Convention because representation is more proportional in the House than in the Senate. 26.List the steps to the lawmaking process in both houses of Congress. (6.1) 27.Explain the actions the president can take when receiving a bill: Veto, Sign, Pocket Veto. (6.1) Veto- rejection of a bill by a president. When a president signs a bill, it becomes law. Pocket veto- when a president kills a bill passed during the last 10 days Congress is in session by simply refusing to act on it. 28.What are some factors that influence how members of Congress vote? (7.3) Voters- constituents expect their representatives to put the needs of their district/state ahead of nationwide needs. Parties- knowing which political party a member belongs to often predicts how he or she will vote. Interest groups- paid representatives of interest groups (lobbyist), try to convince members of Congress to support policies favored by the interest groups they represent. 29.What powers of the president are defined in the Constitution? (9.1) Power to execute laws, veto legislation, command the military, and engage with foreign leaders. With Senate approval, the president can make treaties with foreign nations and appoint federal judges. 30. Know the roles of the president: Head of State, Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, Chief Diplomat, Legislative Leader, Economic Planner, and Party Leader. (9.1-9.4) Head of State- President serves as a ceremonial figure. The president hosts such dignitaries as kings, queens, and heads of foreign governments. Chief Executive- President leads the executive branch. The president implements laws that Congress passes, appoint federal judges and heads of executive agencies, and issue executive orders. Commander in Chief- President is responsible for nation’s security and is in charge of the military. Chief Diplomat- President meets with foreign leaders, appoints ambassadors, and makes treaties (with Senate approval) Legislative Leader- President delivers the annual State of the Union message to Congress, proposes legislation, signs or vetoes bills, and can call Congress into a special session. Economic Planner- President meets with business leaders, prepares an annual budget request for Congress, and submits economic reports to congress. Party Leader- President rewards party supporters with positions in government and helps elect other party members by campaigning and fundraising. 31.What is an executive order? (9.2) Executive orders are presidential directives that have the force of law without the approval of Congress. 32.What are the requirements to be POTUS? What is the term length? Salary? (10.1) At least 35 years, natural born citizen, have lived in the United States for 14 years; 4 years; $400,000. 33.Explain how the Electoral College works. (10.3) On a presidential election day, millions of Americans go to the polls and cast their votes for president and vice president. The number of Electors a state has is based on population. In December, a few weeks after the general election, the electors meet to cast their official votes for president and vice president. In all but two states, if a candidate wins the largest number of popular votes, that person receives all the state’s electoral votes. 34.In what case would the House of Representatives elect our president? (10.3) When neither presidential candidate wins 270 electoral votes, the House of Representatives must decide the winner. Each state casts one vote. The candidate who receives 26 or more votes is elected. 35.What is the purpose of the president’s cabinet? (11.1) The 15 members of the cabinet serve as some of the president’s closest advisors. 36.How does the president’s constituency differ from members of Congress? The president represents the entire United States while Senators represent one state and Representatives represent one district. 37.Know what each department of the cabinet is responsible for. (Ex: The Department of Health and Human Services is concern with public health and providing social services to those in need). (11.2) The Department of State-is responsible for developing and implementing the foreign policy of the United States. The Department of Treasury- manages the monetary resources of the country. It includes the U.S. Mint, which manufactures coins, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which produces paper money. The largest bureau in the department is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Department of the Interior-executes federal policy and programs to protect natural resources including public lands and minerals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture-(USDA) develops and executes policy on farming, agriculture, and food. The Department of Justice (DOJ)- enforces federal laws designed to protect public safety, reduce crime, punish people who break laws, enforce civil rights, and ensure justice for all Americans. The Department of Commerce-supports the economy by developing and executing policies to promote American businesses and industries. The Department of Labor-administers federal programs to protect and improve the productivity of workers. It runs programs to address job training, minimum hourly wage and overtime pay, employment discrimination, and unemployment insurance. The Department of Defense (DOD)- protects the security of our country. It consists of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, and U.S. Air Force as well as the Joint Chiefs of Staff and 17 defense agencies. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-is responsible for national policies and programs that address America’s housing needs, improve and develop the nation’s communities, and enforce fair housing laws. The Department of Transportation (DOT)-develops policy and administers a variety of programs relating to transportation. Its programs oversee the nation’s mass transit systems, railroads, bridges, and waterways. The Department of Energy (DOE)-executes law and policies about the nation’s energy. The Department of Education-aids public and private schools, collects data from schools, distributes research results, and administers federal financial aid programs. It works with state and local school systems to set high standards for students and schools. The Department of Veterans Affairs- The VA administers benefit programs for veterans and their families and survivors. These benefits include pension, education, disability compensation, home loans, life insurance, vocational rehabilitation, survivor support, medical care, and burial benefits. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-coordinates national efforts to protect against acts of terrorism that would jeopardize the American people, key resources, and critical infrastructure. 