poli sci 101 midterm
Explain the difference between state-centered federalism and nation-centered federalism.
nation-centered federalism: a theory holding that the national government is dominant over the states state-centered federalism: a theory holding that the national government represents a voluntary compact or agreement between the states, which retain a dominant position
Define the concept of a republic and explain the differences between a republic and a democracy.
A Republic is when people govern indirectly by electing certain individuals to make decisions on their behalf. This is different than democracy because in a democracy, the will of the majority is priority, where as a republic will form splits due to conflicting beliefs.
Explain the differences among the unitary system of government, a confederation, and a federation.
A unitary system: is a sovereign state governed as a single entity. Confederation: government in which the states are sovereign and the national government is allowed to do only that which the states permit Federation: a system where the authority is shared by the national and state government, but the federal constitution gives the national government over specific government task.
Explain why the preferred freedoms test allows more freedom of speech than the bad tendency test.
Preferred freedoms test allows more freedom of speech than bad tendency test because preferred freedoms test protects free speech as a fundamental of democracy whereas bad tendency test allows government to punish speech that might cause people to behave illegally.
Why do public figures have fewer First Amendment protections?
Public figures have fewer First Amendment protections because public figures have a substantial amount of influence upon society and if they were to present false statements, it can mislead the public.
What are public goods, and why do they matter in politics?
Public goods are for consumption decided by the society as a whole, funded by taxation. They matter in politics because there are so many public goods, but all candidates have different priorities and perspectives of what is relevant or not.
Explain the consequences of the decision in Plessy v. Ferguson.
Set the precedent that 'separate' facilities for blacks and White were constitutional as long as they were 'equal' (this quickly extended to cover many areas of public life such as restaurants, threatens, restrooms, and public schools-this stuck until Brown v. Board of Education
Explain how slander differs from libel and provide examples of each.
Slander differs from libel by: libel is the use of print or pictures to harm someone's reputation. Slander is injuring others through spoken word.
What factors drove the transition from dual to cooperative federalism?
State and national government barriers started to break down as the citizens of the nation began to trust the government more. Grants-to-aid provided money to states from national government specifically road construction, education, etc.
How has Title IX changed higher education?
Title IX changed higher education by providing no racial or sexual discrimination in participation of Federal benefit such as any education program or activity receiving financial assistance.
Give two examples of circumstances in which government can interact with religious organizations.
Two examples of circumstances in which government interact with religious organizations are: abortion and free exercise of religion.
Define political socialization. What are the major agents of political socialization (Lecture)?
major agents : 1. learning about politics 2. engaging in efforts that directly affect "the structure of government 3. the selection of government authorities 4. Selection of policies for government
Explain the consequences of the decision in Shelby v. Holder for voting rights
Although the states defended the new voter-identification laws as necessary to prevent voter fraud, many observers noted that the weight of these new laws would fall disproportionately on minority groups
Give an example of an application of the necessary and proper clause.
An example of applications that would use necessary and proper clause are: when Congress balances state' rights as well as declaring war.
Give an example of the impact of the lack of an explicit right to privacy in the Constitution on society.
An example of the impact done by the lack of privacy in the Constitution on society would be the doctor-assisted suicide.
What were anti-miscegenation laws, and whom did they impact?
Anti-miscegenation laws are state laws that made interracial marriage a criminal offence. It impacted African Americans and other minorities.
Why do members of Congress engage in casework?
Because if they do not do their casework, they will not get as much support and may be voted out of congress.
What are Jim Crow laws, and how were they used?
Between 1877 and 1965, many state and local governments sought to enshrine racial segregation in their communities by constructing often elaborate legal codes that prohibited consorting among the races. Jim Crow is best known for the laws requiring segregated schools, drinking fountains, restrooms restaurants, and transportation services.
.cocmpare and contrast block grants and categorical grants-in-aid.
Block grants are fed grants to states with only general provisions as to how the money should be spent. Categorical grants are more specific in putting restrictions on exactly how the state should use the money.
Why and when did cooperative federalism develop?
Cooperative federalism began in the 1930s due to the conflict between Washington and the states diminished, allowing national, state and local governments to cooperate collectively and solve common problems, rather than making policies separately but more or less equally.
What is de jure segregation, and how does it work?
De jure segregation is when segregation was mandated by law which was the result of housing patterns rather than state laws.
When did devolution become an important part of federalism, and why?
Devolution became an important part of federalism during the 1970s because certain powers have been transferred from national governments onto state and local governments, making the federal government weaker which the Framers of the Constitution supported.
Define and explain the importance of dual federalism.
Dual Federalism emerged after the Civil War that saw the national and state governments as equal but independent partners. Each government is responsible for distinct policy functions and each barred from interfering with other's work.
