PO136: Introduction to Political Science

What year did Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech?

1963

Republic

A form of government in which sovereign power rests with the people, rather than with a king or a monarch.

Totalitarianism

A form of government that controls all aspects of the political, social, and economic life of a nation.

Electoral College

A group of persons called electors selected by the voters in each state and the District of Columbia (D.C.). This group officially elects the president and vice president of the United States.

Checks and Balances

A major principle of the American system of government whereby each branch of the government can check the actions of the others

Libertarianism

A political ideology based on skepticism or opposition toward most government activities.

Socialism

A political ideology based on strong support for economic and social equality. Socialists traditionally envisioned a society in which major businesses were taken over by the government or by employee cooperatives.

Confederation

A political system in which states or regional governments retain ultimate authority except for those powers they expressly delegate to a central government; a voluntary association of independent states, in which the member states agree to limited restraints on their freedom of action.

Democratic Republic

A republic in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies.

The difference between the samples results and the results had the entire population been interviewed is known as?

A sampling error

Conservativism

A set of beliefs that includes a limited role for the national government in helping individuals, support for traditional ideals and life choices, and a cautious response to change.

Liberalism

A set of beliefs that includes the advocacy of positive government action to improve the welfare of individuals, support for civil rights, and tolerance for political and social change.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

A statistic that measures the average number of children that women in a given group are expected to have over the course of a lifetime.

Madisonian Model

A structure of government proposed by James Madison in which the powers of the government are separated into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

Democracy

A system of government in which political authority is vested in the people. The term is derived from the Greek words demos ("the people") and kratos ("authority").

Direct Democracy

A system of government in which political decisions are made by the people directly, rather than by their elected representatives; probably attained most easily in small political communities.

The Traditional Political Spectrum

A traditional method of comparing political ideologies is to arrange them on a continuum from left to right, based primarily on how much power the government should exercise to promote economic equality.

Authoritarianism

A type of regime in which only the government itself is fully controlled by the ruler. Social and economic institutions exist that are not under the government's control.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes (negated by the 13th amendment). The three-fifths rule meant that the House of Representatives and the electoral college would be apportioned in part on the basis of property—specifically, property in slaves.

Anti-Federalists

An opponent of the ratification of the new Constitution in 1787. The anti-federalists were opposed to a strong central government.

Equality

As a political value, the idea that all people are of equal worth.

Limiting government power

Citizens need protection from abuses of power by their own government, which is achieved by limiting the government power.

The Articles of Confederation: Our First Form of Government

Created a weak central government. Under the Articles, the thirteen original colonies, now states, established on March 1, 1781, a government of the states—the Congress of the Confederation.

The First Continental Congress

Delegates from all colonies except Georgia met to discuss problems with Britain and to promote independence. Held at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774.

The Final Document

Delegates signed the final draft on September 17, 1787. The Constitution created a new framework for American development.

Dangers of Direct Democracy

Deteriorate into mob rule; abusing the rights of those in the minority.

A divided opinion is an overall agreement among the people. True or False.

False.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments to the Constitution; major source of civil liberties; applies to states via selective incorporation doctrine; promised to Anti-Federalists to secure ratification of Constitution

The End of the Population Explosion

In recent decades, population growth rates have been falling throughout the world.

What kinds of laws were used by southern states to enforce segregation of whites and blacks in all public places?

Jim Crow

Direct Techniques

Lobbying, campaign finance, and building alliances.

The Reforms of 1995

Lobbyists had to fill out reports with a lot more information and register. They had to disclose what they were giving. Banned gifts. A lot more restriction.

Problems with the Traditional Political Spectrum

Many political scientists believe that the traditional left-to-right spectrum is not sufficiently complete.

Resolution for Independence

On July 2, was adopted by the Second Continental Congress: RESOLVED, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

Second Continental Congress

One of the main actions of the Second Continental Congress was to establish an army. It did this by declaring the militia that had gathered around Boston an army and naming George Washington as commander in chief. Congressional participants still attempted to reach a peaceful settlement with the British Parliament. May 1775.

In which of the following cases did the Supreme Court hold that segregation along did not violate the Constitution?

Plessy v. Ferguson

Legitimacy

Popular acceptance of the right and power of a government or other entity to exercise authority.

The Results of the 1946 Act

Provides information to members of congress about interest groups

Generally speaking, groups that work towards a common or national good are considered...?

Public-interest groups

The Ratification Process

Ratification can occur by one of two methods: (1) by a positive vote in three-fourths of the legislatures of the various states or (2) by special conventions called in the states and a positive vote in three-fourths of them.

The Reforms of 2007

Reformed even further to be very restrictive as far as reporting and disclosing information. Reformers asked for complete transparency. Known as honest leadership and open government act.

