test 1
Socialism
A political ideology based on strong support for economic and social equality. Socialists traditionally envisioned a society in which major businesses were taken over by the government or by employee cooperatives.
Political Socialization
The process by which political beliefs and values are transmitted to new immigrants and to our children. The family and the educational system are two of the most important forces in the political socialization process.
lawmaking
The process of deciding the legal rules that govern society
Politics
The process of resolving conflicts and deciding "who gets what, when, and how." More specifically, politics is the struggle over power or influence within organizations or informal groups that can grant or withhold benefits or privileges.
Pluralism
A theory that views politics as a conflict among interest groups. Political decision making is characterized by compromise and accomodation.
Referendum
An electoral device whereby legislative or constitutional measures are referred by the legislature to the voters for approval or disapproval.
The Bill of Rights provided for
The protection of individual liberties from the national government
socialism
a political ideology based on strong support for economic and social equality; socialists traditionally envisioned a society in which major businesses were taken over by the government or by employee cooperatives
two-party system
a political system in which only two parties have a reasonable chance of winning
Results of the Civil War included all of the following except
An increase in the South's desire for states' rights
Anti-Federalist
An individual who opposed the ratification of the new Constitution in 1787. The Anti-Federalists were opposed to a strong central government
emergency power
An inherent power exercised by the president during a period of national crisis
Executive Agreement
An international agreement between chiefs of state that does not require the legislative approval
executive agreement
An international agreement made by the president, without senatorial ratification, with the head of a foreign state
An agreement between 2 or more states is
An interstate compact
Executive Office of the President (EOP)
An organization established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to assist the president in carrying out major duties
The following two presidents are the only ones in American history to have actually been impeached:
Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinon
Democracy
Any form of government in which political powers is exercised by all citizens, either or through their elected representatives
Property
Anything that is or may be subject to ownership. As conceived by the political philosopher John Locke, the right to property is a natural right superior to human law (laws made by government).
Ratification of the Constitution was to occur by
Approval of 9 out of the 13 legislatures
All are true of federal grants except that that they
Are give by the states for national projects
List 2 states that GAINED seats in Congress due to reapportionment.
Arizona Florida Georgia Nevada South Carolina Texas Utah Washington
monopolistic model
a model of bureaucracy that compares bureaucracies to monopolistic business firms; lack of competition in either circumstance leads to inefficient and costly operations
acquisitive model
a model of bureaucracy that views top-level buraeucrats as seeking to expand the size of their budgets and staffs to gain greater power
picket-fence federalism
a model of federalism in which specific programs and policies (depicted as vertical pickets in a picket fence) involve all levels of government--national, state, and local (depicted by the horizontal boards in the picket fence)
dual federalism
a model of federalism in which the states and the national government each remain supreme within their own spheres; the doctrine looks on national and state as co-equal sovereign powers; neither the state government nor the national government should interfere in the others sphere
The granting of release from punishment for a crime is called
a pardon
the right to privacy is
a particularly controversial liberty
political culture
a patterned set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking about government and politics
elite theory
a perspective holding that society is ruled by a small numb of people who exercise power to further their self-interest
libertarianism
a political ideology based on skepticism of opposition toward most government activities
Is Democracy Dangerous?
Founders believed in government based on the consent of the people, but were highly distrustful of anything the might look like "mob rule" - feared tyranny if majority over rights if the minority - believed "masses" were too uneducated to make informed decisions - devised institutions to filter the popular will through elected elites
Limits government by applying the law to everyone, including the leader as someone who must follow the law, and by limiting the actions of the government.
Rule of Law
Constitution
Rulebook for a country's government. Tell how laws are made; set rules for how government functions; lists the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Religious Control (theocratic oligarchy)
Ruled by a higher power, wherein their leader is often a religious leader.The Islamic Republic of Iran is a modern theocracy.
Identify one of the most important committees in Congress
Rules Committee
List one standing committee from the HOR and from the Senate
Rules Committee (HOR) Judiciary (Senate)
Who appoints members of the Cabinent?
Senate
Provide the breakdown of electors by completing the chart below: Seats in the _________ = 100 Seats in the _________ = ___ ___________________ = ___ Total ___
Senate; HOR; 435; District of Columbia; 3; 538
pluralism
a theory that views politics as a conflict among interest groups; political decision making is characterized by compromise and accommodation (Grand bargain, kick the can down the road= delay the decision)
authoritarianism
a type of regime in which only the government itself is fully controlled by the ruler; social and economic institutions exist that are not under the government's control
social contract
a voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules
The term confederation refers to
a voluntary association in which states have most of the power
independent
a voter or candidate who does not identify with a political party; not represented as such in Congress; for congressional purposes, they align themselves with either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party
libel
a written defamation of a person's character, reputation, business or property rights (occurs if defamatory statements are observed by a third party);
bureaucracy
an organization that is structured hierarchically to carry out specific function; created and authorized by legislative bodies to administer and enforce specific laws
property
anything that is or may be subject to ownership; as conceived by philosopher John Locke, the right to property is a natural right superior to human law (laws made by government)
Authorization bills have to do with policy, ____________ bills pertain to spending
appropriation
capture
the act by which an industry being regulated by a government agency gains direct or indirect control over agency personnel and decision makers
police power
the authority to legislate for the protection of the health, morals, safety, and welfare of the people; in the US, most of this is reserved to the states
spoils system
the awarding of government jobs to political supports and friends
______ forbade discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, or national origin
the civil rights act of 1964
elastic clause (or necessary and proper clause)
the clause in Article I, Section 8, that grants Congress the power to do whatever is necessary to execute its specifically delegated powers
All of the following are true in the case of Gibbons v. Ogden except that
the commerce clause did not allow the national government to exercise its power in state jurisdictions
Great Compromise
the compromise between the New Jersey and Virginia Plans that created one chamber of Congress based on population and one chamber, representing each state equally; a.k.a. Connecticut Compromise
popular sovereignty
the concept that ultimate political authority is based on the will of the people
anarchy
the condition of no government (Ex: Sudan)
supremacy clause
the constitutional provision that makes the Constitution and federal laws superior to all conflicting state and local laws
The New Jersey Plan called for all of the following EXCEPT
the creation of a new and very powerful central government
The controversy that led to the Civil War was
the dispute over states' rights and national supremacy
A major consequence of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was
the elimination of discriminatoryvoter registration tests
The powers that the Constitution specifically lists as belonging to the federal government are
the enumerated or expressed powers
the two most important sources of political socialization are
the family and the educational system
Bill of Rights
the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution
which of the following most accurately describes the Somali government
the government has survived only because of the assistance provided by the US and its allies
liberty can be defined as
the greatest freedom of the individual consistent with the freedom of other individuals
liberty
the greatest freedom of the individual that is consistent with the freedom of other individuals in the society
Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense advocated
the idea that a government of our own is our natural right
consent of the people
the idea that governments and laws derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed
Civil Service Commission
the initial central personnel agency of the national government; created in 1883
The constitution gives the vice president
the job of presiding over the Senate and voting in case of a tie
Informal advisors to the president are called
the kitchen cabinet
the most important feature of Athenian democracy was that
the legislature was composed of all the citizens
Unlike in a democratic republic, in a representative democracy
the monarchy may be retained in a largely ceremonial role
Federalist
the name given to one who was in favor of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and the creation of a federal union with a strong central government - more knowledgeable than Anti-Federalists
The clause in the Constitution that grants Congress the power to do whatever necessary to execute its enumerated or expressed powers is called
the necessary and proper clause (elastic clause)
In the early years, most of the disputes over the boundaries of national versus state power involved
the necessary and proper clause and the powers of the national government to regulate interstate commerce
judicial review
the power of the Supreme Court and other courts to declare unconstitutional federal or state laws and other acts of government
When will the 114th Congress begin (month/year)?
January 2015
The last clause of Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution is also called the
"elastic/necessary and proper clause "
What is the denomination of the platinum coin that has been proposed to help solve the debt ceiling problem?
$1 trillion
Libertarianism
A political ideology based on skepticism or opposition toward most government activities.
unicameral legislature
(one body) a legislature with only one legislative chamber, as opposed to a bicameral (two-chamber) legislature, such as the U.S. Congress; Nebraska is the only state to have this type of legislature
bicameral legislature
(two-chamber); a legislature made up of two parts called chambers; U.S. Congress (HOR and Senate) is a ___________ legislature
List three non-legislative powers of Congress
-
Why is Government Necessary
- Order/security - Liberty — Patriot Act, Gun Control, Abortion, Minorities - Authority and Legitimacy - people give the government the authority (legitimacy)
With regard to policies against terrorism,
- Vice President Cheney was more responsible than any other Bush adviser for harsh policies - anti-terrorism policies shifted during ht Bush administration - President Obama's policies have been of continuity, not change
Independent regulatory agencies
- are administered independently of all 3 branches - make rules that have the force of law - provide enforcement of the rules they have passed - decide disputes over the rules they have made
Provide 3 reasons why so few bills become law.
- divide among both congressional chambers - complicated, long process - difficulty of compromise
party organization
- the formal structure and leadership of a political party, including election committees; local, state, and national executives; and paid professional staff - structural framework for political party by recruiting volunteers to become party leaders - identify potential candidates (electable candidates & clear positions in the elections) - organize caucuses, conventions, & election campaigns for its candidates - keep party functioning between elections - must find a strategy to rebuild the grassroots following (if party-in-the-electorate declines in #s & loyalty)
When the president receives a bill
- he/she can do nothing and it 10 days, the bill becomes a law without his/her signature - he/she can sign it and it it will become law
Executive orders
- issued by the president that have the force of law - are used to enforce legislative statues - represent the president's legislative power - have been used to establish rules for executive administrative agencies
Identify 2 ways that African Americans voting rights were restricted following the end of Reconstruction in 1877?
- literacy tests - poll taxes - grandfather clauses
With regard to cabinet departments and the president,
- presidents theoretically have considerable control over the cabinet departments - presidents are able to appoint or fire all of the top officials - cabinet departments don't always respond to the president's wishes - below the top political levels, cabinet departments are staffed by permanent employees-many who resist change
A constitutional amendment to clarify the way voters are cast in the Electoral College was necessary because
- there was no way to tell which votes were for president and which were for vice president -there was a tie in the electoral votes in the election of 1800
party-in-the-electorate
- those members of the general public who identify with a political party or who express a preference for one party over another; don't participate in election campaigns - feel loyalty to the party or who use partisanship as a sign to decide who will earn their votes - party membership is an emotional tie - no need for party to speak out publicly, contribute to campaigns, or vote all Republican or Democratic - party leaders pay attention to their members in the electorate
The Weberian model of bureaucracy
- with a complex society the formation of bureaucracies is inevitable - most bureaucracies are hierarchical organizations - power flows from top downward - bureaucrats are specialists who attempt to resolve problems through logical reasoning and data analysis
Order of succession to the President
1) V.P. 2) President Pro Tempore 3) Speaker of the House 4) Secretary of State
Cabinet Rank
1) White House Chief of Staff 2) EPA (Lisa P. Jackson) 3) Office of Management and Budget (Jeffrey Zients) 4) U.S, Trade Representative (Ambassador Ronald Kirk) 5) U.S. Ambassador to the UN (Susan Rice) 6) Council of Economic Advisors (Alan B. Krueger) 7) Small Business Administration (Karen G. Mills)
Name 5 functions parties perform for the political system.
1) recruiting candidates for public office (against powerful incumbents) 2) organizing and running elections (stimulate interest in the election & increase voter participation) 3) presenting alternative policies to the electorate (Dem. or Rep. vote together because they represent constituencies that have the same expectations & demands) 4) accepting responsibility for operating the government (staffing executive branch with loyal party supporters & developing links for elected officials to gain support for their polices) 5) acting as the organized opposition to the party in power ("out" party articulates its own policies & opposes the "in" party)
Name the 7 periods of the U.S.'s political parties.
1) the creation of parties (1789-1816) 2) the era of one-party rule, or personal politics (1816-1828) 3) the period from Andrew Jackson's presidency to just before the Civil War (1828-1856) 4) the Civil War & post-Civil War period (1856-1896) 5) the Republican ascendancy and the progressive period (1896-1932) 6) the New Deal period (1932-1968) 7) the modern period (1968-present)
Which of the following was a weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
1. Congress lacked the power to collect taxes directly from the people 2. There was no executive branch 3. Congress lacked the power to coin money 4. Each state had one vote regardless of size
Constitutional powers can be classified as
1. Powers of the national government 2. Powers of the states 3. Prohibited Powers
A person may now serve a maximum of ____ years as president
10
There are a total of _____ seats in the Senate
100
It is the ____ year of Congress.
113th
Which 3 amendments were considered "Civil War Amendments?"
13th, 14th, and 15th
the assumption the government couldnt (or shouldn't) do anything about the division of society between rich and poor began to lose its force in the
1800s
Barron. V. Baltimore
1833; U.S. Supreme Court held that the Bill of Rights did not apply to state laws
Gitlow v. New York
1925; U.S. Supreme Court held that the 14th amendment protected the freedom of speech guaranteed by the 1st Amendment to the Constitution
Lemon v. Kurtzman
1971; U.S. Supreme Court ruled that direct state aid had to be secular (nonreligious) in aim, that it could not have the primary effect of advancing or inhibiting religion, and that the government must avoid "an excessive government entanglement with religion"
House members are elected for _____ year terms
2
To be elected to the House, a person must be at least _____ years of age
25
Ratified in 1967, the _________ established the order of succession to the president.
25th amendment
How many electoral votes are needed to gain a majority?
270
Bettendorf is now located in Iowa's _____ Congressional District.
2nd
The Constitution states that the required minimum age for the presidency is
35 years
How many House members will Iowa have as a result of the most recent census?
4
There are a total of _____ seats (voting members in the House of Representatives )
435
What is the total number of electors in the Electoral College?
538
What percentage of votes is needed in Congress to override a presidential veto?
67% (2/3)
A person must be a citizen of the U.S. for _____ years before election to the Senate. In addition, the candidate must be at leas ______ and a legal resident of the state s/he represents.
9; 30
A constitutional amendment can be proposed by
A 2/3 vote in each chamber of Congress and national convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the state legislatures
25th Amendment
A 2967 amendment to the Constitution that establishes procedures for filling presidential and vice-presidential vacancies and makes provisions for presidential incapacity
Majority Rule
A basic principle of democracy asserting that the greatest number of citizens in any political unit should select officials an determine policies.
Unitary System
A centralized governmental system in which ultimate governmental authority rests in the hands of the national, or central government
civil service
A collective term for the body of employees working for the government; applies to all those who gain government employment through a merit system.
Ideology
A comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and about the roe of an institution or government.
Which of the following is not rue of the Dec. of Independence?
A constitutional government was set up
seniority system
A custom followed in both chambers of Congress specifying that the member of the majority party with the longest term of continuous service will be given preference when a committee chairperson (or a holder of another significant post) is selected
safe seat
A district that returns a legislator with 55 percent of the vote or more
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
A division of the Executive Office of the President; assists the president in preparing the annual budget, clearing and coordinating departmental agency budgets, supervising the administration of the federal budget
Supremacy Doctrine
A doctrine that asserts the priority of national law over state laws. This principle is rooted in Article VI of the Constitution, which provides that the Constitution, the laws passed by the natl. gov. under its constitutional powers, and all treaties constitute the supreme law of the land
Representative Democracy
A form of government in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies; may retain the monarchy in a ceremonial role.
Republic
A form of government in which sovereign power rests with the people, rather than with a king or a monarch.
Totalitarian Regime
A form of government that controls all aspects of the political and social life of a nation.
authorization
A formal declaration by a legislative committee that a certain amount of funding may be available to an agency. Some authorizations terminate in a year; others are renewable automatically without further congressional action
reprieve
A formal postponement of the execution of a sentence imposed by a court of law
Limited Government
A government with powers that are limited either through a written document or through widely shared beliefs.
Legislature
A governmental body primarily responsible for the making of laws.
State
A group of people occupying a specific area and organized under one gov.; may be either a nation or a subunit of a nation.
Electoral College
A group of persons called electors selected by the voters in each state and the D.C.; this group officially elects the president and the vice president of the United States. The number of electors in each state is equal to the number of each state's representatives in both chambers of Congress. The 23rd amendment to Constitution grants D.C. as many electors as the state with smallest population
Wars Powers Resolution
A law passed in 1973 spelling out the conditions under which the president can commit troops without congressional approval
joint committee
A legislative committee composed of members from both chambers of Congress
majority leader of the House
A legislative position held by an important party member in the House of Representatives; selected by the majority party in caucus or conference to foster cohesion among party members and to act as spokesperson for the majority party in the House
trustee
A legislator who acts according to her or his conscience and the broad interests of the entire society
instructed delegate
A legislator who is an agent of the voters who elected him or her and who votes according to the views of constituents regardless of personal beliefs
Representative Assembly
A legislature composed of individuals who represent the population
Bicameral Legislature
A legislature made up of two parts, called chambers. The U.S> Congress, composed of the House of Rep. and the Senate is a bicameral legislature
Unicameral Legislature
A legislature with only one legislative chamber, as opposed to a bicameral (2 chamber) legislature, such as the U.S. Congress. Today, Nebraska is the only state in the Union with a unicameral legislature.
Checks and Balances
A major principle of the American system of gov. whereby each branch of the gov. can check the actions of the others
whip
A member of Congress who aids the majority or minority leader of the House or the Senate
Picket-Fence Federalism
A model of federalism in which specific programs and policies (depicted as vertical pickets in a picket fence) involve all levels of government-national, state, and local (depicted by the horizontal boards in the picket fence)
Cooperative Federalism
A model of federalism in which the states and the national government cooperate in solving problems
Dual Federalism
A model of federalism in which the states and the national government each remain supreme within their own spheres. The doctrine looks on nation and state a co-equal sovereign powers. Neither the state gov. nor the national gov. should interfere in the other's sphere. (During the Civil War time)
Political Culture
A patterned set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking about government and politics.
standing committee
A permanent committee in the House or Senate that considers bills within a certain subject area
ombudsperson
A person who hears and investigates complaints by private individuals against public officials or agencies
party identifier
A person who identifies with a political party
Elite Theory
A perspective holding that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interest.
franking
A policy that enables members of Congress to send material through the mail by substituting their facsimile signature (frank) for postage
Islamism
A political idology based on a radical and fundamentalist interpretation of Islam. Islamists reject all Western democratic values and often call for a worldwide Islamist political order. Radical Islamists have provided the membership of many recent terrorist groups.
Confederation
A political system in which states or regional governments retain ultimate authority except for those powers they expressly delegate to the central gov.; a voluntary association of independent states, in which the member states agree to limited restraints on their freedom of action
Majoritarianism
A political theory holding that in a democracy, the government ought to do what the majority of the people want.
statutory power
A power created for the president through laws enacted by Congress
inherent power
A power of the president derived from statements in the Constitution that "the executive Power shall be vested in a President" and that the president should "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed"; defined through practice rather than through law
expressed power
A power of the president that is expressly written into the Constitution or into statutory law
enumerated power
A power specifically granted to the national government by the Constitution. The first seventeen clauses of Article I, Section 8, specify most of the enumerated powers of Congress
constitutional power
A power vested in the president by Article II of the Constitution
Recall
A procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss and elected official from state office before his or her term has expired.
discharge petition
A procedure by which a bill in the House of Representatives may be forced (discharged) out of a committee that has refused to report it for consideration by the House. The petition must be signed by an absolute majority (218) of representatives and is used only on rare occasions
Initiative
A procedure by which voters can propose a law or a constitutional ammendment.
Federal Register
A publication of the executive branch of the U.S. government that prints executive orders, rules, and regulations
justiciable question
A question that may be raised and reviewed in court
pardon
A release from the punishment for or legal consequences of a crime; granted by the president before or after a conviction
Democratic Republic
A republic in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies.
Federal Mandate
A requirement in federal legislation that forces states and municipalities to comply with certain rules
first budget resolution
A resolution passed by Congress in May that sets overall revenue and spending goals for the following fiscal year
second budget resolution
A resolution passed by Congress in September that sets "binding" limits on taxes and spending for the following fiscal year
Executive Order
A rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect of law. Executive orders can implement and give administrative effect to provisions in the U.S. Constitution, treaties, or statues
Conservatism
A set of beliefs that includes a limited role for the national government in helping individuals, support for traditional values and lifestyles, and a cautious response to change.
Liberalism
A set of beliefs that includes the advocacy of positive government action to improve the welfare of individuals, support for civil rights, and tolerance for political and social change.
