POLS Exam 1
- "The states of being free from intrusion or disturbance in one's privates life or affairs." - not stated explicitly anywhere in the US institution - rather, this right is implied by various amendments
privacy
Constitutionally guaranteed civil liberties exist to protect Americans from what?
Arbitrary government interference against citizens, opnions, and property
Full Faith and Credit Clause
Article IV
Proposal: - 2/3 of both chambers of congress must agree OR 2/3 of state legislatures request a conversation Ratification - 3/4 vote of all state legislatures (38 states) OR 3/4 vote in special conventions
Article V
- supremacy clause - Federal government to pay off debts for Revolutionary War - No religious test for those holding public office
Article VI
- ratification - Constitution effective upon ratification by 9/13 states and only in those states that had ratified it
Article VIII
Emphasizes preserving tradition
Conservatism
Opponents of intelligent design claim that the theory is another form of ____.
Creationism
Which constitutional rights safeguard those accused of crimes and constrain government investigations, trails, and punishments?
Criminal due process rights
passed in 1766 states that parliament could do whatever it wanted in an effort to control he colonists
Declaratory Act
Everyone votes on all applicable laws
Democracy
In a ___ democracy, which may take place through town meetings, citizens decide policy without elected representatives
Direct
The act of being tried again for the same crime after being cleared of it in court is known as ______.
Double Jeopardy
The legal safeguards that prevent the government from depriving citizens of life, liberty, or property without adhering to strict legal procedure are known as ____ process protections
Due
The concept of _________ refers to the legal safeguards the prevent the government from arbitrary depriving citizens of their constitutionally protected rights
Due Process
5th Amendment
Due process for the accused; eminent domain restrictions
True or false: Freedom of speech include spoken or written language but not symbolic actions such as picketing or wearing armband to signify a protest.
False
The Bill of Rights initially applied only to which level of government?
Federal
What system exists to protect the civil Liberties of American citizens?
Federal Courts
Speech that inflicts injury or results in public disorder is known as _____
Fighting
The First Amendment clause barring the government from passing any laws that prohibit an individual's practice of his or her religion is known as the ____ clause.
Free Exercise
The ____ clause prohibited the government from taking hostile action toward individuals' practice of their religion
Free exercise
What two values are in conflict because of the liberties ensured by the Bill of Rights
Freedom and order
4th Amendment
Freedom from unreasonable searchers and seizures
The Court's dance on freedom of assembly cases is often analogous with its stance in:
Freedom of speech cases
1st Amendment
Freedom of speech, press, assembly, freedom of religion, freedom to petition the government
"Organization extending to the whole of society that can legitimately use force to carry out its decisions." - Dye,2001
Government
An ancient right that protects an individual in custody from being held without the right to be heard in a court of law is known as:
Habeas Corpus
The shat=ring of contrasting, even radical or loathsome, information is known as the marketplace of _____.
Ideas
Why has the Supreme Court placed restrictions upon the freedom of assemble?
In order to preserve order and public safety
In addition to the freedoms of speech and assembly, what other freedom does the First Amendment protect?
The freedom of religion
The theory that the 14th amendment's due Process clause requires states to uphold freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights
Total incorporation
What does the Fifth Amendment prohibit?
double jeopardy compelled self-incrimination
The imminent lawless action test is also called the:
incitement test Brandenburg test
How is the population of American changing?
it is becoming older it is becoming more ethnically diverse it grew rapidly in the twentieth century
Which of the following constitutional amendments establish formal rules for conducting a trial?
- 5th - 6th
The second amendment protects and supports:
- A well-regulated militia - the right to keep and bear arms
Griswold v. Connecticut
- CT law prohibited the use of contraceptives - Enforcement of law - government knew about couple's intimate lives
Hat are the considerations of the Lemon test for assessing a government program's relationship with religious institutions?
- Does the state program have a secular purpose? - Does the program have its principle effect the advancement of religion? - Does the program create excessive entanglement between church and state?
Which arguments relate to the controversy surrounding the Second Amendment?
- Easy access to firearms is threat to public safety - Gun ownership creates a free and safe society
The First Amendment freedoms that support civic discourse include which freedoms?
- Freedom of the press - speech - assembly
Which freedoms encourage community and civic engagement?
- the freedom of privacy - the freedom of religion - the freedom of criminal due process
Which of the following are examples of socialization of new generations?
- Libraries - participating in civic life - police officers visiting an elementary school - funding for schools
Eisenstaedt v. Baird
- MA banned the scale of contraceptives - Now, the government tries to influence what happens in private life
Roe v. Wade
- Norma mcCorvey, a Dallas woman, sought abortion - Texas prohibited abortions, unless mother's life was in danger - defendant was Henry wade
Who wrote the declaration of independence
- Thomas Jefferson - Benjamin Franklin - roger Sherman - john Adams - Robert Livingston
Shay's Rebellion
- an indebted revolutionary war veteran led an insurrection against foreclosures in western Massachusetts - MA asks for help form the other states; only VA steps up - Future of the country was at stake
Since 9/11, that has been an increase in perceived intrusions on what?