In December 1955, who did police arrest for refusing to give her seat on a bus to a white person?

Rosa Parks

Indirect Techniques

Social media, public pressure, lobbyists, boycotting

When we talk about a lobbyist, we talk about a person or group that is

Someone that attempts to influence legislation decisions of government.

Factions among the Delegates

Strong nationalists (support strong central government) ie George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Nationalist Monarchy, ie Alexander Hamilton. Against a national authority.

July 4, 1776 and the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence was signed by the Second Continental Congress on July 4. It dissolved the colonies' ties with Britain, listed grievances against King George III, and declared the colonies to be an independent nation.

Great Compromise

The compromise between the New Jersey and Virginia Plans that created one chamber of the Congress based on population and one chamber representing each state equally; also called the Connecticut Compromise.

Free rider problem

The difficulties interest groups face when recruiting members with the benefits they achieve that can be achieved without joining the group. (Need more incentives)

Federalists

The name given to one who was in favor of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and the creation of a federal union with a strong central government.

Separation of Powers

The principle of dividing governmental powers among different branches of government.

Authority

The right and power of a government or other entity to enforce its decisions.

Harriet Tubman, a hero who saved many lives during the Civil War, what means did she use to free slaves?

The underground railroad

The Rise of Republicanism

These republicans, although not organized as a political party, were still a major political force from 1776 to 1780. Indeed, they almost prevented victory over the British by their unwillingness to cooperate with any central authority.

Who Were the Delegates?

Thirty-three were members of the legal profession. Three were physicians. Almost 50 percent were college graduates. Seven were former chief executives of their respective states. Six were owners of large plantations. Eight were important businesspersons. 55 total members of the upper class.

Civil Liberties

Those personal freedoms, including freedom of religion and freedom of speech, that are protected for all individuals. Civil liberties restrain the government from taking certain actions against individuals.

Types of government

Totalitarianism, authoritarianism, democracy

The Constitutional Convention included the New Jersey and Virginia Plans and was later known as the Great Compromise. True or False

True

A value assigned to a person due to occupation or income is known as socioeconomic status. True or False.

True.

An upper-class person as a high socioeconomic status. True or False.

True.

Consensus is a general agreement among the citizenry on an issue. True or False.

True.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a driving force in the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. True or False.

True.

Government is everywhere. True or False.

True.

Opinion Polls are methods of systematically questioning a small representative sample of respondents. True or False.

True.

Representative Democracy is a form of government in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws. True or False.

True.

Socialism is a political ideology based on strong support for economic and social equality. True or False.

True.

Socialists envision a society in which major businesses were taken over by the government or by employee cooperatives. True or False.

True.

The Bill of Rights are the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. True or False.

True.

When a state legislature refers an act of legislation to the voters for approval or disapproval this is a referendum. True or False

True.

The Formal Amendment Process

Two formal methods of proposing an amendment to the Constitution are available: (1) a two-thirds vote in each chamber of Congress or (2) a national convention that is called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures. This second method has never been used.

Separatists

Wished to break with the Church of England, came over on the ship Mayflower to the New World in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

A random sample refers to which of the following? a.) Every person in target population has an equal chance of being selected. b.) There is no pre-planning in the selection process. c.) Every person in the target population who is encountered is selected. d.) Researchers decide how may persons from chosen groups are surveyed.

a.) Every person in target population has an equal chance of being selected.

The scope and authority of power that Congress was granted under the Articles of Confederation can be described as: a.) Narrow b.) Broad c.) Implied d.) Powerful

a.) Narrow

What does the exclusionary rule prohibit? a.) The admission of illegally seized evidence at trial. b.) Arresting officers from serving as a character witness. c.) Juries knowing the possible punishments if the defendant is convicted. d.) Juries being excluded from watching TV.

a.) The admission of illegally seized evidence at trial.

The only formal method used so far to propose an amendment to the Constitution has been which of the following? a.) The popular vote of the people. b.) A two-thirds vote in favor of it by both houses of Congress. c.) State legislatures or conventions in three-quarters of the states. d.) A national convention.

b.) A two-thirds vote in favor of it by both houses of Congress.

Which of the following best describes an interest group? a.) A group of people who want to gain control over the government. b.) An organization that actively attempts to influence government policy. c.) Any organization that requires members to pay dues. d.) An organization set up to support a particular candidate for public office.

b.) An organization that actively attempts to influence government policy.

The necessary and proper clause of Article I, Section 8 is also know as the elastic clause because: a.) It expanded our ability to trade with more foreign countries. b.) It stretched Congress' powers to do what is necessary and proper.

b.) It stretched Congress' powers to do what is necessary and proper.

