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Chp 12 - select committees

(usually) temporary legislative committees set up to highlight or investigate a particular issue or address an issue not within the jurisdiction of existing committees

Divisions over issues such as abortion, birth control, and same-sex relationships are often referred to as the

"culture war."

The primary constitutional task of the vice president, besides succeeding the president in case of death, resignation, or incapacitation, is to

cast tiebreaker votes in the Senate

Deterrence assumes the ______ of the U.S. response and the ______ of an adversary.

certainty, rationality

Deterrence assumes the ______ of the U.S. response and the ______ of an adversary.

certainty; rationality

The president's power to veto a bill passed by Congress is a good example of _____.

checks and balances

Which of the following groups receives the least benefits from government's social policies?

children

According to the text, why is it difficult to lobby for the interests of poor children?

children cannot vote

Chp 6 - public opinion

citizens' attitudes about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events

The Federalists believed that the powers of the government should be limited by

creating an internal system of checks and controls within the government.

What did the framers identify as the greatest source of political conflict for the United States?

differences between the rich and poor

The term gender gap refers to

differences in political opinions between men and women.

The representation of a government to other foreign governments is called

diplomacy

Which of the following is not an influential interest group affecting American foreign policy?

diplomats from foreign nations

By using donor lists or magazine subscription lists, candidates are able to engage in

direct-mail solicitations.

Latinos tend to favor Democratic Party candidates in national elections because they

disagree with the Republican Party's stance on immigration.

Which of the following does the Small Business Administration (SBA) provide?

disaster assistance

Trial courts in the federal judicial system are called

district courts.

seperation of powers

dividing the powers of government among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches

Interest groups are permitted to spend as much money as they want on issue advocacy during a campaign season, as long as they

do not coordinate their efforts with a candidate's own campaign organization

All executive agreements differ from formal treaties in that they

do not have to be approved by the Senate.

Appeals courts

do not hear witnesses or examine additional evidence before reaching their decisions

Most American presidents have been

domestic politicians who set out to make their place in history through domestic achievements

Which of the following does not represent an important interest reflected through the actions of foreign policy interest groups?

domestic representation of foreign governments

When was the Twenty-Sixth Amendment ratified?

during the Vietnam War

Which of the following programs most benefits the working poor?

earned income tax credits

redistributive programs

economic policies designed to control the economy through taxing and spending, with the goal of benefiting the poor

Chp 3 - redistributive programs

economic policies designed to control the economy through taxing, and spending, with the goal of benefiting the poor

At the national level, the Democratic Party currently attempts to appeal to ________, while the Republican Party currently attempts to appeal to

educated upper-middle-class professionals; white working-class voters

What is the most significant force determining the distribution of opportunities in the United States?

education

What is the most important factor in predicting whether an individual votes?

education level

Which of the following is the most important economic value for supporters of laissez-faire?

efficiency

The term soft power refers to

efforts by one nation to influence the people and governments of other nations by persuasion rather than coercion

monetary policies

efforts to regulate the economy through the manipulation of the supply of money and credit; America's most powerful institution in this area of monetary policy is the Federal Reserve Board

Chp 10 - primary elections

elections held to select a party's candidate for the general election

Chp 9 - primary elections

elections held to select a party's candidate for the general election

If a company has "market power," it means that the company is powerful enough to

eliminated competitors and to impose conditions on consumers rather than catering to consumer demand

An emergency declaration relating to foreign threats allow the president to

embargo trade, seize foreign assets, and prohibit transactions with what ever foreign nations are involved

If a defendant is charged with burglary, but admits to a lesser charge of trespassing in exchange for the prosecution dismissing the burglary charge and forgoing the criminal trial, it is an example of

- a plea bargain. a pro bono settlement - an amicus curiae.

Which interest group in the United States is more likely to depend on demonstrations and other nontraditional strategies of influence?

environmental groups

Which of the following is an independent agency?

environmental protection agency

Since 2017, the Senate filibuster

- can only be used against federal district court appointments. - can only be used against executive branch appointments - cannot be used against any presidential appointments.

Which of the following is NOT a liberty protected by the Bill of Rights.

equal protection of the laws

If a television station sold commercial time to a Republican candidate for governor but refused to sell time to the Democratic candidate for governor, this station would be in violation of the

equal time rule.

about ______ percent of all lower court cases are reviewed by federal appeals courts

During the colonial and early national periods of American history, suffrage was generally restricted to white males over the age of

21.

In most states, unemployment benefits last for a maximum of _____ weeks.

Under normal rules of oral argument, each lawyer has ________ to present his or her case before the Supreme Court.

30 minutes

The idea that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to achieve their goals is called

equality of opportunity

Gibbons v. Ogden in 1824 was important because it

established the supremacy of the national government in all matters affecting interstate commerce.

What did Congress see as the principle cause of the economic recession that began in 2007?

excessive risk taking by investors

Compared to other developed democracies, the United States is ranked ________ in terms of voter turnout.

32nd

Approximately ________ percent of Americans lack high-speed internet access in their homes.

Between 1959 and 2004, the percentage of elderly Americans living in poverty has gone from ______ to ______.

35 percent, 10 percent

Each Supreme Court justice is assigned ________ law clerks.

AARP has a membership of approximately ______ members.

40 million

Richard Nixon claimed ______ when he refused to turn over secret White House tapes to congressional investigators.

executive privilege

Which list of issue positions is MOST likely to be supported by the national leadership of the Democratic Party?

expanding funding for education, public spending for infrastructure, and raising taxes on the wealthy and corporations

The social desirability effect refers to

fact that respondents report what they expect the interviewer wishes to hear or whatever they think is socially acceptable rather than what they actually believe or know to be true.

are independent, nonprofit groups that receive and distribute funds to influence the nomination, election, and/or defeat of a candidate.

