Political Science 101: Test 1, Chapters 1 - 5 Quizzes, Political Science Test #1- Dr. Brown, POLI 101,
Four Theories of Power
1) Pluralism 2) Elite Theory 3)Bureaucratic theory 4) Social Movement Theory
structure of American government under Articles of Confederation and the Constitution
Central government power placed in congress; states implement laws, take revenue from taxes, and supplier of troops; any changes required agreement of all 13 states
Which of the following is true of the Supreme Court's treatment of student speech?
It has allowed conditional restrictions on student free speech depending on the content of the speech.
Variation in barriers to voting by states
KY and TN have the highest ME, MT and CA have lowest
What is evolutionary and biological in the frameworks of political science?
Scientists have studied genetic patterns that help predict the political preference. (this is a new idea)
McDonald v. Chicago
The Court declared that the right to keep and bear arms was protected from state as well as federal action.
Which of the following statements about the death penalty is accurate?
The United States is the only Western nation that still executes criminals.
What did the State Constitutions show us?
The state constitutions show us what was working and what was important to the states.
Primary elections
This election serves as a party nomination for the political office
The Fifth Amendment protects against
double jeopardy.
Racial gerrymandering
drawing boundaries to dilute minority vote share
Connecticut Compromise
equal representation in the Senate, proportional in the House of Representatives
A belief in equality of results is
not a part of the U.S. political culture.
politics
the conflicts and struggles over the leadership, structure, and policies of governments
Full Faith and Credit Clause
(comity clause) provision from Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution requiring that the states normally honor the public acts and judicial decisions that take place in another state
influence of colonial experience on American Constitution
1) Colonies too far from King- salutary neglect 2) Every colony had its own legislation- representation 3) Many opportunities for people of any socioeconomic class 4) Compacts and covenants promoted compromise 5) Seeking religious freedom 6) Border issues with Native Americans, French, Spanish
central issues leading to American Revolution
1) Lack of representation 2) Native American/French/Spanish bloodshed 3) Stamp Tax 4) Townshend Acts- new taxes to American Board of Customs 5) Boston Tea Party
Seven Big Ideas of American Exceptionalism
1) Liberty 2) Self-Rule 3) Limited Government 4) Individualism 5) American Dream 6) Equality 7) Faith in God
What were important things that were purposefully left out of the final constitution?
1. Any resolution to opposing stances on slavery and the state of slave-trading in the United States. 2. Few references to Christianity, God, or religion in the notes taken at the Constitutional Convention, and no references to God or Christianity in the Constitution.
What two ways can amendments be approved by 38/50 states, after they have been successfully proposed?
1. By vote in each state legislature 2. By ratification conventions held in each state.
65% of government spending goes to...
1. Military 2. Social Security 3. Medicare 4. Medicaid
Interests (types)
1. Rational self-interest motivates political actions and opinions 2. Political influence of groups 3. Consider ideal of public interest shared by society
Types of equality
1. Social 2. Political 3. Economic
What are the two ways to propose amendments?
1. a 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress 2. a national convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the states. (this method has never been used).
Variation in term limits
15 states have term limits for their state legislators limits were supposed to increase competitions and decrease campaign spending, did opposite
Articles of Confederation
1777, First US constitution, changed in 1787 Delimited the separation of powers between two layers of government Congress could declare war and make pace, enter treaties and alliances, control money, regulate trade Couldn't tax or enforce commerce/trade
The Supreme Court justices began to change their position on racial discrimination in the ________.
1930s
trends in party strength over time
19th century Strongest; spoils system/patronage Early 20th century Weakened; Australian ballot 1950's and 60's Weakened; candidate-centered campaigns 1970's to present Strengthened; professionalization of parties
How is Constitution amended?
2/3 of House and Senate and 3/4 states must ratify through state legislature or through state conventions
political order
???
What is a Unitary Government?
A Unitary Government is where sovereignty resides in the central government. The central government may create regional governments, but they only have the power the central entity gives to them.
Citizens united
A case challenging the Federal Election Commission's ruling that the documentary film entitled Hilary produced by a non profit corporation and funded by for-profit corporations constituted a violation of the ban on corporate contributions to federal campaigns. important part --->>>>>The Supreme Court ruled that corporate funding of independent political ads in candidate elections cannot be limited under the first amendment
What is a Confederation?
A confederation is where regional or state governments are sovereign.
purpose/functions of Continental Congress
A convention of delegates, from twelve of the thirteen colonies, that met in 1774 which petitioned for an end to the Intolerable Acts, boycott of British goods, and asserted colonial rights
What is the Constitution?
A document or unwritten set of basic rules that provides the basic principles that determine the conduct of public affairs
What is the Declaration of Independence?
A document written by Thomas Jefferson that lays the foundation of American constitutional theory.
A direct Democracy is?
A form of democracy in which citizens directly make government decisions. This is done via ballot initiatives and referendums
What is Democracy?
A form of government in which all the citizens have the opportunity to participate in the process of making authoritative decisions and allocating resources.
democracy
A government in which citizens rule directly and make government decisions
republic
A government in which citizens rule indirectly and make government decisions through their elected representatives
Block grants
A grant from a central government that a local authority can allocate to a wide range of service
Confederation
A group of independent states or nations that yield some of their powers to a national government, although each state retains a degree of sovereign authority
What are factions?
A majority or minority group who are united in some interest that is adverse to the right of other citizens.
Minority-majority districts
A majority-minority district refers to a United States congressional district composed of racial or ethnic minorities' constituents.
Unitary
A national polity governed as a single unit, with the central government exercising all or most political authority
Constitutional initiatives
A process by which citizens in some states can propose a constitutional amendment by gathering a required number of signatures on a petition
Referendum
A referendum is a public vote on a statute or a constitutional amendment that has already been considered by a state legislature or local government (think brexit)
What were the Federalists Papers?
A series of 85 political essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to persuade New York voters to ratify the Constitution. These papers have become the single best source for understanding the justification of the Constitution.
What type of situation in American federalism has often resulted in the act of preemption?
A state action is found to be inconsistent with a federal requirement.
Cumulative voting systems
A system of voting in an election in which each voter is allowed as many votes as there are candidates and may give all to one candidate or varying numbers to several.
What are Factions?
Accommodating interests has a side effect and that is the potential to create the kind of factions James Madison was concerned about.
What was the US Patriot Act?
After 9/11 the government spying on citizens to keep them safe. Citizens were concerned about privacy and Government about safety.
Who are Anti-Federalists?
