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TCC Government > Exam 1 > Flashcards

Exam 1 Flashcards

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1
Q

Political thinking

A

Critical thinking focused on deciding what can reasonably be believed, and then using this information to make political judgments

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2
Q

Political science

A

The systematic study of government and politics

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3
Q

Political culture

A

The widely shared and deep-seated beliefs of a country’s people about politics

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4
Q

Liberty

A

The principle that individuals should be free to act as they choose, provided they do not infringe unreasonably upon others

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5
Q

Individualism

A

A commitment to personal initiative and self-sufficiency

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6
Q

Equality

A

The notion that all individuals are equal in their moral worth and thereby entitled to equal treatment under the law

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7
Q

Self-government

A

The principle that the people are the ultimate source of governing authority and should have a voice in their governing

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8
Q

Politics

A

The means by which society settles its conflicts and allocates the resulting benefits and costs

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9
Q

Power

A

The ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political developments

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10
Q

Authoritarian and totalitarian governments

A

nondemocratic, repressive regime types

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11
Q

Democracy

A

A system in which the people govern, by direct or representative means

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12
Q

Majoritarianism

A

the majority effectively determines what government does

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13
Q

Pluralism

A

The preferences of special interests largely determine what government does

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14
Q

Authority

A

The recognized right of officials to exercise power

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15
Q

Constitutionalism

A

The idea that there are lawful restrictions on government’s power

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16
Q

Legal action

A

The use of the courts as a means of asserting rights and interests

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17
Q

Free-market system

A

A system that operates mainly on private transactions

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18
Q

Corporate power

A

The influence business firms have on public policy

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19
Q

Elitism

A

The power exercised by well-positioned and highly influential individuals

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20
Q

Inalienable rights

A

Life, liberty, and property

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21
Q

Social contract

A

Government has responsibility to preserve rights

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22
Q

Virginia plan

A

Aka large state plan; representation based on state population size and gives greater power to larger states

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23
Q

New Jersey plan

A

Aka small state plan; each state gets one vote which means equal power

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24
Q

Great compromise

A

A bicameral congress in which there is a house of representatives (proportional representation) and senate (equal representation)

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25
Q

Three-fifths compromise

A

Three-fifths of the enslaved population counted for apportionment of taxes and political representation

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26
Q

Anti-federalists

A

Those who were against a strong national government

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27
Q

Federalists

A

Proponents of constitution

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28
Q

Grants of power

A

Powers granted to the national government

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29
Q

Denials of power

A

Powers expressly denied to the national and state governments

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30
Q

Separation of powers

A

Powers divided among separate branches rather than investing it entirely in a single individual or institution

31
Q

Separated institutions sharing powers

A

Aka checks and balances; separate branches interlocked in such a way that an elaborate system of checks and balances is created

32
Q

Bill of rights

A

The first ten amendments to the constitution

33
Q

Judicial review

A

The power of the judiciary to decide whether a government official or institution has acted within the limits of the Constitution and, if not, to declare it null and void

34
Q

Tyranny of the majority

A

The people acting as an irrational mob that tramples on the rights of the minority

35
Q

Sovereignty

A

Supreme and final governing authority

36
Q

Enumerated powers

A

Power granted to the national government in the Constitution

37
Q

Supremacy clause

A

National laws were the supreme law of the land

38
Q

Implied powers

A

Powers of the national government not expressly written but related to those that are listed

39
Q

Elastic clause

A

Aka “necessary and proper” clause; the power to make laws in support of enumerated powers

40
Q

Reserved powers

A

The states’ powers under the Constitution

41
Q

Nationalization

A

The gradual shift in power from the states to the national government

42
Q

Dual federalism

A

The separation of national and state authority was both possible and desirable

43
Q

Cooperative federalism

A

Shared policy responsibilities

44
Q

Fiscal federalism

A

Federal funds are used for state programs

45
Q

Grants-in-aid

A

Cash payments to states and localities

46
Q

Categorical grants

A

Federal funds restricted to certain state programs

47
Q

Block grants

A

Federal funds for state programs addressed to a general concern

48
Q

Devolution

A

The idea that American federalism can be strengthened by a partial shift of power from the national government to the states

49
Q

Civil liberties

A

Specific individual rights that are constitutionally protected against infringement by government

50
Q

Due process clause

A

Part of the fourteenth amendment that prevents the states from abridging individual rights

51
Q

Libel

A

Publishing material that falsely damages a person’s reputation

52
Q

Establishment clause

A

Government may not favor one religion over another or support religion over no religion

53
Q

Procedural due process

A

Procedures that authorities must follow before a person can lawfully be punished for an offense

54
Q

Exclusionary rule

A

Evidence obtained in violation of the defendants rights cannot be used

55
Q

Equal-protection clause

A

Forbids states from denying equal protection to citizens

56
Q

Reasonable-basis test

A

Inequalities are allowed when they are “reasonably” related to a legitimate government interest

57
Q

Strict-scrutiny test

A

Presumes the law is unconstitutional unless government can provide a compelling basis for it

58
Q

Affirmative action

A

Deliberate efforts to provide full and equal opportunities in employment, education, and other areas for disadvantaged groups

59
Q

De jure discrimination

A

Discrimination based on law

60
Q

De facto discrimination

A

The condition whereby historically disadvantaged groups have fewer opportunities and benefits because of prejudice and economic circumstance

61
Q

When did the ethnic and racial composition of the American population broaden?

A

Mid to late nineteenth century as new waves of settlers came from southern to Eastern Europe, China, Japan, Ireland and Germany

62
Q

How is political culture transmitted to children?

A

Public socialization and public schools started flying the flag in 1890

63
Q

Where are the core beliefs and values of Americans regarding government found?

A

All men are created equal and unalienable rights

64
Q

What is the American Dream?

A

The ideal that every United States Citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative

65
Q

What is a republic?

A

A form of government in which sovereign power rests with the people, rather than with a king or monarch.

66
Q

The large and small states conflicted most over what issue?

A

Representation

67
Q

What was the Mayflower Compact?

A

Pilgrims in 1620 vowed to “solemnly and mutually in the presence of god, and to one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic… Establish laws for the general good of the colony… And promise all due submission and obedience”

68
Q

What are the Articles of Confederation?

A

The first constitution that formed a league of friendship among the states and allowed each state to be sovereign and independent

69
Q

What was Shay’s Rebellion and what did it underscore?

A

The state of massachusetts levied steep taxes that most farmers couldn’t pay during the hard times. This made congress express purpose to revise the Articles of Confederation

70
Q

Why did Hamilton express the need for a stronger national government?

A

He had seen the governments inability to supply and pay its own troops

71
Q

What is Mercantilism?

A

Economic theory designed to increase a nation’s welth through the development of commercial industry and a favorable balance of trade

72
Q

What is judicial interpretation?

A

When there’s a disagreement about the constitution, the judicial branch intervenes

73
Q

How many Amendments are in the U.S. Constitution?

A

27

74
Q

What did the case of McCullough v. Maryland establish?

A

In 1819 there was a claim that congress infringed on the states authority by establishing a national bank

TCC Government (1 decks)

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