527 committees

In 1985, the federal government stopped enforcing the ________, arguing that it was no longer necessary due to the increasing number of television and radio stations.

fairness doctrine

Since the 1930s, American employment and training programs have

fared poorly in terms of both expense and results

Chp 3 - block grants

federal grants-in-aid that allow states considerable discretion in how the funds are spent

discretionary spending

federal spending on programs that are controlled through the regular budget process

mandatory spending

federal spending that is made up of "uncontrollables," budget items that cannot be controlled through the regular budget process

The power to raise or lower the tax rate is part of

fiscal policy

The UN Security Council has ______ permanent members and ______ elected members.

five, ten

Keynesians

followers of the economic theories of John Maynard Keynes, who argued that the government can stimulate the economy by increasing public spending or by cutting taxes

Which of the following is an in-kind benefit?

food stamps

In 2007 and 2008, the government faced a housing crisis caused by

foreclosures

National party conventions are held every

four years and attended by delegates from all 50 states.

Organizational reforms instituted by Congress in the 1970s

fragmented power by reducing the power of committee chair.

Chp 1 - liberty

freedom from governmental control

Chp 6 - liberty

freedom from governmental control

When states vie for influence by holding their nominating process earlier, it is called _____.

front-loading

23rd Amendment

gave residents of Washington DC the right to vote

What was the key to American security during the nineteenth century?

geographical isolation

What was the key to American security during the nineteenth century?

geographical isolation.

When Hillary Clinton won the plurality of votes in California during the 2016 election, and California had 53 representatives in the House of Representatives, how many electoral votes from California did she win?

Approximately what percentage of the current federal budget is spent on entitlement programs, such as Social Security and Medicare?

55 percent

How many amendment are ratified?

6 ratified amendments

In 2019, each individual's required contribution to Social Security was _____ percent of his or her first $132,900 of income.

6.2

Approximately what percentage of the federal budget is made up of uncontrollables?

60 percent

In 2010, approximately what percentage of American workers were offered health insurance through their jobs?

60 percent

In 2016, about ________ percent of Latino Americans voted for Hillary Clinton.

Congress has authorized the appointment of ________ federal district court judges in the United States.

678

There are approximately ________ federal district court judges in the United States.

678

Approximately ________ percent of the ________ bills introduced in a typical congressional session die in committee.

85; 10,000

How many justices currently serve on the Supreme Court?

Approximately _____ percent of members of congress have university degrees

During the nineteenth century, about ________ percent of eligible voters usually cast a ballot on Election Day.

During the Persian Gulf War, allies of the United States paid for what percentage of the war's costs?

90 percent

There are _____ U.S. district courts.

There are ________ U.S. district courts.

More than ________ percent of all cases in the United States are heard in state courts.

More than ____________ percent of all court cases in the United States are heard in state courts.

____ is a law that declares a person guilty of a crime without a trial

A bill of attainder

Amendment

A change in, or addition to, a constitution or law

total war

A conflict in which the participating countries devote all their resources to the war effort

Mootness

A criterion used by courts to avoid hearing cases that no longer require resolution

conference committee

A joint committee created to work out a compromise for House and Senate versions of a piece of legislation

________ occurs when a criminal case is resolved through a negotiated agreement before a full trial is completed

A plea bargain

________ occurs when a criminal case is resolved through a negotiated agreement before a full trial is completed.

A plea bargain

How can Congress override a president's veto?

A president's veto can be overridden with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Limited Government

A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

Executive agreements differ from formal treaties in that they

C. Do not have to be approved by the Senate

The right of due process is best describe as the right of

C. Every person not to be treated arbitrarily by a government official or agency

Why is the Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison important?

C. In this case, the Court authorized itself to exercise judicial review over laws passed by Congress

Three factors related to the American electoral system affect who is elected to office in this country and what they do once they get there. Those factors are

C. Incumbency, franking, and party affiliation

The goal of the War Powers Resolution was to

C. Limit the power of the president to commit American troops to military action without authorization from Congress

When two members of Congress who share no common interests agree to support each other's bills, the practice is called

C. Logrolling

Which of the following is not a service often provided by representative to their constituent?

C. Offering constituents legal advice regarding new administrative laws

The party that brings a complaint in court is called the ______, and the one against whom the complaint is brought is called the ______.

C. Plaintiff; defendant

Which of the following is not a federal department entrusted with providing national security?

C. Police

Executive privilege refers to

C. The claim that confidential communications between a president and close advisers should not be revealed without the consent of the president

Who is the Speaker of the House?

C. The elected leader of the majority party in the House is the Speaker

Which Supreme Court nominee was accused of sexual harassment during his confirmation hearing?

Clarence Thomas

The size of the U.S. Supreme Court is set by

Congress

The size of the U.S. Supreme Court is set by _____.

Congress

20th Amendment

Congress begins on January 30th; President starts on January 20th "Lame-duck" Amendment

Slave Trade Compromise

Congress could not regulate or outlaw slavery or slave trade until 1808

Why has Congress become a major foreign policy maker since World War II?

Congress is regularly called upon to approve financing of foreign policies

The size of the U.S. Supreme Court is set by

Congress.

In order to have reliable information about the costs and impact of economic policies, Congress created the ______.

Congressional Budget Office

delegated powers

Constitutional powers assigned to one government agency but exercised by another agency with the express permission of the first

_______ and _______ are the two MOST common types of civil law cases.

Contracts; torts

________ and ________ are the two MOST common types of civil law cases.

Contracts; torts

Which of the following statements about Social Security is false?

Contributors receive benefits in strict proportion to their contribution

In what type of law is the government always the plaintiff?

Criminal

5th Amendment

Criminal Proceedings; Due Process; Eminent Domain; Double Jeopardy; Protection from Self incrimination

The process of allocating congressional seats among the fifty states is called

D. Apportionment

All of the following are part of the official jurisdiction of the federal courts except

D. Cases involving citizens from the same state

The attempt of bureaucracies to translate laws into specific rules and actions is called

D. Implementation

Which of the following is the best definition of a constituent?

D. It is a person who lives in the district represented by a member of the legislature

Public bureaucracies are powerful because

D. Legislatures, chief executives, and the people delegate vast power to them to make sure a particular job is done

The power of the Supreme Court to review state actions and legislation comes from

D. Marbury v. Madison

Which of the following is not a key strategy used to promote bureaucratic reform?