A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules is called
A social contract
Inherent powers derive from the fact that the U.S. is
A sovereign power among nations
conference committee
A special joint committee appointed to reconcile differences when bills pass the two chambers of Congress in different forms
pocket veto
A special veto power exercised by the chief executive after a legislative body has adjourned. Bills not signed by the chief executive die after a specified period of time. If Congress wishes to reconsider such a bill, it must be reintroduced in the following session of Congress
Rules Committee
A standing committee of the House of Representatives that provides special rules under which specific bills can be debated, amended, and considered by the House
Order
A state of peace and securiy. Maintaining order by protecting members of society from violence and criminal activity is the oldest purpose of government.
Madisonian Model
A structure of gov. proposed by James Madison in which the powers of the gov. are separated into 3 branches: executive, legislative, and judicial
Confederal System
A system consisting of a league of independent states, each having essentially sovereign powers. the central government created by such a league has only limited powers over the states
Federal System
A system of gov. in which power is divided between a central gov. and regional, or subdivisional, gov. Each level must have some domain in which its policies are dominant and some genuine political or constitutional guarantee of its authority
Democracy
A system of government in which political authority is vested in the people. the term is derived from the Greek words "demos" (the people) and "kratos" (authority)
Direct Democracy
A system of government in which political decisions are made by the people directly, rather than by their elected representatives; probably attained most easily in small political communities.
continuing resolution
A temporary law that Congress passes when an appropriations bill has not been decided by the beginning of the new fiscal year on October 1
fiscal year (FY)
A twelve-month period that is used for bookkeeping, or accounting, purposes. Usually, the fiscal year does not coincide with the calendar year. For example, the federal government's fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30
Fascism
A twentieth-century idology - often totalitarian - that exalts the national collective united behind an absolute ruler. Fascism rejects liberal individualism, values action over rational deliveration, and glorifies war.
Authoritarianism
A type of regime in which only the government itself is fully controlled by the ruler. Social and economic institutions exist that are not under the governments control.
Communism
A variant of socialism that favors a partisn ( an often totalitarian) dictartorship, government control of all enterprises, and the replacement of free markets with central planning.
Social Contract
A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a gov. and abiding by its rules
signing statement
A written declaration that a president may make when signing a bill into law. Such statements may point out sections of the law that the president deems unconstitutional
Legislation that allows the government to conduct "roving" wiretaps has raised issues under the A. Fourth Amendment B. First Amendment C. Ninth Amendment D. establishment clause E. clear and present danger test
A. Fourth Amendment
As originally intended, the Bill of Rights A. Limited only the power of the national government, not that of the states. B. protected citizens from all forms of government. C. protected citizens from the national and state governments, but not from local governments. D. limited only the power of state governments. E. contained no language on religion
A. Limited only the power of the national government, not that of the states.
The New York Times v. United States case A. affirmed the no-prior-restraint doctrine B. upheld the government's right to provide the public with information about Vietnam. C. Punished the New York Times for publishing secret documents. D. affirmed the free speech of students in public schools. E. ruled against the right of newspapers to protect their reporters' identities.
A. affirmed the no-prior-restraint doctrine
In Webster V. Reproductive Health Services, the Supreme Court ruled that states may A. ban the use of public hospitals for performing abortions. B. require public employees to assist in abortions C. ban second trimester abortions even if the women's life is at risk. D. require a waiting period of twenty-four hours E. prevent teenagers from obtaining contraceptives without parental consent.
A. ban the use of public hospitals for performing abortions.
In Osborne v. Ohio, the Supreme Court ruled that states can outlaw the possession of child pornography in the home. A. because owning the material perpetuates commercial demand for it and for the exploitation of children involved. B. to protect children who may be living in the home C. because it universally violates community standards D. because it encourages deviant and exploitive behavior E. because it employs graphics, as opposed to mere text.
A. because owning the material perpetuates commercial demand for it and for the exploitation of children involved.
Because school vouchers represent state-issued funds that can be used to purchase education at any school, public or private, it raises the issue of whether they violate the A. establish clause B. supremacy clause C. free exercise clause D. Fifth Amendment E. exclusionary rule
A. establish clause
State and local attempts to forbid the teaching of evolution in schools A. have not passed constitutional muster in the eyes of the Supreme Court. B. are a recent development, occurring only in the past decade C. have been successful about half of the time D. have been permanently halted by the Epperson v. Arkansas Supreme Court case. E. are brought about by concerns over shortage of science teachers.
A. have not passed constitutional muster in the eyes of the Supreme Court.
In Griswold v. Connecticut, a 1965 case involving the legality of contraceptives, the Supreme Court. A. held that the law prohibiting contraceptives violated the right to privacy B. found that laws against contraceptives should be allowed at the local level. C. guaranteed all women access to abortion D. ruled that the Court cannot establish a right unless it is specifically mentioned in the Constitution. E. ruled that states have the right to prohibit contraceptive use.
A. held that the law prohibiting contraceptives violated the right to privacy
According to the clear and present danger test, expression could be restricted if A. it does not deal with a political question B. it is found to be offensive to religious organizations. C. and only if the United States is at war D. the speaker is not a citizen of the United States E. evidence exists that such expression would cause a dangerous condition that Congress has he power to prevent.
A. it does not deal with a political question
A writ of habeas corpus is an order that requires A. jailers to bring a prisoner before a court and explain why that are being held. B. prisoners to be provided with legal counsel. C. prisoners to be informed of their right to remain silent. D. police to find the dead body in order for a court to deliver a murder conviction. E. prisoners to be provided with an opportunity to confess.
A. jailers to bring a prisoner before a court and explain why that are being held.
The exclusionary rule is a policy that A. prohibits the admission of illegally seized evidence at a trail. B. prohibits the arresting officer from serving as a character witness ar a hearing or trial. C. prohibits the detention of a suspect for more than forty eight hours without the suspect being charged. D. is limited to the federal courts E. was ruled unconstitutional in 1914
A. prohibits the admission of illegally seized evidence at a trail.
The bad tendency rule meant that A. speech may be curtailed if there is a possibility that such expression might lead to some evil. B. Congress could prevent any speech it did not like. C. If some people cold be hurt by what was said, such speech was not protected. D. anyone could advocate the overthrow of the U.S. government E. repeat criminal offenders could be preemptively detained.
A. speech may be curtailed if there is a possibility that such expression might lead to some evil.
The free exercise clause guarantees A. the free exercise of religion B. the free exercise of armed self-defense C. free speech, particularly as related to religious beliefs. D. freedom to close private education paid for by the state. E. the free endorsement of candidates by religious groups.
A. the free exercise of religion
With regard to physician-assisted suicide, the Supreme Court has said that A. the liberty interest does not include a right to minute suicide B. states have a right to protect the families of those who choose physician-assisted suicide. C. doctors must comply if a terminal patient asks for physician-assisted suicide. D. the Constitution protects a person's right to make all decisions regarding his or her death. E. it is permissible in all jurisdictions.
A. the liberty interest does not include a right to minute suicide
The incorporation theory refers to A. the view that most protections of the Bill of Rights apply yo state and local governments though the Fourteenth Amendment. B. allowing federal government to give licenses to corporations. C. establishing the precedents for eminent domain through the Fourteenth Amendment D. the view that civil rights in the states are defined only by state constitution. E. the new rights provide to women in the early 20th century.
A. the view that most protections of the Bill of Rights apply yo state and local governments though the Fourteenth Amendment.
Name one of the top ten lobbying organizations or corporations
AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) AMA (American Medical Association)
Representative Democracy
All citizens participate. Elected representatives vote on laws, not citizens.Representatives answer to the people through elections and are held accountable by a constitution.
Direct Democracy
All citizens participate; citizens themselves vote on everything
impeachment
An action by the House of Representatives to accuse the president, vice president, or other civil officers of the United States of committing "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."
cabinet
An advisory group selected by the president to aid in making decisions; includes the heads of 15 executive departments and others named by the president
National Security Council (NSC)
An agency in the Executive Office of the President that advises the president on national security
Interstate Compact
An agreement between two or more states. Agreements on minor matters are made without congressional consent, but any compact that tends to increase the power of the contracting states relative to other states or relative to the national government generally requires the consent of Congress
conservative coalition
An alliance of Republicans and southern Democrats that historically formed in the House or the Senate to oppose liberal legislation and support conservative legislation
12th Amendment
An amendment to the Constitution adopted in 1804 that requires the separate election of the president and vice president by the electoral college
State of the Union message
An annual message to Congress in which the president proposes a legislative program. The message is addressed not only to Congress but also to the American people and to the world
logrolling
An arrangement in which two or more members of Congress agree in advance to support each other's bills
Capitalism
An economic system characterized by private ownership of wealth-creating assets, free markets, and freedom of contract.
Equality
As a political value, the idea that all people are of equal worth.
What was the topic of Sec. of State Hillary Clinton's hearings on Capitol Hill
Embassy in Libya
South Carolina tried to nullify a tariff to
Assert the power of the state governments over the national government and indicate that a state should have the ultimate authority over its citizens
In 2000, the Supreme Court addressed the abortion issued directly when it reviewed a Nebraska Law banning. A. first trimester abortions B. "partial-birth" abortions C. abortions in cases of incest or rape D. abortions for women under the age of eighteen E. the "morning-after" pill
B. "partial-birth" abortions
The 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act A. was found unconstitutional by the Supreme Court B. Prohibits protestors from blocking entrances to abortion clinics C. required public hospital to provide abortions D. failed to pass in Congress E. required clinics to provide multiple entrances for abortion seekers.
B. Prohibits protestors from blocking entrances to abortion clinics
Advertising statements are known as A. unprotected speech B. commercial speech C. symbolic speech D. profit-seeking speech E. public speech
B. commercial speech
Libel is A. the amount of insurance one must have on a motor vehicle. B. defamation in writing C. printed material that cannot be proved true. D. untrue rumors spread by word-of-mouth E. another word of slander
B. defamation in writing
to be considered obscene, a work must A. be offensive to a specific religious group B. lack serious redeeming literary, artistic, political, or scientific merit. C. be determined to be commercial speech D. employ graphics, as opposed to mere text. E. portray actual sexual intercourse.
B. lack serious redeeming literary, artistic, political, or scientific merit.
The type of media that has the least First Amendment protection is A. motion pictures B. radio and television broadcasting C. newspapers D. magazines E. self-published pamphlets
B. radio and television broadcasting
Civil Liberties A. are not particularly important in the United States B. restrain the actions of government against individuals C. allow the government the freedom or liberty to do what is necessary to run the country. D. are threats to libertarians E. are guaranteed only at the state level.
B. restrain the actions of government against individuals
Gag orders have been used to A. prohibit one criminal from testifying against another B. restrict the publication of news about a pretrial hearing. C. restrict what a juror may say to the press after the trial. D. restrict when evidence must be shown to defense lawyers. E. prevent publication of obscene material depicting bondage.
B. restrict the publication of news about a pretrial hearing.
The USA Patriot Act made it easier for A. the government to compel citizens into military service B. the government to investigate and arrest suspected terrorists C. individuals to sue the government for infringing on their right to privacy D. legislation prohibiting flag burning to pass E. combat veterans to obtain health care
B. the government to investigate and arrest suspected terrorists
Slander is A. an attempt to do bodily harm B. the public uttering of a false statement that harms the good reputation of another. C. printed material that cannot be proven D. a law that prohibits the public from making negative statements about elected officials. E. a criminal offense
B. the public uttering of a false statement that harms the good reputation of another
the phrase "wall of separation of Church and State" A. is written in the First Amendment B. was used by Thomas Jefferson, and refers to the establishment clause C. requires government and schools to be built on separate sites D. prohibits states from taking actions against people practicing their religion E. was introduced in the Supreme Court case Lemon v. Kurtzman
B. was used by Thomas Jefferson, and refers to the establishment clause
A legitimate government is seen by other nations as:
Being in control of Nation; deserving of formal recognition by other governments. (symbolized by the exchange of diplomats between governments of different countries).
Describe 2 types of bills that may be introduced and the 3 types of resolutions that may be passed in Congress.
Bill 1 = Public Bill (affects everyone) Bill 2 = Private Bill (affects small group of people) Resolution 1 = Joint (become law if the President signs them, president has the force of law) Resolution 2 = Concurrent (HOR & Senate express the opinion of Congress on some issue, set the date of adjournment, or deal with some other internal matter affecting both houses; DO NOT have the force of law) Resolution 3 = Simple (matters affecting one house that are usually temporary, do not have the force of law)
A federal grant that funds a general functional area with fewer restrictions on the states is a
Block grant
Which Supreme court case overturned the case that established "separate-but-equal?"
Brown v. Board of Education
In 1903, the Supreme Court ruled that the government could not deport someone without A. giving them ninety days notice B. a special type of hearing with less strict due process standards than those set forth in the Constitution C. a hearing that meets constitutional due process standards D. informing their family E. ensuring they will be safe in their home country.
C. a hearing that meets constitutional due process standards
Symbolic speech is A. a law that is worded in a vague manner. B. an area of expression that is no protected by the First Amendment C. expression made through nonverbal communication D. usually an expression of obscenity E. the term applied to hate speech
C. expression made through nonverbal communication
The Jamestown colonists set a political precedent by A. allowing the governor to use a line-item veto B. instituting a direct democracy C. instituting a representative assembly D. creating a judicial system E. writing a constitutional document
C. instituting a representative assembly
Before the latter half of the nineteenth century, abortion was A. legal at any point before the onset of labor B. a criminal offense at any point in the pregnancy. C. not a criminal offense before the first movement of the fetus in the uterus D. not a criminal offense if the women's husband agreed to it. E. completely unregulated by the legal system.
C. not a criminal offense before the first movement of the fetus in the uterus
Taxes were imposed on the colonists to A. pay for the coronation of King George III B. pay for the establishment of more colonies C. pay the costs of Britain's defense of the colonies during the French & Indian War D. purchase Canada (Quebec) from the French E. none of the above
C. pay the costs of Britain's defense of the colonies during the French & Indian War
It was not until the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified that A. the supremacy doctrine was established B. the right to privacy was codified C. the Bill of Rights began to be applied to the states D. individuals' freedom of religion was protected E. Slavery was abolished
C. the Bill of Rights began to be applied to the states
An individual's trial rights include all of the following EXCEPT A. the right to an impartial jury selected from cross section of the community B. the right to a speedy and public trial before a jury C. the right not to be subject to lengthy questioning D. no compulsory self-incrimination E. a trial atmosphere free of prejudice
C. the right not to be subject to lengthy questioning
________ is a congressional task that involves helping constituents with problems
Casework
All of the following are true of what happened after Brown v. Board of Education except
Chief Justice Earl Warren was impeached and removed from the United States Supreme Court
Miller v. California
Chief Justice Warren Burger created a formal list of requirements that must be met for material to be legally obscene
Iowa Senator
Chuck Grassly, R
Sec. of Defense
Chuck Hagel
Consent of the Governed
Citizens give their permission for the government to operate.
Which president was given line-item veto power, only to have it taken away by the Supreme Court?
Clinton
Powers held jointly by the national and state governments are called
Concurrent powers
In regard to federalism,
Conflicts between states and the federal government are still continuing, expansion of national authority has typically been an engine of social change, and often states' rights has been used to support the status quo
Which of the following is NOT correct under the concept of separation of powers?
Congress has the right to interpret the law
States may enter into agreements with each other if
Congress is required to consent and does so
CBO
Congressional Budget Office
Limits government by giving citizens the right to vote, allowing citizens to voice their opinion, sometimes critical of the government, to be expressed, and allowing for constitutional change.
Consent of the Governed.
______ have traditionally opposed the increasing size and scope of the federal government
Conservatives
Checks on Government
Constitition
Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health
Court stated that a patient's life sustaining treatment can be withdrawn at the request of a family member only if there is "clear and convincing evidence" that the patient did not want such treatment
Planned Parenthood v. Casey
Court upheld a Pennsylvania law that required pre-abortion counseling, a waiting period of 24 hours, and, for girls under the age of eighteen, parental or judicial permission
Webster v. Reproductive Health Services
Court upheld that a Missouri statute that banned the use of public hospitals or other taxpayer-supported facilities for performing abortions
David Stockman, in an interview with Bill Moyers, called our current economic system " _________ Capitalism"
Crony
According to the Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade, which of the following restrictions may the state place on abortions? A. During the first trimester, the state can prevent some abortions for reasons relating to the mother's health. B. During the second trimester, the state can prevent all abortions. C. During the third trimester, that state cannot regulate abortion expect to require that it be preformed by a doctor. D. During the third trimester, that state may regulate or outlaw abortions expect when necessary to preserve the life or health for the mother. E. The states may place no restriction on abortions
D. During the third trimester, that state may regulate or outlaw abortions expect when necessary to preserve the life or health for the mother.
During the colonial period, all of the following developments took place EXCEPT A. the colonists developed a concept of limited government B. the colonists exercised a large measure of self-government C. the colonists adopted a variety of bills, such as the Massachusetts Body of Liberties and the Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges, that protected civil liberties D. Louisiana was established as the last of the colonies E. the colonists acquired crucial political experience
D. Louisiana was established as the last of the colonies
Obscenity was legally defined by Chief Justice Burger in A. United States v. Williams B. Osborn v. Ohio C. Reno v. American Civil Liberties Union D. Miller v. California E. Flynt v. Falwell
D. Miller v. California
The first act in a criminal proceeding, in which the defendant is brought before a court to hear the charges against him or her and enter a plea of guilty or not guilty, is called. A. preliminary questioning B. interrogating C. the Miranda rights D. arraignment E. double jeopardy
D. arraignment
The Communication Decency Act of 1996 and the Children's Online Protection Act of 1998 A. were both ruled constitutionally acceptable B. require public schools to block adult Internet content through filtering devices C. were vetoed by President Clinton D. have been blocked on constitutional grounds E. outlaw computer-generated images of minors engaging in lewd behavior
D. have been blocked on constitutional grounds
In Engel V. Vitale (1962), the Supreme Courts ruled that the Regents' Prayer used in New York public schools was unconstitutional because A. it failed to follow established guidelines for school prayers B. it referred specifically to Jesus and many of the children were Jewish or adherents of other non-Christian religions. C. it did not refer to God D. it is no part of the business of government to compose official prayers. E. the parents were not consulted about its use.
D. it is no part of the business of government to compose official prayers.
At the federal level, the Child Protection Act of 1984 made it a crime to A. create sexually explicit illustrations of children B. distribute child pornography overseas C. offer child pornography that does not actually exist D. knowingly receive sexually explicit depiction of children through the mail E. sell child pornography on the internet
D. knowingly receive sexually explicit depiction of children through the mail
All of the following are true about religious display on public property except that A. court cases over these issues have been ruled upon the establishment clause. B. religious display have been allowed in certain situations C. displays of a creche at Christmastime may be allowed if secular displays are also being shown. D. nativity scenes have been allowed as stand-alone displays E. acceptability of displays of the Ten Commandments depends on whether the context is overtly religious
D. nativity scenes have been allowed as stand-alone displays
A defendant's pretrial rights include all of the following except. A. to be informed of the changes B. the right to legal counsel C. the right to remain silent D. negotiable bail E. prompt arraignment
D. negotiable bail
In Reno v. American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the Supreme Court ruled that aliens have A. the right to object to deportation only if they have been in the U.S. for ten years or more. B. the right to object to deportation only if they have children born in the U.S. C. no Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure D. no First Amendment rights to object the deportation E. all the First Amendment rights granted to the U.S. citizens.
