question

Describe the purposes of government?

answer

establish justice; insure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense; promote the general welfare; secure the blessings of liberty

question

What are the differences between a monarchy and a dictatorship?

answer

Monarchy= divine right Dictatorship=ruler seizes power

question

compare and contrast a direct democracy vs an indirect democracy

answer

In a direct democracy people make the decisions directly. In an indirect democracy people elect officials to represent them and cast votes for them.

question

Define and provide examples for each of the following theories of democracies

answer

-traditional theory of democracy: government depends on the consent of the governed -pluralist theory: Interest groups compete in the political arena, with each other promoting it policy preferences through organized efforts -elite theory: a small number of powerful elite form an upper class, which rules on its own self interest -hyper pluralism: democracy is a system of many groups having so much strength that government is often pulled in many directions

question

From what sources do Americans become politically socialized?

answer

The main source is family as well as level of education, race, gender and socio-economic status

question

Summarize the steps of the policy-making cycle:

answer

1. Define the role of government 2. Agenda setting 3. Policy formation and adoption 4. Policy implementation 5. Policy evaluation

question

Compare the political theories of Thomas Hobbes & John Locke

answer

John Locke= People are naturally good. Social contract theory, voluntary agreement between the government and the governed. People born with natural rights. Thomas Hobbes= People are naturally selfish and need laws and a monarch to keep them in line. You conceded your rights to the government, in return for your life. No right to rebel.

question

Explain how the Declaration of Independence incorporated some of the ideas of John Locke.

answer

Life liberty and property; believed that governments are created to support these rights

question

List some of the powers held by the central government in the Articles of Confederation.

answer

1 To declare war and make peace. 2 To coin and borrow money 3 To detail with foreign countries and sign treaties 4 To operate post offices

question

Describe some of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

answer

2 It did not have the power to tax 3 It did not have the power to enforce laws 4 Congress lacked strong and steady leadership 5 There was no national army or navy 6 There was no system of national courts 7 Each state could issue its own paper money 8 Each state could put tariffs on trade between states. (A tariff is a tax on goods coming in from another state or country.)

question

How did Shays' Rebellion show some of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

answer

The state could not hold down a rebellion and the federal government did not have the means or ability to help.

question

Describe the concept of factions.

answer

a group or clique within a larger group, party, government, organization,

question

List the features of the Connecticut (Great) Compromise

answer

Congress bi-cameral with representation in the lower house based on population of the state. Equal representation of the states in the upper house.

question

Explain the controversy over the creation of the Three-Fifths Compromise.

answer

How to count slaves. Slaves would count as 3/5s of a person in determining representation and taxation.

question

popular sovereignty

answer

the people are the source of government's authority

question

limited govt

answer

belief that the government is not all powerful; and has only those powers given to it.

question

separation of powers

answer

power separated among the three branches of government-each with it's own powers and duties

question

checks and balances

answer

each branch is subject to restraints by the other two branches

question

judicial review

answer

Authority given the courts to review constitutionality of acts by the executive, states, or legislature; established in Marbury v. Madison

question

federalism

answer

a division of governmental powers between the feral govt and the sate govts

question

-traditional theory of democracy:

answer

government depends on the consent of the governed

question

-pluralist theory

answer

Interest groups compete in the political arena, with each other promoting it policy preferences through organized efforts

question

elite theory

answer

a small number of powerful elite form an upper class, which rules on its own self interest

question

-hyper pluralism

answer

democracy is a system of many groups having so much strength that government is often pulled in many directions

question

writ of habeas corpus

answer

requires a judge to evaluate whether there is sufficient cause to keep a person in jail

question

bills of attainer

answer

prohibits a person being found of a crime without trial

question

ex post facto laws

answer

laws applied to acts committed before the passage of laws that are unconstitutional

question

full faith and credit clause

answer

states must recognize laws of other states

question

supremacy clause

answer

national laws supersede all other laws passed by the state

question

Why did the states want the Constitution to have a bill of rights?

answer

The people were afraid that the strong new government would use its power to restrict individual freedom

question

Barron v. Baltimore (1833):

answer

Does the Fifth Amendment deny the states as well as the national government the right to take private property for public use without justly compensating the property's owner? No.

question

Gitlow v. New York (1925)

answer

the court applied the protection of free speech to the states under the due process clause of the 14th amendment

question

1st amendment

answer

freedom of religion speech press assembly and petition

question

2nd amendment

answer

right to keep and bear arms

question

3rd amendment

answer

sets conditions for quartering troops in private homes

question

4th amendment

answer

regulates search and seizures and warrants

question

6th amendment

answer

right to a speedy trail and impartial jury; to confront a witness; and have an attorney.