Against ratification in classical republicanism; direct democracy 1) Stripped political control from citizens and placed it in a powerful national government over which the poeple would not have much influence 2) The president looked too much like a King 3) Standing armies and navies werea threat to peace and liberty. Republics relied on citizen militias- which could be mustered during wartime- to protect the people 4) Anti-federalists hammered away at the Constitution's missing piece, a bill of rights
equality
All citizens enjoy the same privileges, status, and rights before the laws
Popular referendum.
Allows a person or group to file a petition to have public vote on a bill that the legislature has already approved
Direct initiative
Allows a person or group to file a proposed bill with a state office and then collect signatures from voters to qualify the measure for a spot on the state ballot.
Top two primary
Allows eligible voters, regardless of party affiliation, to vote in a primary for any candidate running Top two candidates square off in general election, regardless of party affiliation Only exists in 3 states: CA, LA, and WA *Unlike open primaries, candidates part of same ballot
The Articles of Confederation
America's first written constitution; served as the basis for America's national government until 1789
ideals of American democracy
American political culture contains a number of core ideals and values. Not all Americans share the same views, of course, but the vast majority subscribes to these general ideals, including liberty, equality, democracy, individualism, unity, and diversity.
limited government
Americans distrust centralized leadership Conservatives: seek moral enforcement Liberals: seek diversity and economic enforcement
Charles Beard's criticism of the Constitution
An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States argues that the structure of the Constitution of the United States was motivated primarily by the personal financial interests of the Founding Fathers; Beard contends that the authors of The Federalist Papers represented an interest group themselves.
pluralism
An open, participatory style of government in which many different interests are represented
Libertarianism
Anti-government/ minimal government involvement
10th Amendment
Any powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states and the people
What is Concurrent powers?
Are those possessed by both the national and state governments, like the authority to tax and borrow money.
What was Shay's Rebellion?
Armed farmers in western Massachusetts resisted state efforts to seize their property for failures to pay taxes and debts. This rebellion showed how fragile a nation as fractured as one under the Articles of Confederation could be.
elastic clause
Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution (also known as the necessary and proper clause), which enumerates the powers of Congress and provides Congress with the authority to make all laws "necessary and proper" to carry them out
commerce clause
Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which delegates to Congress the power "to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States and with the Indian tribes"; this clause was interpreted by the Supreme Court in favor of national power over the economy
supremacy clause
Article VI of the Constitution, which states that laws passed by the national government and all treaties are the supreme law of the land and superior to all laws adopted by any state or any subdivision
Oligarchy is what form of government?
Authority is vested in a few persons.
Autocracy is what form of government?
Authority is vested in one person.
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Bans literacy tests
Connecticut Compromise
Brokered by Roger Sherman; house would be based on population and senate would have two reps. from each state; legislation would have to pass through both houses in Congress
Economy diversification levels in different states
California and Illinois have diversified economies Other states depend on a singular sector (agriculture in Kansas, mineral extraction in West Virginia) This economic diversification impacts politics (Florida has become more liberal with an increasingly diversified economy)
Categorical grants
Can only be spent for narrowly defined purposes
significance of Shay's Rebellion
Captain Daniel Shays, veteran of Revolutionary War, led a rebellion consisting mostly of farmers protesting high taxes adn interest rates. They took over courthouses.
Dual federalism
Citizens are governed by two separate legal spheres Every person is a citizen of the national government and, separately, a citizen of the state in which they reside
What is accountability?
Citizens may find it difficult to hold government accountable when it is not clear who is responsible for any given policy.
At-large elections
City-wide elections, rather than district elections Antiparty, Progressive-era reform designed to weaken the influence of political parties and the lower-status voters, often recent immigrants, whom they relied upon for support Minority candidates have a better shot wining district elections
Coercive federalism
Coercive federalism is a form of federalism in which the federal government pressures the states to change their policies by using regulations, mandates, and conditions (often involving threats to withdraw federal funding).
Marble cake federalism
Conceives of federalism as a marble cake in which all levels of government are involved in a variety of issues and programs, rather than a layer cake, or dual federalism, with fixed divisions between layers or levels of government.
Stacking- gerrymandering
Concentrating like-minded voters together in one district to reduce their voting power in other districts. This gives the group representation in a single district while denying them representation
Institutions (types)
Congress, Supreme Court, Department of Homeland Security
Per capita income in states
Connecticut is #1, Mississippi is #50
What is Cooperative Federalism?
Cooperative federalism recognizes the overlap between national and state jurisdictions. In many cases they must work together to serve the needs of citizens.
What is complexity and inefficiency?
Coordination of intergovernmental action is difficult as states are largely able to do as their citizens demand.
Devolution
Decentralization of power and authority from a central government to state or local governments
influences of Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Independence; proponent of maximizing democracy
National Powers
Declare war Make treaties Tax imports and exports Regulate postal service Coin money Regulate interstate commerce Make all laws "necessary and proper
What was the meeting at Annapolis?
Delegates from only a few states showed up to discuss the problem with interstate trade and the need to adopt uniform commercial regulations. These delegates were almost entirely Federalists, and they voted to meet again to "modify" the Articles of Confederation.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Determined separate but equal in schooling inherently unequal because predicated on the idea of racial superiority (over turns Plessy)
• The promise of Direct democracy
Direct democracy comes from the populist and progressive movements of the late 19th century
What are the advantages of Federalism?
Dispersal of Power, Accommodation of Diverse Interests and Policy Experimentation.
What is Dual Federalism?
Dual federalism views federal and state governments as independent sovereign powers with separate and distinct jurisdictions.
What is separation of power?
Each power in the Constitution grants to Congress, the presidency, or the courts is balanced by a "countervailing" or checking power assigned to another branch
What is Legislative Interpretation?
Each time Congress makes a law it must interpret the Constitution Some laws are so far-reaching that they alter the responsibility and functions of government.
prohibits cruel and unusual punishment
Eighth Amendment
Legislative referendum
Elected officials have control over the question that voters will consider, although legislators are often bound to place certain items on state ballots The most widely used instrument of direct democracy is the legislative referendum Elected officials have control over the question that voters will consider.
Privileges and Immunities Clause
Ensures that residents of one state cannot be discriminated against by another state when it comes to fundamental matters, such as pursuing one's professional occupation, access to the courts, or equity in taxation
What are Enumerated powers?
Enumerated powers are those specifically stated in the Constitution
States are guaranteed _____?
Equal representation in the senate and a republican form of government,
Which Branch has gained more power over the years?
Executive Branch
What is Executive privilege?
Executive privilege is the right of the President to withhold information on matters of national sensitivity or privacy.
Patriot Act
Expanded the federal government's police powers and access to records/data 400 local governments and a handful of states passed resolutions denouncing the _______ act
The Tenth Amendment
Explicitly limits the powers of the national government vis-à-vis the states
What are the disadvantages of federalism?
