American Government Exam #1

Question 1

Politics

Answer 1

the contest over and exercise of power

Question 2

Power

Answer 2

the ability to cause someone to do something he/she would not otherwise do

Question 3

Government

Answer 3

a system of institutions, rules, and leaders for making group decisions

Question 4

Democracy

Answer 4

a form of government in which people rule, either directly or indirectly through elected representatives

Question 5

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 5

the principle that people should have a say in how they are governed

Question 6

Majority Rule

Answer 6

the principle that a group should take the actions supported by most of its members

Question 7

Direct Democracy

Answer 7

a democracy in which citizens vote directly on government policy

Question 8

Indirect Democracy

Answer 8

a democracy in which citizens vote for representatives who, in turn, determine government policy

Question 9

Public Good

Answer 9

a benefit that can be enjoyed by all group members, regardless of whether they contributed to it

Question 10

Free Rider

Answer 10

a person who enjoys public good without contributing to it

Question 11

Collective Action Problem

Answer 11

the challenge of providing a public good for a group when members would rather free ride than contribute

Question 12

Statue

Answer 12

a specific law passed by a legislature

Question 13

Constitution

Answer 13

a set of basic laws that structure a government

Question 14

Declaration of Independence

Answer 14

the document which formally declared the U.S.A. to be independent from Great Britain in 1776

Question 15

Articles of Confederation

Answer 15

the first constitution of the U.S., which loosely united the 13 states under a weak central government from 1781-1789

Question 16

Constitutional Convention

Answer 16

the 1787 meeting in Philadelphia where the Constitution was written

Question 17

Great Compromise

Answer 17

a compromise between large and small states at the Constitutional Convention which resulted in a two-chamber Congress with a proportional House of Representatives and an equal Senate

Question 18

Three-FIfths Compromise

Answer 18

a compromise between Northern and Southern states at the Constitutional Convention; which resulted in slaves being counted as 3/5 of a person for determining seats in the House of Representatives.

Question 19

Necessary and Proper Clause

Answer 19

clause article I of the constitution which authorizes Congress to make whatever laws are “necessary and proper” to carry out its duties

Question 20

Separation of Powers

Answer 20

the distribution of legislative, executive, and judicial powers among multiple branches of government.

Question 21

Checks and Balances

Answer 21

a system in which each branch of government can limit or block the actions of other branches

Question 22

Federalists

Answer 22

supporters of the Constitution during the time when states were debating its ratification

Question 23

Anti-Federalist

Answer 23

Opponents of the Constitution during the time when states were debating its ratification

Question 24

Police Power

Answer 24

states focus and local regulations of safety and health

Question 25

Unitary System

Answer 25

a system of government which power is concentrated at the national level

Question 26

Confederal System

Answer 26

a system of government in which power is divided evenly between the national and subnational levels

Question 27

Enumerated Powers

Answer 27

Powers that are granted to the national government in the Constitution

Question 28

Reserved Powers

Answer 28

Powers that are reserved for state governments by the 10th Amendment of the Constitution

Question 29

Concurrent Powers

Answer 29

Powers that are shared by the national government and the state governments.

Question 30

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Answer 30

the clause in Article IV of the Constitution which requires states to respect the laws of other states

Question 31

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Answer 31

the clause in Article IV of the Constitution which prohibits states from denying basic rights to citizens from other states.S

Question 32

Supremacy Clause

Answer 32

the clause in Article VI of the Constitution which establishes that national law supersedes state law

Question 33

Dual Federalism

Answer 33

a system in which national and state government exercise their powers in separate domains with minimal overlap or interaction

Question 34

New Deal

Answer 34

the set of programs initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt which increased the national government’s economic powers in response to the Great Depression

Question 35

Great Society

Answer 35

a policy agenda spearheaded by President Lyndon B. Johnson that created Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs to address issues of poverty, education, and racial discrimination.

Question 36

Cooperative Federalism

Answer 36

a system in which national and state governments exercise their powers collaboratively, with states implementing programs designed and administered by the national government.

Question 37

Categorical Grant

Answer 37

An amount of money issued to a state by Congress to spend for a specific purpose and according to specific guidelines.

Question 38

Block Grant

Answer 38

an amount of money issued to a state by Congress with fewer restrictions than a categorical grant.

Question 39

What are 3 definitions of politics?

Answer 39

who gets what, when, how
the struggle for power
the art of the possible

Question 40

What are the six major characteristics of representative (liberal) democracy (in general)?

Answer 40

1. control over government policy is constitutionally vested in elected officials.
2. elected officials are chosen in frequent & fair elections; coercion is uncommon.
3. Citizens have the right to express themselves freely without the danger of severe punishment on political matters.
4. citizens have the right to seek out alternative sources of information. These sources exist and are protected by law.
5. Citizens have the right to form independent associations or organizations, including political parties and interest groups.
6. all adults have the above rights.

