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Direct Democracy

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A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives

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Describe one reason the framers of the United States Constitution chose a republican form of government over a direct democracy.

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Fear of tyranny; in a republic form of government the people choose who they will elect to represent them making it difficult for elitism or social groups to take charge.

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republican form of government

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System of government in which power is held by the voters and is exercised by elected representatives responsible for promoting the common welfare.

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the role of congressional committees in the enactment of public policy.

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it is the gatekeeper so it decides if the policy will be passed or not

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Describe the role of each of the executive order in the enactment of public policy.

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residents use executive orders to enact policy

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Senate filibuster

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Prevent/delay action on a particular bill.

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House Rules Committee

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An institution unique to the House of Representatives that reviews all bills (except revenue, budget, and appropriations bills) coming from a House committee before they go to the full House. -Make it easier or more difficult for a bill to pass.

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role of Conference committee in lawmaking

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Members of boss chambers meet to work out bill differences.

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Explain how Voting Rights Act of 1965 assisted in the removal of barriers to minority voting.

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the fifteenth Amendment allowed African Americans to vote, and white men who owned property were allowed to vote

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how did the Twenty-fourth Amendment assisted in the removal of barriers to minority voting.

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Eliminating poll taxes that limited voting by lower-income people led to an increase in minority voting because minorities are often overrepresented among poor people

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Identify one barrier that currently impedes minority representation in Congress. Explain why the barrier you identified inhibits minority representation in Congress.

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This limits the minority groups because as there are few minority incumbents now, the white incumbents continue to win simply because incumbents usually win. This causes a disadvantage to many minority groups and non-incumbents in general.

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Describe two political factors that affect presidents' decisions to appoint members of the federal judiciary.

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Education increases the chances a nominee for election into the judiciary branch will be elected because they are usually more skilled and fair regarding decisions, and that would definitely increase the chances of being chosen to act as a judge or other judicial member. Another thing that would affect the process is interest groups. They usually give some sort of input, and in some cases will try quite hard to get specific people to be elected. The reason for this is that if their choice is nominated, they will probably have some influence over them. So, large interest groups will pay large amounts of money to try to get specific candidates elected.

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Identify two political factors that affect the confirmation process of a president's nominees and explain how each factor complicates a confirmation.

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Race and gender race: This fact is easily proved by the fact that until recently, every president has been white. The primary reason for this, one that still affects elections today, is racial prejudice. Most or at least some white voters don't feel like someone not white is up to the task of running the country. Gender: no female presidents have been elected, for much the same reason that only one black president has been elected, because they are still partially viewed as inferior because in the general scheme of things, they have only recently gained rights that are similar to mens right, such as the right to vote, and the push to reform salaries to give women equal pay. So as it is for minorities, the general population thinks that a woman president would not be able to effectively govern America.

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Explain how one legislative power serves as a check on court decisions.

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Amendments can be used to add to the Bill of Rights and other such documents, and to adapt or manipulate those documents to change laws or to put new restrictions into effect. Amendments can regulate court decisions by making sure that they are following specific guidelines and preventing mistakes from repeating themselves.

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Explain how one executive power serves as a check on court decisions.

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power of appointment- the executive power appoints the judge and other people in the court system

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judicial review

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Authority given the courts to review constitutionality of acts by the executive/state/legislature

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Explain how judicial review empowers the Supreme Court within the system of checks and balances.

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It gives the Court the power to overturn laws passed by Congress/legislative branch or actions taken by the president/executive branch

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How is congressional decision affected by vetos

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Prevents or discourages congressional action if the president makes a statement of clear opposition or threatens a veto

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How is congressional decision affected by Power to issue executive orders

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Congress acts in response to or anticipates executive orders

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How is congressional decision affected by Power as commander in chief

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Congress engages in oversight activities.

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how is presidential decision making affected by the Power of legislative oversight

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Presidents minimize the number or extent of actions that might draw congressional scrutiny.

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how is presidential decision making affected by the Power of Senate advice and consent power

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Presidents use executive agreements to avoid the need to have treaties ratified.

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how is presidential decision making affected by Budgetary power

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Presidents consult with members of Congress during the budget process

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How does federalism limit the powers of the national executive

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it divides the power between the national government and the state governments

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how do checks and balances limit the powers of the national executive

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Checks and balances limit the powers of the national executive as the three branches of government have designated roles and features. The Executive branch carries out the laws. They do not create or interpret them.

