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referendum

answer

a legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate

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ex-post facto

answer

retroactive criminal laws that make an act a crime after it was committed or that increase the sentence of a crime after it was committed

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popular sovereignty

answer

This principle of government states that political power rests with the people. This power is expressed by voting and free participation in government.

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judicial review

answer

The power of the supreme court to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments unconstitutional.

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representative government

answer

Power is held by the people and exercised through the efforts of representatives elected by the people.

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supremacy clause

answer

constitutional declaration (Article VI) that the Constitution and laws made under its provisions are the greatest law of the land

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primary

answer

a preliminary election where delegates or nominees are chosen

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caucus

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a private meeting of party leaders to choose candidates for office

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closed primary

answer

Primary election in which only persons registered in the party holding the primary may vote.

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FECA

answer

(Federal Employment Compensation Act): a law passed in 1974 for reforming campaign finances. Created the Federal Election Commission (FEC), provided public financing for primaries/general elections, limited presidential campaign spending, required disclosure, and attempted to limit contributions.

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liberal

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A person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties

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conservative

answer

a person who believes government power, particularly in the economy, should be limited in order to maximize individual freedom

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moderate

answer

Person whose views are between conservative and liberal and may include some of both ideologies

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elector

answer

member of a party chosen in each state to formally elect the president and vice president

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public opinion poll

answer

a survey in which individuals are asked to answer questions about a particular issue or person

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limited government

answer

basic principle of American government which states that government is restricted in what it may do, and each individual has rights that government cannot take away

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direct democracy

answer

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

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ideology

answer

a set of basic beliefs about life, culture, government, and society

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grassroots organization

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A type of social movement organization that relies on high levels of membership participation to promote social change. it lacks a hierarchical structure and works through existing political structures to promote social change

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sound bite

answer

a very short speech

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interest groups

answer

organization of people who share political, social or other goals; and agree to try to influence public policy to achieve those goals.

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self-nomination

answer

Declaring yourself as a candidate for public office.

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nomination

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The official endorsement of a candidate for office by a political party. Generally, success in the nomination game requires momentum, money, and media attention.

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nomination convention

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A meeting where delegates from each state cast their votes for political candidates

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petition

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A formal request for government action

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super PACS

answer

May raise unlimited amounts of money to spend for or against candidates, but they may not coordinate their spending with the candidate's campaigns and their contributors must be disclosed.

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federalism

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A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

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veto

answer

The constitutional power of the president to send a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it. But a two-thirds vote in each house can override a veto.

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bill

answer

a proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration

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census

answer

a periodic and official count of a country's population

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bicameral

answer

composed of two legislative bodies

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public policy

answer

the course of action the government takes in response to an issue or problem

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1st Amendment

answer

Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition

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Bill of Rights

answer

a statement of fundamental rights and privileges (especially the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution)

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17th Amendment

answer

popular election of senators

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Which article of the Constitution sets up the Legislative branch?

answer

Article I

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Executive?

answer

Article II

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Judicial?

answer

Article III

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What is the main job of the Legislative branch?

answer

The main job of the legislative branch is to write, debate, and pass laws.

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What is the main job of the Executive branch?

answer

To enforce laws, command the armed forces, and make treaties.

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What is the main job of the Judicial branch?

answer

Interpret laws and protect the constitution

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What are the powers of Congress?

answer

1.Regulate trade with other countries 2. Declare war 3. Establish a post office 4. Raise and Support an Army

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What are the powers of the Executive?

answer

The power of the Executive Branch is vested in the President of the United States, who also acts as head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The President is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress and, to that end, appoints the heads of the federal agencies, including the Cabinet.

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Which two ancient governments influenced our government today? What are some examples of each?

answer

1. Ancient Rome: Representative Government 2. Ancient Greece: Direct Democracy

question

List 4 major philosophers and describe the government principle associated with each one.

answer

1. Hobbes: humans are inherently evil; strong central government 2. Locke: limited government 3. Rousseau: popular sovereignty 4. Montesquieu: checks and balances

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List Influential Documents of our government and the principle associated with each one.

answer

1. Magna Carta: limited government 2. English Petition of Rights: rule of law 3. English Bill of Rights: individual rights of the people 4. VA Declaration of Rights: freedoms of religion and press 5. Declaration of Independence: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness 6. VA Statute of Religious Freedom: free to worship 7. Articles of Confederation: power with the states

question

List and define 6 foundation principles of our government

answer

1. separation of powers: each branch has separate powers 2. checks and balances: limits on government branches 3. limited: type of government with which functions are limited 4. judicial review: power is vested within people