Factions, Complexity and Inefficiency and Accountability
If there is a conflict between national and state government what happens?
Federal Provision will be enforced. The supreme court gets involved.
What is Dispersal of Power?
Federalism preserves the right of states to be autonomous and accountable to citizens. Having states be independent reduces the power of the federal government
What did Federalists want?
Federalists wanted to draft an entirely new constitution based on a strong national government and were particularly concerned about commerce
it guaranteed voting rights for African American men
Fifteenth Amendment
requires a grand jury for most crimes, protects against double jeopardy, and provides that you cannot be forced to testify against yourself. && the takings clause, which extends to each citizen a protection against the "taking" of private property "without just compensation."
Fifth Amendment
Free exercise clause & Establishment clause
First Ammendment
What are Formal Amendments?
Formal Amendments are one process to change the Constitution and take place in two stages: the proposal of the amendment in Congress, and the ratification of the amendment in the states.
it guaranteed equal protection and due process
Fourteenth Amendment
protects against unreasonable searches and seizures
Fourth Amendment
positive liberties
Freedom and ability to pursue one's goals
negative liberties
Freedom from constraints or the interference of others
Establishment clause
Freedom from the state imposing any particular religion
What is the first amendment?
Freedom of Religion. Freedom of speech and press. right to peaceful assembly, right to petition.
Free exercise clause
Freedom to practice religion of choice without state interference
What is Exclusionary Rule?
From the 4th and 14th amendments. States that evidence obtained from an unreasonable search and seizure cannot be used in trial.
What is the Right Against Self- Incrimination?
From the 5th amendment. Police must inform suspects of their rights have to have attorney appointment if they cant afford one.
____, _____, and _____ of government are established by a constitution?
Function, Structure, and Procedures.
Indirect initiative
Functions as a petition to have the legislature consider a bill proposed by citizens.
principal purpose/function of government
Government sets rules for society
What was the Imminent lawless action test?
Here the question was whether the speech, through supportive lawbreaking, gave incitement to commit specific crimes. The court determined it did not.
Impact of ballot initiatives on voter turnout
High cost to qualify initiatives and referendum petitions A proposal suggested California should simply skip the petition process and allow someone to qualify a measure by paying a fee similar to what it would cost the proponent to collect signatures.
Shaping American Politics
Ideas, Institutions, Interests, Individuals
What are Implied powers?
Implied powers are not stated, but one could infer that the job of the executive must expand beyond what is in the Constitution because some things are related to those things that are enumerated
What are interest groups?
In between elections, like-minded citizens can come together to communicate their desires to government. They collectively communicate their will and compete with other interest groups to influence policy.
So why a constitution?
In the 1780s the U.S. was in an economic depression. The national government could not mint currency or levy taxes which impeded economic exchange and the repayment of loans offered during the war. No national policy to dictate foreign trade regulations and lots of debt = bad
What is Political Equality?
Individual preferences are given equal weight. This is not about equality in outcomes, but merely that citizens can have the same opportunity to influence the process of deciding who gets what, when and how.
What are inherent powers?
Inherent powers are those neither stated nor implied, but essential to the proper functioning of government.
States are obligated to ____.
Interstate rendition, which means to return an individual accused of a crime to the state with jurisdiction.
The constitution protects states from ________?
Invasion and insurrection as national defense is the obligation of national government.
What is the question with Capital Punishment?
Is the death penalty in violation of the 8th amendment? Different people have different opinions.
What was the purpose of California's Proposition 187?
It barred unauthorized immigrants from receiving most public services.
Why has the controversy over same-sex marriage been so closely linked to the full faith and credit clause?
It raises the issue of whether one state will recognize legal same-sex unions made in another state.
Which of the following statements about the Declaration of Independence is accurate?
It specifically identified and focused on grievances, aspirations, and principles that might unify the various colonial groups.
What exactly was the Constitutional convention?
It was the meeting where they were just going to "modify" the articles, but they ended up being changed completely.
Public opinion on why people don't participate in local politics
Lack of social capital (the social skills and networks and give people a sense of community) Lack of information Feel they can't make a difference Too busy Lack of transportation Feel unwelcome Safety concerns
Partisan sorting
Liberals increasingly identify as democrats and conservatives increasingly identifying as republicans
Party-column ballot
Listed all the candidates running for separate offices by their political party and had the effect of strengthen parties
Confidence Levels
Local government has the highest confidence level (75-65), followed pretty closely by State (75-55) The National government has fairly lower confidence levels (55-35)
What is Accommodation of Diverse Interests?
Local interests and priorities can be accommodated.
Office block ballot
Made split-ticketing voting easier, thereby weakening the major parties.
VA plan
Madison's plan, embraced by Constitutional Convention delegates from larger states; strengthened the national government relative to state governments
Bill of Rights
Major goal: ensuring the protection of individuals from the national government Also protects the autonomy of the states infused states with more sovereign powers
What are three ways to ensure popular sovereignty?
Majority Rule, Political Freedom and Political Equality
Shared Powers
Make and enforce laws create judiciary taxation eminent domain
Libel and Slander are??
Making false and defaming statements about someone is slander when spoken, and libel when made in print or media.
Thomas Hobbes's political philosophy
Man is basically evil, therefore, one man should rule; dictatorship
John Locke's political philosophy
Man is capable of self-government; if government does not operate properly, we the people have the right to rebel
Alexander Hamilton and the Constitution
Man; Federalist- wanted larger government
The exclusionary rule is illustrated by which Supreme Court case?
Mapp v. Ohio
Effects of direct democracy on politics
May be indirect- prominent study found that various state and local ballot measures advocating a freeze on development of nuclear weapons in 1982 affected how voters evaluated candidates in US senate elections. The 2004 Ohio example suggests; statewide ballot initiatives may affect politics by bringing voters to the polls. One of the original concerns about direct democracy is the potential it has to allow a majority of voters to trample the rights of minorities
bipartisan campaign reform act of 2002
McConnel v. federal election commissions banned parties from using soft money for "federal election activity"
What were the two events noted as the tipping point leading up to the Constitutional Convention?
Meeting at Annapolis and Shay's Rebellion
Caucus
Members informally meet, deliberate, and then cast votes for preferred candidates
Individualistic political culture
Mid-Atlantic seaboard states, big Midwest cities: strong commercial settlers, business people and immigrants Individual liberties and the right to pursue personal happiness are the dominant concerns and primary political virtues.
Political culture trends in different states
Most common way people think about politics is one-dimensional continuum from liberal to conservative Normative judgments: what governments ought to and ought not to do CA, Northeast most liberal South and middle states most conservative
Progressive federalism
Most recent form of federalism; allows states to have greater control over certain powers usually reserved for the national government.
purpose of Philadelphia Convention
Neither the national government nor an individual state was strong enough to protect public and private property
What is New Federalism?