D. Regulation

The Office of Management and Budget and the Council of Economic Advisers are both parts of

D. The Executive Office of the President

A significant initiative set forth by Lyndon Johnson was

D. The Great Society

Cases between two or more states are originally heard by

D. The Supreme Court

Why is Marbury v. Madison (1803) an important case?

In this case, the justices authorized the Supreme Court to exercise judicial review over laws passed by Congress.

Block grants are designed to

give the states considerable discretion in how money from the federal government should be spent.

18th Amendment

Prohibition of alcohol

11th Amendment

Prohibits citizens of one state or foreign country from suing another state.

Which of the following has not been a major goal of the government's involvement in the economy?

Promoting economic equity and fairness for all citizens

What is the most important way the government affects personal and corporate investments?

Promoting investor confidence through policies enforcing stability and regard for the law

Privilege and immunties clause

Provision, from article IV, section 2 of the constitution, that a state cannot discriminate against someone from another state or give its own residents special privileges

The goal of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) was to

Put unemployed persons to work on public projects

21st Amendment

Repeal of Prohibition

Which of the following statements best describes the representation of women and minorities in the U.S. Congress?

Representation of women and minorities has increased during the past two decades but is not comparable to their proportions in the general population.

Which of the following best describes the representation of women and minorities in the U.S. Congress?

Representation of women and minorities has increased during the past two decades, nut is not comparable to their proportions in the general population.

Which of the following statements best summarizes the Federalists' view on representation?

Representatives need not be a "true picture of the people," and the best system of representation allows citizens to elect individuals possessing ability, experience, and talent superior to their own.

Which U.S. president once said, "I am now a Keynesian"?

Richard Nixon

Benton v. Maryland (1969)

Right against double jeopardy (V) Benton was tried twice for the same crime of larceny. The Supreme Court held "double jeopardy" as impermissible under the fifth amendment.

Activist judges believe that federal judges should

go beyond the words of a constitution or statute to consider the broader societal implications of their decisions.

When presidents use popular appeals in attempt to create a mass base of support that will allow them to accomplish their goals, it is referred to as _____.

going public

public goods

goods or services that are provided by the government because they either are not supplied by the market or are not supplied in sufficient quantities

In McCutcheon et al. v. FEC (2014), the Supreme Court ruled that the

government cannot place limits on the number of candidates or PACs to which an individual can give money in a two-year election cycle.

subsidies

government grants of cash or other valuable commodities, such as land, to an individual or an organization; used to promote activities desired by the government, reward political support, or buy off political opposition

antitrust policy

government regulation of large businesses that have established monopolies

The role that the U.S. House of Representatives plays in impeachments can best be compared with that of a

grand jury.

Chp 3 - project grants

grant programs in which state and local governments submit proposals to federal agencies and for which funding is provided on a competitive basis

Chp 3 - formula grants

grants-in-aid in which a formula is used to determine the amount of federal funds a state or local government will receive

In recent years, the religious right has had a great effect on American politics through

grassroots mobilization.

The index of the total output of goods and services produced in a national economy is called the

gross domestic product

Which of the following is the strongest factor in predicting which groups in society receive the most benefits from government's social policies?

groups that are the most politically powerful

The number of cases filed in the supreme court

has increased dramatically since 1940.

Americans have historically asserted that our foreign policies should

have a higher purpose than the pursuit of our own interest and use force only as a last

Chp 12 - bicameral

having a legislative assembly composed of two chambers of houses, distinguished from unicameral

Bicameral

having a legislative assembly composed of two chambers or houses; distinguished from unicameral

Chp 2 - bicameral

having a legislative assembly composed of two chambers or houses; distinguished from unicameral

Chp 12 - incumbency

holding the political office for which one is running

Incumbency

holding the political office for which one is running

What were two primary ways that the orientation of federal housing policy changed during the 1980s and 1990s?

housing assistance for low- income Americans shifted towards housing vouchers, and high rise public housing units were replaced with new mixed-income units

Which of the following goals has traditionally been of lowest priority in U.S. foreign policy?

human rights

Chp 9 - partisanship

identification with or support of a particular party or cause

In 2018, the federal government was shut down over disagreements between Democrats and Republicans on the issue of

immigration.

The fact that many middle-class and lower-middle-class citizens who did not stand to benefit from President George W. Bush's tax cuts seemed to favor them is an example of the

importance of political knowledge.

The assignment of the opinion in a Supreme Court case is

important because differences in wording and emphasis can have important implications for how the decision is interpreted in future litigation.

The first federal government assistance in education came

in 1785, when the federal government set aside land for public schools

If someone is an advocate of the philosophy of judicial restraint, he or she believes

in looking only at the words of the Constitution in order to understand its meaning

A class-action suit is a legal action

in which a group of individuals with common interests can file a suit on behalf of everyone who shares that interest.

A membership association is a group

in which members play an important role in the daily activities and administration

A membership association is a group

in which members play an important role in the daily activities and administration.

loophole

incentive to individuals and businesses to reduce their tax liabilities by investing their money in areas the government designates

Selective benefits are

incentives that interest groups make available only to those people who are members of their organizations.

16th Amendment

income tax

In order to increase political efficacy it is necessary to

increase political knowledge.

It is likely that eliminating state-level voter registration laws would ________ voter turnout among ________ voters.

increase; younger

The main change in welfare policies since 1996 is

increased use of non-cash assistance

All of the following are strategies to combat inflation except

increasing the amount of government spending on public works projects.

The periodic adjustment of benefits or wages that takes into account the increased cost of living is called

indexing

Accidental mobilization occurs when

individuals are exposed to political information that they did not explicitly seek out.

Descriptive representation occurs when

individuals are represented in government by officials of their same race, ethnicity, or gender.

When the price level of goods and services increases over several months, it is called

inflation

Chp 1 - power

influence over a government's leadership, organization, or policies

Chp 1 - citizenship

informed and active membership in a political community

When President Lincoln issued a series of executive orders for which he had no clear legal authority during the start of the Civil War, it illustrated the

inherent powers of the presidency.