- assembly - free speech
Based on their experiences with the British, what types of government action did the framers of the constitution seek to protect citizens against?
- censorship - limitations of speech - confiscation of property
Currently central issues of concern in American politics?
- economic equality - threat of international terrorism - health care reforms
What principles are important to the First Amendment freedom of the press?
- ensuring that the gov remains accountable to its citizens by exposing possible wrongdoing - allowing citizens to hear competing ideas about public issues
The Bill of Rights limits the power of which branches of the national government?
- executive - legislative - judicial
Over time the Supreme Court has distinguished between which two types of political expression?
- expression that the government limits or even prohibits - expression that the first amendment protects
Government
- extending to the whole of society - legitimate use of force
Federalists
- favored a strong, central government and a radical departure from the Articles of confederation - often wealthy attorneys or merchants
Which of the following are essential in order to effectively engage in political life?
- freedom to congregate - freedom of speech
Civil Rights protect against discrimination against:
- gender/gender identity or sexual orientation - pregnancy - age - disability - religion - veteran status - national origin/ethnicity
Where is the right to privacy found in the US Constitution?
- interpretations of the 4th - interpretations of the 5th
What function does the bill of rights serve?
- it establishes freedoms essential to community participation - it limits the arbitrary exercise of gov power
What benefits do politically engaged people experience?
- knowledgeable about public issues - actively communicate with policy makers - self-interest and the interest of others - hold public officials accountable - they get what they need from the government more frequently
Pro-Life Movement
- mission statement for the national right to life committee - Goals include: reduce the # of abortions, raise awareness, generate sympathetic public opinion
The U.S. Constitution, through the Bill of Rights, and state constitutions explicitly recognize and protect civil liberties, including freedom:
- of assembly - of the press - of speech
Planned Parenthood v. Casey
- prohibition of "undue burdens" - "the purpose or effect of placing a substantial obstacle in the path of a women seeking an abortion before the fetus attains viability"
Virginia Plan
- proposed by James Madison - favored a strong central gov - congress would be bicameral with states being assigned representative on the basis of population
The primary functions of a government include:
- providing a wide variety of services to citizens - establishing and maintaining a legal system - raising and spending money to support money to support the services it provides
Webster v. Reproductive Health Services
- public funding of abortions - public employees/facilities from participating in abortion - exceptions if the abortion was necessary to save the mother's life - Supreme Court ruled in favor of Missouri
Which of the following types of speech are protected under the first amendment?
- pure speech - symbolic Speech
Texas Abortion Bill
- requires abortion providers to obtain admitting privileges at a nearby hospital - requires abortions to occur in ambulatory surgical centers - prohibits most abortions after 20-22 weeks
What are some 6th amendment protections?
- right to a speedy trial - right to a trial by a jury - right to counsel
Which of the following levels of government does the Bill of Rights apply to today?
- state - federal
The constitution came up with 2 different types of laws
- statutory - constitutional
Anti-Federalists
- supported a smaller, local gov (more closely resembling the articles of confed) - Feared that a large gov could trample upon individual rights - most owned small farms
Which of the following are established protections according to Miranda v. Arizona?
- the right to remain silent - the right to an attorney
Why should you learn how to be engaged in politics?
- thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world - you will understand the process of civic engagement - you will contribute to society
Why is it important for a government to provide national defense?
- to ensure that other nations do not violate establishment borders - to protect the lives of citizens
What are the primary priorities of government functions?
- to preserve order and stability in the event of national or human-made disasters - to socialize new generations to the prevailing national culture - to protect a country's sovereign territory and its citizenry
The following illustrate reasons why it is important to study the American government:
- understanding new changes to the American political system is crucial to participating in government - understanding the way the government functions allows you to better advocate for your own self-interests
The Federalists Papers
- written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay - sent to newspapers in NY
Rank the Supreme Court standards for restricting speech from oldest to newest
1. Clear and present danger test 2. The bad tendency test 3. The clear and probable danger test 4. The imminent lawless action test
Rank the following interpretations of the establishment clause from most strict to most flexible:
1. Separation 2. Neutrality 3. Accommodation
Which of the following amendments contribute to ensuring criminal due process?
4th 5th 6th 6th
Protection against cruel and unusual punishment is contained in the:
8th Amendment
The government needs to establish and maintain a legal system to _____.
Administer Justice
Which of the following elements found in the US Constitution enunciates individual liberties?
Bill of Rights
What does the vague language including in the Bill of Right allow?
Broad Interpretations
True democracy ___ when the government controls the press
Cannot survive
Why is freedom of speech important to the democraic process?
Citizens must be able to: - Publicly criticize their government - Share information and ideas
The action it activity must address a public concern
Civic engagement activities
The constitutionally established guarantees that protect opinions and property against arbitrary government interference are known as _______.