New federalism was a movement to take power from the federal government and return it to the states.
What are the two roots of political science?
Normative Theory and Empirical Theory
Moralistic political culture
North and Midwest: Reform-minded Protestants and like-minded Scandinavians View government as a valuable tool with which to improve social conditions and feel that all citizens should participate in politics
What best explains the increased attention the federal government paid to the problem of racial discrimination during the 1940s?
Northern migration of African Americans increased their voting strength.
What do Political parties do?
Offer citizens meaningful choices by putting forth candidates for office that stand for particular policies.
Single subject rule
Originally adopted by state legislatures to ban egregious attempts at building coalitions of supporters by rolling many attractive features into a single measure in hope of expanding potential support for it.
Effects of participation on policy
Participation produces elected officials that are supposed to produce laws and policies that their constituents want "Class bias" Lots of upper-upper middle class white people vote Their voices are heard by the people they elect
Functional party model
Parties are not ideologically pure Parties exist to win and maintain control of office (wield power)
Responsible party model
Parties should be ideologically consistent They should present to voters a clear platform of set policies that are principled and distinctive
Powers of Congress
Pass legislation, declare war, set military's budget, ratify treaties, ultimate power over all federal offices, house can impeach
What is Unfunded Mandates?
Passed by W. Bush federal provisions requiring states and localities to take on certain responsibilities but did not assist in covering the related expenses.
Substantive representation
People are substantively represented when their ideas are represented in the government, regardless of what the person representing them looks like
what is behavioral in the frameworks of political science?
People react to their environment. Peoples political choice are largely a product of their upbringing.
What is Social Equality?
People should be free of class or social barriers and discrimination
What is Economic Equality?
People should receive the same material goods regardless of their contribution to society
Semi- Closed primary
Permits voting in a primary by those registered with party or as independents only Key difference: unaffiliated voters
Slave Trade Compromise
Permitted slave trade for extra 20 years in exchange for more national power over interstate commerce and power to tax imports
James Madison and the Constitution
Person who held an institutional perspective
What is Political Science?
Political Science is the academic discipline dedicated to the study of governments, political institutions, processes and behavior. It is the job of political scientists to make sense of the "who gets what, when, and how.
David Easton
Political Scientist- systems theory
Harold Lasswell
Political Scientist- who gets what, when, and how
Wedge issues
Political parties often use initiatives to promote wedge issues The wedge issues are measures that aim to divide the opposing party's candidates and weaken the opposition of base support. Ex. Affirmative action in California
Federalism
Power divided between national and state government. Each has its own independent authority and its own duties
Which of the following was established in the Tenth Amendment?
Powers not specifically granted by the Constitution to the federal government were reserved to the states or to the people.
Effects of primary system on representation
Primaries carry with regard to how much voters are permitted to participate in the nomination process Closed- most restrictive -Only previously registered party members may participate open- not as restricted -any voter may vote in any party's primary on election day
____ liberties place restraints on how government is supposed to act, while ____ liberties limit what the government has the power to do.
Procedural; substantive
What makes democracy work?
Process in democracy matters, but the process is necessarily inefficient and wrought with conflict. The substance of the process cannot strip away the ability for large numbers of citizens to participate in politics. Not denying popular sovereignty is a challenge for democracy.
What was the New Jersey plan?
Proposed a one-house legislature with equal state representation (favoring small states).
What was the Connecticut Compromise?
Proposed a two house legislature with House of Representatives apportioned on the basis of population and Senate representing states on equal basis.
What do Elections do?
Provide citizens the opportunity to determine whether office holders should continue to exercise power.
What is partisanship?
Psychological attachment to a political party. In other words, people view one of the parties as standing for their "brand" of policies.
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Public accommodations could no longer be inferior or segregated. Title VI of the act strengthened the hand of the executive branch in dealing with segregated schools. Title VII of the act created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and allowed for the Justice Department to enforce fair-employment practices.
Unfunded mandate
Public policy that requires a subnational government to pay for an activity or project established by the federal government
Which of the followings statements about trust in government is accurate?
Public trust in government in the United States dipped to historically low levels during the fight over the Affordable Care Act.
What are the requirements for proving libel?
Publication, Identification, and Harm.
Role of Thomas Paine in Revolutionary War
Published in 1776, his highly popular "Common Sense" was the first pamphlet to advocate American independence.
3/5 Compromise
Purpose of apportioning represenation without fully excluding or fully including slaves in the population count for the House nominations
NJ plan
Put forward at the convention by the small states, it left most government authority with state governments
What is Empirical Theory?
Questions or debates answered via careful observation.
Recall
Recall allows a person or group to file a petition for a public vote to remove an elected official from office prior to when the officials term expires. Often times unpopularity is the cause of a recall Difference between recall and impeach? recall is vote impeach is ruling
Full Faith and Credit Clause
Requires states to mutually accept one another's public acts, records, and judicial proceedings Congress, however, is given the authority to oversee the manner and effect of the reciprocity among the states
Cooperative federalism
Responsibilities for virtually all functions of government are interdependent, shared between the federal, state, and local governments National and subnational officials act primarily as colleagues, not adversaries
Centralization
Reverses the flow, empowering a national governing authority with unitary control and authority
________ began the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955-1956.
Rosa Parks
Political institutions
Rules that determine how the game of government and politics is played End game: public policy and government services Physical: EPA, constitutions Invisible: Primaries, interest groups
Right to Bear Arms
Second Ammendment
What is Normative Theory?
Seeks to prescribe how things should be valued or what is good or just.
requires a speedy trial and the right to witnesses and counsel. Prohibits excessive fines/bails
Sixth Amendment.
Who are Federalists?
Someone who wants a large and diverse government
Traditionalistic political culture
Southern tier: Wealthy planters and nobles from British Isles and France Government and politics viewed as the proper domain only of the social and economic elites Lower classes should not be involved or expect much
Cracking- gerrymandering
Spreading like-minded voters apart across multiple districts to dilute their voting power in each. This denies the group representation in multiple districts.
Voting rights for different demographics
State governments set rules about how is eligible to vote in their state and local elections A lot of states don't let felons and noncitizens vote
Election finance regulations
State laws have determined who can contribute to state and local candidates; how much individuals, groups, or political parties may give; and how contributions must be disclosed to the public
Recent population and demographic changes in states
State populations range from Wyoming (563,626) to California (37,253,956) Fastest growth: Nevada Faster decline: Michigan people are moving to the south and west.
What are State Constitutions?
States had various forms of government and were examples of how to improve on the Articles of Confederation (e.g. by adding a weak executive and a second branch of the legislature, etc.).