38.What are the qualifications to be a governor in the United States? (12.2) State constitutions spell out the few legal or formal qualifications for becoming governor. In most states, a governor must be at least 30 years old, an American citizen, and a state resident for five or more years. 39.What cases do criminal courts hear? Civil Courts? (13.2) Criminal trial courts can hear cases about crimes, like burglary, murder, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Civil trial courts hear cases where one person or group thinks another person or group should pay for causing harm. 40.There are 2 reasons why a trial court case can be appealed: Errors of Law and Procedural Due Process. Define these terms (13.3) -An error of law occurs when the judge makes a mistake about the law applicable in the case. For example, the judge at James’s trial gave the wrong instruction to the jury. Another error of law might occur if a judge permits evidence to be shown to a jury that should not be allowed. -The fair administration of justice is called procedural due process. Fair procedures help prevent arbitrary, unreasonable decisions. The Constitution provides several guarantees to ensure that trials are fair. If a constitutional guarantee is violated, the case can be appealed. 41.Explain the procedures in an appellate court. What are the 3 ways an appeals court panel may decide? (13.3) In an appeals court, one party presents arguments asking the court to review the decision of the trial court; the other party presents arguments supporting the decision of the trial court and the procedures it followed. There are no juries or witnesses in an appeals court, and no new evidence is presented. Only lawyers appear before the judges to make legal arguments. Typically, a panel of judges—or justices, as appellate judges are sometimes called—decide appeals. 42.What is jurisdiction? Know the jurisdiction of federal and state courts. 43.What is Judicial Review? When did the Supreme Court first exercise this power? What Supreme Court case is it associated with? (14.1) One of the Supreme Court’s most important powers is judicial review. Judicial review is the power the Court has to examine the laws and actions of local, state, and national governments and to overturn them if they violate the Constitution. This power is not specifically mentioned in the Constitution. The Supreme Court first exercised this power in 1803, in the case of Marbury v. Madison, when the justices unanimously ruled a federal law unconstitutional. 44.What is unique about the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction? (14.1) The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction. Article III, Section 2, of the Constitution sets the Court’s original jurisdiction. This article and section address two types of cases: (1) cases involving representatives of foreign governments and (2) certain cases in which a state is a party. 45.How do you become a Supreme Court justice? (14.3) Supreme Court justices are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. 46.What rights are given in the 4th, 5th, 6thAmendments? 4th- No unreasonable search and seizure, warrants must be based on probable cause. 5th – for serious crimes, a grand jury must decide there is enough evidence to justify a trial. No double jeopardy. No one may be forced to testify against themselves. Right to due process of law. 6th- right to speedy public trial by an impartial jury, accused has a right to know charges against them, right to hear and question all witnesses, and right to be defended by a lawyer. 47.What are the functions of political parties? (17.1) Electing candidates Educating the public Involving people in the process- Through local political parties, people can become involved in campaigns by helping to register other voters, posting signs, donating money, and so on. Operating the government Government watchdog- The party that is out of power in the legislative or executive branch assumes the role of “watchdog” over the government. It observes the party that is in power, criticizes it, and offers solutions to political problems. 48. How have voting rights expanded with African American suffrage, women’s suffrage, and the 26th Amendment? What event was a catalyst for the 26th Amendment? (18.1) When our country was founded, only white, male, landowners could vote. Now all citizens, 18 and older can vote regardless of race or gender. For many years, the minimum voting age in most states was 21. In the 1960s, many young Americans were fighting in Vietnam, and many others became involved in protests and politics. They also started a movement to lower the voting age to 18. 49.How could voter participation be described in the United States? (18.2) The percentage of Americans voting in presidential elections declined from about 69 percent in 1964 to 56 percent in 2012. Voter participation in the United States is quite low compared to many other democracies around the world. 50.What is the purpose of an interest group? (19.3) An interest group is a group of people who share common goals and organize to influence government. Why do people join interest groups? Often, they do so to increase their political efficacy; by joining with other like- minded individuals, they believe they can have a greater impact on government policy. Interest groups help bridge the gap between people and the government. Through interest groups, people communicate their “wants,” or policy goals, to government leaders. 51.How do Civil Rights Groups, Single-Issue Groups, and Ideologic Interest Groups differ? (19.3) These are different types of interest groups that have each have a different focus. Civil Rights groups have been formed to gain or protect the rights of various groups. Examples of civil rights groups include the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), National Council of La Raza, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), National Organization of Women (NOW). Single Issue Groups- Some of the most effective interest groups are those that are dedicated to one issue such as immigration reform, drunk driving prevention, gun rights, or gun control. Examples include The National Rifle Association (NRA) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Ideological Interest Groups- Some interest groups promote broad policies based on their core political or religious beliefs. For example, the Americans for Democratic Action and the American Conservative Union are two large interest groups that promote politics that reflect their liberal or conservative philosophies.