question

7th amendment

answer

persons right to a jury trail in civil cases

question

8th amendment

answer

no excessive bails or fines nor cruel and unusual punishment

question

9th amendment

answer

rights besides the ones listed here may not be trampled upon

question

10th amendment

answer

reserves powers of the states and people

question

11th amendment

answer

restricts law suits against states

question

12th amendment

answer

provides for election or president and vice president by separate ballot in electoral college

question

13th amendment

answer

abolishes slavery

question

14th amendment

answer

guarantees the rights of citizenship, due process and equal protection

question

15th amendment

answer

citizens right to vote regardless of race color or previous servitude

question

16th amendment

answer

authorizes income tax

question

17th amendment

answer

established election of senators by popular vote

question

18th amendment

answer

banned the sale of and consumption of alcohol in the united states

question

19th amendment

answer

gives women the right to vote

question

20th amendment

answer

defines who succeeds when the president dies and sets days for election

question

21st amendment

answer

repealed the 18th amendment which banned alcohol in the US

question

22nd amendment

answer

limits the number of terms a president can serve

question

23rd amendment

answer

allowed district of Columbia residents to vote in presidential elections

question

24th amendment

answer

prohibited poll taxes in the united states

question

25th amendment

answer

Succession and disability of the President

question

26th amendment

answer

lowered the voting age to 18

question

27th amendment

answer

Changes to Congressional pay must take effect after the next term of office for the representatives. This means that another election would have had to occur before the pay raises can take effect.

question

What is federalism?

answer

A political system where the powers of government are divided between a national government and regional (state and Local) governments

question

Why did the Founders feel that dividing power was necessary?

answer

The Framers believed their most important action in preventing the rise of tyranny in America was to divide the key powers of government among the three branches

question

Dual federalism

answer

the national and state governments each remain supreme within their own sphere of influence (layer cake)

question

Cooperative Federalism:

answer

National and state governments share policy making and cooperate in solving problems (marble cake)

question

Define the meaning of decentralization. How does the US federal system display decentralization?

answer

is the process of dispersing decision-making governance closer to the people and/or citizens. This system features a free-market economy--free from Government-over-Man controls, although subject to just regulation as authorized by the Constitution's pertinent provisions

question

Enumerated powers

answer

those specifically given to the national government Article I-V

question

implied powers

answer

powers that may be reasonably inferred form the constitutions necessary and proper clause Article I Section 8 Clause 18

question

inherent powers

answer

powers that exist for the national government because the government is sovereign

question

reserved powers

answer

powers that exist for the national government because the government is sovereign

question

concurrent powers

answer

powers that belong to both national and state governments

question

Why is the "necessary and proper clause" commonly called the elastic clause?

answer

Allows Congress to stretch is powers by passing laws to carry out its powers

question

Describe the important precedent set by McCulloch v. Maryland 1819

answer

The decision reinforced the supremacy clause of the Constitution. Court ruled that the states did not have the power to tax the national bank (and by extension, the federal government)

question

Describe the important precedent set by Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

answer

The ruling increased federal power over interstate commerce by implying that anything concerning interstate trade could potentially be regulated by the federal government. The court ruled that the state of NY could not grant a steamship company a monopoly to operate on an interstate waterway, even thought the waterway ran through NY.

question

Why is cooperative federalism often referred to as marble cake federalism

answer

Because of the state and Federal governments mingling together to solve common policy issues

question

Describe how the US government has become more cooperative.

answer

The federal govt has been more involved in state affairs than it used to be. The federal government now uses the money that it gives to the states to have control over policy areas that used to be reserved for the states.

question

Describe the meaning of fiscal federalism.

answer

The national governments pattern of spending, taxation, and providing grants to influence state and local governments.

question

How does fiscal federalism resemble the "carrot and a stick" metaphor

answer

The national government uses fiscal policies to influence the states through granting or withholding money to pay for programs

question

Categorical Grants:

answer

have a specific purpose defined by law, such as sewage treatment facilities or school lunch programs

question

Formula Grants

answer

Formula grant programs are noncompetitive awards based on a predetermined formula.

question

Project Grants

answer

one type of federal grants-in-aid; made for specific projects like the building of the H Bomb, to states, localities, and townships

question

Block Grants:

answer

general grants that can be used for a variety of purposes within a broad category, such as education, health care, or public services; fewer strings attached so state and local governments have greater freedom in how the money is spent; preferred by states over categorical grants

question

Explain the controversy of the federal government creating unfunded mandates for states. How does No Child Left Behind exemplify the meaning of an unfunded mandate?

answer

Mandates often require state or local governments to meet the requirement at their own expense.

question

Define the concept of devolution.

answer

An effort to shift responsibility of domestic programs (welfare, health care, and job training) to the states in order to decrease the size and activities of the federal government

question

List and describe the Five functions of political parties

answer

1. recruit and nominate candidates 2. educate and mobilize voters 3. provide campaign funds and support 4. organizing the government 5. reduce conflict and tension in society

question

Define partisanship in six words or less

answer

The state of being a partisan, or adherent to a party;

question

Describe how and why third parties began

answer

Third parties often represent factions that break away from the major parties over policy issues

question

Explain how the American Political system limits the influence of third parties

answer

They bring more light to the issues, a person may not vote for a third party because they feel the vote won't count

question

Describe how third parties can act as "spoilers" in elections.

answer

They will take votes away from the major parties possibly interfering with the outcome of an election.

question

Describe the organization of American political parties—include information regarding the impact of federalism, national committees, national chairpersons, national conventions, and state committees.

answer

...

question

pros and cons of political machines.