Chp 1 - government

institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled

The best description of the ideal of pluralism is that

interest groups should be free to compete for governmental influences.

According to the text, which of the following does not describe the United Nations?

is generally adversarial to the interest of the United States

When a nation is granted "most favored nation" status with the United States, it means the nation

is to be offerred the lowest tariff rates

The nineteenth-century policy of ______ was based on the geographic distance of the United States from other countries.

isolationism

Which of the following statements about the No Child Left Behind Act is false?

it creates a standard national test for all students

Why did the Democrats believe that the 2001 tax cuts should only remain permanent for those making less than $250,000 a year?

High income earners (those making more than $250,000 a year) had benefited disproportionately from economic growth in the early 2000s

The ________ Act is a bill designed to prevent foreign influence on elections by subjecting political ads sold online to the same rules and transparency that applies to TV and radio ads.

Honest Ads

What of the following is true about the bill of rights?

it includes the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution

Why does the House typically have greater party unity than the Senate?

House leaders have more organizational control over the actions of representatives than Senate leaders.

Which of the following actions marked a decisive break with the tradition of the federal government promoting compromises between labor and management?

In 1981, Ronald Reagan fired striking air traffic controllers and hired permanent replacements to fill their jobs

Which of the following statements about the Supreme Court is true?

In 2017, five of the nine justices were appointed by Republican presidents.

All of the following are elements of a nation-state except that

it must be a member of the united nations

What was the main fear concerning the consequences of outdoor relief?

it perpetuated poverty

Which of the following is a difference between Democratic and Republican Primaries?

The Democratic Party requires that state presidential primaries allocate delegates on the basis of proportional representation, while the Republican Party does not.

A criticism of interest group pluralism is

its class bias in favor of those with greater financial resources.

Chp 12 - conference committees

joint committees created to work out a compromise on House and Senate versions of a piece of legislation

Roe v. Wade is a good example of

judicial activism because it was based on a constitutional right to privacy that is not found in the actual words of the Constitution

Roe v Wade is a good example of

judicial activism, because it was based on a constitutional right to privacy that is not found in the actual words of the Constitution

Roe v. Wade is a good example of

judicial activism, because it was based on a constitutional right to privacy that is not found in the actual words of the Constitution.

judicial activism

judicial philosophy that posits that the Court should go beyond the words of the Constitution or a statute to consider the broader societal implications of its decisions

Judicial restraint

judicial philosophy whose adherents refuse to go beyond the clear words of the Constitution in interpreting the document's meaning

judicial restraint

judicial philosophy whose adherents refuse to go beyond the clear words of the Constitution in interpreting the document's meaning

Through the exercise of ________, the Supreme Court has held actions or laws of the executive and legislative branches unconstitutional.

judicial review

Chp 4 - grand jury

jury that determines whether sufficient evidence is available to justify a trial; grand juries do not rule on the accused's guilt or innocence

Grand jury

jury that determines whether sufficient evidence is available to justify a trial; grand juries do not rule on the accused's guilt or innocence

Chief Justice

justice on the Supreme Court who presides one the court's public sessions and whose official title is "Chief Justice of the United States"

chief justice

justice on the Supreme Court who presides over the Court's public sessions and whose official title is "chief justice of the United States"

Common law

law made through court precedent rather than legislative enactments

common law

law made through court precedent rather than legislative enactments

Chp 4 - ex post facto laws

laws that declare an action to be illegal after it has been committed

Chp 12 - term limits

legally prescribed limits on the number of terms an elected official can serve

term limits

legally prescribed limits on the number of terms an elected official can serve

joint committee

legislative committee composed of members of both houses

Chp 12 - joint committees

legislative committees formed of members of both the House and Senate

"Packing" occurs when

legislative district are redrawn in a way that concentrates numbers of a particular party in as few districts as possible, there by limiting the overall number of seats that party might win.

Which of the following statements about the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) is false?

The FRB is part of the Department of the Treasury

What was the result of the 2004 case that argued the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance violated the First Amendment?

The Supreme Court did not rule on the issue, dismissing the case on a technical matter.

Which of the following statements about the World Trade Organization is incorrect?

The United States dropped out of the World Trade Organization in 2004 over a disagreement about steel tariffs

What is the main function of the chief justice of the Supreme Court?

The chief justice presides over the Court's public sessions and private conferences.

Staff agencies

legislative support agencies responsible for policy analysis

staff agencies

legislative support agencies responsible for policy analysis

Before World War II, ______ of federal revenue was generated from individual income taxes.

less than 15 percent

The goal of the War Powers Act of 1973 was to

limit the power of the president to commit American troops to military without authorization from Congress.

amicus curiae

literally, "friend of the court"; individuals or groups who are not parties to a lawsuit but who seek to assist the Supreme Court in reaching a decision by presenting additional briefs

stare decisis

literally, "let the decision stand"; the doctrine that a previous decision by a court applies as a precedent in similar cases until that decision is overruled

stare desisis

literally, "let the decision stand"; the doctrine that a previous decision by a court applies as a precedent in similar cases until that decision is overruled

What is it called when two members of Congress share no common interests, but agree to support each other's bill?

logrolling

A senator who agrees to vote for a tax-cut bill with which he or she disagrees in order to receive another senator's vote on a climate change bill that he or she has proposed is engaged in

logrolling.

A(n) ______ is an incentive in the tax code for individuals and corporations to invest their money in ways the government desires in exchange for a reduction in tax liabilities.

loophole

The best way for federal reserve board officials to help boost stagnant economy is to

lower interest rates that so that banks can provide more loans and cheaper rates to individuals and businesses

The idea of "unequal democracy" refers to the fact that

lower-income citizens have little representation by either party, except when their opinions overlap with more-affluent citizens

The Senate's constitutional power of advice and consent extends to the president's power to

make treaties with foreign nations.