D. no First Amendment rights to object the deportation
Some claim that the United States did not achieve true freedom of _____ until 1969, when the Supreme Court overturned the conviction of a Ku Klux Klan leader in Brandenburg v. Ohio A. symbolic speech B. commercial speech C. hate speech D. political speech E. the press
D. political speech
For a public official to obtain damages under the libel laws, he or she must A. show that the article is about their private life. B. Sue in federal court under the Public Office Libel Act C. prove their chances for reelection were completely lost because of the article. D. prove the statement was made with actual malice E. present the same type of evidence that a private person would be required to offer
D. prove the statement was made with actual malice
Prior restraint is defined as A. an attempt by the president to limit actions of congress B. a method that allows falsely convicted individuals an opportunity to redeem themselves. C. the president's power to relieve convicted felons from further punishment D. restraining an activity before that activity has actually occurred E. interrogation by police before receiving a Miranda warning
D. restraining an activity before that activity has actually occurred
Not until 1925, in Gilton v. New York, did the Supreme Court hold that the Fourteenth Amendment protected ____ from state infringement. A. freedom of religion B. the right to bear arms C. the right to a jury trial D. the freedom of speech E. prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment
D. the freedom of speech
When a person has either knowledge of a defamatory statement's falsity or a reckless disregard for the truth, he or she is said to have A. actual malice B. malignant intent C. creative license D. unauthorized information E. criminal intent
D. unauthorized information
Ashcroft v. Oregon(Gonzales)
Death w/ Dignity Act, legalized physician assisted suicide, under the conditions that the person has to do it the doctor can only give them the lethal drugs, agreed by two doctors to be within six months of dying from an incurable condition.On November 9, 2001, Attorney General John Ashcroft issued an Interpretive Rule that physician-assisted suicide was not a legitimate medical purpose, and that any physician administering federally controlled drugs for that purpose would be in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. The State of Oregon, joined by a physician, a pharmacist, and a group of terminally ill patients, all from Oregon, filed a challenge to the Attorney General's rule in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. The court ruled for Oregon and issued a permanent injunction against the enforcement of the Interpretive Rule. The ruling was affirmed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.In a 6-3 decision written by Justice Anthony Kennedy,[1] the Court affirmed the Ninth Circuit's judgment, but employed different reasoning. The majority opinion did not dispute the power of the federal government to regulate drugs, but disagreed that the statute in place empowered the U.S. Attorney General to overrule state laws determining what constituted the appropriate use of medications that were not themselves prohibited. The court found that it was inappropriate to apply Chevron deference toward the Attorney General's "interpretive rule" that controlled substances could not medically be used for the purpose of physician-assisted suicide.
Identify 4 cabinet departments and the names of the department heads.
Defense = Chuck Hagel Agriculture = Tom Vilsack Interior = Susan Jewel Treasury = Jack Lew
Forms of Government
Democracy, Autocracy, Oligarchy
Which party has the majority in the Senate?
Democrat
The new White House Chief of Staff is
Denis McDonough
agenda setting
Determining which public-policy questions will be debated or considered
Illinois Senator
Dick Durbin, D
In a federal political system, authority is
Divided between the central government and regional or sub-divisional governments
Separation of Powers
Divides the power of the Government into different branches.
No; they are tax exempt bodies, and as a result they are not allowed to endorse candidates for office or make contributions to candidates campaigns; churches ARE allowed to take positions on ballot proposals, however, and may even contribute to referendum campaigns
Do churches and other religious organizations pay taxes?
Rarely
Does the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) threaten the tax-exempt status of a church based on simple candidate endorsements?
Second Lady
Dr. Jill Biden
Which Supreme Court case, in 1857, established that slaves were not citizens of the United States nor were they entitled to the rights and privileges of citizenship?
Dred Scott case
Dred scott v. Sanford
Dred Scott v. Sandford, 60 U.S. 393 (1857), was a landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in which the Court held that African Americans, whether slave or free, could not be American citizens and therefore had no standing to sue in federal court, and that the federal government had no power to regulate slavery in the federal territories acquired after the creation of the United States. Dred Scott, an African American slave who had been taken by his owners to free states and territories, attempted to sue for his freedom. In a 7-2 decision written by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, the Court denied Scott's request and in doing so, ruled an Act of Congress to be unconstitutional for the second time in its history. Although Taney hoped that his ruling would settle the slavery question once and for all, the decision immediately spurred wide public debate. Most scholars and many contemporary political figures (including the leadership of the then-new Republican Party) considered that the ruling regarding slavery in the territories to not be binding precedent, but instead mere dictum. The decision would prove to be an indirect catalyst for the American Civil War and was functionally superseded by the post-war Reconstruction Amendments. It is now widely regarded as the worst decision ever made by the Supreme Court.
The Flag Protection Act of 1989 A. is the constitutional amendment that prohibits flag burning B. was a Texas state law prohibiting the burning of the American flag. C. is an example of legislation made possible by the establishment clause D. was a bill that failed to pass in Congress E. was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court
E. was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court
Defamation of character is defined as A. committing obscene acts using another person's name. B. publishing false statements about a person in a newspaper, book, or magazine. C. hate speech D. making false statements about famous people E. wrongfully hurting a person's good reputation.
E. wrongfully hurting a person's good reputation
The 2007 case Massachusetts v. EPA resulted in the S.C. ruling that
EPA has the authority and responsibility to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases
McCulloch v. Maryland
During the early 19th century, the Supreme Court tipped the balance of the debate to national supremacy, the point of view that the national government should have relatively more power than the states. Chief Justice John Marshall advocated this view in a series of decisions, including the influential 1819 case known as McCulloch v. Maryland. The case arose when James McCulloch, the cashier of the Bank of the United States in Baltimore, refused to pay a tax levied on the bank by the state of Maryland. When state officials arrested him, McCulloch appealed to the Supreme Court. The Court's opinion set an important precedent that established national supremacy over states rights. The case questioned the right of the federal government to establish a bank, since no such right is enumerated in Article I. Marshall ruled the Maryland law that established the tax unconstitutional with his famous statement: "The power to tax is the power to destroy." The power to destroy a federal agency would give the state supremacy over the federal government, so the states may not tax a federal agency.
Shortly after September 11th, 2001, President George W. Bush issued an executive order authorizing the ______ to conduct secret surveillance without court warrants. A. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) B. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) C. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) D. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) E. National Security Agency (NSA)
E. National Security Agency (NSA)
In the area of freedom of speech, which of the following in NOT true? A. High schools can impose restrictions on speech that are not allowed in colleges. B. High school officials may censor schools publications C. Some universities have prohibited "hate speech". D. Campus speech restrictions have usually been ruled unconstitutional E. The Supreme Court ruled that universities may not impose mandatory student activity fees.
E. The Supreme Court ruled that universities may not impose mandatory student activity fees.
The major historical and political significance of the Mayflower Compact was that it A. served as a prototype for many similar compacts B. Was the start of the first settlement in America C. depended on the consent of the individuals involved D. established the colony of Massachusetts E. both a and c
E. both a and c
The part of the First Amendment prohibiting the establishment of a church officially supported by the national government is called the A. church-state separation clause B. diversity clause C. free exercise clause D. religious freedom clause E. establishment clause
E. establishment clause
In gideon v. Wainwright, the Supreme Court held that A. a lawyer does not have to be supplied in a state of case. B. search warrants are always needed to gather evidence. C. only criminal defendants in capital cases have the right to free legal counsel D. there can be no cruel and unusual punishments E. if a person accused of a felony cannot afford an attorney, one must be made available to the accused at the governments expense.
E. if a person accused of a felony cannot afford an attorney, one must be made available to the accused at the governments expense.
In the 1971 Supreme Court case Lemon v. Kurtzman, the Court ruled that direct state aid could not be used to A. provide free lunches to poor children in public schools. B. subsidize the establishment of houses of worship C. subsidize sports team in schools D. create charter schools E. subsidize religion instruction
E. subsidize religion instruction
What was the topic of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's hearings on Capitol Hill?
Embassy in Benghazi that was attacked
House Majority Leader
Eric Cantor
House Majority Leader
Eric Cantor, R
International agreements between the president and other nations that do not require the approval of the Senate are known as
Executive Agreements
hate speech
Extreme ____________ appears on the Internet, including racist materials and denials of the Holocause.
The Constitutional Convention in 1787 was brought on by the
Failure of the Articles of Confederation
A filibuster is often used to support a bill. Ture or False
False
A quorum, by definition, occurs when all members of one party are present in chambers. True or False
False
The constitutional amendment limiting the number of terms to which a president may be elected was ratified in 1934. True or False
False
The vice president may take part in Senate Debate. True or False
False
Categorical Grants
Federal grants to states or local governments that are for specific programs or projects
Block Grants
Federal programs that provide funds to state and local governments for broad functional areas, such as criminal justice of mental-health programs
Who is Natsu.
Fire Dragon Slayer
freedom of the press, assembly, the right to petition, and religion (guaranteed by the 1st Amendment)
Following the Gitlow decision, what other freedoms did the U.S. Supreme Court incorporate into the 14th amendment?
Autocracy
Form of government in which political power is controlled by one individual such as a monarch, dictator, or emperor.
Ratification
Formal approval
GAO
General Accounting Office
__________ is when sate legislatures redraw district boundaries to benefit the majority party
Gerrymandering
Minority Rights
Give protection of the law to every group of people, no matter how small and limit the government by protecting everyone's rights, treating all groups, even unpopular ones, fairly, and guaranteeing equal protection under the law.
Gonzales v. Raich
Gonzales v. Raich (previously Ashcroft v. Raich), 545 U.S. 1 (2005), was a decision by the United States Supreme Court ruling that under the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution, the United States Congress may criminalize the production and use of home-grown cannabis (weed) even where states approve its use for medicinal purposes.California voters passed Proposition 215 in 1996, legalizing the medical use of marijuana. The United States Federal Government has limited the use of marijuana since the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act came into effect. Defendant Angel Raich used homegrown medical marijuana, which was legal under California law, but illegal under federal law. On August 15, 2002, Butte County Sheriff's Department officers and agents from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) destroyed all six of California resident Diane Monson's marijuana plants, facing light resistance. The marijuana plants were illegal Schedule I drugs under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA). CSA is Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970. Monson and Angel Raich sued, claiming that enforcing the CSA against them would violate the Commerce Clause, the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, the Ninth Amendment to the United States Constitution, the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and the doctrine of medical necessity. Angel Raich's physician has stated that, without marijuana, Angel's life is threatened by excruciating pain. California was one of fourteen states (now twenty) that allowed medicinal use of marijuana. California's Compassionate Use Act allows limited use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.The starting point for the Court's opinion was the fact that it was conceded that Congress had the power to control or ban marijuana for non-medical uses: Respondents in this case do not dispute that passage of the CSA, as part of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act, was well within Congress' commerce power. Nor do they contend that any provision or section of the CSA amounts to an unconstitutional exercise of congressional authority. Rather, respondents' challenge is actually quite limited; they argue that the CSA's categorical prohibition of the manufacture and possession of marijuana as applied to the intrastate manufacture and possession of marijuana for medical purposes pursuant to California law exceeds Congress' authority under the Commerce Clause. Banning the growing of marijuana for medical use, the Court reasoned, was a permissible way of preventing or limiting access to marijuana for other uses: Even respondents acknowledge the existence of an illicit market in marijuana; indeed, Raich has personally participated in that market, and Monson expresses a willingness to do so in the future. More concretely, one concern prompting inclusion of wheat grown for home consumption in the 1938 Act was that rising market prices could draw such wheat into the interstate market, resulting in lower market prices. Wickard, 317 U.S., at 128. The parallel concern making it appropriate to include marijuana grown for home consumption in the CSA is the likelihood that the high demand in the interstate market will draw such marijuana into that market. While the diversion of homegrown wheat tended to frustrate the federal interest in stabilizing prices by regulating the volume of commercial transactions in the interstate market, the diversion of homegrown marijuana tends to frustrate the federal interest in eliminating commercial transactions in the interstate market in their entirety. In both cases, the regulation is squarely within Congress' commerce power because production of the commodity meant for home consumption, be it wheat or marijuana, has a substantial effect on supply and demand in the national market for that commodity.
GPO
Governing Printing Office
Has many roles that all involve making public policy, or the laws and rules that affect the public.
Government
Rational-Legal Authority
Government is justified and legal when its powers come from the people or society over which that political power is exercised. Examples: United States, Great Britain
In which house do spending bill originate?
HOR
Senate Majority Leader
Harry Reed
Senate Majority Leader
Harry Reid, D
No
Have state and local attempts to forbid the teaching of evolution passed as constitutional?
What is on Obama's agenda?
Healthcare (most important) Immigration Reform Tax Code Reform US v. China (relationship, trade) Middle East (Syria and Iran = prevent nuclear power; Middle East peace process)
Washington community
Individuals regularly involved with politics in Washington, D.C.
Heart of Atlanta Motel v. US
Heart of Atlanta Motel Inc. v. United States, 379 U.S. 241 (1964), was a landmark United States Supreme Court case holding that the U.S. Congress could use the Constitution's Commerce Clause power to force private businesses to abide by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.This important case represented an immediate challenge to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the landmark piece of civil rights legislation which represented the first comprehensive act by Congress on civil rights and race relations since the Civil Rights Act of 1875. For much of the 100 years preceding 1964, race relations in the United States had been dominated by segregation, a system of racial separation which, while in name providing for "separate but equal" treatment of both white and black Americans, in truth perpetuated inferior accommodation, services, and treatment for black Americans.The Heart of Atlanta motel was a large, 216-room motel in Atlanta, Georgia, which refused to rent rooms to black patrons, in direct violation of the terms of the act. The owner of the motel, Moreton Rolleston, filed suit in federal court, arguing that the requirements of the act exceeded the authority granted to Congress over interstate commerce. In addition, the owner argued that the act violated his Fifth Amendment rights to choose customers and operate his business as he wished and resulted in unjust deprivation of his property without due process of law and just compensation. Finally, the owner argued that Congress had placed him in a position of involuntary servitude by forcing him to rent available rooms to blacks, thereby violating his Thirteenth Amendment rights.Announced on December 14, 1964, the opinion of the court was delivered by Justice Tom C. Clark, with concurring opinions by Justice Arthur Goldberg, Justice Hugo Black, and Justice William O. Douglas. The Court held that Congress acted well within its jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce clause in passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, thereby upholding the act's Title II in question. While it might have been possible for Congress to pursue other methods for abolishing racial discrimination, the way in which Congress did so, according to the Court, was perfectly valid. It found no merit in the arguments pursuant to the Thirteenth Amendment, finding it hard to conceive that such an Amendment might possibly be applicable in restraining civil rights legislation. Having observed that 75% of the Heart of Atlanta Motel's clientele came from out-of-state, and that it was strategically located near Interstates 75 and 85 as well as two major U.S. Highways, the Court found that the business clearly affected interstate commerce. As such, it therefore upheld the permanent injunction issued by the District Court, and required the Heart of Atlanta Motel to receive business from clientele of all races.
In the election of 2010, Democrats saw lsoses in which of the following? (check all that apply) ___ Senate ___ House ___ Governorships
House
List 2 states that LOST seats in Congress due to reapportionment.
Illinois Iowa Louisiana Massachusetts Missouri New Jersey New York Ohio Pennsylvania
establishment clause and the free exercise clause
In the U.S., freedom of religion consists of what two principles?
Which powers belong only to the national government
International treaties, setting up the postal service, and printing money
Identify the state capitals for the following: Iowa Illinois Wisconsin Minnesota South Dakota Nebraska Missouri
Iowa = Des Moines Illinois = Springfield Wisconsin = Madison Minnesota = St. Paul South Dakota = Pierre Nebraska = Lincoln Missouri = Jefferson City
All of the following are true of a confederation or confederate political system, EXCEPT that
It is the form of government used in the U.S. today
Sec. of Treasury
Jacob Lew
Identify Obama's picks for the following Cabinet posts to be filled - Jacob Lew - Hillary Clinton - Colin Powell - Chuck Hagel - John Kerry - Susan Rice - Lisa Jackson - Leon Panetta
Jacob Lew (Treasury) Chuck Hagel (Defense) John Kerry (Sec. of State) Susan Rice (Ambassador to UN) Lisa Jackson (EPA)
Who was the first African American student to enroll at the University of Mississippi?
James Meredith
When did the 113th Congress begin (month/year)?
January 2013
Who presides over the Senate?
Joe Biden (votes if there is a split vote in an issue/policy)
Speaker of House
John Bainer
Speaker of the House
John Bainer, R
Who was the youngest person to be elected president of the United States?
John F Kennedy
Sec. of State
John Kerry
Chief Justice of Supreme Court
John Roberts
U.S, Chief Justice
John Roberts
The power of the Supreme Court to declare actions of the other branches of gov. to be unconstitutional is known as
Judicial review
The only cabinet department not headed by a secretary is
Justice
One that has the right to govern from the people it rules.
Legitimacy
Traditional-Authority
Legitimacy is based on traditional grounds and from a belief that things should be how they have been in the past, and that those who defend tradition should have a legitimate claim to power. Example: Saudi Arabia
National authority has traditionally been preferred by
Liberals
The inalienable rights stipulated in the Declaration of Independence included the right
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
The benefit of free postage for official business for members of Congress is called a "__________ privilege"
franking
Theocracy
Literally, rule by God or gods; in practice, rule by religious leaders, typically self appointed.
During the colonial period, all of the following developments too place except
Louisiana was established last of the colonies
Which of the following is (are) true?
Major issues include debate about whether illegal immigrants should be given amnesty and be allowed to become U.S. citizens
Who gave the Republican Response (rebuttal) following the State of the Union address?
Marco Rubio
Name the current White House Chief of Staff.
McDonough
the new White House Chief of Staff will be
McDonough
Nations have sovereignty.
Means that they have the right to be supreme lawmaking authority within the territory
The acquisitive model of bureaucracy hold that
leaders of bureaucracies seek expanded budgets and larger staffs
First Lady
Michelle Obama
Senate Minority Leader
Mitch McConnel, R
Senate Minority Leader
Mitch McConnell
Who won the Florida Republican Primary?
Mitt Romney
Majority
More than 50 percent.
1) party-in-the-electorate 2) party organization 3) party-in-government
Name the 3 faces of a party.
House Minority Leader
Nancy Pelosi
House Minority Leader
Nancy Pelosi, D
A community of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, descent, or history.
Nation
National Labor Relations v. Jones and Laughlin Steel (1937)
National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation, 301 U.S. 1 (1937)[1], was a United States Supreme Court case that declared that the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 (commonly known as the Wagner Act) was constitutional. It effectively spelled the end to the Court's striking down of New Deal economic legislation, and greatly increased Congress's power under the Commerce Clause.Jones & Laughlin Steel was America's fourth largest steel producer and the charges brought against it were that the company discriminated against workers who wanted to join the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC). The company had fired ten employees at its plant in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania after they moved to unionize. The NLRB ruled against the company and ordered the workers be rehired and given back pay, but Jones & Laughlin refused to comply on the grounds that they believed the act was unconstitutional.Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes wrote the majority opinion in the case, which reversed the lower court's ruling in a 5-4 decision. Per Justice Hughes: "Although activities may be intrastate in character when separately considered, if they have such a close and substantial relation to interstate commerce that their control is essential or appropriate to protect that commerce from burdens and obstructions, Congress cannot be denied the power to exercise that control."
Following the attacks of 9/11, a new cabinet department was created. It is called ________
National Security Council (NSC)
Can often come from or lead to other forms of government
Oligarchy
constituent
One of the persons represented by a legislator or other elected or appointed official
Legitimacy
One that is seen approval from the people it sees. Democratic
Three types of authority
Rational-Legal Authority; Traditional Authority; Charismatic Authority
All of the following are true of the cases Gibbons v. Ogden, McCulloch v. Maryland except that
Only state governments can regulate commerce
Barack Obama
POTUS
President Pro Tempore
Patrick Leahy
President Pro Tempore
Patrick Leahy (succeeded Daniel Inouye) from Vermont
New York Times v. United States
Pentagon Papers case; no-prior-restraint doctrine; secret documents (U.S. government's involvement in the Vietnam War) obtained illegally by a former Pentagon official; government wanted a court order to bar publication of the documents, arguing that national security was threatened and that the documents had been stolen; newspapers argued that the public had the right to know the info. contained in the papers and that the press had the right to inform the public
casework
Personal work for constituents by members of Congress.
Which Supreme Court case ruling set the "separate-but-equal doctrine?"
Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), is a landmark United States Supreme Court decision in the jurisprudence of the United States, upholding the constitutionality of state laws requiring racial segregation in public facilities under the doctrine of "separate but equal". The decision was handed down by a vote of 7 to 1 with the majority opinion written by Justice Henry Billings Brown and the dissent written by Justice John Marshall Harlan. "Separate but equal" remained standard doctrine in U.S. law until its repudiation in the 1954 Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education. After the Supreme Court ruling, the New Orleans Comité des Citoyens (Committee of Citizens), which had brought the suit and arranged for Homer Plessy's arrest in order to challenge Louisiana's segregation law, replied, "We, as freemen, still believe that we were right and our cause is sacred.In a 7 to 1 decision handed down on May 18, 1896 (Justice David Josiah Brewer did not participate because of the death of his daughter), the Court rejected Plessy's arguments based on the Fourteenth Amendment, seeing no way in which the Louisiana statute violated it. In addition, the majority of the Court rejected the view that the Louisiana law implied any inferiority of blacks, in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. Instead, it contended that the law separated the two races as a matter of public policy. When summarizing, Justice Brown declared, "We consider the underlying fallacy of the plaintiff's argument to consist in the assumption that the enforced separation of the two races stamps the colored race with a badge of inferiority. If this be so, it is not by reason of anything found in the act, but solely because the colored race chooses to put that construction upon it."