answer

Pros: provided order and was a strong bargaining position Cons: Prone to corruption as workers are hired

question

Describe the trends of party identification when it comes to religion, education, age, and economics.

answer

Religion: More religious people are usually more conservative Education: More educated people tend to be more liberal Age: Older people tend to be more conservative than younger people Economics: Richer people are more conservative than poor people

question

What happens during party realignment? Provide some examples of realignment occurring.

answer

A party realignment is what happens when the balance of power between a country's political parties changes greatly. Their electoral coalitions (the groups of people who vote for them) change dramatically. Sometimes, this happens when political parties die out or are created. Party realignments can be the result of major historical events.

question

What happens during party dealignment? Why do many political scientists feel that the US is in a period of party dealignment—how does "divided government" play a role?

answer

a process whereby voters are moved toward nonpartisanship thus weakening the structure of political parties

question

How does political efficacy affect voter intensity?

answer

Voter intensity gauges the likelihood that people will vote and otherwise participate in elections. It is measured by how strongly people feel about their role as the electorate, whether they feel a personal stake in the policy agenda, and their degree of political socialization. When people feel connected to the political system, they are more likely to vote and participate in campaigns or other political activities.

question

What is the difference between internal efficacy and external efficacy?

answer

Internal Efficacy is one's confidence in their abilities to understand and influence political events. Not to be confused with External Efficacy which is the belief that the governmental system will respond to the citizens, in turn giving them more trust in the government

question

Based on what you have learned this year, what is the most important factor that determines if a person votes? What demographic groups tend to vote less often?

answer

Education. Less educated people tend to not vote because they lack the knowledge to make an informed decision, or think their vote doesn't matter

question

Explain why campaigns for office cost so much money.

answer

Political advertising is very expensive

question

Why do political interest groups participate in electioneering

answer

Interest groups use electioneering as one tactic to support the broader goals of the group.

question

Why did Political Action Committees (PACs) begin? What do PACs do?

answer

In 1947, as part of the Taft-Hartley Act, the U.S. Congress prohibited labor unions or corporations from spending money to influence federal elections, and prohibited labor unions from contributing to candidate campaigns (an earlier law, the 1907 Tillman Act, had prohibited corporations from contributing to campaigns). Labor unions moved to work around these limitations by establishing political action committees, to which members could contribute.

question

Even though interest groups often have a negative reputation, how do interest groups positively influence the USA?

answer

They are at time instrumental in getting important pieces of legislation passed.

question

Define soft money. How did the McCain-Feingold Act (2002) attempt to limit soft money?

answer

soft money is largely unregulated. There is, no limit on the amount donors can give to a party as long as it goes into soft money accounts. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, more commonly referred to as the McCain/Feingold Act, is a campaign ﬁnance reform bill purported to have the intended effect of limiting or eliminating "soft money."

question

What important precedent came from the famous Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

answer

The court ruled candidates can give unlimited amounts of money to their own campaigns.

question

Describe the job of the Federal Elections Commission (FEC)

answer

is an independent regulatory agency that was founded in 1975 by the United States Congress to regulate the campaign finance legislation in the United States.

question

Define the word incumbent. Why do members in the House of Representatives tend to have a higher reelection rate than do members in the Senate?

answer

The holder of an office or post Sitting members of Congress are almost universally recognized in their districts. Having waged at least one previous campaign, and a successful one at that, and then serving in Congress for two years (House members) or six years (Senators) makes a sitting member of Congress something of a household name among his or her constituents. Moreover, members of the U.S. House and Senate have easy and ready access to the news media and make regular appearances on television and radio programs and are frequently mentioned in newspaper articles and editorials.

question

advantages of incumbents

answer

Franking=free postage Pork-barrel=allows members to do things for their district which gets them more votes come time for re-election junkets=are trips and credit claiming= We consider a leader and a subordinate he appoints to engage in team production. The public observes the organization's performance, but is unable to determine the separate contributions of the leader and of the subordinate. The leader may therefore claim credit for the good work of his subordinate. We find conditions which induce the leader to claim credit (both truthfully and untruthfully), and the conditions which lead the leader to appoint a subordinate of low ability.

question

List the qualifications to run for the House of Representatives

answer

must be at least 25 years old-You must also have been a United States citizen for the past seven years that you have lived in the United States-you must live in the state that you are running to represent.

question

What factor determines how many members a state receives in the House of Representatives?

answer

population

question

Define the concept single-member districts

answer

A single-winner voting system is a voting system in which a predetermined constituency elects a single person to some office.

question

Describe the meaning of marginal districts and safe districts.

answer

marginal districts-political districts in which candidates elected to the House of Representatives win in close elections, typically by less than 55% of the vote safe district-a house district in which the winner of the general election carries more than 55% of the vote

question

How did the passage of the 17th Amendment affect senatorial elections?

answer

Direct election by popular vote instead of elections by states legislators.

question

List the qualifications to run for the US Senate.

answer

Be at least 30 years of age, a U.S. citizen for nine years, and a resident of state when elected Be at least 30 years of age, a U.S. citizen for nine years, and a resident of state when elected

question

Discuss why the Framers were hesitant to allow a popular vote to determine who would become president.