What is the main difference between a maker and a shaper of American foreign policy?

makers are those within government, while shapers are influential groups outside of official government

Gerrymandering refers to the

manipulation of electoral districts to serve the interests of a particular group.

Which of the following was a driving force for the economic growth during the late nineteenth century?

manufacturing industries

Civil cases involving the citizens of more than one state and in which more than $75,000 is at stake

may be heard in either the federal or the state courts, usually depending on the preference of the plaintiff.

Under current federal campaign finance rules , a national political party committee

may make unlimited " independent expenditures" advocating support for its own presidential candidate as long as these expenditures are not coordinated with the candidate own campaign.

Chp 2 - elastic clause

The concluding paragraph of Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution (also known as the "necessary and proper clause"), which provides Congress with the authority to make all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out its enumerated powers

Elastic clause

The concluding paragraph of article 1, section 8, of the constitution (also known as the "necessary and proper clause"), which provides congress with the authority to make all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out its enumerated powers

U.S. Constitution

The document written in 1787 and ratified in 1788 that sets forth the institutional structure of the U.S. government and the tasks these institutions perform. It replaced the Articles of Confederation.

9th Amendment

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

The wall of separation between church and state is best found in what clause of the Constitution?

The establishment clause

Why has partisan conflict surrounded federal judicial appointments in recent years?

The federal courts play an important role in shaping American law and politics.

Bill of rights

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791; they ensure certain rights and liberties to the people.

Open-market operations describes

The method by which the federal reserve buys and sells government securities to increase or decrease the supply of money in the economy

Open rule

The provision by the House Rules Committee that permits floor debate and the addition of amendments to a bill

6th Amendment

The right to a Speedy Trial by jury, representation by an attorney for an accused person

Commander in chief

The role of the president as supreme commander of the military forces of the United States and of the state National Guard units when they are called into federal service

What is the reserve requirement?

The rule that every bank must have a certain amount of cash and negotiable securities on hand at all times

Which of the following best describes the role of the solicitor general?

The solicitor general is the lawyer who represents the United States before the Supreme Court in cases where the federal government is a party.

What did the framers call the "least dangerous branch" of American government?

The supreme court

agency representation

The type of representation according to which representatives are held accountable to their constituents if they fail to represent them properly. That is, constituents have the power to hire and fire their representatives.

Upton Sinclair's 1906 exposé The Jungle revealed

The unsanitary practices at meatpacking plants

Which of the following statements describes the formal requirements of serving as a federal court judge?

There are no formal requirement to serve as a federal court judge

Which of the following statements best describes the formal requirements of serving as a federal court judge?

There are no formal requirements to serve as a federal court judge.

Which of the following statements best describes current controversies about immigration among conservatives?

There is a division of opinion among conservatives, with pro-business conservatives accepting immigration and social conservatives strongly opposing immigration to the United States.

What did the Great Depression and World War II do to the public's expectations regarding employment?

They showed that the government could help to ensure full employment

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

Which of the following statements about the fund-raising practices of traditional interestgroups and online activist organizations is MOST accurate?

Traditional interest groups raise money through annual membership dues, while online activist organizations raise money through targeted fund-raising drives focused on particular issues or events.

America's international economic and monetary policies and coordinate and implemented by the

Treasury Department, the Commerce Department, the Office of the U.S. trade representative.

have an initiative process that lets citizens draft legislation, circulate petitions, and place the issue on the ballot for a popular vote.

Twenty-four of the 50 states

How does an entitlement differ from a right?

Unlike an entitlement, a right cannot be taken away by an act of congress

Which of the following statements about campaign finance is MOST accurate?

Unlike the United States, most democratic countries provide public financing for their elections.

Which of the following statements about government regulation of political advertisements is MOST accurate?

Unlike traditional media (radio, television, print media), political ads on Google, Twitter, and Facebook are not regulated.

Which war was officially declared by Congress?

War of 1812

What did the Supreme Court mean by "one person, one vote"?

Within a state, electoral districts must have roughly equal populations.

19th Amendment

Women's suffrage

Which of the following was created during the New Deal?

Works Progress Administration

Which of the following statements about age and political participation is true?

Young people are far less likely to participate in politics than older people.

Which of the following was not included in the congressional plans for health care reform?

a "public option" allowing individuals to acquire medical coverage directly from the government

Chp 10 - runoff election

a "second-round"election in which voters choose between the top two candidates form the first round

Gerrymendering

a apportionment of voters in districts in such a way as to give unfair advantage to one racial or ethnic group or political party

Under a system of ranked-choice voting

a candidate is declared the winner if he or she wins a majority of first-place votes.

Chp 10 - incumbent

a candidate running for re-election to a position that he or she already holds

Which kind of case would NOT be granted certiorari under Rule 10 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of the United States?

a case about the governor of California's authority to use the line item veto when the state trial court and the state Supreme Court have reached different conclusions regarding the governor's actions

Which of the following would the Supreme Court likely refuse to hear because the case lacked "ripeness"?

a case involving a citizen suing the Social Security Administration for failure to deliver Social Security benefits prior to the time the citizen was scheduled to receive the benefits

Which of the following would the Supreme Court likely refuse to hear because of "mootness"?

a case involving a student who was first rejected but then, later, admitted to a state-run university suing that university for discrimination in the admissions process

Which of the following cases would always be heard in federal court?

a case involving the state of New York suing the state of New Hampshire over state highway maintenance

Chp 3 - unitary system

a centralized government system in which lower levels of government have little power independent of the national government

Unitary system

a centralized government system in which lower levels of government have little power independent of the national government

Chp 2 - amendment

a change added to a bill, law, or constitution

Chp 6 - political ideology

a cohesive set of beliefs that forms a general philosophy about the role of government

inflation

a consistent increase in the general level of prices

During the 1960s, Ralph Nader was influential as

a consumer advocate

Social Security is a good example of

a contributory program

Chp 4 - habeas corpus

a court order demanding that an individual in custody be brought into court and shown the cause for detention