Question 41

What is the difference between a presidential system and a parliamentary system?

Answer 41

Presidential System:
- separation of powers (exe/leg) are separate & independent.
- Head of Gov. & Head of State (Presidents serve as both)
- Fixed Terms (not subject to dismissal by legislative)
- Direct Election (by the people)
- Cabinet Selection (President appoints cabinet)
- Checks & Balances (clear system of C/B b/n Exec, Legis, Jud)

Executive power is vested in a separate elected president

Parliamentary System:
- Fusion of Powers (Exe/ Prime Minister/cabinet) drawn from
and accountable to the legislature (parliament)
- Head of Gov & Head of State
(Gov= Prime Minister) (State= Monarch of President
- No Fiexed Terms (serves as long as maintain confidence/
removed by a vote of no Confidence.
- Indirect Election: Prime minister chosen by majority party;
not directly by people
- Cabinet From Legislature: members of the legislature
- Flexible Elections: Can be called anytime; not always fixed
intervals.

Executive power is vested in the elected parliament or legislation

Question 42

What was the historical background to the colonies declaring independence? That is, what was being disputed?

Answer 42

• Taxation without representation (taxes) Stamp Act 1765,
  Townshend Act 1767
• Economic Control
• Quartering British Troops
• Limited Colonies to Self-Govern
• Violation of rights
• Conflict (Boston Massacre 1770, Boston Tea Party 1773,
  Start of the Revolutionary War
• Determined and felt the need to govern on their own, independent states. Based on equality and the rights of individuals.

The freedoms of the people in America were being taken away (taxation without representation, Stamp Act, Quarting Troops

Question 43

What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 43

The purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to…
- Justify the colonies breaking from Britain… explain to the world why the American colonies declared independence from Britain.

• Listed grievances against King George III, aimed to show that the British crown had repeatedly violated colonies’ rights and ignored their petitions for redress.
• Asserted natural rights and principles of government.
  life, liberty, and the pursuit of
  happiness. People have the right
  to alter or abolish it and establish
  a new government.
• Unify the colonies (shared ideas of freedom and self governance…rebellion into revolutionary movement. provided a common cause and set of principles.
• By sharing their reasons by breaking away, colonies hoped to gain . Find support from other nations, encourage diplomatic and military assistance (seeking international support)
• Fight for human rights (create a revolution)

A political tract, not a plan for government.
Purpose to formally announce the freedom of America (break up letter)

Question 44

How was the U.S. structured under the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 44

• Loose confederation of sovereign states with a weak central government.
• emphasized the independence and sovereignty of each state. It has its own government, laws, and constitution.
• Congress of the Confederation- no executive/ national judiciary, one vote.
• No president to enforce laws (carried out by committees of Congress).
• Limited authority; lacked power to tax
• Amendments required consent of all 13 Colonies (made it harder for amendments to pass)
• States created their own trade policies and currencies
• Inability to maintain law and order or address economic issues (Shay’s Rebellion 1789-1787)
• Led to the draft of the Constitution

United States was independent states with a weak alliance. States were separate countries. Also problems with state constitutions.
States were like separate.

Question 45

What problem were the delegates at the Constitutional Convention 1787 trying to solve? How did the document they came up with seek to solve that problem? How did the structures of the federal government address these concerns? How did issues of slavery play a role in drafting the Constitution?

Answer 45

1. Trying to solve problems created by weakness of Articles of Confederation.
   - weak government, economic instability, inab ility to regulate trade, difficulty raising revenue, lack of unifies foreign policy, SHay’s rebellion.
2. Created a new federal system that established a strong central government while preserving a system of checks & balances.
   - federalism, separation of Powers (Leg, Exe, Jud), power to tax and regular commerce, flexible amendment process.
3. ensure unity. Three-Fifths Clause, Slave Trade Compromise, etc.
   - word “slavery” never used, but its protections were through the compromises. Avoided direct confrontation of issue, framers hoped to maintain unity between the Northern and Souther states while sidestepping the growing divide over slavery. Wouldn’t have agreed to it otherwise.
4. created a stronger balanced federal government, with clear powers and responsibility.

• The Constitution solved the immediate problems of the Articles of Confederation by creating a stronger, more balanced federal government with clear powers and responsibilities. However, its compromise on slavery laid the groundwork for future tensions, contributing to conflicts that would lead to the Civil War.

Weak alliance (central government) of the states. Their main goal was to revise the Articles of Confederation.

Wanted to make a constitution to avoid tyranny and be strong enough to be effective
Structures:
checks and balances between 3 branches of government
separation of power ensured power would not be concentrated in 1 branch
federalism localized government

The southern stated wanted to keep their slaves or they would not sign the Constitution
Origional draft condemned slavery.

