civixs midterm Flashcards
- What is the difference between a representative and direct democracy? Give an example of where you might find each type of government?
A representative democracy is when the citizens elect someone to represent their thoughts and beliefs. A direct democracy is where the citizens have the power. The U.S. is a representative democracy and Switzerland is a direct democracy.
- How did Thomas Hobbes and John Locke differ in their ideas on a state of nature, social contract, and government?
Hobbes believed every human was naturally selfish whereas Locke believed that the citizens could overthrow the government if it did not support their natural rights.
John Locke believed in democracy
Thomas Hobbes believed in monarchy
- Define the 4 features of a state. Is Florida a state? The United States? Why or why not?
Population, Government, Sovereignty, Territory. Florida is not a state because it does not have a government. The United States is a state because it meets all of the requirements.
- How was the government set up under the Articles of Confederation?
The AOC created a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government, leaving most of the power with the states.
Unicameral congress (Legislative branch)
- Name 3 weaknesses of the Articles (AOC). Why would these be considered weaknesses?
Congress can’t enforce its laws, Congress can’t tax, Congress can’t regulate trade
- What are the 6 main goals of the Constitution & where are they found?
Form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. They are found in the beginning of the constitution.
- Briefly explain the purpose of each Article of the Constitution (1-3).
Establishes the three branches of government.
- Name and define the 7 principles of the Constitution. Provide an example of each.
Popular sovereignty – Power lies with the people
Limited Govt. – The govt only has the powers the constitution gave it
Separation of powers – Power is split up between three branches
Checks and Balances – Each branch has the power to check or limit the other branch
Federalism – Division of power between the federal and state
Rule of Law – No one is above the law
Individual rights – Basic freedom the government agrees to protect
- Name at least one check that each branch has on another branch.
Jud > Leg Can declare acts of congress unconstitutional
Leg > Jud Confirm appointments
Leg > Exec Impeach
Exec > Jud Appoints federal judges
Exec > Leg Veto Laws
- What is the Necessary and Proper Clause? Why did the Framers include this in the Constitution?
Giving Congress “Implied Powers” To empower Congress to pass laws needed to carry out expressed powers
- Why was the amendment process included in the Constitution?
They wanted to provide a way to change the Constitution and grow alongside the new nation
- What are expressed, implied and reserved powers? Give an example of each.
The power that a branch has that is not stated in the constitution (The creation of a national bank)
Powers that are stated in the constitution (Passing voting laws)
Reserved power (Speed limit)
- How are the number of electors in each state determined in the Electoral College?
Population
Members in the House + 2 Senators
- What is the primary problem with the Electoral College?
Whoever wins the Primary Vote doesn’t matter. It only matters if you win the Electoral collage
- What is a requirement for voter registration eligibility in the United States?
U.S. citizen, Legal resident of a state, must be over 18
- What is the purpose of primary elections?
To nominate candidates
- What is the difference between an open and closed primary?
Open – Anyone can vote
Closed – Only a certain party can vote
- What happens at the National Convention?
A candidate is elected to run
- Put the following steps to become the President of the United States in the correct order: declare candidacy, win general election be selected as your parties nominee at the National Convention, run in primaries/caucuses,
Declare,primaries/caucuses, attend national convection, general election, electoral college, ingauge.
- Name the 6 functions of political parties.
Support candidates
Act as a watchdog
Communicate with public
Run government
Link different levels of government
- What are third parties and how do third parties affect elections?
Third parties are any other parties that are not the top two. Third parties often bring up ideas that were declined in the past
- What are the three formal requirements for the House of Representative? Term?
25 years old, Live in state, U.S. citizens for 7 years; 2 years
- What are the formal requirements for the Senate? Term?
30 years old, 9 years of U.S. Cit, live in state; 6 years
- What is a continuous body?
Not every seat is up for reelection in a cycle
- What is gerrymandering? How might this issue be eliminated?
Drawing district lines so one party has the advantage. Don’t let politicians draw the maps
- What are the 5 main steps of how a bill becomes a law?
Introduce bill, Bill is sent to the committeee, Floor debate, Conference committee, Sent to President
- Does the President have to sign a bill for it to become a law? Why or why not?
Yes and no. If the President likes the bill he can sign it. If he thinks it is a bill that would help the U.S. but not his party he can pass it without his signature if congress is in session for 10 days
- When would a conference committee be used?
When there is two versions of the bill
- What are the 4 criteria for finding credible news?
Is the source credible, evaluate the source, does it have bias, look for cooperation
- Name the 5 roles of media & give an example of each.
Media as agenda setter – Decides what issues are on the agenda
Media as Gatekeeper – Decides which stories are important enough to make on TV
Media as Business – Ads
Media as watchdog – Keeps watch of government and others in power
Media as biased – Shows what a certain person or group wants
- Name & explain at least one agency that supports the president in securing the nation.
Secret Service, Protects the President
- What is the role of the House of Representatives and Senate in the impeachment process?
House starts the trial, the Senate holds the trial
- What are the constitutional requirements to be President?
35, Natural born citizen, Must live in the U.S. for 14 years
- What are the 7 roles of the President? Write a brief description of each.
Chief Executive – Issues executive orders
Chief Diplomat – Decides how the U.S. acts towards other countries
Commander in Chief – Orders soldiers into battle
Legislative Leader – Proposes laws to congress
Head of State – Carries out ceremonial functions
Economic Leader – Plans the govt’s budget
Party leader – Helps party raise money
- Provide one real-life example of a president acting in each role.
Chief Diplomat – President Carter and Israeli prime minister, begin peace talks
Head of State – Woodrow Wilson throws opening pitch
Legislative Leader – Roosevelt signs social security act
Party Leader – Bush speaks at a republican fundraiser for Alabama gov. Bob Riley
Commander in Chief – President Johnson greets troops in Vietnam
Chief Executive – President Bush appoints Ben Bernanke
Economic Leader – President asks cabinet for ideas on solving budget deficit
- Approximately how many presidents have been attacked and/or killed by an assassin?
1 out of every 4
- What profession were most Secret Service agents?
cops
- Where did the President go during the 9/11 attacks and why?
Air Force One, They thought the bad guys would send a plane to crash into the white house
- When and why was the Secret Service first created?
July 5, 1865, To combat counterfitting
- What issue was put to the test in 1998 during the Clinton impeachment proceedings?
Agent Confidentiality
2000 Election
Butterfly ballot, Al Gore won Popular vote but Bush won Electoral vote, Punch card balot