Hebeas Corpus

a court order demanding that an individual in custody be brought into court and shown the cause for detention

writ of habeas corpus

a court order that the individual in custody be brought into court and shown the cause for detention; habeas corpus is guaranteed by the Constitution and can be suspended only in cases of rebellion or invasion

court of appeals

a court that hears appeals of trial court decisions

mootness

a criterion used by courts to screen cases that no longer require resolution

writ of certiorari

a decision of at least four of the nine Supreme Court justices to review a decision of a lower court; certiorari is Latin, meaning "to make more certain"

Dissenting opinion

a decision written by a justice in the minority in a particular case in which the justice wishes to express his or her reasoning in the case

dissenting opinion

a decision written by a justice in the minority in a particular case in which the justice wishes to express his or her reasoning in the case

Chp 8 - gender gap

a distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men

Chp 9 - gender gap

a distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men

gender gap

a distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men

Chp 3 - regulated federalism

a form of federalism in which Congress imposes legislation on states and localities, requiring them to meet national standards

regulated federalism

a form of federalism in which Congress imposes legislation on states and localities, requiring them to meet national standards

Chp 1 - autocracy

a form of government in which a single individual -- a king, queen, or dictator -- rules

Chp 1 - oligarchy

a form of government in which a small group -- landowners, military officers, or wealthy merchants -- controls most of the governing decisions

Chp 2 - Virginia Plan

a framework for the Constitution, introduced by Edmund Randolph, that called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state

Virginia Plan

a framework for the Constitution, introduced by Edmund Randolph, that called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state

Chp 2 - New Jersey Plan

a framework for the Constitution, introduced by William Paterson, that called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population

New Jersey plan

a framework for the Constitution, introduced by William Paterson, that called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population

Chp 12 - conference

a gathering of House Republicans every two years to elect their House leaders; Democrats call their gathering the "caucus"

Conference

a gathering of House Republicans every two years to elect their House leaders; Democrats call their gathering the caucus

The essential dilemma of a limited government raised by the ratification debate is that

a government is too weak to do harm also cannot do good.

Shae's Rebellion

a group of debt ridden farmers in Massachusetts led by Daniel Shae marched on a courthouse so their farms wouldn't be foreclosed on. Important because it showed the weakness of the articles of confederation which was the national government.

Unfunded mandates

a law or regulation requiring a state or local government to perform certain actions without providing funding for fulfilling the requirement

Tort case

a law suit by one individual (the plaintiff) demanding compensation for harm allegedly caused by the actions of another (the defendant)

tort case

a law suit by one individual (the plaintiff) demanding compensation for harm allegedly caused by the actions of another (the defendant)

Chp 4 - bill of attainder

a law that declares a person guilty of a crime without a trial

ex post facto law

a law that makes an act criminal although the act was legal when it was committed

public policy

a law, rule, statute, or edict that expresses the government's goals and provides for rewards and punishments to promote those goals' attainment

class action suit

a legal action by which a group or class of individuals with common interests can file a suit on behalf of everyone who shares that interest

class-action suit

a legal action by which a group or class of individuals with common interests can file a suit on behalf of everyone who shares that interest

logrolling

a legislative practice whereby agreements are made between legislators in voting for or against a bill; a vote trading

logrolling

a legislative practice whereby agreements are made between legislators in voting for or against a bill; vote trading

Texas Constitution

a long, complex, and detailed document 1875

A runoff election is MOST likely to occur in which kind of electoral system?

a majority system

simple random sample (or probability sample)

a method used by pollsters to select a representative sample in which every individual in the population has an equal probability of being selected as a respondent

Chp 9 - dealignment

a movement away from the major political parties; a decline in partison attachment

Chp 10 - proportional representation

a multiple-member district system that allows each political party representation in proportion to its percentage of the total vote

plea bargain

a negotiated agreement in a criminal case in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty in return for the state's agreement to reduce the severity of the criminal charge or prison sentence the defendant is facing

plea bargin

caucus (political)

a normally closed meeting of a political or legislative group to select candidates, plan strategy, or make decisions regarding legislative matters

Chp 12 - caucus (political)

a normally closed political party business meeting of citizens or lawmakers to select candidates, elect officers, ;an strategy, or make decisions regarding legislative matters

Chp 9 - caucus (political)

a normally closed political party business meeting of citizens or lawmakers to select candidates, elect officers, plan strategy, or make decisions regarding legislative matters

Chp 10 - party platform

a party document, written at a national convention, that contains party philosophy, principles, and policy positions

Chp 9 - platform

a party document, written at a national convention, that contains party philosophy, principles, and positions on issues

Chp 12 - whip

a party member in the House or Senate responsible for coordinating the party's legislative strategy, building support for key issues, and counting votes

whip

a party member in the House or Senate responsible for coordinating the party's legislative strategy, building support for key issues, and counting votes

Chp 12 - standing committee

a permanent committee with the power to propose and write legislation that covers a particular subject, such as finance or agriculture

standing committee

a permanent committee with the power to propose and write legislation that covers a particular subject, such as finance or agriculture

Public policy can be embodied in all of the following forms except

a petition

________ occurs when a criminal case is resolved through a negotiated agreement before a full trial is completed.

a plea bargain

deregulation

a policy of reducing or eliminating regulatory restraints on the conduct of individuals or private institutions

Chp 3 - devolution

a policy to remove a program from one level of government by delegating it or passing it down to a lower level of government, such as from the national government to the state and local governments

Devolution

a policy to remove a program from one level of government by delegating it or passing it down to a lower level of government, such as from the national government to the state and local governments

redistribution

a policy whose objective is to tax or spend in such a way as to reduce the disparities of wealth between the lowest and the highest income brackets

Chp 9 - two-party system

a political system in which only two parties have a realistic opportunity to compete effectively for control

random digit dialing

a polling method in which respondents are selected at random from a list of 10-digit telephone numbers, with every effort made to avoid bias in the construction of the sample

Chp 6 - push poll

a polling technique in which the questions are designed to shape the respondent's opinion

National Security Council (NSC)

a presidential foreign policy advisory council composed of the president, the vice president, the secretary of state, the secretary of defense, and other officials invited by the president

Pocket veto

a presidential veto that is automatically triggered if the president does not act on a given piece of legislation passed during the final 10 days of a legislative session

pocket veto

a presidential veto that is automatically triggered if the president does not act on a given piece of legislation passed during the final 10 days of a legislative session

A pocket veto is a

a presidential veto that is automatically triggered if the president does not act on a given piece of legislation passed during the final 10 days of a legislative session.