Civil Liberties
"The government-protected rights of individuals against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by governments or individuals."
Civil Rights
______ reflect positive acts of government for the purpose of protecting individuals against arbitrary or discriminatory actions
Civil Rights
An advertising statement is known as ____.
Commercial Speech
"A Government in which independent states unite for a common purpose, but retain their own sovereignty." - Barbour and Wright
Confederation
The ______ clause of the 1st amendment requires government neutrality toward religious institutions
Establishment
Pro-Choice Movement
Establishment Positions: - abortion is a medical procedures; as such, a women's right to choose must always be protected
True or False: All forms of speech are protected under the US Constitution
False
Civil Libertarians are more likely to make which of the following arguments in the wake of 9/11?
Increased security measures might violate individual freedoms and rights
The Supreme Court ruled that the constitution protects two types of freedom of association, including ____ associations, which are close human relationships maintained as a part of an individual's personal liberty
Intimate
False written statements about others that harm their reputation are known as ___.
Libel
Advocates for change
Liberalism
Believes government should intervene as little as possible
Libertarianism
When governments curtail liberties, they usually do so in the name of:
National security
- favored by smaller states, because they were afraid that their interests could be overlooked by larger states. - congress would be unicameral with each state receiving two representatives regardless of the population - also contained the supremacy clause
New Jersey Plan
8th Amendment
No cruel and unusual punishment
3rd Amendment
No quartering of soldiers
Indecent or offensive speech or expression that is not protected under the First Amendment is know as ____.
Obscenity
What type of speech is unlikely to be limited or prohibited?
Political Speech
What type of speech is unlikely to be limited or prohibited?
Political speech
The process of deciding who benefits in society and who does not
Politics
The attempt to block the publication of material considered to be harmful is known as _____ restraint
Prior
The right of the individual to be left alone to make decisions freely is known as the right to ______.
Privacy
Which of the following scenarios would most likely qualify as libel or slander?
Publicly made defamatory statements with fault
Spoken words communicating ideas, opinions, or information
Pure Speech
According to the establishment clause, the government is require to:
Remain neutral toward wall religious institutions
The people vote on representative who will vote on laws on their behalf
Republic
10th Amendment
Reserved powers (powers not explicitly granted to the national government) for the states
2nd Amendment
Right to bear arms
7th Amendment
Right to trial by jury in civil suits
The Supreme courts decision that determined the right to privacy extended to include abortion is:
Roe v. Wade
Tx abortion law violated the right to privacy (due process clause) 14th amendment
Roe v. Wade ruling
The process by which the Supreme Court gradually applied freedoms that served some fundamental principle of liberty to the states
Selective incorporation
The establishment clause is often interpreted as a ____.
Separation of church and state
False verbal statements about others are known as ___.
Slander
Stresses economic equality
Socialism
6ht Amendment
Speedy, public trial by jury. No double jeopardy
What did the Supreme Court decide in the 1925 case Gitlow v. New York?
States were required to protect freedom of speech as a fundamental liberty
Deals with day to day laws, policies, etc.
Statutory laws
Sugar, Stamp, and Townshend Acts - passed in the 1760s - affixed tariffs on imported items like sugar, ink, and tea
Sugar, Stamp, and Townshend Acts
During WW1, the Supreme Court was more willing to ____ political speech that opposed the war effort
Suppress
Non-verbal communication such as picketing r wearing an arm band to signify protest
Symbolic Speech
Which of the following acts of legislation legalized the surveillance of communications without a warrant or court order obtained by theUS government?
The Protect America Act
The government can restrict any speech that has the potential to incite crime or threaten the peace
The bad tendency test
The government can restrict any speech that poses a threat that the gov., has the ability to prevent
The clear and present danger test
The government can restrict any speech that poses a threat that the government has the ability to prevent.
The clear and present danger test
The government can restrict any speech to avoid a threat of grave danger, line an armed takeover of the U.S.
The clear and probable danger test
How did the Supreme Court rule in the 1990 case employment division, department of Human Resources v. Smith?
The court argued that two employees broke the law
How did the Supreme Court rule in US v. O'Brien?
The court upheld the punishment
9th Amendment
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Which first amendment clause is interpreted as defining the relationship between church and state?
The establishment clause
What had prompted the movement for a safer nation?
The numerous mass shootings
Which of the following 5th amendment protections, if any, have not been incorporated as a protection by the Supreme Court?
The right to grand jury indictment
The law passed by congress soon after the 9/11 attacks that allow the FBI and other intelligence agencies to access personal information and records without content from targeted individuals is known as the ____.
USA Patriot Act
"System of government where the local and regional government derive all authority from a strong national government" -O'Connor
Unitary System
- spousal notice - no longer a law - informed consent - parental notification/consent - 24 hours waiting period - reporting requirements by abortion providers
abortion laws in casey