Clean money programs
States/cities providing full or partial public financing for state candidates in exchange for them promising to reject all private contributions
weaknesses and strengths of Articles of Confederation
Strengths: 1) Power close to the people 2) Major policy success through Continental Congress about land Weaknesses: 1) Congress had no money and could not raise taxes- the new republic needed a vigorous national government if it was to survive 2) Requiring unanimity made it almost impossible to amend Articles- A vigorous national government needed a stable source of revenue 3) State governments were dominated by their legislatures which were without checks and balances- different sources of government power should balance one another; governors should balance legislatures; and the central government should balance the states 4) Difficult time standing up to foreign powers- a weak central government left the nation vulnerable
What did the Anti-Federalists want?
The Anti-federalists wished to update the Articles of Confederation and were opposed to the Constitution proposed by the Federalists and wished to retain strong state sovereignty.
What did the Articles of Confederation show us?
The Articles of Confederation show us what didn't really work and what (kinda) did.
What is the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles served as the first constitution of the U.S. They established a national government comprised of a unicameral legislature but no executive or judiciary branches. The role of the government was limited to raising and army and a navy.
The first ten amendments to the constitution are referred to as____.
The Bill of Rights
Which of the following statements about the evolution of federalism under the George W. Bush administration is accurate?
The Bush administration oversaw a massive increase in federal authority over public education.
What are State Powers?
The Constitution does not grant specific powers to the states, but simply that all powers not granted to the national government will remain with the states. The 10th Amendment ensures this.
What was the case of Lawrence vs. Texas?
The Court argued that the government had no right to regulate or control consensual personal relationships.
What was the case of Roe vs. Wade?
The Court reaffirmed the decision in Griswold by balancing the mother's right to privacy against the state's interest in protecting the unborn fetus.
What was the case of Griswold vs. Connecticut?
The Court ruled that the state of CT could not prohibit the use of contraceptives by married couples. The Court referenced various guarantees in the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 9th Amendments creating "zones of privacy."
Judicial review?
The Court's authority to strike down acts that violate the Constitution and to interpret what the Constitution means
What came before the Constitution?
The Declaration of Independence, The Articles of Confederation and State Constitutions.
What did the Declaration of independence show us?
The Declaration shows us what the founders wanted to accomplish and where they drew inspiration. Locke, Rousseau, etc.
interstate extradition
The Extradition clause or Interstate rendition clause of the United States Constitution refers to Article IV, Section 2, Clause 2, which provides for the extradition of a criminal back to the state where he or she has committed a crime.
due process of law
The Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth amendments, taken together
What is Judicial Interpretation?
The Judiciary essentially decides what is and what isn't constitutional. The only check on this power is the amendment.
What was revealed in the documents leaked by Edward Snowden?
The National Security Agency had been secretly collecting information on Americans for years.
Necessary and Proper Clause
The Necessary and Proper Clause refers to a section of the United States Constitution that grants Congress the authority to create and enforce laws that are deemed "necessary and proper" by the powers granted to the branches of the government by the Constitution's various provisions.
privileges and immunities
The Privileges and Immunities Clause (U.S. Constitution, Article IV, Section 2, Clause 1, also known as the Comity Clause) prevents a state from treating citizens of other states in a discriminatory manner.
Which of the following structural aspects was established for the legislature by the Constitution?
The Senate was given the power to approve presidential appointments.
What is Majority Rule?
The Substance of Law follows the course of action preferred by most people. Typically it is a plurality (the largest percentage of a vote) that carries the decision.
Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
The Supreme Court established the supremacy of the national government in all matters affecting interstate commerce. && gave the national government significant new authority to regulate interstate commerce.
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
The Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Congress had, through its implied powers, the legal right to charter a national bank. && in this case, the U.S. Supreme Court interpreted the delegated powers of Congress broadly, creating the potential for increased national powers.
Elazar's classification of political culture
The US has three dominant political cultures based on the values and attitudes of our original European settlers and the way they migrated through the country (traditionalistic, moralistic, individualistic)
What were the three plans put forth during the constitutional convention?
The Virgina Plan, The New Jersey Plan, and The Connecticut Compromise.
What is Political Freedom?
The ability of the people to freely express their opinions.
Descriptive representation
The ability to see people like yourself serving as your representative
necessary and proper clause
The constitutional declaration (in Article 1, Section 8) that defines Congresses's authority to exercise the "necessary and proper" powers to carry out its designated function
supremacy clause
The constitutional declaration (in Article 6, Section 2) that the national government's authority prevails over any conflicting state or local government's claims
full faith and credit
The constitutional requirement (article 4, section 1) that each state recognize and uphold laws passed by any other state
Which of the following is established by the Fifth Amendment?
The courts cannot hold trials for serious offenses without provision for a grand jury.
What is popular sovereignty?
The distribution of political power rests with the people.
What was the Preferred Freedoms Doctrine?
The first amendment is so fundamental that such courts have a greater obligation to protect these rights more than others.
What was the Virgina plan?
The first major proposal (by James Madison) and the basis of the Constitution. Proposed a bicameral legislature with a popularly elected lower house and upper house nominated by state legislatures (favored large states).
Which of the following was an effect of the National Origins quota system?
The foreign-born population of the United States reached an all-time low by 1970.
self-rule
The idea that legitimate government flows from the people
What is Equality of Opportunity?
The idea that people have the right to develop their abilities to their furthest extent. In other words, citizens have the right to become unequal. American Democracy favors equality of opportunity.
What is Rational Choice in the frameworks of political science?
The idea that people rationally make decisions that better themselves.
what is Ideology?
The ideas a person has on what government should do
What is government?
The institution that has the authority to make binding decisions for all of society.
What was the Clear and Present Danger test?
The issue was whether the antiwar leaflets constituted a clear and present danger. The court decided that they did.
What was the Supreme Court's response to the Civil Rights Act of 1875?
The justices declared the act unconstitutional because it protected against acts of private discrimination, not state discrimination.
Confederal system of government
The national government is subject to the control of subnational, autonomous governments Governmental powers are devolved to subnational units
Which of the following would best exemplify a characteristic of a unitary system of government?
The national government selects the textbooks and curriculum for all schools.
What is the Incorporation Doctrine?
The notion that the Bill of Rights applies to the state governments as well as federal governments through the "due process clause" of the 14th amendment.
What is a Balancing Test?
The obligation to protect rights must be balanced with the impact the action in question has on society.
political culture
The orientation of citizens of a state toward politics
What is Police power?
The power to pass laws for the health, morals and safety of its citizens
Tenth Amendment (reserved powers)
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people
What is politics?
The process of making binding decisions about who gets what or whose values everyone is going to live by.