Chp 10 - open primary

a primary election in which the voter can wait until the day of the primary to choose which party to enroll in to select candidates for the general election

Chp 10 - closed primary

a primary election in which voters can participate in the nomination of candidates but only of the part in which they are enrolled for a period of time prior to primary day

Chp 1 - limited government

a principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution

Chp 2 - limited government

a principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution

Chp 1 - popular sovereignty

a principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people

Chp 10 - political action committee (PAC)

a private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns

Chp 10 - recall

a procedure to allow voters to remove state officials from office before their terms expire by circulating petitions to call a vote

Chp 12 - private bill

a proposal in Congress to provide a specific person with some kind of relief, such as a special exemption from immigration quotas

Private bill

a proposal in Congress to provide a specific person with some kind of relief, such as a special exemption from immigration quotas

Which of the following was a key part of President Obama's overhaul of No Child Left Behind?

a proposal to change the criteria for allocating $14 billion in federal assistance to schools from a per pupil formula to a system of competitive grants

Chp 10 - ballot initiative

a proposed law or policy change that is placed on the ballot by citizens or interest groups for a popular vote

Bill

a proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration

bill

a proposed law that has been sponsored by a member of Congress and submitted to the clerk of the House or Senate

Closed rule

a provision by the House Rules Committee limiting or prohibiting the introduction of amendments during debate

closed rule

a provision by the House Rules Committee limiting or prohibiting the introduction of amendments during debate

open rule

a provision by the House Rules Committee that permits floor debate and the addition of new amendments to a bill

Something that must be supplied by the government because it cannot be provided by the marketplace is called

a public good

When George W. Bush supporters called conservative white voters during the 2000 South Carolina Republican primary to ask if they would be more or less likely to vote for John McCain if they knew that he had fathered an illegitimate black child, it was an example of

a push poll.

Chp 10 - general election

a regularly scheduled election involving most districts in the nation or state, in which voters select officeholders; in the United States, general elections for national office and most state and local offices are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years (every four years for presidential elections)

Chp 12 - trustee

a representative who voters based on what he or she thinks is best for his or her constituency

Chp 10 - delegate

a representative who votes according to the preferences of his or her constituency

Chp 12 - delegate

a representative who votes according to the preferences of his or her constituency

Delegate

a representative who votes according to the preferences of his or her constituency

trustee

a representative who votes based on what he or she thinks is best for his or her constituency

War Powers Resolution

a resolution of Congress that the president can send troops into action abroad only by authorization of Congress or if American troops are already under attack or serious threat

Party unity vote

a roll-call vote in the House or Senate in which at least 50 percent of the members of one party take a particular position and are opposed by at least 50 percent of the members of the other party

party unity vote

a roll-call vote in the House or Senate in which at least 50 percent of the members of one party take a particular position and are opposed by at least 50 percent of the members of the other party

Chp 4 - Lemon test

a rule articulated in Lemon v. Kurtzman that government action toward religion is permissible if it is secular in purpose, neither promotes nor inhibits the practice of religion, and does not lead to "excessive entanglement" with religion

Lemon test

Cloture

a rule or process in a legislative body aimed at ending debate on a given bill; in the U.S. Senate, 60 senators (three-fifths) must agree in order to impose a time limit and end debate

cloture

a rule or process in a legislative body aimed at ending debate on a given bill; in the U.S. Senate, 60 senators (three-fifths) must agree in order to impose a time limit and end debate

Executive order

a rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect and formal status of legislation

executive order

a rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect and formal status of legislation

Chp 2 - Federalist Papers

a series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay supporting ratification of the Constitution

Federalist papers

a series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay supporting ratification of the constitution

Chp 6 - bandwagon effect

a shift in electoral support to the candidate whom public opinion polls report as the front-runner

monopoly

a single firm in a market that controls all the goods and services of that market; absence of competition

sample

a small group selected by researchers to represent the most important characteristics of an entire population

Chp 6 - attitude (or opinion)

a specific preference on a particular issue

Partisan loyalty is likely to be highest in the election of

a state legislature.

Federal Reserve System

a system of 12 Federal Reserve banks that facilitates exchanges of cash, checks, and credit; regulates member banks; and uses monetary policies to fight inflation and deflation

Chp 2 - federalism

a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between a central government and regional governments

Chp 3 - federalism

a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between a central government and regional governments

federalism

a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between a central government and regional governments

Chp 2 - confederation

a system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government

Confederation

a system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government

Chp 1 - representative democracy (republic)

a system of government in which the populace selects representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decision making

Chp 1 - constitutional government

a system of rule in which formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of the government

Chp 1 - authoritarian government

a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits but may nevertheless be restrained by the power of other social institutions

Chp 1 - totalitarian government

a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits on its power and seeks to absorb or eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it

Chp 1 - democracy

a system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials

Chp 1 - direct democracy

a system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies

filibuster

a tactic used by members of the Senate to prevent action on legislation they oppose by continuously holding the floor and speaking until the majority backs down; once given the floor, senators have unlimited time to speak, and it requires a vote of three-fifths of the Senate to end a filibuster

tariff

a tax on imported goods

The North American Free Trade Agreement is

a trade treaty between the United States, Canada, and Mexico designed to lower and eliminate tariffs

Classic laissez-faire theory argues all of the following except that

a truly efficient government allows private enterprise to provide all government services

Chp 10 - majority system

a type of electoral system in which, to win a seat in the parliament or other representative body, a candidate must receive a majority of all the votes cast in the relevant district