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Describe the amendment process.

answer

STEP 1. Proposal- 2 ways to propose it. The first one is Congress taking a vote, and you need two-thirds vote from members of both houses. Second, you can propose it by a national convention that must be requested by ⅔ of the state legislatures, then must be ratified by the states. STEP 2. Ratification- either ¾ vote of the states, or holding a special state convention

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What are the main types of 3rd parties?

answer

1. Libertarian 2. Green 3. Constitutional

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What is the effect of 3rd parties on our elections?

answer

it can skew the votes in certain directions.

question

Which is the most successful type of 3rd party?

answer

Libertarian

question

What is the presidential nomination process?

answer

Make the Announcement - Form a Campaign Organization - Build a War Chest (Raise Funds) - Develop a Strategy - Run in Primaries and Caucuses - Accept the nomination at the National Convention

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What is the electoral college?

answer

the body of electors who formally elect the United States president and vice-president

question

what are the functions of political parties?

answer

To identify and publicize issues, stimulate public interest, recruit candidates, finance party activities, operate the government, provide organized opposition, create consensus, provide avenues for public service and careers.

question

Describe ways media can influence public opinion.

answer

Giving selective attention to issues, Shaping public opinion by inﬂuencing attitudes and beliefs, Providing information to policy-makers

question

How do individuals influence public policy?

answer

Participating in politics (voting, campaigning), Expressing opinions, (lobbying, demonstrating, writing letters), and Joining interest groups

question

How do interest groups influence public policy?

answer

Identifying issues, Making political contributions, Lobbying government ofﬁcials

question

Describe the Executive Branch.

answer

President: Obama; appointing, pardons, convene, state of union, convention Vice President: Biden; president of Senate, assists president

question

Describe the Amendment process.

answer

to create an amendment a 2/3 Congress must agree, then 3/4 must ratify it by the states OR proposed at National Convention by state (3/4)

question

Describe the nomination process

answer

nominations can arise from self announcement, caucus/convention, direct primaries, or petitions

question

Describe the powers and requirements of a senator.

answer

100 Senators (2 per state), serve a 6 year term. Must be 30 years old, 9 citizen for 9 years, and live in elected state. They re-elect 1/3 of the seats every 2 years. Make $174, 000

question

House of Representatives?

answer

435 Representatives, serve 2 year terms. Must be 26 years old, citizen for 7 years, live in elected state. Elections are held the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November, every even numbered year. Make $147,000

question

Describe why the Senate is considered the upper body of our legislative branch.

answer

The senate is more prestigious; seeing as though the requirements are higher, there are less members, and thus creating more time to debate on issues.

question

Explain when Congressional elections are held.

answer

They are held every 2 years (even years); 1/3 of the senate and the whole house of reps go through the election process.

question

How does a bill become a law?

answer

First the bill is introduced to senate or the house, then it is assigned to a committee and must pass through the house rules committee. Once it's passed it goes to be reported to the floor, then it is sent to the senate to be voted/debated or is is sent to the house, depending on where it started. However both houses have to pass the bill in order for it to be sent to the president. From there it can be signed or vetoed. Then it can become a law.

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National Power

answer

(delegated powers) declare war, coin money, regulate trade. Powers delegated to Federal Government

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State Powers

answer

(reserved powers) conduct elections, establish schools, establish local government. Powers reserved for the states.

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Concurrent Powers

answer

powers shared nationally/locally: enforce laws, establish courts, borrow money

question

Implied Powers

answer

not stated in the Constitution, but suggested: building highways, levy income tax, organize postal system

question

Inherent Powers

answer

belong to National government, not in Constitution; there because government is a sovereign power: immigration, acquiring territory, deport undocumented aliens

question

Expressed Powers

answer

National Powers: admit new states, raise army, regulate foreign trade.

question

What are the Roles of a President?

answer

1. Chief Citizen: guidance during wars/depressions/disasters 2. Chief of State: perform ceremonial functions, symbol of nation 3. Chief Executive: execute laws, appoint cabinet/judges, grant pardons 4. Commander in Chief: lead armed forces, cease fire 5. Chief Diplomat: foreign policy, treaties, pacts 6. Chief Policy Maker: veto bills, state of union, legislative measures 7. Chief of Party: head of political party, choose vice president, reelect 8. Chief Manager of Economy: suggest budget, Employment Act 1946

question

What are the requirements to be President?

answer

Must be at least 35 years old, natural born citizen (or at least used to be), and live in the U.S. for at least 14 years

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