Chapter 1 Unit Test Flashcards
Who was John Locke?
Social Contract
Natural Rights Philosophy
Right to be free from God
What was the “social contract” theory?
“The only valid GOV is based on the consent of the governed.”
What type of government did Ancient Greece have?
Direct Democracy on a small scale
What was the structure of the Roman government?
Laws of the 12 Tables Public law (gov could/couldn't) Private law (individuals) Bicameral Senate
What is Feudalism?
Pyramid of Social Statuses
Divine Right of Kings (which we now refute)
What type of government existed in the Renaissance?
Protestants break away from Catholic Church.
Feudalism heading towards Monarchy.
What was invented during the Renaissance?
Printing Press
What is natural law?
Gave right to be free because created by God
Ruler should protect those rights
Who was Machievellian?
What was his theory?
“The ends justify the means.”
“It is better to be feared than loved.”
Who was Thomas Hobbs? What was his theory?
Wrote “The Leviathan” and displayed what life would be like without the GOV (that’s why we have Agent Carter)
One Ruler
Give up freedom for safety.
Define: separation of powers.
an act of vesting the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government in separate bodies
Define: checks and balances
counterbalancing influences by which an organization or system is regulated
Define: popular sovereignty
principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people
Define: limited government
A political system in which legalized force is restricted through delegated and enumerated powers. (Ex. judicial review)
Define: federalism
system of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and various regional governments
Define: judicial review
What was this court case?
court can review an administrative action by a public body
Marbury v. Madison
Define: Pluralist
Merits/Shortcomings?
describes a political system where there is more than one center of power, which public interest prevails
Define: Elite
Merits/Shortcomings?
A theory of American democracy contending that an upper-class elite holds the power and makes policy, regardless of the formal government organization.
("Your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite. XOXO Gossip Girl)Define: Hyper pluralist
Merits/Shortcomings?
theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government, which gives in to the many different groups, is thereby weakened
Define: Marxist
Merits/Shortcomings?
socialist society evolves into communism, class distinctions will no longer exist, which will eliminate the need for the state in any form
Define: Bureaucratic
Merits/Shortcomings?
This non-personal view of organizations followed a formal structure where rules, formal legitimate authority and competence were characteristics of appropriate management practices.
Define: Majoritarian
Merits/Shortcomings?
asserts that a majority of the population is entitled to a certain degree of primacy in society, and has the right to make decisions that affect the society
Define: Trustee Model
Merits/Shortcomings?
The philosophy that legislators should consider the will of the people but act in ways they believe best for the long-term interests of the nation
Define: Representation Model
Merits/Shortcomings?
Votes only on the views of the people they are representing
Define: Politico
Merits/Shortcomings?
Legislators follow their own judgment until the public becomes vocal about a particular matter, at which point they should follow the dictates of constituents
What are the steps in the policy making process?
People (interests), Linkage Institutions (interest groups), Policy Agenda (political issues), Policymaking Institutions (legislature/executive), Policy (regulations), People (impact).
What are the arguments for Declaration of Independence?
Natural Rights Philosophy/
Jefferson wrote (borrowed a lot from Locke)
Originally had slavery comment, but took it out.
Foundational
“He has…” statements connected to Constitution
What were the strengths/weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
+ First form of gov
- GOV has no control because of Article II
Unicameral Congress (one house) and each state had one vote
Everything had to be voted Supermajority (9/13) to pass a law, (13/13) to amend
No executive, no central authority
No Federal Judiciary, no central law
No control over taxation, commerce between states/foreign nations, no monetary (money) system
Separation of powers, checks and balances, popular sovereignty, limited government, federalism, judicial review are all examples of what?
Madisonian Principles
Which Madisonian Principle is not in the Constitution?
Judicial Review
In Federalist 78, Hamilton discussed what?
Judicial Review Judiciary Branch (courts) is the weakest.
Constitution-
Levying taxes:
Congress has the right to levy taxes on individuals.
Articles-
Levying taxes:
Congress could request states to pay tax.
Constitution-
Federal Courts:
Court systems created to deal with issues between individuals and states.
Articles-
Federal Courts:
No system of federal courts.
Constitution-
Regulation of Trade:
Congress has the power to regulate trade between states.
Articles-
Regulation of Trade:
No provision to regulate interstate trade.
Constitution-
Executive:
Executive branch headed by President who chooses Cabinet and has checks on power of judiciary and legislature.
Articles-
Executive:
No executive with power. President of U.S. merely presides over Congress.
Define: Necessary and Proper Clause
National GOV has certain implied powers that go beyond delegated power
(Elastic Clause)
Define: Tenth Amendment
any power that is not given to the federal government is given to the people or the states
Define: Ninth Amendment
addresses rights, retained by the people, that are not specifically enumerated in the Constitution
Constitution-
Amending document:
2/3 of both houses of Congress plus 3/4 of state legislators or national convention.
Articles-
Amending document:
13/13 needed to amend Articles.
(Good luck with that…)
Constitution-
Representation of states:
Upper house (Senate) with 2 votes; lower house (H of R) based on population.
Articles-
Representation of states:
Each state received one vote no matter size.
Constitution-
Raising an army:
Congress can raise an army to deal with military situations.
Articles-
Raising an army:
Congress could not draft troops, dependent on states to contribute forces.
Constitution-
Interstate commerce:
Interstate commerce controlled by Congress.
Articles-
Interstate commerce:
No control of trade between states.
Constitution-
Disputes between states:
Federal court to handle disputes.
Articles-
Disputes between states:
Complicated system of arbitration.