Chp 10 - plurality system

a type of electoral system in which, to win a seat in the parliament or other representative body, a candidate need only receive the most votes in the election, not necessarily a majority of the votes cast

Chp 3 - cooperative federalism

a type of federalism existing since the New Deal era in which grants-in-aid have been used strategically to encourage states and localities (without commanding them) to pursue nationally defined goals; also known as intergovernmental cooperation

Cooperative federalism

Chp 12 - agency representation

a type of representation in which a representative is held accountable to a constituency if he or she fails to represent that constituency properly; this is incentive for the representative to provide good representation when his or her personal backgrounds, views, and interests differ from those of his or her constituency

Chp 12 - sociological representation

a type of representation in which representatives have the same racial, gender, ethnic, religious, or educational backgrounds as their constituents; it is based on the principle that if two individuals are similar in background, character, interests, and perspectives, then one can correctly represent the other's views

The Antifederalists argued that the powers of the national government should be limited by

adding a bill of rights to the Constitution

Reporting in which the media adopt a skeptical or even hostile posture toward the government and public officials is referred to as

adversarial journalism

Privately owned media companies in the United States earn most of their revenue from

advertising.

The first efforts by the United States to create a professional Foreign Service staff started

after World War I

Before the 1930s, relations between labor and management in the United States were

among the most violent in the world

budget deficit

amount by which government spending exceeds government revenue in a fiscal year

executive agreement

an agreement, made between the president and another country, that has the force of a treaty but does not require the Senate's "advice and consent"

executive agreement

an agreement, made between the president and another country, that has the force of a treaty buy does not require the Senate's "advice and consent"

Chp 1 - laissez-faire capitalism

an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government interference

laissez-faire capitalism

an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government interference

supply-side economics

an economic theory that positsthat reducing the marginal rate of taxation will create a productive economy by promoting levels of work and investment that would otherwise be discouraged by higher taxes

Chp 4 - prior restraint

an effort by a governmental agency to block the publication of material it deems libelous or harmful in some other way; censorship; in the United States, the courts forbid prior restraint except under the most extraordinary circumstances

prior restraint

Chp 10 - campaign

an effort by political candidates and their supporters to win the backing of donors, political activists, and voters in their quiest for political office

Chp 10 - majority-minority district

an electoral district, such as a congressional district, in which the majority of the constituents belong to racial or ethnic minorities

An agreement between the president and another country that has the force of a treaty but lacks congressional approval is called

an executive agreement

Chp 9 - party identification

an individual voter's psychological ties to one party or another

Chp 9 - policy entrepreneur

an individual who identifies a problem as a political issue and brings a policy proposal into the political agenda

Kitchen Cabinet

an informal group of advisers to whom the president turns for counsel and guidance; members of the official Cabinet may or may not also be members of the Kitchen Cabinet

Chp 10 - town hall meeting

an informal public meeting in which candidates meet with ordinary citizens; allows candidates to deliver messages without the presence of journalists or commentators

A grassroots lobbying campaign occurs when

an interest group mobilizes its members and their families throughout the country to write their representatives in support of the group's position.

Slander

an oral statement made in "reckless disregard of the truth" and considered damaging to a victim because it is "malicious, scandalous, and defamatory"

Chp 4 - slander

an oral statement made in "reckless disregard of the truth" that is considered damaging to the victim because it is "malicious, scandalous, and defamatory"

White House staff

analysts and advisers to the president, each of whom is often given the title "special assistant"

Signing statements

announcements made by the president when signing bills into law, often presenting the president's interpretation of the law

signing statements

announcements made by the president when signing bills into law, often presenting the president's interpretation of the law

During the founding era, ____ were the strongest supporters of adding Bill of Rights to the Constitution

antifederalists

______ policies are designed to eliminate the abuses of powerful ______.

antitrust, monopolies

Pork barrel (or pork)

appropriations made by legislative bodies for local projects that are often not needed but that are created so that local representatives can win re-election in their home districts

Chp 12 - pork barrel (or pork)

appropriations made by legislative bodies for local projects that are often not needed buy that are created so that local representatives can win re-election in their home districts

527 committees are an important part of the American political system because they

are able to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money as long as they do not coordinate their activities with a political party.

Conference committees

are only likely to include members from both political parties when control of Congress is divided.

Conference committees

are only likely to include members from both political parties when control of congress is divided.

Chp 4 - civil liberties

areas of personal freedom constitutionally protected from government interference

Civil liberties

areas of personal freedom constitutionally protected from government interference

Caucuses (congressional)

associations of members of Congress based on party, interest, or social group, such as gender or race

caucuses (congressional)

associations of members of Congress based on party, interest, or social group, such as gender or race

In order to win the presidency, a candidate must win

at least 270 electoral votes.

Chp 3 - New Federalism

attempts by presidents Nixon and Reagan to return power to the states through block grants

New federalism

attempts by presidents Nixon and Reagan to return power to the states through block grants

Support for an affirmative action policy that considers an applicant's race in university admissions is an example of a political ________, while a belief in equality of opportunity is an example of a political _

attitude; value

The MOST important selection bias in news is the

audience appeal of a story

Chp 3 - concurrent powers

authority possessed by both state and national governments, such as the power to levy taxes

Concurrent powers

authority possessed by both state and national governments, such as the power to levy taxes

Setting emissions standards for each industry, while allowing companies to trade "carbon credits" is an approach to environmental policy known as

cap and trade

Foreign aid is an economic ______. Sanctions are an economic ______.

carrot, stick

Which of the following is not a component of American foreign policy?

social security

Which of the following social policies is the most costly to the government?

social security

If a legislative body was composed of 15 percent Latinos and 70 percent males in a state whose residents were 35 percent Latino and 50 percent male, the legislative body could be said to lack ________ representation.

sociological

Which sort of representation is based on the principle that if two individuals are similar in background, character, interests, and perspectives, then one could correctly represent the other's views?

sociological

libertarian

someone who emphasizes freedom and believes in voluntary association with small government

socialist

someone who generally believes in social ownership, strong government, free markets, and reducing economic inequality

Chp 2 - expressed powers