Which form of judicial review comes into play when laws are based on a suspect classification? a.) Intermediate scrutiny. b.) Strict scrutiny. c.) Exacting scrutiny. d.) Rational basis review.

b.) Strict scrutiny.

The Bill of Rights provided for which of the following? a.) The protection of individual liberties from foreign government. b.) The protection of individual liberties from the national government. c.) Equal grouping of persons under the law. d.) Protections against state infringements on freedoms concerning shopping.

b.) The protection of individual liberties from the national government.

What is legitimacy? a.) The condition of having too much government. b.) Acceptance of the right and power of a government to exercise liberty. c.) Acceptance of the right and power of a government to exercise authority. d.) Something that is only needed in time of emergency.

c.) Acceptance of the right and power of a government to exercise authority.

The guarantee against cruel and unusual punishment is found in which of the following constitutional amendments? a.) First b.) Forty-First c.) Eighth d.) Sixth

c.) Eighth

What is the purpose of block grants or federal aid given to state or local government? a.) It is to be divided into discrete "blocks" of grants, limited to $100. b.) It is to be spent on a specific policy area. c.) Spent in the way the state or local government decides to spend it. d.) Tied to federal mandates which are taxed exceedingly high.

c.) Spent in the way the state or local government decides to spend it.

The commerce clause is the basis for which of the following? a.) The states' increasing economic powers. b.) The decline of international trade. c.) The expansion of federal power, especially in the 20th century. d.) The expansion of voting rights.

c.) The expansion of federal power, especially in the 20th century.

The concept of universal suffrage refers to which of the following? a.) The right for all citizens to run for office. b.) The right of universal healthcare for all. c.) The right of all adults to vote for a representative in government. d.) A system of relationships between the states.

c.) The right of all adults to vote for a representative in government.

Informal Methods of Constitutional Change

congressional legislation, executive actions, judicial decisions, interpretation, custom, and usage.

The Articles of Confederation did which of the following? a.) Provided for a bi cameral legislature. b.) Established a strong executive branch. c.) Created a island off the Pacific coast. d.) Allowed the states to retain most of their power.

d.) Allowed the states to retain most of their power.

The Declaration of Independence was: a.) a poem written for Thomas Jefferson. b.) A song written by a 90's pop star. c.) A letter drawing out the laws of the land. d.) An indictment of George III for his tyrannical rule.

d.) An indictment of George III for his tyrannical rule.

What constitutional clause prevents the government from interfering in religious practice? a.) Establishment b.) Nondiscrimination c.) Equal Protection d.) Free exercise

d.) Free exercise

The generational effect refers to which of the following? a.) The way in which political socialization produces opinions. b.) Tendency for persons to become more conservative as they get older. c.) Increased tension between the two major political parties. d.) Long-lasting effect from a significant event impacting people at voting age.

d.) Long-lasting effect from a significant event impacting people at voting age.

Where can the right to privacy be found in the constitution? a.) Article x b.) The Preamble c.) Article I, Section 8 d.) Not explicitly referenced in the Constitution, alluded to in the 4th amendment.

d.) Not explicitly referenced in the Constitution, alluded to in the 4th amendment.

A sample size that is which of the following will more accurately represent the population? a.) Neutral b.) Male-oriented c.) Smaller d.) Random

d.) Random

Constitution of lawmaking, law-enforcing, and law-interpreting in three branches of government is: a.) The supremacy clause. b.) Inherent powers. c.) Direct democracy. d.) Separation of powers.

d.) Separation of powers.

One results of the Second Continental Congress was which of the following? a.) A brief reconciliation with Great Britain. b.) A plan for the Boston Tea Party. c.) The decision to create 13 colonies. d.) The adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

d.) The adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

The verdict of Plessy v. Ferguson directly resulted in which of the following? a.) The end of racial segregation. b.) The integration of pubic schools in the south. c.) A complex system of busing to alleviate the effects of past racism. d.) The development of a system of legalized racial segregation.

d.) The development of a system of legalized racial segregation.

The necessary and proper clause of Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution is also known as which of the following: a.) The supremacy clause. b.) The super cool clause. c.) The commerce clause. d.) The elastic clause.

d.) The elastic clause.

Which of the following was true of the Antifederalists? a.) They lived in urban areas. b.) They attended the Constitutional Convention. c.) They supported a strong central government. d.) They opposed the new Constitution without the Bill of Rights.

d.) They opposed the new Constitution without the Bill of Rights.

The assertion that national law has primacy over state law is in the Constitution in which of the following clauses? a.) The equal protection clause. b.) The due process clause. c.) The establishment clause. d.) the supremacy clause.

d.) the supremacy clause.

Why is government necessary?

maintain order, protect property, provide public goods

What Kind of Democracy Do We Have?

representative democracy

What Makes an Interest Group Powerful?

size, resources, leadership, cohesiveness