Constitution-
Sovereignty:
Constitution is the supreme law of the land.
Articles-
Sovereignty:
Sovereignty resides in the states.
(Half way there! “Heigh ho, heigh ho! It’s off to work we go.” -Seven Dwarfs)
Constitution-
Passing laws:
50%+1 of both houses plus signature of President.
Articles-
9/13 needed to approve legislation.
Define: Reserved Powers Clause
powers reserved, or set aside, to the states (10th Amendment);
any power that is not given to the federal government is given to the people or the states
Jefferson vs. Hamilton-
Popular Rule:
Hamilton:
Not always best for community.
People are too corrupt.
Jefferson:
Average people are essential to government.
Confidence in people to rule honestly.
Jefferson vs. Hamilton-
Sates’ Rights:
Hamilton:
State gov imposes on national gov.
National gov should rule over states.
Jefferson:
National gov can be oppressive if states are too weak.
National gov should handle foreign policies.
Jefferson vs. Hamilton-
Debt:
Hamilton:
Citizens indebted to national gov, give gov more power.
(Some debt=good)
Jefferson:
Public’s debt should be paid immediately.
Jefferson vs. Hamilton-
Rebellion:
Hamilton:
Rebellion is not acceptable.
Government should have control.
Jefferson:
A little rebellion is ok.
Can be beneficial.
Jefferson vs. Hamilton-
British Government:
Hamilton:
("Best day ever!!!" - Rapunzel)
Best government.
Short executive terms.
No standing Army.
Jefferson:
England’s gov is corrupt.
Dis-approved re-eligibility of President.
Naval force would not be a threat.
Jefferson vs. Hamilton-
Articles of Confederation:
Hamilton:
Radically vicious and unsound.
Different that original intent.
Jefferson:
(“For the first time in forever…” -Anna)
Best existing form at the time.
Has some imperfections.
Jefferson vs. Hamilton-
Military:
Hamilton:
No standing Army.
Oppressive.
Jefferson:
Naval force is needed.
Less bloodshed.
Not oppressive.
Jefferson vs. Hamilton-
Bank Issue:
Hamilton:
National Bank is greatly needed.
TAX EVERYONE!
Jefferson:
(“The hardest thing to understand in the world is the income tax.” - Albert Einstein)
Constitution did not give national gov power for a bank.
Define:
Dual Federalism
Layered Cake:
FEDERAL
STATE
Federal and state governments remain dominant in their separate spheres of influence.
Define:
Cooperative Federalism
Marble Cake: Integrated
State and Federal governments work together to solve complex problems.
Define:
Devolution
return of power from the federal government back to the state governments
(“Man is not free unless government is limited.”
“Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.” -both quotes by President Reagan, I just had to!)
Define:
Grants-in-aid
Money paid from one level of government to another level to be spent on a specific purpose
Define:
Block Grant
Broad/general more flexible on how it is spent
Define:
Categorical Grant
Categorical grants- targeted/specific but strings attached
Ex. The Department of Justice gave grants for law enforcement agencies to buy body cameras
Define:
Mandates
federal requirement that the state undertake a certain activity or provide a service
(Most of the time mandates are unfunded, so no financial help and fines if don’t comply)
Define:
Revenue Sharing
distribution of a portion of federal tax revenues to state and local governments
(“Caring is sharing!” - Care Bears)
What are policy impacts?
The effect that a policy has on people and on society’s problems.
What makes up the government’s policy agenda?
The issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and others actively involved in politics at a given time.
What kind of public policy involves the legislative enactment of taxes and expenditures?
Congressional statute.
Who is at the center of all theories of elite domination of politics?
Big business.
How does government usually protect its national sovereignty?
By maintaining armed forces.
What is an example of a collective good?
Clean air.
Free speech and a free press are essential to which principle of traditional democratic theory?
Enlightened understanding.
Which principle of traditional democracy theory is violated in circumstances in which the wealthy have influence far exceeding what would be expected based on their numbers?
Citizen control of the agenda.
That the U.S. government is more limited and smaller than other advanced industrialized countries is a reflection of the strength of which type of economic policies?
Laissez-faire (just in case you forget.. that means a policy or attitude of letting things take their own course, without interfering)
Which of the following is true about public policy?
It includes all decisions and nondecisions made by government.
How does our government respond to the priorities of its people?
Through a policy making system.
What best describes a linkage institution?
A channel through which people’s concerns become a political agenda.
According to James Q. Wilson, an “Intense commitment to a candidate, culture, or ideology that sets people in one group definitively apart from other people in another, rival’s group” is a definition of which of the following?
Polarization
In the United States, pluralist theory suggests which of the following?
Many groups vie for power with no one group dominating politics.
What is the theory that argues that group competition results in a rough approximation of the public interest in public policy?
Pluralist theory.
Which theory argues that special interests groups have become sovereign. and the government is merely their servant?
Hyperpluralism.
A set of values widely shared within society is referred to as which of the following?
Political Culture.
The principle that, in democracy, choosing among alternatives requires the majority’s desire to be respected is called ____?
Majority Rule.
What determines whom we select as our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue?
Politics.
What most closely exemplifies equality in voting?
One person, one vote.
The U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan resulted from which of the following?
A presidential action.
The ways in which people get involved in politics make up their political ____.
participation
The who of politics includes voters, candidates, groups, and parties; the what refers to which of the following?
The substance of political government-benefits and burdens.
Which theory contends that American society is divided along class lines?
Elitism
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
YOU MADE IT TO THE END!
WAY TO KEEP GOING!
GOOD LUCK ON THE TEST!