answer

The popular vote was turned down largely because, due to lack of widespread communications ability, the voters in each state would pick a regional local, not knowing anything about central figures [after the founding fathers would have passed on], so that regionalism multiplied by 13 would always result in the most populous states deciding the presidency. The electoral college at least gave some weighted influence to the smaller states. The reason for the electoral college has now died with the growth of communications and political parties, and the demise of state sovereignty interests.

question

Briefly explain how the Electoral College works. How does the winner-take-all feature affect elections?

answer

Each state receive electors based on the number of HOR plus 2 senators. The person with the majority of votes receives the electoral votes for that state. One needs to receive 270 votes to become president Candidates do not waste time or money campaigning in states in which they think they have no chance of winning.

question

Pros of the Electoral college

answer

contributes to the cohesiveness of the country by requiring a distribution of popular support to be elected president enhances the status of minority interests, contributes to the political stability of the nation by encouraging a two-party system, and maintains a federal system of government and representation

question

cons of the electoral college

answer

the possibility of electing a minority president (did not win popular vote) the risk of so-called "faithless" Electors, the possible role of the Electoral College in depressing voter turnout, and its failure to accurately reflect the national popular will.

question

How do caucuses differ from primaries?

answer

a caucus is: "a private meeting of members of a political party to plan action or to select delegates for a nominating convention." a primary is: "[an] election held to nominate a candidate for a particular party at a forthcoming election for public office."

question

How do closed primaries differ from open primaries

answer

Closed-only members of party may vote---open anyone may vote

question

Why do many states try to hold their primaries/caucuses as early as possible? (this is called "frontloading")

answer

States vie for earlier primaries to claim greater influence in the nomination process, as the early primaries can act as a signal to the nation, showing which candidates are popular and giving those who perform well early on the advantage of the bandwagon effect.

question

Describe what occurs at conventions.

answer

The delegates elected in primaries, caucuses, or state conventions meet at their national party convention in the summer before the November election to choose the party's presidential and vice presidential candidates, ratify the party platform, elect officers, and adopt rules.

question

pros of being an incumbent presidential candidate

answer

-easier to raise money -name recognition -greater access to media -more coverage by the media -franking privilege

question

Cons of Being an Incumbent President

answer

-greater scrutiny -did he keep his promises -not as much time to campaign

question

What happens during reapportionment

answer

a new apportionment (especially a new apportionment of congressional seats in the United States on the basis of census results)

question

Why is gerrymandering so controversial? List the current laws when it comes to regulating redistricting.

answer

Gerrymandering or drawing district lines to achieve favorable political results for one political party

question

Identify and explain the precedents from the two Supreme Court case decisions that have ruled on gerrymandering

answer

Baker v. Carr and Wesberry v. Sanders Shaw v. Reno

question

Describe the hierarchy of leadership in the House of Representatives

answer

Speaker of the House- House Majority Leader- House Majority Whip- same positions in minority except for the position of speaker

question

Why are committees an important element in the House

answer

Breaks down the information and bills into manageable chunks and allows for committees with some expertise in the areas to consider the bills on their merits.

question

Standing Committee

answer

a permanent committee

question

Joint Committee

answer

a committee made up of members of both chambers

question

Select Committee

answer

committee appointed for some special purpose

question

What is an iron triangle

answer

the legislature, interest groups, and bureaucracy. The triangle is used to show how the three entities work in creating public policy.

question

cons of iron trianlges

answer

It sets up conditions which can be exploited by corrupt politicians to peddle favors or blackmail business. Instead of serving the "public good" the politicians serve their own political interest.

question

Pros of Iron Triangles

answer

If everyone in the triangle cooperates, as they usually do, everyone benefits

question

List some of the differences that distinguish the Senate from the House.

answer

The Senate is both a more deliberative[4] and more prestigious[5] body than the House of Representatives, due to its longer terms, smaller size, and statewide constituencies, which historically led to a more collegial and less partisan atmosphere.[6] The Senate is sometimes called the "world's greatest deliberative body

question

Describe the hierarchy of leadership in the Senate. Who has the "real power"?

answer

The most real power in the Senate is in the hands of the majority and minority leaders

question

Identify and describe the distinguishing powers of the Senate.

answer

1) To confirm Presidential appointments such as Supreme Court justices. 2) To ratify treaties made by the executive branch. 3) The Senate acts as judge and jury in impeachment cases.

question

What is a filibuster? Why do filibusters only happen in the Senate, but not the House? How can a filibuster be broken?

answer

Filibusters do not occur in the House because House rules provide for limited amounts of time for each Representative to speak. In the Senate, there are no rules regarding how long a Senator may speak, so a filibuster may be used, unless three-fifths of Senators agree to invoke cloture, that is, end debate on an issue.

question

Bill

answer

Proposed law

question

Public bill

answer

a congressional or parliamentary bill involving the general interests of the people at large or of the whole community.

question

Private bill

answer

a congressional or parliamentary bill involving the private interests of a particular individual, corporation, or local unit

question

Resolutions

answer

a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club, or other group

question

Joint resolutions

answer

A resolution passed by both houses of a bicameral legislature and eligible to become a law if signed by the chief executive or passed over the chief executive's veto.