Legitimacy
Popular acceptance of the right and power of a government or other entity to exercise authority.
Charismatic Authority
Power is legitimized on the basis of a leader's exceptional personal qualities. Demonstration of extraordinary insight and accomplishment, which inspires loyalty and obedience from followers. Power rests almost entirely on the leader, and the absence of that leader can lead to the authority's power dissolving. Examples: Castro, Mao
Autocracy - Dictators
Power is not inherited, but rather, acquired by force. Have absolute control, often suppress negative opinions.
Enumerated Powers
Powers Specifically granted to the NATIONAL GOV. by the constitution. The first 17 clauses of Article 1 Section 8 specify most of the enumerated powers of the national government
Concurrent Powers
Powers held jointly by the national and state governments
Who appoints the justices to the Supreme Court?
President
the Constitution that was to be ratified established the following fundamental principles EXCEPT
Presidential infallibility
Today, states have lotteries, which are often justified as way to raise funds for
Public Education
Rule of Law
Refers to idea that nobody is above the law
In their dealing with each other, each state is required to do all of the following except
Refrain from making agreements that do not include all 50 states
Engle v. Vitale
Regents' Prayer case in New York; U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the regents' action was unconstitutional because the constitutional prohibition against laws respecting a religion and allow for people to pray as a part of a religious program carried on by any government
Oligarchy
Rule by the few. Power can be based on several things: military strength; family power (aristocracy); religious control (theocratic oligarchy).
Which 2 sets of powers do state governments have
Reserved and concurrent powers
Natural Rights
Rights held to be inherent in natural law, not dependent on governments. John Locke stated that natural law, being superior to human law, specifies certain rights of "life, liberty,property." These rights, altered to become "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," are asserted in the Declaration of Independence.
The S.C. ceased to interfere with national legislation on the economy after
Roosevelt tried but failed to expand the Court by adding six new justices
Which of the following is true?
Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, an action which led to a bus boycott, and the Civil Rights Movement was led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Oligarchy
Rule by a few.
Autocracy - Monarchs
Rule by kings, queens, princes, and princesses. Leaders gain power because their parents were rulers. Some modern monarchies, like Spain and Japan, have constitutions.
Aristocracy
Rule by the "best"; in reality, rule by an upper class.
In the presidential line of succession, who follows the Secretary of State?
Secretary of Treasury
Ensures that no branch has a majority of the power; allows each branch to have a "check" on what the other branches can do; balances the responsibilities of government between the 3 branches.
Separation of Powers
Nation
Shares a common territory or defined space; sometimes shares a common government.
All of the following were compromises in the Constitution EXCEPT that
Slavery was outlawed
South Dakota v. Dole
South Dakota v. Dole, 483 U.S. 203 (1987), was a case in which the United States Supreme Court considered the limitations the Constitution places on the authority of the United States Congress when it uses its authority to influence the individual states in areas of authority normally reserved to the states. It upheld the constitutionality of a federal statute that withheld federal funds from states whose legal drinking age did not conform to federal policy.In 1984, the United States Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which withheld 5% of federal highway funding from states that did not maintain a minimum legal drinking age of 21. South Dakota, which allowed 19-year-olds to purchase beer containing up to 3.2% alcohol, challenged the law, naming Secretary of Transportation Elizabeth Dole as the defendant.The Supreme Court held, 7-2, that the statute represented a valid use of Congressional authority under the spending clause, and that the statute did not infringe upon the rights of the states. The Court established a five point rule for considering the constitutionality of expenditure cuts of this type, noting that: The spending must promote "the general welfare"; The condition must be unambiguous; The condition should relate "to the federal interest in particular national projects or programs"; The condition imposed on the States must not in itself be unconstitutional; and The condition must not be coercive. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice William Rehnquist noted that the National Minimum Drinking Age Act clearly met the first three restrictions, leaving only the latter two restrictions worthy of consideration. Rehnquist wrote that the Congress did not violate the Tenth Amendment because it merely exercised its right to control its spending. Rehnquist wrote that the Congress did not coerce the states because it only cut a small percentage of federal funding, thus applying pressure, but not irresistible pressure.
John Bainer
Speaker of the House
earmarks
Special provisions in legislation to set aside funds for projects that have not passed an impartial evaluation by agencies of the executive branch. Also known as pork
The supremacy clause of the Constitution means that
States cannot use their reserved or concurrent powers to thwart national policies
Compared to the Articles of Confederation, the federal gov. under the Constitution is
Stronger
Roe v. Wade
Supreme Court accepted the argument that the laws against abortion violated the right to privacy under the Constitution; Court held that during the 1st trimester of pregnancy, abortion was an issue between a woman and er physician (no state intervention); 2nd trimester = state allowed to specify the conditions under which an abortion could be performed to protect the mother; final trimester= state could regulate or even outlaw abortions except when necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother
Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart
Supreme Court clearly displayed that a prior restraint on expression is a "heavy presumption" against its constitutionality; the government justifies the enforcement of the prior restraint
Edwards v. Aguillard
Supreme Court declared that this law was unconstitutional in part because it had as its primary purpose the promotion of a particular religious belief
Epperson v. Arkansas
Supreme Court held that an Arkansas law prohibiting the teaching of evolution violated the establishment clause, because it imposed religious beliefs on students
Tinker v. Des Moines School District
Supreme Court held that the wearing of black armbands by students in protest against the Vietnam War was a form of speech protected by the First Amendment
Abington School District v. Schempp
Supreme Court outlawed officially sponsored daily readings of the Bible and recitation of the Lord's Prayer in public schools
Griswold v. Connecticut
Supreme Court overturned a Connecticut law that effectively prohibited the use of contraceptives, holding that the law violated the right to privacy
Brandenburg v. Ohio
Supreme Court overturned the conviction of the KKK leader for violating a state statute, which prohibiited anyone from advocating "the duty, necessity, or propriety of sabotage, violence, or unlawful methods of terrorism as a means of accomplishing industrial or political reform"
Gitlow v. New York
Supreme Court reintroduced the earlier "bad tendency rule", which placed greater restrictions on speech; speech or other First Amendment freedoms may be curtailed if there is a possibility that such expression might lead to some "evil"; the Court held that the 1st amendment afforded protection against state incursions on freedom of expression
Flag Protection Act of 1989
Supreme Court ruled that burning the American flag was unconstitutional in 1990
Texas v. Johnson
Supreme Court ruled that state laws that prohibited the burning of the American flag as part of a peaceful protest also violated the freedom of expression protected by the First Amendment; in response Congress passed the Flag Protection Act of 1989
Osborne v. Ohio
Supreme Court ruled that states can outlaw the possession of child pornography in the home; Supreme court has upheld state laws making it illegal to sell materials showing sexual performances by minors
Wallace v. Jaffree
Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional an Alabama law authorizing one minute of silence for prayer or meditation in all public schools; Court concluded that the law violated the establishment clause because it was "an endorsement of religion lacking any clearly secular purpose"
Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart
Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a Nebraska judge's gag order had violated the first amendment's guarantee of freedom of the press;
Olmstead v. United States
Supreme Court upheld the invasion of privacy; Justice Louis Brandeis, strongly dissented from the majority decision in this case, arguing that the framers of the Constitution gave every citized the right to be left alone ("the most comprehensive of rights and the right most valued by civilized men")
advice and consent
Terms in the Constitution describing the U.S. Senate's power to review and approve treaties and presidential appointments
Who is the governor of Iowa?
Terry Branstad
One of the arguments against federalism is
That state and local interests can block progress and impede national plans
Which groups are involved in proposing and ratifying amendments to the Constitution
The Senate, The House of Representatives, and the States
Which of the following is (are) true?
The Supreme Court has ruled that certain jobs cannot extablish arbitrary rules on weight and height requirements that would keep women out of the professions, Title IX guaranteed women's participation in high schools and collegiate athletics, Women have been allowed to serve as combat oukits, and State-financed military academies cannot exclude women students
The three-fifths compromise did all of the following except
give African Americans representation that was equal to what free whites received
Police Power
The authority to legislate for the protection of the health, morals, safety, and welfare of the people. In the U.S., most of the police power is reserved to the states
appointment power
The authority vested in the president to fill a government office or position. Positions filled by presidential appointment include those in the executive branch and the federal judiciary, commissioned officers in the armed forces, and members of the independent regulatory commissions
If there is no candidate with a majority of electoral votes, how will the president be selected?
The decision will go to the HOR = Each state gets 1 vote (there needs to be 26 state votes to decide the winner) In case of a tie, the Speaker of the House will have to vote.
Global Agreement on Authority
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Article 21: The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government.
reapportionment
The allocation of seats in the House of Representatives to each state after each census
fall review
The annual process in which the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) after receiving formal federal agency requests for funding for the next fiscal year, reviews the requests, makes changes, and submits its recommendations to the president
spring review
The annual process in which the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requires federal agencies to review their programs, activities, and goals and submit their requests for funding for the next fiscal year
executive budget
The budget prepared and submitted by the president to Congress
Senate majority leader
The chief spokesperson of the majority party in the Senate, who directs the legislative program and party strategy
Great Compromise
The compromise between the New Jersey and Virgina Plans that created 1 chamber of the Congress based on population and 1 chamber representing each state equally; also called the Connecticut Compromise
Popular Sovereignty
The concept that ultimate political authority is based on the will of the people.
Anarchy
The condition of no government.
Supremacy Clause
The constitutional provision that makes the Constitution and federal law superior to all conflicting state and local laws
bicameralism
The division of a legislature into two separate assemblies
gerrymandering
The drawing of legislative district boundary lines for the purpose of obtaining partisan or factional advantage. A district is said to be gerrymandered when its shape is manipulated by the dominant party to maximize electoral strength at the expense of the minority party
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
diplomatic recognition
The formal acknowledgment of a foreign government as legitimate
representation
The function of members of Congress as elected officials in representing the views of their constituents
Liberty
The greatest freedom of the individual that is consistent with the freedom of other individuals in the society.
Consent of the people
The idea that governments and laws derive their legitmacy from the consent of the governed.
kitchen cabinet
The informal advisers to the president
Gibbons v. Ogden
The meaning of the commerce clause was at issue in the 1824 Gibbons vs. Ogden case. Aaron Ogden had been given exclusive license by the state of New York to operate steam-powered ferryboats between New York and New Jersey. Thomas Gibbons obtained a license from the U.S. government to operate boats in the same area, and when he decided to compete with Ogden, Ogden sued, and the case went to the Supreme Court. Several issues were at stake in defining federalism: • The definition of commerce - When New York's highest court ruled against Gibbons, defined commerce narrowly as only the shipment of goods, not navigation or the transport of people. • National governments powers over intrastate commerce-Does the national government have the right to control any commerce within a state's boundaries? • State government's powers over interstate commerce-Is interstate commerce a concurrent power that states may share with the national government? John Marshall wrote the majority opinion in the case, an expansive interpretation of the commerce clause that increased the national government's authority over all areas of economic affairs. Marshall defined commerce as all business dealings, not just the transfer of goods, and he ruled that the national government could regulate within states' jurisdiction. On the other hand, interstate commerce is solely the right of the national government, and so the New York court had no right to prohibit Gibbons trade.
Federalist
The name give to one who was in favor of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and the creation of a fed, union with a strong central gov.
Which of the following is not a defense of federalism?
The national government has all the power so states play a small role DEFENSES for: political experimentation can be used to see if policies are workable, the government is in closer contact with the people because of the role given to states governments, it allows for differences among the regions of the country, it is a better system for the U.S. than a unitary system because of the size of the U.S.
Government
The preeminent institution in which decisions are made that resove conflicts or allocate benefits and privileges. It is unique because it has the ultimate authority for making decisions and establishing political values.
majority rule
a basic principle of democracy asserting that the greatest number of citizens in any political unit should select officials and determine policies
Government
The organization that makes and enforces the laws of a Nation/State.
minority leader of the House
The party leader elected by the minority party in the House
Senate minority leader
The party officer in the Senate who commands the minority party's opposition to the policies of the majority party and directs the legislative program and strategy of his or her party
appropriation
The passage, by Congress, of a spending bill, specifying the amount of authorized funds that actually will be allocated for an agency's use
chief of staff
The person who is named to direct the White House Office and advise the president
White House Office
The personal office of the president, which tends to presidential political needs and manages the media
line-item veto
The power of an executive to veto individual lines or items within a piece of legislation without vetoing the entire bill
Judicial Review
The power of the S.C. and other courts to declare unconstitutional fed. or state laws and other acts of government.
patronage
The practice of rewarding faithful party workers and followers with government employment and contracts
Which of the following was NOT true of the Articles of Confederation
The president was chosen by Congress
veto message
The president's formal explanation of a veto when legislation is returned to Congress
Speaker of the House
The presiding officer in the House of Representatives; always a member of the majority party and is the most powerful and influential member of the House
Separation of Powers
The principle of dividing the governmental powers among different branches of government
oversight
The process by which follows up on laws it has enacted to ensure that they are being enforced and administered in the way Congress intended
redistricting
The redrawing of the boundaries of the congressional districts within a state
Authority
The right and power of a government or other entity to enforce its decisions and compel obedience.
Universal Suffrage
The right of all adults to vote for their representatives.
executive privilege
The right of executive officials to withhold information from or to refuse to appear before a legislative committee
community standards
The right to speech comes with implicit responsibilities to respect __________
head of state
The role of the president as ceremonial head of the government
chief executive
The role of the president as head of the executive branch of the government
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
chief legislator
The role of the president in influencing the making of laws
chief diplomat
The role of the president in recognizing foreign governments, making treaties, and making executive agreements
Commerce Clause
The section of the Constitution in which Congress is given power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries
president pro tempore
The temporary presiding officer of the Senate in the absence of the vice president
cooperative federalism
a model federalism in which the states and the national government cooperate in solving problems
Devolution
The transfer of powers from a national or central government to a state or local government
Informal methods of constitutional change include
The use of judicial review by the courts
filibuster
The use of the Senate's tradition of unlimited debate as a delaying tactic to block a bill
Dominant Culture
The values, customs, and language established by the groups that traditionally have controlled politics and government in a society.
List 3 of the 4 types of congressional committees discussed in your text.
joint committee select committee conference committee standing committee
Weberian model
a model of bureaucracy developed by the German sociologist Max Weber, who viewed bureaucracies as rational, hierarchical organizations in which decisions are based on logical reasoning
The first draft of the Declaration of Independence was written by
Thomas Jefferson
Civil Liberties
Those personal freedoms, including freedom of religion and freedom of speech, that are protected for all individuals. The civil liberties set forth in the U.S. Constitution, as amended, restrain the government from taking certain actions against individuals.
Expressed and enumerated powers are the same thing. True or False
True
House members fro Guam, American Samoa, the Virgina Islands, and Puerto Rico do not have voting privileges. True or False
True
New congresses begin in odd-numbered years. True or False
True
The Republicans hold a majority of the seats in the House. True or False
True
Eric Cantor
U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader (Republican)
Kevin McCarthy
U.S. House of Representatives Majority Whip (Republican from California)
Nancy Pelosi
U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader (Democrat)
Steny Hoyer
U.S. House of Representatives Minority Whip (Democrat from Maryland)
Chuck Hagel
U.S. Secretary of Defense
John Kerry
U.S. Secretary of State
Harry Reed
U.S. Senate Majority Leader (Democrat)
Richard Durbin
U.S. Senate Majority Whip (Democrat from Illinois)
Mitch McConnell
U.S. Senate Minority Leader (Republican)
John Cornyn
U.S. Senate Minority Whip (Republican from Texas)
Brian Schatz
U.S. Senator from Hawaii (succeeded Daniel Inouye) (Democrat)
Which government system is used most in the world today
Unicameral system
US v. Lopez
United States v. Alfonso Lopez, Jr., 514 U.S. 549 (1995) was the first United States Supreme Court case since the New Deal to set limits to Congress's power under the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution.Alfonso Lopez, Jr. was a 12th grade student at Edison High School in San Antonio, Texas. On March 10, 1992 he carried a concealed .38 caliber revolver, along with five cartridges, into the school. The gun was not loaded; Lopez claimed that he was to deliver the weapon to another person, a service for which he would receive $40. He was confronted by school authorities — the school had received anonymous tips that Lopez was carrying the weapon — and admitted to having the weapon. The next day, he was charged with violation of the federal. Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 (the "Act"), 18 U.S.C. § 922(q). Lopez moved to dismiss the indictment on the ground that §922(q) of the Act was "unconstitutional as it is beyond the power of Congress to legislate control over our public schools." The trial court denied the motion, ruling that §922(q) was "a constitutional exercise of Congress' well defined power to regulate activities in and affecting commerce, and the 'business' of elementary, middle and high schools... affects interstate commerce."In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeals. It held that while Congress had broad lawmaking authority under the Commerce Clause, the power was limited, and did not extend so far from "commerce" as to authorize the regulation of the carrying of handguns, especially when there was no evidence that carrying them affected the economy on a massive scale. Chief Justice Rehnquist, delivering the opinion of the Court, identified the three broad categories of activity that Congress could regulate under the Commerce Clause: the channels of interstate commerce, the instrumentalities of interstate commerce, or persons or things in interstate commerce, and activities that substantially affect or substantially relate to interstate commerce. The Court summarily dismissed any consideration of the first two categories and concluded that the resolution of the case depended only on consideration of the third category—regulation of activities that substantially affect interstate commerce. The Court essentially concluded that in no way was the carrying of handguns a commercial activity or even related to any sort of economic enterprise, even under the most extravagant definitions.
Joe Biden
Vice President
Who are the first 4 in line of succession to the president. Provide their name and positions in the proper order
Vice President = Joseph Biden Speaker of the House = John Bainer President Pro Tempore = Patrick Leahy Secretary of State = John Kerry
The only method used so far to propose an amendment to the Constitution is
a 2/3 vote in favor of it by both houses of the Congress
yes; citizens in different states had different set of liberties
Was the Bill of Rights different in each state?
the dominant culture in the United States has its roots in
Western European civilizations
The U.S. Supreme Court has held that state programs helping church-related schools are unconstitutional; the Court has denied state reimbursements to religious schools for field trips and for developing achievement tests
What CAN'T the U.S. Supreme Court allow states to fund church-related schools?
Government action must 1) have a secular legislative purpose 2 not have the primary effect of either advancing or inhibiting religion 3) not result in an "excessive government entanglement" with religion"
What are the three parts of the Lemon Test?
limit the powers of the national government
What did the Bill of Rights do?
The U.S. Supreme Court can fund school lunches, textbooks, diagnostic services for speech and hearing problems, standardized tests, computers, and transportation for students attending church-operated elementary and secondary schools
What does the U.S. Supreme Court allow states to fund church-related schools?
government can neither promote nor discriminate against religious beliefs
What does the establishment clause mandate?
1) the average person finds that it violates contemporary community standards 2) the work taken as a whole appeals to a prurient interest in sex 3) the work shows patently offensive sexual conduct 4) the work lacks serious redeeming literary artistic, political, or scientific merit
What is the 4 part test proposed by the Supreme Court concerning obscenity?
separation between church and state
What is the general idea of the establishment clause?
One person's prurient interest is another person's medical interest or artistic pleasure; the Court went on to state that the definition of "prurient interest" would be determined by the community's standards
What is the problem with the definition of obscenity?
- creche (nativity scene) - Ten Commandments
What religious displays on public property have emerged as controversial (those in book)?
1) implements a substantial government interest 2) directly advances that interest 3) goes no further than necessary to accomplish its objective
What restrictions on commercial speech has the Supreme Court considered valid?
Jack Lew
White House Chief of Staff
The office that works most closely with the president is the
White House Office
Which of the following is (are) true?