What are Checks and Balances?
The process of the three branches are not wholly separated from each other, but rather, overlap, at the edges and have the opportunity to "check" the power of the other branches.
Commerce Clause
The provision of the U.S. Constitution that gives Congress exclusive power over trade activities among the states and with foreign countries and Indian tribes
What was McCulloch Vs. Maryland (1819)?
The question at stake in this famous case was whether the central government had the power to create a national bank. Court agreed with Hamilton's clause that the bank was necessary. Case expanded power of the federal government by interpreting the clause consistent with the doctrine of implied powers.
What was the Madisonian Dilemma?
The question was how do you prevent people from using government powers to take away freedoms. Madison saw the objective of the constitutional undertaking as finding a way to secure public good and private rights.
What was the bad tendency rule?
The question was whether the speech could bring about evil not in the present but in the future.
Political efficacy
The sense that political involvement can actually make a difference
What is Policy Experimentation?
The states can be "laboratories of democracy" meaning, there can be variation in laws across states and states can learn from each other about what works and what does not.
Federalism
The structural (or constitutional) relationship between a national government and its constitutive states
elite theory
The view that a small handful of wealthy, influential Americans exercises extensive control over government decisions
Winner-take-all elections
The winner take all system is an electoral system in which a single political party or group can elect every office within a given district or jurisdiction. also, if a candidate wins the majority of the state they get all electoral votes.
Statutory initiative
They are more readily amended or repealed by the legislature in some states (such as Colorado, Maine, Idaho, and Missouri) Other states require waiting periods, supermajorities or both before a statutory initiative may be amended.
What was the Absolutists approach?
They saw the first amendment very literally meaning that congress should make "no laws" about the expression of views.
What is the problem with Civil Liberties?
Think of the problem of civil liberties as the balancing of the liberty of the individual with the government authority to maintain order.
abolished slavery
Thirteenth Amendment
Public university tuition funding in different states
Tradeoff between how much a student should pay and how much state taxpayers should subsidize that student's education Each state has different landscapes and culture that affect the tax burden for its residents
Multimember districts
Two or more candidates are elected to represent each district
National Supremacy Clause
US Constitution and national laws and treaties "shall be the supreme law of the land" Constitution and federal laws trump confliction state constitutional provisions or laws
States are equal once admitted to the ___.
Union
Unitary system of government
Vest power in the national government, leaving subnational (state and local) governments as administrative appendages that merely carry out national policies
Voter dilution
Vote dilution occurs when a racial group's electoral choice becomes submerged due to the racial polarization of the vote, and where a traditional white majority precludes a minority group's choices from having any bearing or significant meaning in an election on par with white voters in the same election
Ways that have been used to keep minorities from voting historically
Voter ID laws
Open Primary
Voters are not required to register their party affiliation with the state Voters participate in any party primary they so choose (only one)
Closed Primary
Voters must be registered with a party prior to the election Voters can only select candidates of party for which they are registered
Semi- Open Primay
Voters participate in whatever party primary they want But, must declare publicly the party primary they participate in Key Difference: privacy of vote
Impact of 9/11 on the balance of power between the states and the federal government
W passed laws that encroached on the authority of states such as the Patriot Act.
Reserve Clause
What the 10th amendment is known as gives the states broad authority- "The powers not delegated to the US by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
A Representative Democracy is?
When citizens choose the representatives.
Federal preemption
When the federal government takes regulatory action that overrides state laws
Grandfather clause
a clause exempting certain classes of people or things from the requirements of a piece of legislation affecting their previous rights, privileges, or practices. Guinn V. U.S used 15th amendment to strike down voting barriers clauses only allowed people to vote if their ancestors did before the civil war.
progressive federalism
a concept that allows the national government to override state or local actions in certain areas. Progressive federalism. Movement that gives state officials significant leeway in acting on issues normally considered national in scope, such as the environment and consumer protection. Reserved (or police) powers.
Soft money
a contribution to a political party that is not accounted as going to a particular candidate, thus avoiding various legal limitations.
Which of the following can be said to have characterized American politics for much of the past half-century?
a pervasive sense of apathy and cynicism
Literacy test
a racially motivated barrier that often required people (blacks) to do the impossible
Party Identification
a strong attachment for many voters, making it tough for third parties to add to their membership? A persons PID usually forms early in adulthood and is largely conditioned by one's family.
Poll Taxes
a tax a person is required to pay before he or she is allowed to vote. Poll taxes were used in many southern states after the Reconstruction period to restrict African-American citizens' right to vote.
new federalism
a version of cooperative federalism, but with stronger emphasis on state and local government activity versus national government
The 1896 Supreme Court ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson was most directly related to the debate over equality of
access to public institutions.
Miranda v. Arizona
advanced the civil liberties of accused persons not only by expanding the scope of the Fifth Amendment clause covering coerced confessions and self-incrimination but also by confirming the right to counsel, a provision of the Sixth Amendment.
horizontal federalism
all entities hold the same power
rational choice theory
an approach to political behavior that views individuals as rational, decisive actors who know their political interests and seek to act on them
The Bill of Rights mollified concerns about
an overly powerful central government.
United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) is an important case because the justices declared that
anyone born in the United States was entitled to be a citizen.
New Federalism
attempts by presidents Nixon and Reagan to return power to the states through block grants
Democracy is what form of government?
authority vested in all citizens. In other words, citizens make the authoritative decisions about allocating resources (who gets what).
The practice of direct democracy includes which of the following?
ballot referenda
Because they understand how politics affects their lives, knowledgeable citizens tend to
be more engaged in politics.
The Supreme Court's decisions on school desegregation policies since 1991 generally suggest that the Court will
be willing to end desegregation plans even when predominantly minority schools continue to lag significantly behind white suburban schools.
Political efficacy is the
belief that citizens can affect government.
political efficacy
belief that citizens can affect what government does
In a federal system, power is distributed
between the state and national governments.
Which of the following wanted to promote political participation for the middle classes?
bourgeoisie
In what way did the federal government attempt to combat state opposition to national policies for a time in the 1960s?
bypassing states altogether by making federal grants directly to local governments
judicial review and separation of power
checks and balances
dual (layer cake) federalism
clear division of governing authority between national and state governments
Dual federalism (layer-cake federalism)
constitutional interpretation that gave the federal government exclusive control over some issues and states exclusive control over others.