question

Concurrent resolutions

answer

a resolution passed by both houses of a legislative body that lacks the force of law

question

Cloture

answer

the closing or limitation of debate in a legislative body especially by calling for a vote

question

Using the website and your notes, outline the steps needed for a bill to become law. Include the role of the House Rules Committee, conference committees, and possible filibuster.

answer

...

question

Identify and explain the four options the president can take after Congress has passed a bill.

answer

1. Sign it into law 2. Veto the bill 3. Hold on to the bill without signing or vetoing 4. Send the bill back to the last House that past it with recommendations for changes

question

How can the Supreme Court affect a law?

answer

A US Supreme Court majority or plurality decision establishes or upholds a precedent for applying and interpreting federal or constitutional law, to be used by the lower courts in deciding relevant future cases. The Court may also overrule legislation found to be unconstitutional.

question

List the constitutional qualifications needed to become president.

answer

Article Two Section 1(5) of the Constitution sets the qualifications required to become president. Presidents must be: natural-born citizens of the United States at least thirty-five years old must have been resident in the United States for at least fourteen years

question

Provide a historical example illustrating the Presidential Succession Act being used.

answer

Nixon resigned and Johnson became the president

question

Specifically explain how a president can be removed from office. Provide at least one historical example of this process being used.

answer

Impeachment hearing by the house and The House of Representatives must first pass, by a simple majority of those present and voting, articles of impeachment, which constitute the formal allegation or allegations. Upon their passage, the defendant has been "impeached". Next, the Senate tries the accused. In the case of the impeachment of a president, the Chief Justice of the United States presides over the proceedings

question

Commander in Chief

answer

The president is in charge of the U.S. armed forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Deciding, in wartime, whether to bomb foreign cities.

question

Chief Executive

answer

deciding how the laws of the United States are to be enforced and choosing officials and advisers to help run the Executive Branch

question

Head of State

answer

requires a president to be an inspiring example for the American people

question

chief diplomat

answer

The president decides what American diplomats and ambassadors shall say to foreign governments. With the help of advisers, the president makes the foreign policy of the United States

question

Chief Legislator

answer

the Constitution gives the president power to influence Congress in its lawmaking. Presidents may urge Congress to pass new laws or veto bills that they do not favor.

question

Describe the expressed role of the vice president

answer

The primary responsibility of the Vice President of the United States is to be ready at a moment's notice to assume the Presidency if the President is unable to perform his duties.

question

How can the president help other candidate via his/her "coattails"

answer

the consequence of one popular candidate in an election drawing votes for other members of the same party

question

Provide an example showing how the president sometimes might not be leading his political party.

answer

When Jimmy Carter told Congress he would veto bills containing unnecessary "pork barrel" public works projects, he was attempting to act in the national interest, yet he antagonized members of Congress (even members of his own party), who delayed working on much of his legislative program in retaliation until Carter gave in and approved their pet projects

question

Pardon

answer

The action of an executive official of the government that mitigates or sets aside the punishment for a crime.

question

reprieve

answer

The term reprieve is also used generally in reference to the withdrawal of any sentence for a period of time

question

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

answer

Federal agency that compiles and reviews budget figures on the President's behalf

question

Council of Economic Advisors

answer

A group of economic advisers appointed by the President to help formulate economic policy

question

Why is the chief of staff an important asset to the president?

answer

The White House Chief of Staff is the highest ranking member of the Executive Office of the President of the United States and a senior aide to the President. The Chief of Staff is often nicknamed 'The Second Most Powerful Man in Washington' because of the influence and access to the President

question

Why is the beginning of a president's term considered to be the "honeymoon" phase?

answer

refers to a period of time at the beginning of the president's term in office. This is a time when the president is still quite popular.

question

Describe factors that often cause a president to have positive public opinion poll figures

answer

The condition of the economy -jobs -can people get loans for homes cars etc

question

Provide historical examples showing how presidential public opinion figures can dramatically decline.

answer

johnson and Vietnam -Bush and Iraq years after 9/11 -Nixon and Watergate

question

Why is polling an important part of the US political system?

answer

Candidates use polls to find out how well or how badly they are doing with voters; someone who is thinking of running for office can also use a poll to find out what constituents in his district think and what the true issues are.

question

pros of exit polling

answer

Exit polling can be a really good source of information if it is done correctly, and most news outlets do have the intention and resources to do it correctly. It gives us a pulse of what's going on in the election and a good directional indication of who's winning. But they're not something to rely on for any significant purposes.

question

cons of exit polling

answer

On the flip side, exit polls are often less accurate and less predictive in very close races because the margin of error within the poll itself could intersect with the actual point difference between the candidates themselves. They can also be useful in detecting fraud because if an exit poll greatly conflicts with actual results, it can spur on an investigation to find out why those differences might exist.

question

What is the role of the president's press secretary

answer

The Press Office is responsible for providing support and information to the national and international media regarding the President's beliefs, activities and actions. It works alongside the Office of Communications in crafting and espousing the administration's message

question

Why do president's need to worry about their public image

answer

The president of the United States has always been a figure with whom American voters can identify, and he thereby unifies a diverse citizenry. Because Americans cannot realistically hope to agree with their president on every issue, the character of presidential candidates plays an integral role in American elections

question

What is the federal budget

answer

The budget for the federal government. The federal budget of a country is determined yearly, and forecasts the amount of money that will be spent on a variety of expenses in the upcoming year.