Women have had to struggle for equality just like other groups in the U.S.
unitary system
a centralized governmental system in which ultimate governmental authority rests in the hands of the national, or central, government (Ex: France)
A veto is
a clear-cut indication of the president's dissatisfaction with legislation
ideology
a comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and about the role of an institution or government
What is THOMAS?
a database for every bill made by Congress
supremacy doctrine
a doctrine that asserts the priority of national law over state laws; principle is rooted in Article VI of the Constitution, which provides that the Constitution, the laws passed by the national government under its constitutional powers, and all treaties constitute the supreme law of the land
independent executive agency
a federal agency that is not part of a cabinet department but reports directly to the president
administrative agency
a federal, state, or local government unit established to perform a specific function
representative democracy
a form of government in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies; may retain the monarchy in a ceremonial rule
republic
a form of government in which sovereign power rests with the people, rather than with a king or a monarch
totalitarian regime
a form of government that controls all aspects oft he political and social life of a nation
legislature
a government body primarily responsible for the making of laws
a republic is
a government in which sovereign power rests with the people, not a monarch
limited government
a government with powers that are limited either through a written document or through widely shared beliefs
issue network
a group of individuals or organizations (which may consist of legislators and legislative staff members, interest group leaders, bureaucrats, the media, scholars, and other experts) that supports a particular policy position on a given issue
state
a group of people occupying a specific area and organized under one government; may be either a nation or a subunit of a nation
electoral college
a group of persons called electors selected by the voters in each state and the D.C.; group officially elects the president and vice president of the US; the number of electors in each state is equal to the number of each stat;s representatives in both chambers of Congress; 23rd amendment to the Constitution grants DC as many electors as the state with the smallest population
political party
a group of political activists who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy
faction
a group or bloc in a legislature or political party that is trying to obtain power or benefits; different from a political party; not a permanent organization
Bureaucracy is the name given to
a large organization, structured hierarchically, that carries out specific functions
Government in the Sunshine Act
a law tat requires all committee-directed federal agencies to conduct their business regularly in public session
representative assembly
a legislature composed of individuals who represent the population
liberals typically endorse all of the following except
a limited role for the government in helping individuals
Whig Party
a major party in the U.S. during the first half of the 19th century, formally established in 1836; anti-Jackson and represented a variety of regional interests; formed from National Republicans, supporters of John Quincy Adams; British liberals
checks and balances
a major principle of the American system of government whereby each branch of government can check the actions of the others
According to the 25th Amendment, if a president's ability to discharge his normal functions is in question and he is unable to communicate,
a majority of the cabinet, including the vice president, can declare the president incapable
To be elected president, one must receive
a majority of the electoral vote
confederation
a political system in which states or regional governments retain ultimate authority except for those powers they expressly delegate to a central government; a voluntary association of independent states, in which the member states agree to limit restraints on their freedom of action
majoritarianism
a political theory holding that in a democracy, the government ought to do what the majority of the people want
A constitutional amendment can be ratified by
a positive vote in coventions in 3/4 of the states and a positive vote in the legislatures of 3/4 the states
recall
a procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official from state office before his or her term has expired
initiative
a procedure by which voters can propose a law or a constitutional amendment
public figures
a public official, a public employee who exercises substantial governmental power, or any other person, such as a movie star, known to the public because of his or her position or activities; they have some access to a public medium for answering disparaging falsehoods about themselves; they must prove that the statements were made with actual malice
a procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official from office before his or her term has expired is called
a recall
the type of government the US has is
a representative democracy
democratic republic
a republic in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies
federal mandate
a requirement in federal legislation that forces states and municipalities to comply with certain rules
The doctrine of dual federalism meant
a revival of states' rights and a reduction in national power
executive order
a rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect of law; implemented and give administrative effect to provisions in the U.S. Constitution, treaties, or statutes
The Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 was passed in response to
a ruling by the Hawaii Supreme Court that might have allowed same-sex couples to marry
conservatism
a set of beliefs that includes a limited role for the national government in helping individuals, support for traditional values and lifestyles, and a cautious response to change
liberalism
a set of beliefs that includes the advocacy of positive government action to improve the welfare of individuals, support for civil rights, and tolerance for political and social change
preferred stock
a special share of ownership in a corporation that typically confers no right to vote for the company's board of directors, but does pay interest
order
a state of peace and maintenance of security by protecting members of society from violence and criminal activity (oldest purpose of government)
enabling legislation
a statute enacted by Congress that authorizes the creation of an administrative agency and specifies the name, purpose, composition, functions, and powers of the agency being created
Madisonian model
a structure of government proposed by James Madison in which the powers of the government are separated into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial; no branch had enough power to dominate the others; Congress=pass laws; president=enforce and administer laws; Court=interpret laws in individual circumstances
confederal system
a system consisting of a league of independent states, each having essentially sovereign powers; the central government created by such a league has only limited powers over the states (Ex: US (under Articles of Confederation) and EU)
democracy
a system of government in which political authority is vested in the people (derived from the Greek words "demos"=the people and "kratos"=authority
direct democracy
a system of government in which political decisions are made by the people directly, rather than by their elected representatives; probably attained most easily in small political communities
federal system
a system of government in which power is divided between a central government and regional, or subdivisional, governments; each level must have some domain in which its policies are dominant and some genuine political or constitutional guarantee of its authority
select committee
a temporary legislative committee established for a limited time period and for a special purpose
reverse-income effect
a tendency for wealthier states or regions to favor Democrats and for less wealthy states or regions for less wealthy states or regions to favor the Republicans; the effect appears paradoxical because it reverses traditional patters of support
Which is true of the federal bureaucracy? a) Compared to governmental bureaucracies in other countries, the federal bureaucracy in the US enjoys more autonomy from the top national leadership b) It is restricted more than in most other countries c) The US government owns man enterprises d) Public ownership of telephone companies, airlines, and railroads is much greater in the US than in European countries e) European bureaucracies have bottom-up command structures
a) Compared to governmental bureaucracies in other countries, the federal bureaucracy in the US enjoys more autonomy from the top national leadership
States may enter into agreements with each other if a) Congress is required to consent and does so b) all states in that region approve the compact c) 3/4 of both states' legislative bodies approve d) a majority of the people in each state approves e) all of the above
a) Congress is required to consent and does so
Which powers belong only to the national government? a) International treaties, setting up the postal service, and printing money b) taxing, establishing courts, and international powers c) reserved powers d) regulating public schools, licenses, and divorces e) declaring war and holding elections
a) International treaties, setting up the postal service, and printing money
Which is (are) true? a) One can become president without winning the popular vote b) So far, all of the presidents have had a majority of hte popular vote when elected c) A third candidate for the presidency has never had any impact on the outcome of the election d) the HOR is not capable of making a decision on who will be president e) Both a and b
a) One can become president without winning the popular vote
Which government system is used most in the world today? a) Unitary system b) Confederate system c) Federal system d) Bicameral system e) none of the above
a) Unitary system
Government is a) an institution that has the power to enforce rules b) who gets, what, when, and how c) any club that sets up a platform d) the same in most countries e) all of the above
a) an institution that has the power to enforce rules
The Virgina Plan a) called for a bicameral legislature b) worked to the advantage of small states c) provided for the direct election of a president by the people d) settled all controversy e) both b and d
a) called for a bicameral legislature
The concept of checks and balances allows a) each branch of government to be able to check the actions of others b) the president to veto judicial decisions c) the president to pass laws during a time of crisis d) Congress the power to select justices of the Supreme Court e) both a and c
a) each branch of government to be able to check the actions of others
Categorical grants are a) federal grants o state or local government for specific programs b) emergency grants to states for unforeseen circumstances c) a very recent form of national government support to school districts d) unconstitutional because of separation of powers e) none of the above
a) federal grants o state or local government for specific programs
Consent of the people means a) government and laws derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed b) the people must consent to everything the government does c) government must get consent of the people before it can go to war d) universal suffrage e) only Congress needs to get consent from he people
a) government and laws derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed
Federal mandates a) have requirements in federal legislation that force states to comply with certain rules b) use officials who are assistants to United States District Attorneys c) have judicial officers whose positions were created by legislative action under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution d) are given those powers that the Constitution reserves exclusively for the national government e) are formula grants
a) have requirements in federal legislation that force states to comply with certain rules
an institution can best be defined as
an ongoing organization that performs certain functions for society
The power of the Supreme Court to declare actions of the other branches of government to be unconstitutional is known as a) judicial review b) judicial activism c) legislative ratification d) the supremacy doctrine e) the Madisonian model
a) judicial review
National authority has traditionally been preferred by a) liberals b) conservative c) libertarians d) those who are culturally conservative but economically liberal e) the southern states
a) liberals
All of the following are true of the cases Gibbons v. Odgen, and McCulloch v. Maryland EXCEPT that a) only state governments can regulate commerce b) commerce is defined as all business transactions c) the power to regulate interstate commerce is an exclusive national power d) the national government can use its implied powers to carry out its expressed powers e) it allows the federal government to greatly expand its powers
a) only state governments can regulate commerce
The theory that politics involves conflict among interest groups using bargaining and compromise is known as a) pluralism b) elite theory c) liberalism d) majoritarianism e) libertarianism
a) pluralism
Pluralists see public policy as a) resulting from competing group interactions b) having little relevance to the common person c) the result of elite interaction and debate d) more important than how government is structured and leaders are selected e) a winner-take-all game
a) resulting from competing group interactions
One of the original purposes of government is a) security or order b) liberty or freedom c) promoting equality among citizens d) promoting economic development e) both c and d
a) security or order
Compared to the Articles of Confederation, the federal government under the Constitution is a) stronger b) weaker c) unchanged d0 more like Great Britain's constitution e) little different from the Articles
a) stronger
One of the arguments against federalism is a) that state and local interests can block progress and impede national plans b) the creation of a strong party system c) the rigidity of the national government in confronting change d) that it is difficult for governors to become president e) all of the above
a) that state and local interests can block progress and impede national plans
Totalitarianism as a concept means a) that the government controls all aspects of the political, social, and economic life of a nation b) the condition of having no government and no laws c) the ultimate political authority is vested in the people d) a limited republic where people elect officials to make decisions for them for a specific period of time e) a unified government
a) that the government controls all aspects of the political, social, and economic life of a nation
The controversy that led to the Civil War was a) the dispute over states' rights and national supremacy b) interstate commerce c) the application of the Bill of Rights to the states d) taxation e) he admission of Texas into the union
a) the dispute over states' rights and national supremacy
The clause in the Constitution that grants Congress the power to do whatever is necessary to execute its enumerated or expressed powers is called a) the elastic or necessary and proper clause b) supremacy clause c) concurrent clause d) reserved powers clause e) due process clause
a) the elastic or necessary and proper clause
The concept of political socialization refers to a) the process by which beliefs and values are transmitted to individuals b) direct payments to individuals from the government through Social Security c) individuals who are opposed to the development of a socialistic government d) the gradual development of social programs within our national government e) the government taking over the economic sector of the country
a) the process by which beliefs and values are transmitted to individuals
The concept of universal suffrage refers to a) the right of all adults to vote for a representative in government b) the problems people face in countries that don't have democracy c) the idea that political power should be used to eliminate food shortages throughout the world d) the belief that the whole world will suffer if certain political and economic ideas are allowed to spread e) a state of nature before governments existed
a) the right of all adults to vote for a representative in government
The Anti-Federalists advocated a) the status quo b) a strong central government c) the new Constitution d) an end to slavery e) both b and c
a) the status quo
One of the main actions of the 2nd Continental Congress was a) to establish an army and appoint a commander in chief b) to sign a treaty with Britain prohibiting armed conflict c) to sign a treaty with France to declare war on Britain d) the creation of a unitary government in America e) to bring the remaining seven colonies into the Congress
a) to establish an army and appoint a commander in chief
In the civil War crisis, the Supreme Court a) was drastically reduced in power b) voted exclusively against the civil war c) gained additional power, along with the rest of the national government d) ruled that the initial plan of Congress to reconstruct the South was unconstitutional e) none of the above
a) was drastically reduced in power
institution
an ongoing organization that performs certain functions for society
Which groups are involved in proposing and ratifying amendments to the Constitution? a. The state legislatures, the president, and Congress b. The Senate, the Supreme Court, and the House of Representatives c. Congress, the president, and the people d. The Senate, the House of Representatives, and the state legislatures e. The House of Representatives, the president, and the Senate
a. The state legislatures, the president, and Congress
The Anti-Federalists advocated a. altering the Constitution to include guaranteed personal liberties. b. a strong central government. c. ratifying the new Constitution. d. an end to slavery. e. rule by the aristocracy.
a. altering the Constitution to include guaranteed personal liberties.
gag order
an order issued by a judge restricting the publication of news about a trial or pretrial hearing to protect the accused's right to a fair trial
The concept of checks and balances allows a. each branch of the government to be able to check the actions of the others. b. the president to veto judicial decisions. c. the president to pass laws during a time of crisis. d. Congress to select justices of the Supreme Court. e. the Treasury to print paper currency.
a. each branch of the government to be able to check the actions of the others.
One element of the Mayflower Compact's historical and political significance was that it a. served as a prototype for many similar compacts. b. shunned all previous forms of government. c. did not depend on the consent of the affected individuals. d. established the colony of Massachusetts. e. was a constitution.
a. served as a prototype for many similar compacts.
The Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution
abolished slavery
The Civil War amendments
abolished slavery, sought to guarantee equal rights under state laws, gave the right to vote to African Americans, and defined who was a citizen of the United States
The cabinet departments are directly
accountable to the president
Communications Decency Act (CDA)
act that made it a crime to make available to minors online any "obscene or indecent" message that "depicts or describes in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards, sexually or excretory activities or organs"; Supreme Court held that the act imposed unconstitutional restraints on free speech and was therefore invalid
a complete collapse of order and security is
actually an uncommon event
pork barreling
adding/bargaining to receive benefits for one's state/district
The right to carry a gun in places like school campuses and churches is
addressed by the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution
commercial speech
advertising statements, which increasingly have been given First Amendment protection
The policy in admissions or hiring that gives special consideration to traditionally disadvantaged groups to overcome the present effects of past discrimination is known as
affirmative action
the policy in admissions or hiring that gives special consideration to traditionally disadvantaged groups to overcome the present effects of past discrimination is known as
affirmative action
which of the following did not happen after, or as a result of, the civil rights cases of 1883?
african americans earned equality with whites
All of the following are true of the New Deal except that
after 1937 the S.C. continued to reject New Deal legislation
In 1896, the United States Supreme Court case of Plessy v. Ferguson
agreed that separation of races is not a violation of the Constitution
the congressional union for woman suffrage was founded by
alice paul
The Government in the Sunshine Act required that
all federal agencies run by committees conduct their business regularly in public session
party-in-government
all of the elected and appointed officials who identify with a political party
Civil rights
all rights rooted in the 14th amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law (no discrimination permitted)
the phrase "dont ask dont tell" refers to a policy toward gay men and lesbians
allowing them to serve in the military so long as they did not declare that they were gay or commit homosexual acts
all of the following are true regarding the aftermath of brown v board of education except
almost all schools achieved racial balance within a decade
What is subpoena?
an order to appear/produce documents to the Court or Congress
Sixth Amendment
amendment guaranteeing the right of criminal suspects to a fair trail; the accused have rights
release of a group from legal punishment
amnesty
Pendleton Act (Civil Service Reform Act)
an act that established the principle of employment on the basis of merit and created the Civil Service Commission ot administer the personnel service
government corporation
an agency of government that administers a quasi-business enterprise; these corporations are used when activities are primarily commercial
independent regulatory agency
an agency outside the major executive departments that is charged with making and implementing rules and regulations
interstate compact
an agreement between two or more states; agreements on minor matters are made without congressional consent, but any compact that tends to increase the power of the contracting states relative to other states or relative to the national government generally requires the consent of Congress
intelligent design
an alternative explanation of the origin of life (aside from evolution); proponents of this contend that evolutionary theory has "gaps" that can be explained by the existence of an creative force (God)
capitalism
an economic system characterized by the private ownership of wealth-creating assets, free markets, and freedom of contract
capitalism is
an economic system marked by the private ownership of wealth-creating assets, free markets, and freedom of contract
referendum
an electoral device whereby legislative or constitutional measures are referred by the legislature to the voters for approval or disapproval
a comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and the role of government is called
an ideology
Taxes that the British attempted to impose in the years leading up to the Revolution included all of the following except
an income tax
What is an incumbent?
an individual running for reelection
Anti-Federalist
an individual who opposed the ratification of the new Constitution in 1787; opposed to a strong central government
government can be defined as
an institution within which decisions are made that resolve conflicts
executive agreement
an international agreement between chiefs of state that does not require legislative approval
Institution
an ongoing organization that performs certain functions for society
In 2003, the United States Supreme Court considered two different admissions policies adopted at the University of Michigan and
approved affirmative action plans that took race into consideration as part of a complete examination of the applicant's background
in 2003, the united states supreme court considered two different admissions policies adopted at the university of michigan and
approved affirmative action plans that took race into consideration as part of a complete examination of the applicant's background
Before a treaty can become legally binding, the treaty must be
approved by a 2/3 vote int he Senate
One of the important differences between public bureaucracies and private corporations is that government bureaucracies
are not organized to make a profit, wile private corporations are
According to the Constitution, impeachment charges
are voted on by the HOR and, if approved, go to the Senate for a trial
equality
as a political value, the idea that all people are of equal worth
The 1st Continental Congress
asked the colonies to boycott British trade and raise troops
In a unitary system of government, ultimate government authority is located
at the national or central level
Explain "pork barreling"
attaching an amendment to the bill to aid the constituent's district and viewpoint
A major power that Congress has over the federal bureaucracy is the
authority to extend or limit appropriations
Which of the following is (are) true? a) Arnold Schwarzenegger and many of his supporters are looking forward to his running for president in the next election b) A natural born citizen is one who was born in the United States or to American parents c) Presidential contender John McCain was born in Panama and so wasn't legally able to become president d) Most presidents have been businessmen e) All the above are true
b) A natural born citizen is one who was born in the United States or to American parents
"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal" are the first words of the a) US Constitution b) Declaration of Independence c) Magna Carta d) United Nations Charter e) Bill of Rights
b) Declaration of Independence
Which of the following is true? a) The first cabinet department to be created was Treasury and the most recently created was Education b) The first cabinet department to be created was State and the most recently created was Homeland Security c) The first cabinet department to be created was War and the most recently created was Treasury and the most recently created was Energy d) The first cabinet department to be created was Treasury and the most recently created was Treasury and the most recently created was Health and Human Services e) The first cabinet department to be created was State and the most recently created was Treasury and the most recently created was Veterans Affairs
b) The first cabinet department to be created was State and the most recently created was Homeland Security
The only method used so far to propose an amendment to the Constitution is a) the popular vote of the people b) a 2/3 vote in favor of it by both houses of Congress c) state legislatures or conventions in 3/4 of the states d) a national convention e) a proposal by the president
b) a 2/3 vote in favor of it by both houses of Congress
The doctrine of dual federalism meant a) an increase in the powers of the national government b) a revival of states' rights and a reduction in national power c) continued wartime expansion of the North's powers d) allowing the national government to regulate state actions affecting African Americans e) allowing the state and national governments to interfere in each other's areas of influence
b) a revival of states' rights and a reduction in national power
The term "confederation" or "confederal" refers to a a) system in which most power is with the central government b) a voluntary association in which states have most of the power c) a system in which state and local governments have equal power with the central government d) national legislature e) the southern states where slavery was legal
b) a voluntary association in which states have most of the power
behavior codes
designed to prohibit so-called hate speech--abusive speech attacking persons on the basis of their ethnicity, race, or other criteria
The right to carry a gun in places like school campuses and churches is a) addressed by the 1st Amendment to the Constitution b) addressed by the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution c) addressed by the 5th Amendment to the Constitution d) addressed by the 8th Amendment to the Constitution e) not addressed by the Constitution
b) addressed by the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution
Capitalism is a) a political theory developed by Karly Marx b) an economic system marked by the private ownership of wealthy-creating assets, free markets, and freedom of contract c) incompatible with property rights in wealth-creating assets d) Named for the centralization of economic power in the capitol city e) unpopular in the US
b) an economic system marked by the private ownership of wealthy-creating assets, free markets, and freedom of contract
An agreement between two or more states is a) shared governance b) an interstate compact c) an intrastate treaty d) a cooperative agreement e) unconstitutional
b) an interstate compact
An institution is a) religious organization b) an ongoing organization that performs certain functions for society c) any organization d) a democratic government e) part of an interest group
b) an ongoing organization that performs certain functions for society
Ratification of the Constitution was to occur by a) approval of the thirteen state legislatures b) approval by nine out of thirteen state conventions c) approval of thirteen state legislatures and two-thirds of Congress d) approval by popular vote in nine states e) none of the above
b) approval by nine out of thirteen state conventions
All of the following are true of concurrent powers EXCEPT that they a) are those held by both the national and state governments b) are expressly given to the national government c) include the power to establish courts d) include the power to make laws and punish lawbreakers e) include the power to tax
b) are expressly given to the national government
The section of the Constitution in which Congress is given the authority to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries is called the a) oversight clause b) commerce clause c) supremacy clause d) necessary and proper clause e) interstate compact clause
b) commerce clause
The following statement was probably made by a(n)___. "The government should have no role in providing health care for the country. People should provide their own health care. a) liberal b) conservative c) communist d) socialist e) extreme liberal
b) conservative
______ have traditionally opposed the increasing size and scope of the federal government a) liberals b) conservatives c) libertarians d) southern states e) Individuals who are culturally conservative but economically liberal
b) conservatives
In 1895, the Supreme Court a) was unable to reestablish its legitimacy b) declared the national income tax to be unconstitutional c) ruled that national child labor laws were unconstitutional d) generally agreed that police power was a concurrent power e) upheld the power of Congress to legislate under the commerce clause
b) declared the national income tax to be unconstitutional
Formula grants a) are equivalent to program grants b) dispense funds based on variables such as state population and need c) are a relatively recent development d) are unconstitutional e) a, b, and c
b) dispense funds based on variables such as state population and need
In a federal political system, authority is a) always vested in a bicameral legislature b) divided between the central government and regional or sub-divisional governments c) bestowed upon the central government, with no power being granted to the regional governments d) concentrated in a unicameral legislature within a strong central government e) exercised by the national government only insofar as these powers are granted by the states
b) divided between the central government and regional or sub-divisional governments
The powers that the Constitution specifically lists as belonging to the federal government are a) implied powers b) enumerated or expressed powers c) reserve powers d) concurrent powers e) in the necessary and proper clause
b) enumerated or expressed powers
The concept that all people are of equal worth is called a) popular sovereignty b) equality c) fraternity d) liberty e) liberalism
b) equality
International agreements between the president and other nations that do not require the approval of the Senate are known as a) treaties b) executive agreements c) contracts d) memoranda of understanding e) executive orders
b) executive agreements
To ensure that majority rule does not become oppressive, modern democracies a) limit political participation to individuals who are properly educated b) guarantee the rights of minorities c) both a and b d) apply term limits to elected official e) require two-thirds support of the legislature before a law can be enacted
b) guarantee the rights of minorities
in the US, universal suffrage for all citizens has
developed over time
All of the following are true of libertarians EXCEPT a) libertarians sometimes call themselves "classical liberals" b) libertarians advocate redistribution of income c) libertarians support laissez-faire capitalism d) libertarians oppose most government activities e) libertarians more typically support he Republican party
b) libertarians advocate redistribution of income
The Bill of Rights is an example of the way in which government power is a) dictatorial b) limited c) delegated to the states d) without controls e) always right
b) limited
The Great Compromise a) was advanced by the delegates from Georgia b) proposed a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate c) was presented too late to be considered d) was proposed by Texas e) proposed a unicameral legislature in which each state would have one vote
b) proposed a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate
To ensure that majority rule does not become oppressive, democracies a) limit political participation only to individuals who are educated b) protect minority rights c) require a two-thirds vote of the legislature before a law is passed d) mandate a referendum on all laws passed e) do all of the above
b) protect minority rights
The type of government the US has is a) a direct democracy b) representative democracy c) a confederation d) a constitutional monarch e) an anarchy
b) representative democracy
Which two sets of powers do state governments have? a) enumerated and expressed powers b) reserved and concurrent powers c) direct and inherent powers d) expressed and implied e) none of the above
b) reserved and concurrent powers
To say that authority is legitimate is to a) state the obvious b) say that authority is broadly accepted c) imply that the ruler has not always been perceived as the legal power d) suggest that decisions are of little practical value e) imply that those in power do not have the good of the public in mind when making important decisions
b) say that authority is broadly accepted
A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules is called a a) confederation b) social contract c) syndicate d) constitution e) constitution
b) social contract
The voting age of eighteen was set by a) Congress b) the Constitution c) political parties d) the Supreme Court e) the states
b) the Constitution
Aristocracy means rule by a) the majority b) the best c) highly qualified people d) those who can read and write e) religious leaders
b) the best
The New Jersey Plan called for all of the following EXCEPT a) Congress to elect several people to form an executive office b) the creation of a new and very powerful central government c) the ability of Congress to regulate trade and impose taxes d) acts of Congress to be the supreme law of the land e) the principle of one state, one vote
b) the creation of a new and very powerful central government
In the pluralist view, politics is a) only useful for the wealthy in society b) the struggle among groups to gain benefits for their members c) insignificant at the lower levels of government d) marked by the division of society into 2 great classes e) the major problem in modern society
b) the struggle among groups to gain benefits for their members
Constitutional powers can be classified as a) powers of the national government b) powers of the states c) prohibited powers d) all of the above e) none of the above
d) all of the above
A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules is called a. a confederation. b. a social contract. c. a syndicate. d. a constitution. e. natural law.