Brown v board
court rules that racial segregation in public schools violates the equal protection laws guaranteed by the 14th
US v lopez
court strikes down a federal law that prohibits possession of firearms near schools because it exceeds congress's power under the commerce clause
Gonzales v oregon
court upholds an oregon laws allowing physician assisted suicide and limits the federal governments effort to punish doctors prescribing a lethal dose of drugs
McCulloch v Maryland
court upholds the power of congress to incorporate the second bank on the US and upholds that the state of Maryland could not tax it
The total boycott of all British goods in the colonies came immediately after which event?
creation of the First Continental Congress
The people are sovereign in a(n)
democracy
interstate commerce clause
describes an enumerated power listed in the United States Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3). The clause states that the United States Congress shall have power "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes."
Lemon v. Kurtzmann
determined that government aid to religious schools would be accepted as constitutional if (1) it had a secular purpose, (2) its effect was neither to advance nor to inhibit religion, and (3) it did not entangle government and religious institutions in each other's affairs.
Which of the following is a component of the Lemon test?
determining whether government involvement advances a particular religion
The executive leader or presiding officer specified by the Articles of Confederation
did not exist; the Articles specified no executive leader.
The process of amending the Constitution is ____, leading to a ____ proportion of proposed amendments succeeding.
difficult; very small
Fighting words fall outside constitutional protection because they
directly incite violence.
vertical federalism
division of power between national and state
The core component of the New Jersey Plan was that
each state would be equally represented in the new regime regardless of that state's population.
New Jersey Plan
each state would have equal representation
Liberty, democracy, and ____ are the United States' core political values.
equality
Equality
equality of opportunity, the notion that each person should be given a fair chance to use his or her talents to reach their fullest potential
The idea of the separation of church and state is most closely associated with the
establishment clause.
Voting age population
everyone over 18
voting eligible population
everyone who can actually vote, excludes convicts (felons)
Registration barriers
examples are poll taxes, literacy tests, grandfather clauses, and complicated record keeping requirements things that limited people from voting
The most dramatic restraint imposed on police by the Bill of Rights, which can free those people who are known to have committed the crime of which they have been accused, is the
exclusionary rule.
Specific powers provided to the national government in the U.S. Constitution are called __________ powers.
expressed
The power to declare war is an example of which type of power?
expressed
The Supreme Court ruled in Lawrence v. Texas that the right to privacy
extends to gay and lesbian citizens.
Block grants
federal grants-in-aid that allow states considerable discretion in how the funds are spent
A government is made up of the
formal institutions that rule a people.
government
formal institutions through which a land and its people are ruled
Grants-in-aid
funds provided by the federal government to a state or local government for a specific purpose. Formula Grants && Categorical Grants > Project Grants
The elastic clause (supremacy clause)
gives Congress the ability to pass laws necessary to carry out its expressed powers.
affirmative action
government policies or programs that seek to redress past injustices against specified groups by making special efforts to provide members of those groups with access to educational and employment opportunities
New Federalism was generally characterized by
granting state and local governments greater control of nationally funded programs.
The 5th Amendment ____?
guarantees that a person cannot be denied life, liberty, or property without due process of law as well as protections from coerced confessions and being tried twice for the same offense
The concept of the "mixed regime," so called by theorists such as Montesquieu and incorporated into the Constitution, meant that each branch of government
had a distinct constituency.
Political equality means that each citizen
has one, and only one, vote.
power
having influence over the leadership, structure, and policies of government
Constitutional Convention of 1787
he new Constitution embodied leading political theories of the time regarding liberty, equality, and democracy.
Party Era
historical periods in which a majority of voters cling to the party in power, which tens to win a majority of the elections (sounds way cooler than it actually is)
The American Dream
if you are talented and work hard, you can achieve financial success
Antifederalists' concerns about the Constitution
included a concern that the Constitution did not specifically enumerate protected civil liberties.
citizenship
informed and active membership in a political community
religion
inspires political involvement
Right to Privacy
interpreted in the Fourth Amendment, facilitated by the Ninth Amendment
The commerce clause of Article I, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution affords Congress broad regulatory power over what?
interstate commerce
patronage appointments
is a situation in which a person is rewarded for supporting a particular politician, such as campaigning or voting for them (iffy definition)
What is Federalism?
is a system in which central and regional governments share sovereignty. Each level has its own jurisdiction and set of responsibilities. The regional does not get power from the central, because it has its own power derived from the Constitution.
The Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Lopez is important because
it was the first time since the New Deal that the Supreme Court limited the power of Congress under the commerce clause.
Proponents of the idea of the "living" Constitution would likely support the concept of
judicial review.
Compared to Europeans, Americans are ____ supportive of government actions to ensure economic equality.
less
Personal and economic freedom are both definitions of
liberty
three important political values in American politics
liberty, equality, and democracy
Civil liberties are
limitations on government action.
The right to vote was strengthened in 1975 when members of Congress
made literacy tests illegal and mandated bilingual ballots or other assistance for non-English-speaking Americans
The Bill of Rights
made up of provisions that protect citizens from improper government action.
Preclearance
mandated by the voting rights act of 1965, the prior approval by the justice department of changes to or new election laws by certain states (iffy definition)
checks and balances
mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches; major examples include the presidential veto power over congressional legislation, the power of the Senate to approve presidential appointments, and judicial review of congressional enactments
Which area was NOT covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
military service
cooperative (marble cake) federalism
mingled government authority with functions overlapping across national and state governments
Cooperative federalism (marble cake federalism)
model in which the various levels of government work together to solve policy problems, often with the federal government providing some portion of the funding, which is spent by the states or localities
Spending trends on direct initiatives
money spent against an initiative is quite effective, more so than for
Over the last century, America's population has become ____ elderly and ____ young since the Founding.
more; less
inherent powers
national government powers implied by, but not specifically named in, the Constitution
civil rights
obligation imposed on government to take positive action to protect citizens from any illegal action of government agencies and of other private citizens
Collective action problem
occurs when a number of people work together to achieve some common objective. , it has long been recognized that individuals often fail to work together to achieve some group goal or common good b/c each individual in any given group may share common interests with every other member, each also has conflicting interests.
The New England-based merchants and southern planters
organized together in opposition to taxes imposed by the Stamp and Sugar Acts.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
outlawed job discrimination by all private and public employers—including governmental agencies—employing more than fifteen workers.
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
outlawed the entry of Chinese laborers to the United States, a restriction that was not reversed until 1943
The right of the people "to keep and bear Arms" is based on
participation in state militias.
solidarity
people responsible for each other
Liberty
personal and economic freedom (linked to limited government)
In the 2006 case of United States v. Grubbs, the Supreme Court ruled that
police could conduct searches using such "anticipatory warrants."
political ideology
political ideology is a certain set of ethical ideals, principles, doctrines, myths or symbols of a social movement, institution, class, and/or large group that explains how society should work, and offers some political and cultural blueprint for a certain social order.
Who gets what, when, and how is a definition of
politics
The constitutional authority of Congress to forbid discrimination in employment is based on the
power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce.