question

Describe the role of the OMB in the federal budget process.

answer

The OMB's predominant mission is to assist the President in overseeing the preparation of the federal budget and to supervise its administration in Executive Branch agencies

question

Where does the federal government receive most of its funding?

answer

taxes

question

Describe what happens when the government runs a budget surplus

answer

When the government collects more than it spends, a budget surplus exists.

question

Describe what happens when the government runs a budget deficit. How is the national debt related

answer

. When the government runs a budget deficit, it is spending more than it is taking in. In this way, national savings decreases. When national savings decreases, investment--the primary store of national savings--also decreases. Lower investment leads to lower long-term economic growth. Similarly, lower investment is accompanied by higher domestic interest rates, which decreases net exports. Based on this logic, a budget deficit is a drain on the long-term economy

question

What items take up the largest percentage of the annual federal budget? Why are entitlements and interest on the national debt considered fixed spending?

answer

Entitlements...money that has been allocated for these programs are part of mandatory spending

question

In as few words as possible, describe how the federal budget process exemplifies the principle of checks and balances.

answer

the United States the checks and balances built into the Constitution make budgeting especially complex, and require a multi-stage process that greatly compounds the difficulty of getting budget decisions made

question

what famous law created the current federal budget process?

answer

The Congressional Budget Act of 1974

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Pros of Bureaucracy

answer

specialization yields efficiency, rules lead to constant decisions.

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Cons of Bureaucracy

answer

workers lose touch with constituents, fixed procedures become ends unto themselves.

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Describe the composition of the federal bureaucracy.

answer

cabinet departments... Independent agencies... Regulatory agencies... government corporations

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Why are regulatory agencies considered quasi-legislative, executive, and judicial?

answer

Because they can make laws within their field, enforce the laws and make judgements on their laws.

question

How do regulatory agencies differ from executive agencies? Provide examples of each type of bureaucratic agency.

answer

An Executive Agency is a part of a government department that is treated as managerially and budgetary separate in order to carry out some part of the executive functions. Council of Economic Advisers Council on Environmental Quality A regulatory agency is a public authority or government agency responsible for exercising autonomous authority over some area of human activity in a regulatory or supervisory capacity. Interstate Commerce Commission and U.S. Food and Drug Administration

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How were most jobs in government filled before the 1880s? What tragic event took place that changed the staffing of the federal bureaucracy?

answer

the spoils system. the shooting of James Garfield

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List the major provisions of the Hatch Act.

answer

The Hatch Act of 1939 (53 Stat. 1147) restricted the ability of federal, or civil service, employees to participate in partisan political life. The goal of the act was to ensure that the civil service would remain politically neutral and efficient.

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List the responsibilities of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Merit Systems Protection Board.

answer

Recruiting and retaining

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Why is the federal government a necessary entity?

answer

Because people generally cannot be self-governing. Everyone has different ideas of how things should be.

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departmant of the state

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responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries

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Department of Defense

answer

charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government concerned directly with national security and the United States armed forces

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Department of the Treasury

answer

It was established by an Act of Congress in 1789 to manage government revenue.

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Department of Homeland Security

answer

a cabinet department of the United States federal government, created in response to the September 11 attacks, and with the primary responsibilities of protecting the United States of America and U.S. Territories (including Protectorates)[vague] from and responding to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters.

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Department of Justice

answer

responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice,

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Who must confirm any leader of a cabinet department

answer

The Senate

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Describe the responsibilities of a cabinet leader

answer

The executive branch of the government is divided into 15 cabinet departments that set policies and oversee programs affecting every American. These agencies' myriad responsibilities require thousands of skilled professionals working in offices nationwide.

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Federal Communications Commission

answer

an independent agency of the United States government, created by Congressional statute and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the media, public safety and homeland security

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Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

answer

Its principal mission is the promotion of consumer protection and the elimination and prevention of what regulators perceive to be harmfully anti-competitive business practices, such as coercive monopoly.

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Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC

answer

holds primary responsibility for enforcing the federal securities laws and regulating the securities industry, the nation's stock and options exchanges, and other electronic securities markets in the United states

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Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

answer

It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, with responsibility for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers.

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National Security Council (NSC)

answer

an executive branch governmental body responsible for coordinating policy on national security issues and advising chief executives on matters related to national security.

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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

answer

an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress

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The Federal Reserve System (FED)

answer

The Federal Reserve System (also known as the Federal Reserve, and informally as the Fed) is the central banking system of the United States

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What Is a government corporation?

answer

a legal entity created by a government to undertake commercial activities on behalf of an owner government

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united states postal service

answer

government corporation that deals with all mail

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federal deposit insurance corporation

answer

government corporation that insures money deposited in banks

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NASA

answer

government corporation that deals with space exploration and travel

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Tennessee valley authority

answer

government corporation that deals with utilities

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The Administrative Procedure Act (1947)

answer

sets up a process for the United States federal courts to directly review agency decisions. It is one of the most important pieces of United States administrative law.