b. a social contract.
One of the two formal methods of proposing an amendment to the Constitution is by a. popular vote. b. a two-thirds vote in each chamber of Congress. c. approval of the legislatures in a majority of the states. d. a majority vote in both chambers of Congress, provided the amendment is not vetoed by the president. e. a judicial submission.
b. a two-thirds vote in each chamber of Congress.
The plan known as the Great Compromise a. was advanced by the delegates from Georgia. b. proposed a bicameral legislature. c. was presented too late to be considered. d. was proposed by Texas. e. proposed a unicameral legislature in which each state would have one vote.
b. proposed a bicameral legislature.
The Bill of Rights provided for a. protection of individual liberties at the state level. b. protection of individual liberties at the national level. c. equal protection under the law. d. protection against state infringements on the freedoms of conscience, the press, and jury trial. e. separation of powers.
b. protection of individual liberties at the national level.
Basically, the law is what ______ says it is at any point in time. a. the Senate b. the Supreme Court c. the president d. the press e. the academic community
b. the Supreme Court
the defense of marriage act of 1996
bans federal recognition of lesbian and gay couples
An executive order must
be published in the Federal Register
Since the 1990s, the S.C.'s decisions on federalism have
been establishing limits on the national government's powers under the commerce clause
In the history of the US, no president has ever
been impeached and convicted
In recent years, Hispanics hav
begun to reverse their reputation for being politically inactive or disinterested
African American leader Malcolm X
believed in "black power" and racial separation
the reconstruction statutes, or civil rights acts, ultimately
did little to secure equality for african americans
The monopolistic model of bureaucracy states that
bureaucracies have no competitors and are therefore inefficient
in the context of civil rights, ________ is the transportation of public school students from areas where they live to schools in other areas
busing
In an attempt to achieve integration,
busing students across neighborhoods was ordered by the courts
After the Civil War, civil rights legislation was passed by Congress
but much of it was very ineffective and parts were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court
Which of the following is true? a) to remove the president from office, the Senate must impeach him/her; the HOR must hold a trial and convict him/her? b) There were serious movements to impeach both President Bush and President Obama c) The constitutional standard for removing the president from office is that he/she must be found guilty of "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors" d) The president may also be removed from office by the recall e) Congress could set up the recall for removing the president from office
c) The constitutional standard for removing the president from office is that he/she must be found guilty of "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors"
The first draft of the Declaration of Independence was written by a) John Locke b) John Adams c) Thomas Jefferson d) George Washington e) Benjamin Frankline
c) Thomas Jefferson
If people in state wanted to get a new law or constitutional amendment passed the legislature has not proposed, which form of direct democracy would be the way this could be accomplished: a) Use the recall b) Start a referendum by signing petitions c) Use the initiative that allows the people to propose laws d) Contact their legislators via the Internet e) Go to the governor and complain
c) Use the initiative that allows the people to propose laws
A republic is a) conservative b) a direct democracy c) a government in which sovereign power rests with the people, not a monarch d) a totalitarian state e) a government in which people directly elect the president
c) a government in which sovereign power rests with the people, not a monarch
Liberals endorse all of the following EXCEPT a) civil rights b) improve the welfare of individuals c) a limited role for the government in helping individuals d) government regulation of the economy e) tolerance for political and social change
c) a limited role for the government in helping individuals
A procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official from office before his or her term has expired is called a) a referendum b) direct democracy c) a recall d) an intitiative e) popular sovereignty
c) a recall
A comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and the role of government is called a) a political culture b) a dogma c) an ideology d) the political spectrum e) political science
c) an ideology
The 1st Continental Congress a) was called by the colonies to seek independence from Britain b) called for the abdication of King George III c) asked the colonies to boycott British trade and raise troops d) was ignored by the British e) was only attended by delegates from six colonies
c) asked the colonies to boycott British trade and raise troops
The right to property is all of the following EXCEPT a) widespread in America b) likely to provide power and liberty to those who own it c) compatible wtih economic equality d) fundamental to the capitalist system e) a source of inequality in society
c) compatible with economic equality
The Constitutional Convention in 1787 was brought on by the a) tyranny of the British king b) request of President Washington c) failure of the Articles of Confederation d) publication of the Declaration of Independence e) end of the Revolutionary War
c) failure of the Articles of Confederation
The three-fifths compromise did all of the following EXCEPT a) illustrate the power of the southern states at the convention b) partially apportion the HOR and the Electoral College on the basis of the property c) give African Americans representation that was equal to what free white received d) give more voting power to southern slave owners e) fail to address the slave trade directly
c) give African Americans representation that was equal to what free white received
Communism and fascism both a) champion egalitarianism b) exalt nationalism c) have formed the basis for totalitarian governments d) glorify war e) were widely supported in the United States in the early twentieth century
c) have formed the basis for totalitarian governments
Government a) is the same thing as politics b) is easy to ignore c) is very involved in peoples' daily lives d) rarely affects what people do e) both a and b
c) is very involved in peoples' daily lives
The supremacy doctrine asserts the superiority of a) large states over small states b) non-slave states over slave states c) national law over state law d) natural law over man-made law e) none of the above
c) national law over state law
Legitimacy is a) the condition of having no government b) only applicable to children c) popular acceptance of the right and power of a government or other entity to exercise authority d) only needed in times of emergency e) useful to control immigration
c) popular acceptance of the right and power of a government or other entity to exercise authority
Which of the following IS NOT one of the 4 types of structures within the executive branch? a) Independent regulatory agencies b) cabinet departments c) privatized bureaucracies d) government corporations e) independent executive agencies
c) privatized bureaucracies
The Federalists advocated a) the status quo b) return to the Articles of Confederation c) ratification of the new Constitution d) strong state government system e) both a and b
c) ratification of the new Constitution
The 10th Amendment states that the powers not delegated to the US by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states by it, are a) the sole authority of Congress b) reserved to the central government c) reserved to the states respectively, or to the people d) the sole authority of the executive branch e) subject to judicial review
c) reserved to the states respectively, or to the people
All of the following were compromises in the Constitution EXCEPT that a) there was no ban on the importation of slaves before 1808 b) there were to be no export taxes on goods leaving the US c) slavery was outlawed d) representation in the HOR was based on a state's population e) states were equally represented in the Senate
c) slavery was outlawed
the supreme court's ruling in the civil rights cases of 1883 meant that
discriminatory acts of private citizens were not legal
The Bill of Rights was important for ratification of the Constitution because a) all state constitutions had such rights, and this would have made the US constitution void without a national bill b) such rights were stipulated int he Articles of Confederation c) some states would not have voted to ratify the Constitution without the promise of the Bill of Rights d) none of the above e) all of the above
c) some states would not have voted to ratify the Constitution without the promise of the Bill of Rights
Inherent powers derive from the fact that the US is a a) democratic republic b) confederation formed by state governments c) sovereign power among nations d) federal system e) explicitly entitled by the Constitution to annex new territory
c) sovereign power among nations
The supremacy clause of the Constitution means that a) the original Constitution is superior to any amendment b) the original states have a superior status when dealing with states created after 1789 c) states can't use their reserved or concurrent powers to thwart national policies d) Congress cannot pass legislation that would violate state laws or constitutions e) treaties with foreign governments can't overturn state laws
c) states can't use their reserved or concurrent powers to thwart national policies
Popular sovereignty means a) that the sovereign is popular b) that the sovereign is supported by the people c) that ultimate political authority is based on the will of the people d) only one sovereign can serve at a time e) the sovereign can serve only two terms
c) that ultimate political authority is based on the will of the people
Many basic guarantees of liberty are found in a) the protection of personal property rights b) the broadly defined rights of criminals, including protection from self-incrimination c) the Bill of Rights d) the rights of minorities e) national security
c) the Bill of Rights
The USA is among he few countries that don't tax their exports because a) it doesn't need the money b) it encourages exports c) the South obtained a promise that export taxes would not be imposed d) the World Trade Organization prohibits it from doing so e) the US president vetoed the bill
c) the South obtained a promise that export taxes would not be imposed
Judicial review is a) a method by which the president can check the judiciary b) the process of confirmation of federal judges by Congress c) the ability of the courts to declare acts of the legislative and executive branches of government unconstitutional d) not applicable to actions by state governments e) none of the above
c) the ability of the courts to declare acts of the legislative and executive branches of government unconstitutional
The two most important sources of political socialization are a) the American Socialist Party and the Democratic Party b) the rapid growth of the federal deficit and uncontrolled immigration c) the family and the educational system d) direct payments to individuals from Social Security and 401Ks e) the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution
c) the family and the educational system
Liberty is a) freedom to do whatever you want b) available only in the USA c) the greatest freedom of the individual consistent with the freedom of other individuals d) incompatible with government e) a uniquely American value
c) the greatest freedom of the individual consistent with the freedom of other individuals
All of the following are true of the president as chief executive EXCEPT a) the president uses the appointment power to fill cabinet and subcabinet positions b) the president may remove from office those who are not doing a good job c) the president may remove members of congressional committee that are against his/her policies d) the president must "faithfully execute the laws" e) the president has the federal bureaucracy to assist in carrying out various tasks
c) the president may remove members of congressional committee that are against his/her policies
Which of the following statements about the president's veto power is most accurate? a) The president's veto is final and give him/her complete control over legislation b) Because vetoes are usually overridden, the power has become unimportant c) the threat of a veto gives the president significant influence over Congress and legislation d) the veto has been used by Congress to stop the president from signing legislation e) because vetoes are rarely overridden, the power has become unimportant
c) the threat of a veto gives the president significant influence over Congress and legislation
Informal methods of constitutional change include a) Congress proposing an amendment with a 3/4 majority of both houses b) state governments changing their constitutions to give them supremacy c) the use of judicial review by the courts d) state governments agreeing to hold conventions to amend the Constitution e) all of the above
c) the use of judicial review by the courts
President Obama a) tried to maintain a slow pace in dealing with problems of country during his 1st 100 days in office b) directed the military to send 10,0000 more troops to Iraq c) was faced with a major problem upon taking office (what to do about the US economy d) followed the policies of President Bush in dealing with health care reform e) both a and c
c) was faced with a major problem upon taking office (what to do about the US economy
Harold Lasswell defined politics as a) the allocation of benefits in society b) the way conflict in society is solved c) who gets what, when, and how d) promoting equality among citizens e) non of the above
c) who gets what, when, and how
In a. John Locke June 1776, ______ was already writing drafts of the Declaration of Independence. b. John Adams c. Thomas Jefferson d. George Washington e. Benjamin Franklin
c. Thomas Jefferson
The term confederation refers to a. a system in which most power is with the central government. b. a voluntary association of independent states. c. a system in which state and local governments have equal power with the central government. d. a national legislature. e. the southern states where slavery was legal.
c. a system in which state and local governments have equal power with the central
The Jamestown colonists set a precedent in government by a. allowing the governor to use a line-item veto. b. instituting a direct democracy. c. instituting a representative assembly. d. creating a judicial system. e. writing a constitutional document
c. instituting a representative assembly.
Formula grants
dispense funds based on variables such as state population and need
The supremacy doctrine asserts the priority of a. large states over small states. b. non-slave states over slave states. c. national law over state laws. d. natural law over man-made laws. e. the legislative body over the chief executive.
c. national law over state laws.
The Separatist leaders deemed the Mayflower Compact necessary in order to a. limit the power of women in the colonies. b. impose some form of public authority on the colonists. c. protect the colonists from England. d. protect the colonists from other foreign governments. e. impose religious order on the colonies.
c. protect the colonists from England.
The British government imposed taxes on the colonists to pay for a. the coronation of King George III. b. the establishment of more colonies. c. the costs of defending the colonists during the French and Indian War. d. the purchase of Canada (Quebec) from the French. e. the Revolutionary War.
c. the costs of defending the colonists during the French and Indian War.