Compare and contrast elite democracy, pluralist democracy, participatory democracy, and populist democracy.
Elite democracy- is a model of democracy in which a small number of people, usually those who are wealthy and well-educated, influence political decision making. Pluralist democracy is a model of democracy in which no one group dominates politics and organized groups compete with each other to influence policy. Participatory democracy is a model of democracy in which citizens have the power to decide directly on policy and politicians are responsible for implementing those policy decisions. populist democracy - combines left and the right
What is the power of eminent domain, and why is it important?
Eminent domain is a power that most states give to local governments in their charters so they can acquire real property needed for such public purposes as building roads and highways or constructing public facilities such as schools or a city hall.
Explain the consequences of the decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.
It explicitly overturned the Plessy decision and the Supreme Court ruled the separation of races in public schooling was unconstitutional.
What are major components of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and why is it still important?
Expanded the mandate of the 15th Amendment, the act states that "no voting qualification or prefer. To voting, shall be imposed or applied by any State or deny the right to vote as US citizen based on race or color.
What are the major components of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and why is it still important?
Forbade the separation of the races in places of public accommodation-transportation, hotels and theatres.
Define Ideology. Explain the role ideologies play in political cognition.
Ideologies aid individuals to have an understanding that will help them voice their opinions on governmental actions. Therefore, ideologies help individuals to find some sort of an identity such as the four ideologies: Liberalists, Conservatives, Populists and Libertarians.
What purpose do the implied powers serve for the national government?
Implied powers of the national government are powers authorized by Constitution that, while not stated, seem to be implied by powers expressively stated. An example of implied powers is the existence of banks, Constitution does not state that Congress has the right to establish banks, but defenders claimed that they are necessary in order carry out the Congress's power to collect taxes.
Discuss why intergovernmental lobbies have become such an important part of the political process.
Intergovernmental lobbies have become an important part of the political process because these individuals and groups reveal special interests that aid the government to make certain decisions as well as create policies and regulations over various scenarios.
define and give an example of libel.
Libel is the use of print or pictures to harm someone's reputation. It is punishable by criminal law and subject to civil suits for damages. Example of libel would be celebrity scandals.
Define and explain the importance of the Lilly Ledbetter Act.
Lilly Ledbetter Act was important issue in the 2008 presidential election. Obama campaigned on a promise of correcting the Supreme Court decision. Under the law, 180-day clock for filing suit is reset with each discriminatory paycheck. Extended the time women have to sue for back pay when they have illegally suffered payroll discrimination.
Give three examples of how states employed massive resistance during the civil rights movement.
NAACP and the Legal Defense Fund primarily led legal challenges to racial discrimination. Desegregating schools and neighborhoods as well as bus routes Prohibited different voting registration standard
Compare and contrast the ideas of originalism and textualism.
Originalism is to reflect reliance on the original understanding of the Framers' Constitution. Textualism is an approach to interpreting the Constitution that relies on a literal, "plain words" reading of the document.
Define populism and use that definition to give an example of how a populist would stand on a law limiting how much corporations can pay their top executives.
Populism are beliefs that favor government intervention in both economic and personal affairs. Example of populism would be the anti-corporate views of Occupy Wall Street protest movement and "Two Americas" during the John Edwards campaign.
Provide one example of a political stereotype that is generally accurate and one example that is generally inaccurate.
Republicans are rich white people who are racist. Democrats are gay.
Explain the process of selective incorporation.
Selective incorporation is the process in which the Supreme Court's practice of making applicable to the states where only a portion of the Bill of Rights benefit a majority of justice's fundamental to a democratic society.
Explain the difference between state-centered federalism and nation-centered federalism.
State-centered federalism is the view that the Constitution allowed the national government only limited powers and that the states could overrule national laws if they were considered a violation of the Constitution. Nation-centered federalism is the view that the authority of the national government goes beyond the responsibilities listed in the Constitution; it is based on the necessary and proper clause and the principle of national supremacy.
Explain why states prefer block grants to categorical grants.
States prefer block grants than categorical grants because block grants give states a bit more flexibility in defining their own needs and priorities for the money.
What are the Federalist Papers, and why are they important?
The Federalist Papers are a series of editorials written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay in 1788. These editorials were to support the approval of the Constitution in New York State.
What was the impact of the Supreme Court's decision in the Miranda case?
The Supreme Court created specific guidelines for police interrogations which include: they have the right to remain silent, anything they say may be used against them in a court of law, and they have the right to the presence of an attorney, if they cannot afford an attorney, one can be appointed prior to any questioning.
Define and explain the importance of the delegated powers.
The delegated powers are the powers that the Constitution gives to Congress that are specifically listed as "enumerated powers". This is important because it allows Congress to exercise the powers that the Constitution grants it, such as the powers to declare war, raise taxes, establish foreign policy, etc.