Question 46

What are the 2 fundamental principles of the Constitution? The intention of Each?

Answer 46

Separation of Powers
Intention: intended to prevent any one branch of government from gaining to much power. Ensures that each branch has distinct and limited responsibilities, creating a system of checks and balances where branches can hold each other accountable.

Legislative Branch (Congress): Make Laws

Executive Branch (President): Enforce Laws

Judicial Branch (Courts): Interprets Laws

Purpose: By dividing governmental powers, the framers aimed to safeguard against tyranny, protect individual rights, and maintain a balanced government where no single entity could dominate the political process.

Federalism:
Intention: division of powers between federal government and state governments. Designed to balance power by allowing the federal government to handle national issues (defense, interstate commerce) while reserving other powers for the sets (education, law enforcement.)

Purpose: the goal is to ensure that power is decentralized, providing a way for states to have autonomy while still maintaining unity under a central government. Protects individual liberties by limiting the reach of the federal government and promoting local self-governance.

Together: ensure a balance of power.

Separation of Powers: separating the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government into different bodies
Intention:

Federalism:
intention

Labortories of Democracy!!! Essay Question

Question 47

Who were Federalist & Anti-Federalist? Concerns & Arguments?

Answer 47

Two groups that emerged during the debate over the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1787-1788.

Federalist:
- supporters of the new Constitution, advocating for a stronger national government to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
1. Need for Strong Central Government
2. Checks and Balances
3. Unity and Stability
4. No need for a Bill of Rights (initially)

Figures:
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay (federalist papers)

Anti-Federalist:
- opponents of the Constitution, fearing that it created a national government that was too powerful and would threaten individual liberties and state sovereignty.

1. Fear of Strong Central Government
2. Lack of Bill of Rights
3. Protection of State Sovereignty
4. Representation Concerns

Figures:
Patrick Henry, George Mason, and Thomas Jefferson (not directly participate, shared concerns)

Debates led to a compromise: the Bill of Rights to address the Anti-Federalists’ concerns about protecting individual liberties. Helped secure the Ratification of the constitution in 1788/ First 10 amendments added in 1791, protections for personal freedoms and states’ rights.

Essay Question

Question 48

Why does Danielle Allen think the Constitution is a work of “Flawed Genious”?

Answer 48

Genius: Foundaitonal Principles of Self-Government
- Checks and Balances, Separation of Powers, Federalism, COmmitment to Liberty and Democracy.

Flaws: Compromises on Equality and Slavery
- Failure to Address Slavery, Three-Fifths Compromise, Exclusion of Certain Groups, Ambiguity on Equality.

Potential for Improvement:
_ Amendability: capacity for growth, Bill of Rights, Civil War Amendments, A Living Document, flexibility, potential for reinterpretation.

• Look at other Notes

She thought it was a work of “flawed genius” because of the accountability (checks and balances/ separation of powers)

The Constitution is the longest lasting document

We do. It’s ours, an adaptable instrument used to define…

Question 49

What does Randy Barnett mean by “democratic Consti) By “republic constit.?

Answer 49

Democratic Constitution:
- focus on majority rule
- trust in the government
- flexibility and adaptability.
- We the people is majority rule
- purpose is to make the most people happy

Republican Constitution:
- focus on individual rights
- Skepticism of Government Power
(limited government
- emphasis on judicial protection
- we the people as individuals
- the purpose is to secure rights

Differences:
- majority rule vs. individual rights, government power, role of the judiciary.

View Other Notes

Essay Question

Question 50

What features of Congress does Robert Dahl find undemocratic? Why? Why does he find these features unjustifiably undemocratic?

Answer 50

Undemocratic: a decision made by a small number of people than all

Slavery: it did not forbid slavery or empower Congress to do so

Suffrage: Excluded women, African Americans, and Native Americans

Electoral College election of president: only a select group of men could choose

Choosing senators by state legislatures: chose not by the people but by state legislatures

Equal Representation in the Senate: Does every state deserve only 2 voices?

Judicial legislation: unlimited powers Unlimited because they didn’t know what else to do.

Limited or unclear congressional powers: no constitutional authorization for banking, min. wage, tax incomes, pollution, etc.

Question 51

What does Louis Michael Seidman mean by advocating “Constituational disobedience”? Why advocate this?

Answer 51

1. Questioning the Constituion’s Authority
2. Need more flexibility in Governance.

Why advocates:
1. Outdates provisions
2. Inability to adapt
3. Should involved self-governance
4. Majority Rule
5. Barrier to Progress
6. Entrenched Inequality
7. Mythp of Perfection, “constitutional idolatry”
8. Healthy Skepticism

View Other Notes

He means that although actions may be unconstitutional, they are the right thing to do…opposing slavery

Question 52

How does a federal system differ from a Unitary or a Confederal System?