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Selective incorporation

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The process of using the 14th Amendment's due process clause to apply the Bill of Rights to the states on a cases by case basis.

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Identify the part of the national government that was originally most closely tied to citizens and explain how it was tied to citizens.

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House of reps cuz they must live in the state they represent

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Explain two ways the United States Constitution limited majority rule

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We elect representatives. The majority of citizens may be opposed to abortion but unless a majority of congress votes to ban it it will be legal. Congressional (house of reps) districting allows a party to thwart the majority by districting a minority party the majority of seats.

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how did the primary elections move the United States from a less democratic system to a more democratic system

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voters gained more control over the nomination process/control taken away from political parties.

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how did theThe Seventeenth Amendment move the United States from a less democratic system to a more democratic system

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mandated direct election of U.S. senators.

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mandatory spending

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Required govt spending by permanent laws

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party polarization

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a vote in which a majority of Democratic legislators oppose a majority of Republican legislators

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lame-duck period

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The period of time in which the president's term is about to come to an end. Presidents typically have less influence during this time.

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fiscal policy

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Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling taxing and spending.

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one significant way the executive branch influences fiscal policy

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The president proposes/prepares the federal budget.

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one significant way the legislative branch influences fiscal policy

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Congress passes the federal budget.

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monetary policy

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A form of government regulation in which the nation's money supply and interest rates are controlled.

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two reasons why the Federal Reserve Board is given independence in establishing monetary policy.

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The Federal Reserve Board relies on expertise when making decisions. The Federal Reserve Board makes economic policies efficiently.

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how have categorical grants increased the power of federal government

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states must spend more money according to the nat govs wishes

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how have federal mandates increased the power of federal government

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fed gov tells states what policies to implement

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how have block grants increased the power of states?

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they have few stings attached so state has more freedom

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how has the 10th amendment increased the power of states?

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it reserves the power of the states and its people

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explain two reasons why congress gives fed agencies policy making discretion in executing fed law

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Too time consuming to do on their own- Congressmen have too many other responsibilities, can not dedicate themselves to directly oversee commerce between the states when they have to make other policies and laws and oversee hundreds of other programs. Lack expertise- Congressmen do not have the expertise to implement and oversee most programs.

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two ways the fed ensures that fed agencies follow legislative lenient

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Set their budget. Congress has the ultimate power over agencies since it sets the budgets for each one. Can raise appropriations for agencies that carry out policies that they feel are most important or lower the budget for those that don't. Oversight. Congressional committees that oversee an agency can conduct hearings to watch over and to regulate agencies. This increases the accountability of the agency to carry out the policy as Congress sees fit.

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Why did framers of the Constitution create a bicameral legislature?

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the founders wanted an upper house that would federally represent each state equally and a lower house that would federally represent each state based on population, in theory leading to an ideal representation for each state.

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unique power of house of reps- why did house of reps get that power?

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Initiate revenue bills. More representative of and responsive to the public/direct election to two-year terms.

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unique power of senate- why did senate get that power?

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Treaty ratification. -reflects state interests

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how has the power to tax and spend increased fed power

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granted to Congress, power of the purse

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how has the elastic clause increased fed power

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power to make laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out other powers. Congress has expanded on them over the years

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how has the commerce clause increased fed power

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nat gov regulates interstate commerce

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soft money

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Campaign contributions unregulated by federal or state law, usually given to parties and party committees to help fund general party activities.

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2nd amendment

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right to bear arms

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3rd amendment

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no quartering soldiers

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4th amendment

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Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures

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5th amendment

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Amendment that sets up due process of law and protects the accused.

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6th amendment

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Criminal Proceedings; Must inform defendant of charge/s; Right to Attorney; Right to fair impartial jury

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7th amendment

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Civil Trial by Jury

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8th amendment

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Cruel and Unusual Punishment

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9th amendment

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Amendment that protects rights not listed in the Bill of Rights.

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10th amendment

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All other rights go to the state and the people

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article 1 of constitution

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describes the legislative branch

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article 2 of constitution

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executive

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article 3 of constitution

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Judicial

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article 4 of constitution

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Protects states with assurance of representation in national government

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article 5 of constitution

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Amending the Constitution

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article 6 of constitution

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supremacy clause

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article 7 of constitution

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Approval by conventions of nine of the states was required to ratify the Constitution.

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