How do you think the demographic makeup of the members at the Constitutional Convention impacted their deliberations?
The demographic makeup of the members at the Constitutional Convention was primarily all white men who debated over the content of the Constitution which predominantly benefited white men
Explain the difference between civil liberties and civil rights.
The differences between civil liberties and civil rights are: civil liberties are freedoms from excessive government interference whereas civil rights are guarantees of protection by gov. against discrimination.
Under what circumstances can the government use prior restraint?
The government can exercise prior restraint during extreme cases such as national security.
Under what conditions does the clear and present danger test allow the government to limit free speech?
The government is allowed to execute clear and present danger test when there is a present sign of grave and immediate danger to the country's interests.
Under what circumstances can the government limit symbolic speech?
The government limits symbolic speech when it comes to the American flag desecration, the protest blockage on abortion clinics as well as inappropriate symbolic messages on public school grounds.
Describe the government that was created by the Articles of Confederation, with specific emphasis on its structure, power, and weaknesses.
The government that was created by the Articles of Confederation was that Congress had all the power to deal with foreign affairs and authority to declare war, and make peace, alliance and sign treaties. It also had had power to managed native Indian affairs and it also supported the congressional direction of the continental army, and it also encouraged coordination and cooperation between different states so they can settle disputes between the states. Their weaknesses, were that they didn't have any power to collect taxes, there was only one vote per state, they did not have the power to regulate commerce or trade between the states, each state could put taxes on trade between states, they couldn't force the states to obey laws, each state has own paper money, and any changes to articles required unanimous vote leading to long delays in implementation.
Explain the importance of government legitimacy.
The government's legitimacy is important because the power and authority of any government are enhanced by the willingness of its citizens to obey governmental officials. In other words, governments are most effective when citizens believe in their right to pass and enforce laws.
Why, according to the authors, is the language surrounding the reserved powers so vague?
The language surrounding the reserved powers is considered vague because the Constitution does not provide a specific list of the powers left to the states.
What is the myth of guaranteed political and social equality, and why is it a myth?
The myth of guaranteed political and social equality is that participation in our political, economic, and social systems is ought to be open to all.
Give two examples of the problems in the Articles of Confederation and explain how these problems led to the convention in Philadelphia.
The proposed Articles of Confederation had multiple flaws: despite the different sizes of population per state, they continued to keep 2 representatives to represent every state. Another flaw was the proposed Articles of Confederation was in favor of continuing slavery/slave trade and they would not let African Americans to be considered a whole person.
Describe how a legislative veto differs from a presidential veto.
The rejection of a presidential or administrative action by a vote of one or both houses of Congress without the consent of the president. The power of the President to refuse to approve a bill or joint resolution and thus prevent its enactment into law is the veto.
Discuss the facts of the case in McCulloch v. Maryland and explain the outcome and logic of the Court's decision.
The state argued that the bank wasn't legally constituted agency of the federal government because there wasn't a provision on the constitution that gives congress the power to establish a national bank. The court decided that Congress acts under explicit and implied powers. Explicit power to tax, borrow, and spend implies implicit power to create a US bank. This establish that federal law is over state law.
Discuss the two broad interpretations that have emerged with respect to the interpretation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment.
The two interpretations that have emerged are accommodationist interpretation and wall of separation. accommodationist interpretation: A reading of the establishment clause that bars only the establishment by Congress of an official public church. Accommodationists agree with state support of religion as long as all religions are treated equally, and wall of separation: An interpretation of the establishment clause that requires a complete separation of government and religion
what role does cognitive dissonance play in ideology
When our beliefs are challenged by evidence, we tend to ignore the evidence rather than change our beliefs.
Describe the difference between the bad tendency test and the clear and present danger test in the Supreme Court's decisions.
bad tendency test allowed the government to forbid speech that corrupts society or that encourages crime; test abandoned because it was too broad bad tendency test allowed the government to punish speech that might cause people to behave illegally. Which later was replaced to preferred freedom of speech which government may limit speech, but designing law that passes the test is very difficult.
Explain the purpose of a bicameral legislature.
is to provide for representation for both the citizens of a country, as well as the state legislatures on the federal level or in the central government of a country or nation. senate and house of rep
Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government. Compare and contrast direct democracy with representative democracy
power first dimension: A has power over B to the extent direct democracy - in which people decide policy initiatives representative democracy - is when people govern indirectly by electing certain individuals, like president to make decisions on their behalf
what is conservatism
those who favor increased regulation of private lives for moral purposes but oppose government interference in the economy - the far right - private regimes over national interest
Describe the role politics plays in determining how power and resources are distributed in a society.
who gets what, when, and how; a process of determining how power and resources are distributed in a society without recourse to violence