Democracy
power ultimately comes from the people (popular sovereignty)
Totalitarianism entails government having unlimited political
power.
Articles of Confederation
preceded the U.S. Constitution.
The 8th Amendment ____?
prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.
the urban party machine
promised immigrants everything they needed in exchange for votes; Richard Daley and Boss Tweed
The Civil Rights Act of 1875 attempted to
protect African Americans from discrimination in public accommodations such as hotels and theaters.
State Powers
protect health and safety regulate intrastate commerce regulate elections all other powers not granted to the national government
Civil liberties
protections from improper government action
The 4th amendment ___?
protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures of personal property
free exercise clause
protects the right to believe and to practice whatever religion one chooses
Voting Rights act
provided a major expansion of access to voting for millions of Americans took control of elections away from state and local gov and gave it to the US department of justice
The 6th Amendment ____?
provides guidelines for a fair trial, speedy and public trial by a jury of one's peers, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to be represented by council.
privileges and immunities 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
Representatives make decisions about public policy in a(n) ____ democracy.
representative
Fugitive Slave Law
required states to return runaway slaves
The Compromise of 1877
resulted in the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes. & resulted in the Jim Crow system.
The Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade was based on the
right to privacy.
unfunded mandates
rules forcing states to spend their own money to comply with federal law.
Three-Fifths Compromise
seats in the House of Representatives would be apportioned according to a "population" in which five slaves would count as three free persons
expressed powers
specific powers granted by the Constitution to Congress (Article I, Section 8) and to the president (Article II)
Speech that is accompanied by conduct and that can be regulated by the government to preserve public order is called
speech plus.
Most of the rules and regulations Americans face in their daily lives are set by
state and local governments.
Virginia Plan
states would have delegates proportionate to population or wealt
Eminent domain is the power of government to
take private property for public use.
In the important 1945 case concerning eminent domain, the Supreme Court essentially ruled that
the "public interest" used to justify eminent domain can mean anything a legislature wants it to mean.
The rights of disabled individuals to both access public businesses and not be discriminated against in employment are guaranteed by
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
In 1870, Congress passed a law forbidding ________ from becoming U.S. citizens.
the Chinese
Griswold v. Connecticut
the Supreme Court found a right of privacy in a combination of the Third, Fourth, and Fifth amendments to the Constitution && right was confirmed and extended in 1973 in the case of Roe v. Wade.
Which amendments to the U.S. Constitution seemed to offer African Americans the most hope for achieving full citizenship rights in the United States?
the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments
After World War II, which government institution first began drawing attention to the problem of racism in America?
the White House
exclusionary rule
the ability of courts to exclude evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment
What is Identification?
the aggrieved party must be clearly specified
What is Harm?
the aggrieved party must suffer as a result of the libel
Under the traditional system of dual federalism, the national government's primary functional role was
the assistance of the nation's commerce.
reserved powers
the constitutional guarantee (in the 10th amendment) that the states retain government authority not explicitly granted to the national government
Mendez v. Westminster (1947) was significant because
the decision to overturn school segregation of Mexican American students in California served as a precursor to Brown v. Board of Education.
majority rule, minority rights
the democratic principle that a government follows the preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests of the minority
electoral college
the electors from each state who meet after the popular election to cast ballots for president and vice president
Bill of Rights
the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791; they ensure certain rights and liberties to the people
What are Civil Liberties?
the freedoms enjoyed by individuals in a democratic society. They involve the choices people are free to make without government interference.
freedom
the ideal that the ability to pursue one's own desires without interference from others
The implied powers of the necessary and proper clause allow
the national government to interpret its delegated powers expansively.
minority rights
the normal individual rights as applied to members of racial, ethnic, class, religious, linguistic or gender and sexual minorities.
institutions (def)
the organizations, norms, and rules that structure government and public actions
Which of the following is an example of a concurrent power?
the power of both the national and state governments to charter banks and corporations
Rule of Law
the restriction of the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well-defined and established laws
Due process of law is
the right of every citizen against arbitrary government action.
The free exercise clause protects
the right to believe in and practice one's religion of choice.
states' rights
the rights and powers held by individual US states rather than by the federal government.
One key demonstration of the weakness of the Articles of Confederation was
the size and duration of Shays's Rebellion.
liberty
the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views.
What is Publication?
the statements must be communicated in such a way that third parties can observe them
What does the term Jim Crow mean?
the system of racial segregation in the South after Reconstruction
devolution
the transfer of authority from national to state or local government level
pluralism
theory that all interests should be free to compete for influence in the government; the outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation
Counting slaves as ____ for the purposes of census did not allow slaves to ____.
three-fifths of a person; vote
Block grants consist of federal aid to state or local governments that is
to be spent within a specified policy area, though without the narrow regulations of categorical grants.
reason for the Bill of Rights
to ensure protection of individual rights
What is the purpose of the Tenth Amendment?
to limit the powers of the central government by establishing reserved powers for states and individuals
Shays's Rebellion
to prevent the court from repossessing debt-ridden lands held by poor farmers
devolution
transferring responsibility from the federal government to state or local governments.
In general, the Federalists' future vision of the United States
triumphed over the Antifederalist vision.
"Regulations or new conditions for receiving grants that impose costs on state and local governments for which they are not reimbursed by the national government" is the definition of
unfunded mandates
Partisan dealignment
up until the 21st century partisan sorting wasn't as strong
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896
upheld the concept of separate but equal.
Forms of political participation
voting contacting and contributing attending meetings interest group activity
progressive
wanted direct democracy to improve representative democracy(important) rose to bring a change in the political system Middle class and well educated people Did not like rich people and they became the enemy of progressivism The movement was a reflection of the dissatisfaction among the urban classes and those belonging to the middle classes.
Populist
wanted direct democracy to replace representative gov (important) rose to bring about a change in the economic system Started by farmers. Strengths from rural areas Wanted to tax more on wealthy people
Under the Great Compromise, the Senate
was an arena where large and small states would compete on equal footing.
As a political value, individual liberty
was preeminent for the Constitution's authors.
Income taxes
were not in existence in the mid-eighteenth century.
delegate representation
when representatives follow expressed wishes of the voters
politics
who gets what, when, and how- how a society makes collective decisions
What are some reasons why we don't see more third party candidates?
winner take all system not one of the winning teams
Layer cake federalism
• Dual federalism - Views the Constitution as giving a limited list of powers—primarily foreign policy and national defense—to the national government, leaving the rest to the sovereign states. Each level of government is dominant within its own sphere. The Supreme Court serves as the umpire between the national government and the states in disputes over which level of government has responsibility for a particular activity.