Labor Agriculture, and Interior are examples of
cabinet departments
The Virginia Plan
called for a bicameral legislature
A pocket veto
can only be used when Congress adjourns or the session within 10 days of the bill being submitted to the president
A federal grant for a specific project or program is called a
categorical grant
a nonviolent, public refusal to obey allegedly unjust laws is called
civil disobedience
those personal freedoms, including freedom of religion and speech, that are protected for all individuals in a society are called
civil liberties
All of the following are true except that
civil liberties and civil rights are the same thing
all of the following are true except that
civil liberties and civil rights are the same thing
The section of the Constitution in which Congress is given authority to regulate trade among states and foreign countries is called the
commerce clause
the right to property is all of the following except
compatible with economic equality
Hillary Clinton recently had __________ (medical injury)
concussion (blood clot in her head)
the following statement was probably made by a _____ "the government should have no role in providing health care for the country. It would be best to provide a tax rate cut to stimulate businesses to provide more people with health care insurance"
conservative
In regard to federalism a) conflicts between states and the federal government still are continuing b) expansion of national authority has typically been an engine of social change c) often stats' rights has been used to support the status quo d) all of the above e) none of the above
d) all of the above
The federal bureaucracy
consists of approximately 2.8 million employees
The Supreme Court's opinion in Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena means that an affirmative action must do all of the following except
continue for a period of at least ten years
something that is secret
covert
Which of the following in NOT correct under the concept of separation of powers? a) the president executes and carries out the law b) the Supreme Curt uses judicial review c) the legislative branch's job is lawmaking d) Congress has the right to interpret law e) non of the above is correct
d) Congress has the right to interpret law
Which of the following is (are) true? a) Fewer people are killed each year in automobile accidents than were killed in the terrorist attacks in 2001 b) Federal government agencies are the best positioned to see and respond to terrorist activities c) Ordinary people have not been effective in preventing terrorist activities d) In response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, billions have been spent to create a bureaucracy designed to protect Americans e) Other than terrorism, there are few threats to the lives of Americans
d) In response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, billions have been spent to create a bureaucracy designed to protect Americans
Which action(s) is (are) part of the president's role a s commander in chief? a) President Clinton meeting with heads of other countries b) President Reagan signing a law allowing hte US to gvie aid t Egypt c) President Ford pardoning President Nixon for his involvement in Watergate d) President Bush ordering the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan e) All are part of the president's role as commander in chief
d) President Bush ordering the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan
Which of the following is true? a) President Bush enjoyed high popularity ratings throughout his presidency b) President Obama's approval numbers have always been lower than President Bush's c) President Obama never received support of Republicans d) President Bush was extremely unpopular by the time he left office e) None are true
d) President Bush was extremely unpopular by the time he left office
Which of the following is true? a) The president of the US is prohibited from engaging in fund-raising activities by Article II of the Constitution b) By the 19902 and early 21st century, presidents were no longer willing to lower themselves to "begging for money" and limited their fund raising c) Most presidents rely on others to raise money for them because it is not part of the role of the president to raise money d) President Obama has had spectacular success in raising funds e) Congress has enacted legislation prohibiting a sitting president from engaging in fundraising activities
d) President Obama has had spectacular success in raising funds
Which groups are involved in proposing and ratifying amendments to the Constitution a) states, president, and Congress b) Senate, Supreme Court, and HOR c) Congress, president, and people d) Senate, HOR, and states e) HOR, president, and Senate
d) Senate, HOR, and states
Which of the following is not a defense of federalism? a) Political experimentation can be used to see if policies are workable b) The government is in closer contact with the people because of the role given to state governments c) It allows for differences among the regions of the country d) The national government has all the power so states play a small role e) it is a better system or the US than a unitary system because of the size of the US
d) The national government has all the power so states play a small role
Which of the following was not true of the Articles of Confederation? a) Congress was a unicameral body b) The national government did not have an executive branch c) The states retained most of the power d) The president was chosen by Congress e) There was no system of national courts
d) The president was chosen by Congress
A referendum takes place when a) Congress rejects a law passed by a state legislature b) the US Supreme Court reviews laws passed by Congress and state legislatures to determine if the laws violate the US Constitution c) the president refers his or her budget plan to the Congress before the start of a fiscal year d) a state legislature refers an act of legislation to the voters for approval or disapproval e) voters choose the candidates that will represent their political party
d) a state legislature refers an act of legislation to the voters for approval or disapproval
All fo the following are true of the New Deal EXCEPT that a) new federal laws regulating economic activity were introduced b) new federal laws were struck down by the Supreme Court because they regulated intrastate commerce, not interstate commerce c) the Supreme Court's action caused Roosevelt to propose legislation that would allow him to choose more justices for the Court d) after 1937 the Supreme Court continued to reject New Deal legislation e) the commerce clause became an important tool for justifying the regulating of economics of the country
d) after 1937 the Supreme Court continued to reject New Deal legislation
A poll tax was used to
dissuade African Americans from voting
In the United States v. Lopes (1995), the Supreme Court a) held that Congress exceeded its constitutional authority b) said the act attempted to regulate an area that had nothing to do with commerce c) placed a limit on national government authority under the commerce clause d) all of the above e) none of the above
d) all of the above
The Supreme Court a) has been sending mixed signals in federalism cases b) has changed some of its previous rulings about state and federal powers c) has supported both the federal government and states in different rulings d) all of the above e) none of the above
d) all of the above
The United States Supreme Court a) has the final say on constitutional issues b) plays a significant role in determining the line between federal and state powers c) has given increased emphasis to state powers under the 10th Amendment d) all of the above e) none of the above
d) all of the above
All are true of federal grants EXCEPT that they a) increased significantly during the 20th century b) have been used for education, pollution, and highway construction c) have quadrupled in the amount of dollars given by the national government d) are given by the states for national projects e) have given the national government a much greater role in state government
d) are given by the states for national projects
In a unitary system of government, ultimate government authority is located a) at the state or provincial level b) at the local or municipal level c) at the regional level d) at the national or central level e) both a and b
d) at the national or central level
All of the following are fundamental values of American political culture EXCEPT a) liberty b) property c) equality d) authority e) security
d) authority
A federal grant that funds a general functional area with fewer restrictions on the states is a a) matching grant b) program grant c) federal mandate d) block grant e) waiver
d) block grant
Presidential candidates have asked individuals to join the ticket as vice presidential candidates for all of the following reasons EXCEPT to a) balance the ticket by religion or political philosophy b) serve as president if the president dies c) reinforce one of the presidential candidate's strong points d) campaign for the presidential candidate e) serve as a co-president
d) campaign for the presidential candidate
In dictatorial governments a) freedom of speech is usually allowed b) the leaders may be voted out of office c) the right to a fair trial is considered a fundamental right d) citizens may be abused by the government e) all of the above
d) citizens may be abused by the government
Powers held jointly by the national and state governments are called a) cooperative powers b) statutory powers c) reserved powers d) concurrent powers e) inherent powers
d) concurrent powers
In Afghanistan the a) Taliban were voted into office by the people b) Afghan government gained complete control over the country c) government has provided personal security for its citizens d) government has survived because of the aid given by the U.S. and other allies e) issue of corruption has finally been controlled by the government
d) government has survived because of the aid given by the U.S. and other allies
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 a) gave the states more control of their schools b) established a school voucher system c) increased the local school boards' freedom in evaluating student achievement d) increased federal control over education and educational learning e) was enacted by Congress under Democratic President Bill Clinton
d) increased federal control over education and educational learning
All of the following are true of a confederation or confederation or confederate political system, EXCEPT that a) a confederate system or confederation is opposite that of a unitary system b) this was the form of government used in the U.S> under the Articles of Confederation c) the central government has only those powers d) it is the form of government used in the US today e) states have most of the power than the central government
d) it is the form of government used in the US today
All fo the following are true of the President's cabinet EXCEPT a) they are usually members of the president's political party b) they usually have some experience in the area of the cabinet position c) they are heads of executive departments d) it is thoroughly detaileld in the Constitution as to what the cabinet should do e) the cabinet is an advisory group selected by the president to aid in making decisions
d) it is thoroughly detaileld in the Constitution as to what the cabinet should do
Under the supremacy clause of the Constitution a) state laws can't conflict with city ordinances b) federal laws can't conflict with state laws c) state and local laws are superior to the state's constitution d) local, sate, and federal laws can't conflict with the Constitution e) none of the above
d) local, sate, and federal laws can't conflict with the Constitution
States may not a) liscence marriages b) pass laws regulating contracts c) make laws on divorce d) make treaties with foreign nations e) impose taxes on income
d) make treaties with foreign nations
All of the following examples of the president acting as head of state EXCEPT a) throwing out the 1st baseball of the season b) decorating war heroes c) representing the national at times of national mourning or loss d) making decisions about where to send troops e) making phone calls to astronauts
d) making decisions about where to send troops
Betty Friedan's The Feminie Mystique
described the unequal status of women in the United States
A majority vote means the support of a) two-thirds of the voters b) more voters than any other alternative c) three-fifths of the voters d) more than 50% of the voters e) the voters form the major ethnic group
d) more than 50% of the voters
Ways in which Americans can exercise political influence include all of the following EXCEPT: a) joining a political organization b) voting c) donating to a political campaign d) not paying attention to elections e) staging a protest
d) not paying attention to elections
A political culture is a a) written set of codes that dictate political action b) club that attempts to influence government decisions c) major problem for rulers of stable forms of government d) patterned set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking about government and politics e) manifestation of pluralism
d) patterned set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking about government and politics
Today, states have lotteries, which are often justified as ways to raise funds for a) public health b) public construction projects c) public safety d) public education e) children's health care
d) public education
Conservative endorse all of the following EXCEPT a) a limited role for the national government in helping individuals b) government action to support traditional values c) patriotism d) redistribution of income e) the belief that the individual is responsible for his or her won well-being
d) redistribution of income
A colonists' fury over taxation climaxed in a) the French and Indian War b) the First Continental Congress c) the appointment of the USA president d) the Boston Tea Party e) none of the above
d) the Boston Tea Party
The 2007 case Massachusetts v. EPA resulted in the Supreme Court ruling that a) greenhouse gases should be monitored by local agencies b) since the EPA was formed prior to any knowledge of global warming, concern for carbon dioxide levels is not within the EPA's responsibilities c) Massachusetts air quality is not the concern of the federal government d) the EPA has the authority and responsibility to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases e) the poor quality of air in Massachusetts is the due to the use of coal in Boston factories
d) the EPA has the authority and responsibility to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases
The group that actually elects the president of the United States is called a) the Presidential Election Commission b) the Congressional Election Forum c) the Association of State Legislatures d) the Electoral College e) the Electorate at large
d) the Electoral College
All of the following are true of emergency powers EXCEPT that a) they have allowed presidents to exercise their powers during times of crisis, particularly in foreign affairs b) they were used by President Truman when he authorized the seizure of steel plants during the Korean War c) the Supreme Court ruled against President Truman's use of the emergency powers when he seized the steel plants during the Korean War d) the Supreme Court upheld Truman's seizing of the steel plants in the Korean War e) emergency powers were used by Lincoln during the Civil War
d) the Supreme Court upheld Truman's seizing of the steel plants in the Korean War
All of the following are true in the case of Gibbons v. Odgen EXCEPT that a) commerce was defined as all commercial intercourse, all business dealings b) it allowed increasing national authority over economic affairs c) it was decided that the power to regulate interstate commerce was an exclusive national power d) the commerce clause did not allow the national government to exercise its power in state jurisdictions e) the national government had the right to set up a national bank
d) the commerce clause did not allow the national government to exercise its power in state jurisdictions
In a representative democracy with free elections a) even a dictator can be elected b) citizens govern directly c) the people govern co-equality with elected officials d) the elected officials must descriptively "represent" the people e) none of these
d) the elected officials must descriptively "represent" the people
Thomas Pain's pamphlet "Common Sense" advocated a) the formation of a new government that would still be loyal to the king b) establishment of a government that would limit further immigration c) an end of hostilities toward Britain d) the idea that a government of our own is our natural right e) the repeal of all taxes including those the colonists had imposed on themselves
d) the idea that a government of our own is our natural right
The most important feature of Athenian democracy was that a) everyone could vote b) elected delegates made the important decisions c) it was an aristocracy d) the legislature was composed of all the citizens e) none of the above
d) the legislature was composed of all the citizens
The inalienable rights stipulated in the Declaration of Independence included the right a) of free speech and free press b) to freely associate and assemble c) to life liberty, and the pursuit of happiness d) to privacy from governmental intervention e) to freedom of religion
d) to privacy from governmental intervention
Which of the following best describes the people who have been elected president? a) older and from western states b) primarily Catholics and Jews c) military commanders from the South d) white, male Protestants e) California natives
d) white, male Protestants
The separation of government powers into three branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) is sometimes called the a. Compromise model. b. American model. c. Washingtonian model. d. Madisonian model. e. Jeffersonian model.
d. Madisonian model.
Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense argued that a. a new government should be formed that would still be loyal to the king. b. a government should be established that would limit further immigration. c. it is unwise and unsafe to form a constitution of our own. d. a government of our own is our natural right. e. taxation is an immoral act.
d. a government of our own is our natural right.
A majority if the delegates at the constitutional convention were a. unaware that there were problems with the Articles of Confederation. b. against a strong central government. c. nationalists in favor of instituting a monarchy. d. moderates in favor of keeping the Articles of Confederation with very few changes. e. nationalists in favor of a stronger central government.
d. moderates in favor of keeping the Articles of Confederation with very few changes.
Rights held to be inherent in natural law, not dependent on governments, are called a. constitutional rights. b. social benefits. c. implied rights. d. natural rights. e. enumerated rights.
d. natural rights.
The group that officially elects the president of the United States is called a. the Presidential Election Commission. b. the Congressional Election Forum. c. the Association of State Legislatures. d. the Electoral College. e. the Electorate at Large.
d. the Electoral College.
The unalienable rights stipulated in the Declaration of Independence included the right a. of free speech and a free press. b. to freely associate and assemble. c. to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. d. to life, liberty, and property. e. to freedom of religion.
d. to life, liberty, and property.
existing "in fact" rather than officially or legally
de facto
In the 2003 decision of Lawrence v. Texas, the United States Supreme Court
declared laws against sodomy between consenting adults in private to be unconstitutional
In 1895, the Supreme Court
declared the national income tax to be unconstitutional
The Americans Disabilities Act
does not apply to carpal tunnel syndrome
Which of the following is (are) true of political appointees? a) The president makes political appointments to most of the top jobs in the federal bureaucracy b) Ambassadors to foreign countries are political appointees c) Presidential administrations require potential appointees to undergo a detailed screening process d) The process of getting appointees confirmed by the Senate may take several months e) All of the above are true
e) All of the above are true
The U.S. agencies and corporations that have been proposed to be private include all of the following EXCEPT the a) Tennessee Valley Authority b) National Mediation Board c) Smithsonian Institution d) US. Weather Service e) Central Intelligence Agency
e) Central Intelligence Agency
Which of the following statements is true? a) Profits from government corporations are distributed as dividends b) Government corporations must pay taxes c) Government corporations do not employ many people d) You can invest in both a private corporation as well as a government corporation e) Government corporations do not have any stockholders
e) Government corporations do not have any stockholders
The Supreme Court ceased to interfere with national legislation on the economy after a) Congress threatened to impeach 2 of the most conservative justices b) the death of Chief Justice Charles E. Hughes c) both a and b d) Roosevelt named 6 new justices to the Court e) Roosevelt tried but failed to expand the Court by adding 6 new justices
e) Roosevelt tried but failed to expand the Court by adding 6 new justices
The initiative is a) a way to remove a public official from office before to the end of his or her elected term b) a procedure used in Congress to prevent the passage of a bill by taking it to death c) provided for in the Bill of Rights d) a constitutional mechanism that is unique to California e) a procedure whereby voters can propose a law or amendment within a state
e) a procedure whereby voters can propose a law or amendment within a state
American society is unsuitable for direct democracy on a national basis because of a) the size and complexity of the society b) the low turnout in most elections c) the level of information the public has on most issues d) the complexity of most issues that come before Congress e) all of the above
e) all of the above
If voters were able to vote on national legislation a) they might not fully realize what the content of the legislation is b) few voters would be able to assess the trade-offs that are involved c) voters might authorize new spending that would impact on the national debt d) few voters would fully explore the consequences of their voting decisions e) all of the above
e) all of the above
The Civil War amendments a) abolished slavery b) sought to guarantee equal rights under state laws c) gave the right to vote to African Americans d) defined who was a citizen of the US e) all the above
e) all the above
Which of the following was a weakness of the Articles of Confederation? a) Congress lacked the power to collect taxes directly from the people b) there was no executive branch c) Congress lacked the power to coin money d) each state had one vote regardless of size e) all the above
e) all the above
Taxes that the British attempted to impose in the years leading up to the Revolution included all of the following EXCEPT a) the Sugar Act, which imposed a tax on sugar b) the Stamp Act, which taxed, among other things, legal documents c) duties on glass, lead, and paint d) a tax on ta e) an income tax
e) an income tax
Results of the Civil War included all of the following EXCEPT a) the defeate of teh South permanently ended the idea that a state could claim the right to secede b) an increase in political power of the national government c) thousands of people hired to deal with social and economic problems that had to be handled in the aftermath of the war d) new amendments to the Constitution e) an increase in the South's desire for states' rights
e) an increase in the South's desire for states' rights
The Constitution that was to be ratified established the following fundamental principles EXCEPT a) popular sovereignty, or control by the people b) a republican government in which the people choose representatives to make decisions for them c) limited government with written laws d) a federal system that allows for states' rights, because the states feared too much centralized control e) presidential infallibility
e) presidential infallibility
Judicial review is
the ability of the courts to declare acts of the legislative and executive branches of government unconstitutional
Since the 1990s, the Supreme Court's decisions on federalism have a) continued the precedents established by John Marshal in McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Odgen b) provided a broad interpretation of the commerce clause that justifies extensive national involvement in many areas c) allowed the federal government to involve itself in areas that are primarily local in character d) shown a willingness to allow the federal government to extend its power when it deals with sensitive areas such as gun control and violence against women e) been establishing limits on the national government's powers under the commerce clause
e) been establishing limits on the national government's powers under the commerce clause
A constitutional amendment can be proposed by a) National convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the state legislatures b) a 2/3 vote in each chamber of Congress c) the legislatures in 2/3 the states d) majority vote in both chambers of Congress, provided the amendment is not vetoed by the president e) both a and b
e) both a and b
A constitutional amendment can be ratified by a) a positive vote in conventions in 3/4 of the states b) a positive vote in the legislatures of 3/4 of the states c) a 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress d) the legislatures in 2/3 of the states e) both a and b
e) both a and b
According to "Federalist #51" it is important to guard the society against the oppression of a) the rulers b) the majority c) foreign nations d) the wealthy classes e) both a and b
e) both a and b
Politics is a) a process that resolves conflict within a society b) a struggle over power or influence within organizations or informal groups c) a type of anti-social behavior by individuals d) fundamentally irrelevant e) both a and b
e) both a and b
South Carolina tried to nullify a tariff to a) assert the power of the state governments over the national government b) indicate that a state should have the ultimate authority over its citizens c) protect slavery d) say that a tariff is a bad thing e) both a and b
e) both a and b
Versions of elite theory suggest that a) elites rely on the input from interest groups within society b) a small elite class makes most of the important decisions c) voters choose among competing elites d) children who are not part of the elite class can never enter it e) both b and c
e) both b and c
The Bill of Rights provided for a) the protection of individual liberties from state governments b) the protection of individual liberties from the national government c) equal protection under the law d) protect protection against state infringements on the freedoms of conscience, the press and jury trial e) both b and d
e) both b and d
Governments have authority a) when they are first organized b) as long as they have popular legitimacy c) because they control the army and police d) because people accept the government's right to establish rules and laws e) both c and d
e) both c and d
In the US, universal suffrage for all citizens has a) always been part of our election process b) never been that important c) developed over time d) changed so that today most citizens can vote e) both c and d
e) both c and d
A federal grant for a specific project or program is called a a) project grant b) block grant c) community action grant d) basic grant e) categorical grant
e) categorical grant
Elite theory a) implies that the president must come from the party that holds the majority in Congress b) emphasizes governmental control over economic policy, but not social institutions c) is viewed by political scientists as a theory that works well as a description of both how democracies should function and how democracies actually do function d) indicates that a single ruler controls all aspects of the government but not economic and social institutions e) is the perspective that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-itnerest
e) is the perspective that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-itnerest
All of the following are principles of democratic governments EXCEPT: a) universal suffrage b) majority rule and protection of minority rights c) free, competitive elections d) limited government e) limiting the right to vote
e) limiting the right to vote
Unlike liberals or conservatives, socialists advocate a) civil liberties b) economic liberty c) capitalism d) property rights e) ownership of businesses by the government or by cooperatives
e) ownership of businesses by the government or by cooperatives
Betty Friedan's The feminine mystique
focused national attention on the unequal status of women in american life
ratification
formal approval
In their dealings with each other, each state is required to do all of the following EXCEPT a) give full faith and credit to other states' other states' official acts b) extend to citizens of other states the privileges and immunities of its own citizens c) return persons fleeing from justice back to the state requests them d) not set itself apart from the other states e) refrain from making agreements that don't include all fifty states
e) refrain from making agreements that don't include all fifty states
All of the following are true about the case of McCulloch v. Maryland EXCEPT that a) the case dealt with the issue of implied powers of the federal government b) one issue was whether the federal government could create a national bank c) the decision allowed the federal to grow and expand d) the decision upheld the right of the federal government to use the necessary and proper clause e) the Supreme Court ruled the national government could only use its express powers
e) the Supreme Court ruled the national government could only use its express powers
In the early years, most of the disputes over the boundaries of national versus state power involved a) different interpretations of the inherent powers of the national government b) the role of the national government in mediating disputes between the states c) the ability of the states to enter into international treaties d) the enforcement of the Bill of Rights e) the necessary and proper clause and the powers of the national government to regulate interstate commerce
e) the necessary and proper clause and the powers of the national government to regulate interstate commerce
At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, a) delegates talked openly with other people to let them know what was happening at the convention b) most delegates represented the poor farmers and the tradesmen c) there were few important leaders of the country in attendance d) all the states were represented e) there were different views among the delegates about the powers that should be given to the national government
e) there were different views among the delegates about the powers that should be given to the national government
The concept of separation of powers was included in the Constitution to prevent a) disputes between the federal and state governments b) the imposition of export taxes c) a major dispute over power between the House and the Senate d) disputes over power between Congress and the president e) tyranny either of the majority or the minority
e) tyranny either of the majority or the minority
An executive agreement is a. any law which deals with the administration of the federal bureaucracy. b. a legally binding agreement between the president and the electorate. c. an unwritten agreement between the president and Congress. d. an informal agreement between the president and a foreign head of state. e. a legally binding agreement between the president and a foreign head of state.
e. a legally binding agreement between the president and a foreign head of state.
Barney Frank
former U.S. Representative from Massachussetts
medium of discussion of presidential messages
forum
Probably the most fundamental weakness of the Articles of Confederation, and the most basic cause of their eventual replacement by the Constitution, was the a. absence of an executive committee. b. lack of provision for a president of the United States. c. one-vote-per-state system. d. lack of ability to conduct foreign policy. e. lack of power to raise funds for the militia.
e. lack of power to raise funds for the militia.