Answer 52

Federal Systems:
Shared between national and state governments

Unitary- all powers lies with the national government (National/Federal)

Confederal- Power resides mainly with state governments (State/Local)

Question 53

What are the advantages of Federalism? Disadvantages?

Answer 53

Adv:
- avoids “one size fits all”, closer to the people

• Laboratories of Democracy: someting doesn’t work (damage isn’t contained), states can try different things other can decide to adopt them, experiments are in public policy.
• Customized solution/locally sensitive
• Responsiveness of Public Officials

Dis:
- States could delay or hinder national policy, mixed messages and confusion, and cross-border problems.
- (Jim Crow Laws/ Little Rock High School/Marijawana/Abortion)

• State resistance to national Laws
• Inefficiency (lack of cooperation) Why Articles of Confederation was dumped.

Question 54

What is the Necessary & Proper Clause? What are two views on what it authorizes Congress to do?

Answer 54

Provides Congress with the authority to pass laws needed to execute its enumerated powers- regulating commerce, coining money, or raising an army.

Broad (expansive) View/Interpretation:

• Congress can pass any law reasonably related to its constitutional powers, giving it flexibility to address a wide range of issues.

Narrow View/Interpretation
- Congress should pass only laws that are absolutely essential to carrying out its explicitly listed powers, preserving the balance between federal and state authority.

2 Views:
Grants congress the power to do what it is entitled to do in the Constitution

National Supremacy (Hamilton): Nationalist, favored strong federal power

States’ Rights (Jefferson): New and wary about the federal government, very restricted

Question 55

What is the significance of McCulloch vs. Maryland?

Answer 55

Reinforcment of federal authroity and broad interpretation of the NEcessary & Proper Clause. It confirmed that the federal government could exercise implied powers and their states could not undermine federal institutions, helping to shape the strong federal system that exists today.

McCulloch v. Maryland established that if state and federal laws are ever in conflict, the federal law always wins.

The Supreme Court decided that the Second Bank of the United States could not be taxed by the state of Maryland because they did not have the power to tax branches of the federal government that are carrying out powers legal in the Constitution.

Also decided

Question 56

What is fiscal federalism?

Answer 56

Fiscal federalism operates through various federal taxes, grants, and transfers that occur in addition to states and localities. It is the pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants to influence state and local governments

Grants-in-aid (financial relationships and interactions between different levels of government)

Question 57

What does Randy Barnett mean by “Bill of Federalism”? Why does he think such a bill is needed?

Answer 57

Set of propsed constitutional amendments designed to reassert the balance of power between the federal government and the states.

Believes necessary because federal government has expanded its authority in ways that infringe on states rights and individual freedom, due to judicial interpretation of key constitutional clauses.

The Bill of Federalism seeks to limit federal power and restore the original vision of more decentralized government system.

is a list of 10 proposed amendments to the Constitution. He thinks a bill is needed to restore the balance between the state and federal power as well as the original meaning of the Constitution.

Read through list.

Question 58

What is Dan Levine’s contribution to our understanding of attitudes toward federalism?

Answer 58

His research shows public opinions on federalism are influenced by partisanship, political rules, and specific policy issues, rather than being based on fixed ideological commitment to state or federal authority. Central to Levine’s Work

He wrote a short essay that highlights partisan politics

Democrats and Republicans switch sides on states’ rights.

See Other Notes

Question 59

What is the Commerce Clause?

Answer 59

1. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of U.S. Constitution
2. Grants Congress power to “regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with Indian Tribes”
3. Puporse: Allows Congress to regulate trade and economic activities that cross state lines or affect multiple states. Historically, intended to promote a unified national economy and prevent states from enacting protectionist measures that undermine interstate trade.

Congress can regulate commerce between states

Question 60

What is the Supremacy Clasue?

Answer 60

1. Article VI, Clause 2, or US Const
2. Establishes that Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are “Supreme Law of Land” meaning federal takes precedence when conflict between fed and state.
3. Purpose: ensures federal law overrides state laws or regulations that conflict with the Constitution or federal legislation, reinforcing federal authority when disputes arise between different levels of government.

Fedral Law trumps State

Question 61

How Commerce Clause and Supremacy Clause relate to Federalism:

Answer 61

Controversies over federalism (the division of sharing of power between the national and state governments) arose in several court cases involving commerce and supremacy

Questions disputed: does federal law trump state law? and how much can the federal government meddle.

Question 62

How do cases such as Wickard v. Filburn (1942) and Gonzales v. Raich (2005) demonstrate the importance of these constitutional clauses?

Answer 62

1. Wickard v. Filburn (1942):
2. Gonzalez v. Raich