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The Freedom of Information Act (1966)

answer

The Act defines agency records subject to disclosure, outlines mandatory disclosure procedures and grants nine exemptions to the statute

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The National Environmental Policy Act (1969)

answer

NEPA's most significant effect was to set up procedural requirements for all federal government agencies to prepare Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements

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The Privacy Act of 1974

answer

The Privacy Act requires that agencies give the public notice of their systems of records by publication in the Federal Register. The Privacy Act prohibits the disclosure of information from a system of records absent the written consent of the subject individual, unless the disclosure is pursuant to one of twelve statutory exceptions.

question

The Open Meeting Law (1976)

answer

AN ACT to require certain meetings of certain public bodies to be open to the public; to require notice and the keeping of minutes of meetings; to provide for enforcement; to provide for invalidation of governmental decisions under certain circumstances; to provide penalties; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts.

question

List some actions the president can take to limit the power of bureaucratic agencies.

answer

the president power to appoint various sorts of officials. In 1789 Congress gave the president power to remove officials without congressional assent, but the question of who (if anyone) would actually control the bureaucracy has been hotly contested throughout American history

question

List and describe the powers Congress can use to limit bureaucratic agencies.

answer

For many decades, Congress made increasing use of the legislative veto to control bureaucratic or presidential actions by vetoing a particular decision within a thirty- to ninety-day period. However, in June 1983, the Supreme Court declared the legislative veto unconstitutional (the Chadha case). This decision's exact effect on congressional oversight of the bureaucracy is still uncertain. Finally, congressional investigations are the most visible and dramatic form of oversight.

question

How can the judicial branch limit the power of bureaucratic agencies?

answer

The Supreme Court has interceded to restrict political patronage on constitutional grounds.

question

Define issue networks. Why do some political scientists believe "issue networks" are more prevalent than "iron triangles"?

answer

an alliance of various interest groups and individuals who unite in order to promote a single issue in government policy

question

Describe how checks and balances plays a role in naming federal judges. Why do presidents often follow the unwritten rule of senatorial courtesy when nominating state-level judges?

answer

The senate can veto the appointment of a justice by the President.

question

How do grand juries differ from petit juries?

answer

A normal (petit) jury hears evidence of a case after the arrest and arraignment of the accused. A grand jury hears evidence before the case is filed and may issue indictments based on the evidence presented by the prosecutor alone

question

How do legislative courts differ from constitutional courts

answer

A constitutional court is one exercising the judicial powers found in Article III of the constitution, and therefore its judges are given constitutional protection: they may not be fired nor may their salaries be reduced while they are in office A legislative court is one set up be Congress for some specialized purpose and staffed with people who have fixed terms of office and can be removed or have their salaries reduced.

question

In what types of cases does the US Supreme Court hold original jurisdiction?

answer

143. In what types of cases does the US Supreme Court hold original jurisdiction? 1. Cases involving ambassadors 2. Disputes between the states

question

How many cases are appealed to the Supreme Court each year? How many cases does the court usually hear? How many justices is necessary for a case to be granted writ of certiorari?

answer

4500 and less than 200

question

Why does the Supreme Court often refuse to hear certain cases?

answer

Already been taken care of by a lower court decision...sent back

question

Describe the meaning of the principle stare decisis.

answer

Let the decision stand...precedent

question

If the Supreme Court accepts an appellate case, what must each party then do? How much time does each side receive when they argue their case at the Supreme Court?

answer

Before oral arguments, the parties to a case file legal briefs outlining their arguments. 30 minutes

question

Majority Opinion

answer

The majority opinion is an explanation of the reasoning behind the majority decision of a supreme court.

question

Concurring Opinion

answer

an opinion that agrees with the court's disposition of the case but is written to express a particular judge's reasoning

question

Dissenting Opinion

answer

an opinion that disagrees with the court's disposition of the case

question

Per Curium Opinion

answer

phrase used to distinguish an opinion of the whole court from an opinion written by any one judge. Sometimes per curium signifies an opinion written by the chief justice or presiding judge; it can also refer to a brief oral announcement of the disposition of a case by the court that is unaccompanied by a written opinion

question

How can dissenting opinions play a role after a case is decided? Provide an example.

answer

They write dissenting opinions when they disagree with the Supreme Court ruling. Not every Supreme Court ruling is unanimous. Some are by 5 to 4, or 6-3, or 7 to 2 or 8 to 1 majorities. Some cases are by other majorities if not all nine justices vote on the case. The minority justices, that is the dissenting justices, write their own opinion to state why the think the majority is wrong and what they would have ruled and why.

question

What is the Marshall Court known for?

answer

Decisions relating to Federalism

question

What is the Taney Court known for?

answer

He is remembered principally for the Dred Scott decision (1857),

question

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

answer

Judicial Review, Case in which the Supreme Court first asserted the power of judicial review by finding that the congressional statue extending the Court's original jurisdiction was unconstitutional.

question

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

answer

Supremecy of the Federal Government

question

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

answer

Commerce Clause of the Constitution designated power to Congress to regulate interstate commerce and that the broad definition of commerce included navigation.