The concept of checks and balances allows
each branch of the gov. to be able to check the actions of others
in 2008, the US faced the worst _________ crisis in 80 years
economic
actual malice
either knowledge of a defamatory statement's falsity or a reckless disregard for the truth
When no presidential candidate receives a majority of the electoral vote, the
election is decided in the HOR
many observers consider the _______ to be the beginning of the feminist movement
founding of the national organization for women (NOW)
As chief executive, the president is constitutionally bound to
enforce laws, treaties, and court orders
The president, in the capacity as head of state, is responsible fore
engaging in activities that are largely symbolic or ceremonial in nature
enacted in 1963, the ________ requires employers to provide equal pay for substantially equal work
equal pay act
the concept that all people are of equal worth is called
equality
The Pendleton Act
established the principle of employment on the basis of open competitive examination
How often do we take a census?
every 10 years
a poll tax was used to
exclude poor african americans as well as poor whites from voting
Which part of the federal government employs most of the government's staff?
executive branch
presidential decree that has the force of law
executive order
In U.S. vs. Nixon, the Supreme Court ruled that
executive privilege would not protect Richard Nixon's attempt to withhold tapes of White House conversations
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan
explored important question regarding libelous statements made about public officials; the Supreme Court held that only when a statement against a public official was made with actual malice
symbolic speech
expression made through articles of clothing, gestures, movements, and other forms of nonverbal conduct; given substantial protection by the courts
Democrats
favored personal liberty and opportunity for the "common man" (white man)
regarding direct democracy, James Madison and other politicians of his time
feared it would deteriorate into mob rule
Independent executive agencies are
federal agencies that are not part of cabinet departments, but that report directly tot he president
Categorical grants are
federal grants to states or local governments for specific programs
categorical grants
federal grants to states or local governments that are for specific programs and projects
block grants
federal programs that provide funds to state and local governments for broad functional areas, such as criminal justice or mental-health programs
immigrants who are not yet citizens possess
fewer civil rights than any other identifiable group in the US
What was the delaying tactic in the Senate towards the end of December 2012?
filibuster
What is the delaying tactic in the Senate the we discussed
filibustering
Amtrak, the US Postal Service, and the Tennessee Valley Authority are examples of
government corporations
a limited government is one in which
government powers are limited, either through a written document, or through widely shared beliefs
consent of the people means
governments and laws derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed
The phrase "don't ask, don't tell" refers to a policy toward gay men and lesbians
granting limited protection to members of the military
interest groups
groups that don't want to operate the government, and they do not put forth political candidates, even though they support candidates who will promote their interests if elected or reelected
All of the following are true of the Supreme Court rules before the Civil War except that they
had little impact on the issue of slavery
The S.C.
has been sending mixed signals in federalism cases, has changed some of its previous rulings about state and federal powers, and has supported both the federal government and states in different rulings
The Civil Rights Movement
has benefited many different minority groups
the U.S. Supreme Court
has final say on constitutional issues, plays a significant role in determining the line between federal and state powers, has given increased emphasis to states power under the 10th Amendment
List two ways that lobbyists influence lawmakers?
have money know information (about a bill) are persuasive & persistent
Federal mandates
have requirements in federal legislation that force states to comply with certain rules
which of the following best describes president obama's original stanf on gay men and lesbians in the military
he promised to repeal the "dont ask dont tell" policy
The members of he cabinet include
heads of the fifteen executive departments plus other top officials chosen by the president
Witnesses usually offer testimony in a committee ______ regarding a specific bill
hearing
In U.S. v. Lopez (1995), the S.C.
held that Congress exceeded its constitutional authority, said the act act attempted to regulate an area that had nothing to do with commerce, and placed a limit on national government authority under the commerce clause
in the 2003 decision of lawrence v texas, the united states supreme court
held that laws against sodomy violate the due process clause of the fourteenth amendment
_____ occurs when an employee is subjected to sexual conduct or comments that interefere with the employee's job performance
hostile-environment harassment
A bipartisan group of Senators have proposed comprehensive _______ reform
immigration
A bipartisan group of senators have proposed comprehensive ___________ reform
immigration
What is the term for "powers not specified in the Constitution?"
implied powers
The modern movement for the rights of gay men and lesbians began
in 1969, following a riot that broke otu when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a New York gay bar
the modern movement for gay and lesbian rights began
in 1969, following the stonewall inn incident
line organization
in the federal government, an administrative unit that is directly accountable to the president
Civil rights
include women's rights, resulted in legislation that secured basic rights for all Americans, have not always been accorded to certain groups such as Native Americans, African Americans, women, and older Americans, and are concerned with protecting groups from discrimination
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
increased federal control over education and educational funding
The CIA, EPA, and NASA are examples of
independent executive agencies
The Federal Reserve, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the National Labor Relations Board are all examples of
independent regulatory agencies
The Jamestown colonists set a political precedent by
instituting a representative assembly
Iron triangles are made up of
interest groups, legislators, and members of the bureaucracy working to promote and protect their mutual interests
In the 1996 decision of Romer v. Evans, the Supreme Court
invalidated a Colorado law that denied homosexuals the right to seek specific protection of the law
The National Security Council is a link between
key foreign and military advisors and the president
today, most immigrants to the United States come from
latin america and asia
sunset legislation
laws requiring that existing programs be reviewed regularly for their effectiveness and be terminated unless specifically extended as a result of these reviews
Presidential popularity
is an important resource for presidents to use to persuade Congress to pass legislation
A practice, policy, or procedure that denis equality of treatment to an individual or to a group because of gender
is gender discrimination
a practice, policy, or procedure that denies equality of treatment to an individual or to a group because of gender
is gender discrimination
The state of the Union message
is required by the Constitution and gives a broad view of what the president wishes the legislature to accomplish during the session.
Diplomatic recognition
is the power of the president to recognize or not recognize foreign governments
All of the following are true of the 1964 and 1968 Civil Rights Acts except that
it allowed state government to control school integration
On the issue of sexual harassment, the Supreme Court has ruled that
it is considered sexual harassment when words or actions of a sexual nature interfere with the employee's work or create a "hostile environment"
which of the following statements concerning the Civil Rights Act of 1866 is false?
it was quickly vetoed by president andrew jackson
US laws that required separate drinking fountains, separate seats in theaters, and separate waiting rooms for the two races were known as
jim crow laws
All of the following are true of women in the work place except that
jobs that are traditionally held by women pay more than those traditionally held by men
all of the following are true of libertarians except
libertarians advocate redistribution of income
The Bill of Rights is an example of the way in which government power is
limited
all of the following are principles of democratic governments except
limited right to vote
the power to accept or reject only parts of a congressional bill
line-item veto
The tests commonly administered as a precondition for voting were called
literacy tests
the tests commonly administered as a precondition for voting were called
literacy tests
theocracy
literally ruled by God of the gods; in practice, rule by religious leaders, typically self-appointed (Ex: Ayatollah Komeini (Muslim Shia)
under the supremacy clause of the Constitution
local, state and federal laws cannot conflict with the Constitution
an attempt to maintain white supremacy included
lynching
one of the original purposes of government is
maintaining security or order
the heart of ______ theory is the proposition that in a democracy, the government ought to do what the majority of the people want
majoritarian
States may not
make treaties with foreign nations
In the recent economic recession,
male unemployment was higher than that for women
expressed will of the people
mandate
A subcommittee may "__________" a bill, that is, make changes and amendments prior to recommending the bill tot he full committee.
markup
The initiative and the referendum are both
modern adaptations of direct democracy
a majority vote means the support of
more than 50 percent of the voters
majority
more than 50%
With regard to child custody and visitation rights,
most states do not deny custody soley on the basis of sexual orientation
the supreme court's opinion in adarant constructors inc v pena means that once an affirmative action program has succeeded in achieving the purpose it was tailored to meet, the program
must be changed or dropped
If the president uses a veto, he or she
must return the bill to Congress with a veto message
The supremacy doctrine asserts the superiority of
national law over state law
Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution defines the formal requirements for the office of president. The president must be: a _________-born citizen of the US, at least _____ years old, and a resident of the US for at least _____ years
natural; 35; 14
As chief diplomat, the president
negotiates treaties, recognizes foreign governments, and makes executive agreements
according to the thirteenth amendment
neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist within the united states
The civil rights movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was based on the philosophy of
nonviolent civil disobediance
in his leadership of the civil rights movement, Dr. MLK jr advocated
nonviolent civil disobedience
The Equal Rights Amendment was
not ratified by the necessary thirty-eight states
the equal rights amendment was
not ratified by the necessary thirty-eight states
What is "cloture"?
occurs in Senate; killing a debate on a bill (16 Senators have to vote against the bill; 60 votes needed to end bill); Senators can use filibuster to hinder further progress of a bill
Executive privilege involves
the ability of the president and executive branch officials to withhold certain information from Congress and the courts
The law has given children certain defenses against ciminal prosecution because
of their presumed inability to have criminal intent
cabinet department
one of the 15 major departments of the executive branch
Democratic Party
one of the two major American political parties evolving out of the Republican Party of Thomas Jefferson; supporters of Andrew Jackson
Republican Party
one of the two major American political parties; emerged in the 1850s as an antislavery party and consisted of former northern Whigs and antislavery Democrats
the brown decision applied to
only public schools
Authoritarianism differs from totalitarianism in that
only the government itself is fully controlled by the ruler
conservatives generally place a high value on the principle of
order
one major provision of the voting rights act of 1965 was that it
outlawed discriminatory voter-registration tests
Unlike liberals of conservatives, socialists advocate
ownership of businesses by the government or by cooperatives
establishment clause
part of the 1st amendment prohibiting the establishment of a church officially supported by the national government; applied to questions of the legality of giving state and local government aid to religious organizations and schools, allowing or requiring school prayers, teaching evolution versus intelligent design, placing religious displays in schools or public places, and discriminating against religious groups in publicly operated institutions
Federalists
party including John Adams; represented commercial interests such as merchants and large planters; supported a strong national government
Republicans (Jeffersonian Republicans)
party led by Thomas Jefferson; represented artisans and farmers; strongly supported states' rights; different from Abraham Lincoln's party
"out" party
party that does not control the government
Rewarding faithful party workers with government employment is called
patronage
a political culture is a
patterned set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking about government and politics
Taxes were imposed on the colonists to
pay for the cost of Britain's defense of the colonies during the French and Indian War
era of personal politics
period between 1817-1852, where political competition occurred among individual Republican aspirants
partial birth abortion
physicians call intact dilation and extraction; a procedure that can be used during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy
legitimacy in a government is
popular acceptance of the right and power of a government or other entity to exercise authority
legitimacy
popular acceptance of the right and power of government or other entity to exercise authority
concurrent powers
powers held jointly by the national and state governments
enumerated powers
powers specifically granted to the national government by the Constitution; the first seventeen clauses of Article I, Section 8, specify most of the enumerated powers of the national government
The requirement that the president report to Congress within 48 hours of sending troops in hostilities and then obtain the approval of Congress within 60 days is established by the
the War Powers Resolution
Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act
prohibits protesters from blocking entrances to abortion clinics; Court held that right-to-life protesters could be prosecuted under laws governing racketeering in 2006; 1997, Court upheld the constitutionality of prohibiting protesters from entering a "buffer zone" around abortion clinics and from giving unwanted counseling to those entering the clinics
The Whistle-Blower Protection Act
prohibits reprisals against whistleblowers by their superiors
The Hatych Act
prohibts federal employees form active involvement in political campaigns
The Great Compromise
proposed a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate
clear and present danger test
proposed by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes for determining when government may restrict free speech; restrictions are permissible only when speech creates this to the public order; expression may be restricted if evidence exists that such expression would cause a dangerous condition, actual or imminent, that Congress has the power to prevent
"due process of law"
protected under the 14th amendment; the administration of justice according to established rules and principles; based on the principle that a person cannot be deprived of life or liberty or property without appropriate legal procedures and safeguards
All of the following are true of civil rights of immigrants except that
protections in the Bill of Rights are limited to only those who are U.S. citizens
to ensure that majority rule does not become oppressive, modern democracies
provide guarantees of minority rights
In the case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954), the U.S. Supreme Court held that
public school segregation of races violates the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
slander
public uttering of a false statement that harms the good reputation of another; the statement must be made to, or within the hearing of, persons other than the defamed party
in the regents of the university of california v bakke case, the supreme court held that
race cannot be the only factor in an admissions decision
the Supreme Court ruled in the Bakke case that
race cannot be the sole factor in admissions decisions
14th amendment
ratified in 1868; civil liberties were guaranteed to the states by the national Contistuion
americans are most likely to call for the benefits of big government when they are
reacting to a crisis
faction
refer to groups within parties that follow a particular leader or share a regional identification or an ideological viewpoint; subgroups within parties that may try to capture a nomination or get a position adopted by the party
The number of federal government employees has
remained relatively stable for the last several decades
school vouchers
representing state-issued funds; the state and local governments issue these that can be used to "purchase" education at any school, public or private
postponement of a person's legal punishment
reprieve
The Freedom of Information Act
requires federal agencies to disclose information on file about individual to that individual upon his/her request
Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
requires public schools and libraries to install filtering software to prevent children from viewing Web sites with "adult" content
the 10th Amendment states that powers not delegated to the U.S. by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states by it, are
reserved to the states respectively, or to the people
prior restraint
restraining an activity before it has actually occurred; when expression is involved, this means censorship; requires that a permit be obtained before a speech could be made, a newspaper published, or a movie or TV show exhibited
civil liberties
restraints on the actions of government against individuals; outlined in the Bill of Rights
The charge that some affirmative action programs discriminate against non-minorities is called
reverse discrimination
discrimination against individuals who are not members of a minority group is called
reverse discrimination
natural rights
rights held to be inherent in natural law, not dependent on governments; John Locke stated that natural law, being superior to human law, specifies certain rights of "life, liberty, and property." ; rights were altered to become "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," are asserted in the Declaration of Independence
when president _______ appointed sandra Day O'Connor to the United States supreme court, the appointment was an historic first
ronald regan
The literal meaning of theocracy is
rule by God
oligarchy
rule by a few
aristocracy
rule by the "best"; in reality, rule by an upper class
in brown v board of education of topeka (1954), the US supreme court
ruled that segregation of races in the public schools is unconstitutional
to say that authority is legitimate is to
say that authority is broadly accepted
De facto segregation means
segregation because of residential patterns and concentration of populations, not because of laws
which of the following best describes de jure segregation?
segregation that occurs because of laws or administrative decisions by public agencies
which of the following best describes de facto segregation
segregation that occurs because of patterns or racial residence and similar social conditions
the doctrine that was born of the plessy v ferguson case was known as
separate but equal
The major historical and political significance of the Mayflower Compact was that it
served as prototype for many similar compacts and depended on the consent of the individuals involved
obscenity
sexually offensive material; can be illegal if it is found to violate a 4 part test established by the U.S. Supreme Court
The use of _____ was instrumental in bringing about the integration of lunch counters, buses, and trains
sit-ins
in plessy v ferguson, the court held that
social segregation did not violate the constitution
elite theory suggests that
society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interest
The Bill of Rights was important for the ratification of the Constitution because
some states would not have voted to ratify the Constitution without the promise of the Bill of Rights
A whistleblower is
someone who brings public attention to gross government inefficiency or illegal action
whistleblower
someone who brings to public attention gross governmental inefficiency or an illegal action
After the fight for the Equal Rights Amendment, various women's groups addressed all of the following issues except
special legislation to protect the health of female factory workers
Explain the "pocket veto"
special veto exercised by chief executive after Congress has adjourned; bills not signed by chief executive die after a specific period of time (10 days); if Congress wishes to reconsider such a bill,it must be reintroduced in the following session of Congress
Within a bureaucracy, the units of organization are divided according to the
specialization and expertise of the employees
The Fourteenth Amendment does all of the following except
state that the right to vote shal not be abridged on account of race
provisions of the fifteenth amendment
state that the right to vote shall not be abridged on account of race
the fourteenth amendment does all of the following except
states that the right to vote shall not be denied or abridged on account of race
the contrasting image of nonviolent african americans and violent, hostile whites created
strong public support for the civil rights movement
Whigs
supported federal spending on "internal improvements" (such as roads)
"Going public" means that presidents
take their case to the public over the heads of the members of Congress
A _____ is money that citizens pay to support the government
tax
Totalitarianism as a concept means
that every aspect of political, social, and economic life is controlled by the government
popular sovereignty means
that ultimate political authority is based on the will of the people
aristocracy means rule by
the "best"
iron triangle
the 3-way alliance among legislators, bureaucrats, and interst groups to make or preserve policies that benefit their respective interests
many basic guarantees of liberty are found in
the Bill of Rights
The colonists' fury over taxation climaxed in
the Boston Tea Party
Elastic Clause, or Necessary and Proper Clause
the Clause in Article I, Section 8, that grants Congress the power to do whatever necessary to execute its specifically delegated powers
The voting age of eighteen was set by
the Constitution
"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal" are the first words of the
the Declaration of Independence
the group that actually elects the president of the U.S. is called
the Electoral College
The White House Office, the National Security Council, and the Office of Management and Budget are all part of
the Executive Office of the President
According to Federalist #51, it is important to guard the society against the oppression of
the Rulers and the Majority
The U.S.A. is among the few countries that do not tax their exports because
the South obtained a promise that export taxes would not be imposed
All of the following are true about the case of McCulloch v. Maryland except that
the Supreme Court ruled the national government could only use its express powers
government
the preeminent institution within society in which decisions a made that resolve conflicts or allocate benefits and privileges; it is unique because it has the ultimate authority for making decisions and establishing political values
If the office of vice president becomes vacant,
the president nominates a replacement who must be approved by both chambers of Congress
The Office of Management and Budget helps
the president prepare the annual budget
separation of powers
the principle of dividing governmental powers among different branches of government
the concept of political socialization refers to
the process by which political beliefs and values are transmitted to individuals
political socialization
the process by which political beliefs and values are transmitted to new immigrants and to our children; family and educational system are examples
politics
the process of resolving conflicts and deciding "who gets what, when, and how"; the struggle over power or influence within organizations or informal groups that can grant or withhold benefits or privileges
free exercise clause
the provision of the 1st amendment guaranteeing the free exercise of religion; constrains the national government from prohibiting individuals from practicing the religion of their choice
the Federalists advocated
the ratification of the new Constitution
privatization
the replacement of government services with services provided by firms
The concept of privatization refers to
the replacement of government services with services provided by private firms
authority
the right and power of a government or other entity to enforce its decisions and compel obedience
universal suffrage
the right of all adults to vote for their representatives
the concept of universal suffrage refers to
the right of all adults to vote for their representatives in governement
in 2011 in Egypt and Tunisia, regime change finally came when
the rulers lost authority
commerce clause
the section of the Constitution in which Congress is given the power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries
The merit system refers to
the selection and promotion of government employees on the basis of examinations
merit system
the selection, retention, and promotion of government employees on the basis of competitive examinations
The Anti-Federalists advocated
the status quo
In the pluralist view, politics is
the struggle among groups to gain benefits for their members
politics is
the struggle over power or influence within organizations or informal groups
nationalization
the takeover of a business enterprise by the national government; recently, the word has been used to describe temporary takeovers that are similar to bankruptcy proceedings
devolution
the transfer of powers from a national or central government to a state or local government
As commander-in-chief, the president is
the ultimate decision maker in military matters
incorporation theory
the view that most of the protections of the Bill of Rights apply to state governments through the 14th amendment's due process clause
Era of Good Feelings
the years from 1817-1825, when James Monroe was president and there was, in effect, no political opposition (to the Republicans) and thus little political debate
At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia
there were different views among the delegates about the powers that should be given to the national government
All of the following are true of concurrent powers except that
they are expressly given to the national government
Citizens eighteen years or older received a constitutional right to vote in part because
they could be drafted into the military at that age
judicial interpretations
they shape the true nature of civil liberties and rights that we posses
Civil liberties
those personal freedoms (i.e. freedom of religion and freedom of speech) that are protected for all individuals (established in Constitution; Constitution restrains government from taking certain actions against individuals)
civil liberties
those personal freedoms, including freedom of religion and freedom of speech, that are protected for all individuals; set forth in the U.S Constitution, as amended, to restrain the government from taking certain actions against individuals
One of the main actions of the Second Continental Congress was
to establish an army and appoint a commander in chief
What is the job of the Whips in Congress?
to make sure they have the votes needed for their party (yes/no votes)
Why do we need a census?
to reapportion the seats in the House
The concept of separation of powers was included in the Constitution to prevent
tyranny either of the majority or the minority
the legislation resulting from the civil rights movement
ultimately benefited almost all minority groups
Child Online Protection Act (COPA)
used "contemporary community standards" to define which material was obscene and harmful to minors (protects children from online obscenity)
In the Civil War crisis, the Supreme Court
was drastically REDUCED in power
The line-item veto
was found to be an unconstitutional delegation of legislative powers to the executive branch by the US Supreme Court
The 25th Amendment
was used by President Nixon when he appointed Ford as vice president
Black Codes
were so severe they almost amounted to a new form of slavery and were attempts by souther state legislatures to regulate African Americans who were free
governments have authority
when they have the right and power to enforce their decisions
In the 1944 case of Smith v Allwright, the United States Supreme court ruled the _______ to be a violation of the fifteenth amendment
white primary
In the 1944 case of Smith v. Alrwright, the United States Supreme Court ruled the _______ to be a violation of the Fifteenth Amendment
white primary
the ______ kept blacks from voting in the democratic party's primaries
white primary
The white primary in southern states allowed
whites to exclude African Americans from voting in Democratic primaries
Harold Lasswell defined politics as
who gets what, when, and how
"in" party
winning party controlling government
all of the following regarding women's rights is false except
women have had to struggle for equality just like african americans and other minorities
the fertility rate is best definied as the average number of children
women in a particular group will have over a lifetime
defamation of character
wrongfully hurting a person's good reputation; imposes a general duty on all persons to refrain from making false, defamatory statements about others