question

Scott v. Stanford (1857) à "Ðred Scott decision"

answer

1. Persons of African descent cannot be, nor were ever intended to be, citizens under the U.S. Const. Plaintiff is without standing to file a suit. 2. The Property Clause is only applicable to lands possessed at the time of ratification (1787). As such, Congress cannot ban slavery in the territories. Missouri Compromise is unconstitutional. 3. Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment prohibits the federal government from freeing slaves brought into federal territories.

question

What is the Warren Court known for?

answer

Warren led a liberal majority that used judicial power in dramatic fashion, to the consternation of conservative opponents

question

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

answer

Segregation of students in public schools violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, because separate facilities are inherently unequal. District Court of Kansas reversed.

question

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

answer

The Sixth Amendment right to counsel is a fundamental right applied to the states via the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution's due process clause, and requires that indigent criminal defendants be provided counsel at trial. Supreme Court of Florida reversed.

question

Engel v. Vitale (1963)

answer

Government-directed prayer in public schools violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, even if the prayer is denominationally neutral and students may remain silent or be excused from the classroom during its recitation.

question

Miranda v. Arizona (1963)

answer

The Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination requires law enforcement officials to advise a suspect interrogated in custody of his rights to remain silent and to obtain an attorney. Arizona Supreme Court reversed and remanded.

question

155. What is the Burger Court known for?

answer

the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a variety of transformative decisions on abortion, capital punishment, religious establishment, and school desegregation

question

Roe v. Wade (1973

answer

Texas law making it a crime to assist a woman to get an abortion violated her due process rights. U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas affirmed in part, reversed in part.

question

Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey (1992)

answer

State was allowed to limit abortions as long as they didn't pose an "undue burden" on pregnant women., again, it upheld Roe, but added new restriction (24 hour waiting period, mandatory counseling, and minors needed permission). It also created the undue burden standard - all new restrictions had to be judged by whether or not they create an undue burden for the mothers.

question

Regents of University of California v. Bakke (1978)

answer

Schools cannot use race as only factor when admitting students. (Affirmative Action)

question

Grutter v. Bollinger (2001)

answer

Race can be used as a factor for admission into a public law school as long as the policy is "narrowly tailored"

question

Gratz v. Bollinger (2001)

answer

Struck down use of "bonus points" for race in undergrad admissions at University of Michigan., struck down the University of Michigan's system of undergraduate admissions in which every applicant from an underrepresented racial or ethnic minority group was automatically given 20 points of the 100 needed for admission.

question

judicial activism

answer

A doctrine holding that the Supreme Court should take an active role by using its powers to check the activities of governmental bodies when those bodies exceed their authority.

question

judicial restraint.

answer

Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect what the framers intended and what its words literally say.

question

Which philosophy applies to the famous case, Brown v. Board of Education (1954)? Why?

answer

...

question

Why does the Supreme Court try to avoid political questions?

answer

The political question doctrine holds that some questions, in their nature, are fundamentally political, and not legal, and if a question is fundamentally political ... then the court will refuse to hear that case. It will claim that it doesn't have jurisdiction. And it will leave that question to some other aspect of the political process to settle out. —John E. Finn, professor of government, 2006

question

List the qualifications to be a justice on the Supreme Court.

answer

...

question

Describe what happens at the confirmation hearing. Why did the Senate nearly vote against the confirmation of Clarence Thomas?

answer

...

question

What role do interest groups play in the selection/confirmation of potential Supreme Court justices?

answer

...

question

What is the purpose of the privileges and immunity clause that is located in the Constitution? How did the Supreme Court interpret this clause in the infamous Dred Scott decision?

answer

...

question

How did the case Gitlow v. New York (1925) affect the interpretation of the Bill of Rights?

answer

...

question

Reynolds v. United States (1879)

answer

First Amendment protects religious belief, but not criminal practices related to religious belief (polygamy), 1878

question

West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943)

answer

West Virginia Board of Education required all pupils and teachers to salute the flag each day. Any who did not were expelled. Result: Requiring public school children to salute the flag is unconstitutional. - overruled Minersville.

question

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

answer

The Court ruled that Wisconsin could not require Amish parents to send their children to public school beyond the eighth grade because it would violate long-held religious beliefs.

question

Employment Division v. Smith (1990)

answer

Determined that the state could deny unemployment benefits to a person fired for violating a state prohibition on the use of peyote, even though the use of the drug was part of a religious ritual. Although states have the power to accommodate otherwise illegal acts done in pursuit of religious beliefs, they are not required to do so. Neutral laws of general applicability do not violate the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.

question

Why was the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 considered to be controversial?

answer

The US was suspicious of the french immigrants living the country. They wondered if they would remain loyal to the US if we went to war with France.

question

What were Black Codes? Describe the purpose of their usage.

answer

They were codes or rules created by southerners after the Civil War to restrict the new rights and freedoms of African American in the south. Ex. Blacks that did not have jobs could be put in jail, and therefore took the first job (even bad jobs) offered to them. Gave blacks curfews and did not allow them to carry guns.

question

What are the goals of Affirmative Action programs?

answer

the policy of providing special opportunities for, and favoring members of, a disadvantaged group who suffer from discrimination

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