Exam #1

Question 1

Republic

Answer 1

A government in which citizens rule indirectly and make government decisions through their elected representatives.

Question 2

Institutions

Answer 2

The organizations, norms, and rules that structure government and public action.

Question 3

Rational-choice theory

Answer 3

An approach to political behavior that views individuals as rational, decisive actors who know their political interests and seek to act on them.

Question 4

American exceptionalism

Answer 4

The view that the United States is uniquely characterized by a distinct set of ideas such as equality, self-rule, and limited government.

Question 5

Freedom

Answer 5

The ability to pursue one’s own desires without interference from others.

Question 6

Negative liberty

Answer 6

Freedom from constraints or the interference of others.

Question 7

Positive liberty

Answer 7

The ability - - and provision of basic necessities - - to pursue one’s goals.

Question 8

Self-rule

Answer 8

The idea that legitimate government flows from the people.

Question 9

Democracy

Answer 9

A government in which citizens rule directly and make government decisions for themselves.

Question 10

Referendum

Answer 10

An election in which citizens vote directly on an issue.

Question 11

Initiative

Answer 11

A process in which citizens propose new laws or amendments to the state constitution.

Question 12

Conservatives

Answer 12

Americans who believe in reduced government spending, personal responsibility, traditional moral values, and a strong national defense.

Question 13

Liberals

Answer 13

Americans who value cultural diversity, government programs for the needy, public intervention in the economy, and individuals’ right to a lifestyle based on their own social and moral positions.

Question 14

Individualism

Answer 14

The idea that individuals, not the society, are responsible for their own well-being.

Question 15

Social democracy

Answer 15

The idea that government policy should ensure that all are comfortably cared for within the context of a capitalist economy.

Question 16

Equality

Answer 16

All citizens enjoy the same privileges, status, and rights before the laws.

Question 17

Social equality

Answer 17

All individuals enjoy the same status in society.

Question 18

Political equality

Answer 18

All citizens have the same political rights and opportunites.

Question 19

Economic equality

Answer 19

A situation in which there are only small differences in wealth between citizens.

Question 20

Median

Answer 20

A statistical term for the number in the middle or the case that has an equal number of examples above and below it.

Question 21

Equal opportunity

Answer 21

The idea that every American has the same chance to influence politics and achieve economic success.

Question 22

Equal outcome

Answer 22

The idea that citizens should have roughly equal economic circumstances.

Question 23

Political culture

Answer 23

The attitudes, beliefs, and assumptions that give order and meaning to public life.

Question 24

Constitution

Answer 24

A statement of fundamental principles that governs a nation or an organization.

Question 25

Indentured servant

Answer 25

A colonial American settler contracted to work for a fixed period (usually three to seven years) in exchange for food, shelter, and transportation to the New World.

Question 26

Compact

Answer 26

A mutual agreement that provides for joint action to achieve defined goals.

Question 27

Covenant

Answer 27

A compact invoking religious or moral authority.

Question 28

Delegate representation

Answer 28

Representatives follow the expressed wishes of the voters.

Question 29

Trustee representation

Answer 29

Representatives do what they regard as in the best interest of their constituents - - even if constituents do not agree.

Question 30

Mercantilism

Answer 30

An economic theory in which the government restrains imports and promotes exports to maintain national power and wealth. Popular in the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries.

Question 31

First Continental Congress

Answer 31

A convention of delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies that met in 1774.

Question 32

Second Continental Congress

Answer 32

A convention of delegates from the thirteen colonies that became the acting national government for the duration of the Revolutionary War.

Question 33

Confederation

Answer 33

A group of independent states or nations that yield some of their powers to a national government, although each state retains a degree of sovereign autonomy.

Question 34

Federalism

Answer 34

Power divided between national and state government. Each has its own sovereignty (independent authority) and its own duties.

Question 35

Virginia Plan

Answer 35

Madison’s plan, embraced by Constitutional Convention delegates from larger states; strengthened the national government relative to state governments.

Question 36

Bicameral

Answer 36

Having two legislative houses or chambers - - such as the House and the Senate.

Question 37

New Jersey Plan

Answer 37

Put forward at the convention by the small states, it left most government authority with the state governments.

Question 38

Unicameral

Answer 38

Having a single legislative house or chamber.

Question 39

Electoral College

Answer 39

The system established by the Constitution to elect the president; each state has a group of electors (equal in size to that of its congressional delegation in the House and the Senate); today, the public in each state votes for electors who then vote for the president.

Question 40

Classical republicanism

Answer 40

A democratic ideal, rooted in ancient Greece and Rome, that calls on citizens to participate in public affairs, seek the public interest, shun private gain, and defer to natural leaders.

Question 41

Bill of Rights

Answer 41

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, listing the rights guaranteed to every citizen.

Question 42

Incorporation

Answer 42

The process by which the Supreme Court declares that a right in the Bill of Rights also applies to state governments.

Question 43

Originalism

Answer 43

A principle of legal interpretation that relies on the original meaning of those who wrote the Constitution.

Question 44

Pragmatism

Answer 44

A principle of legal interpretation based on the idea that the Constitution evolves and that interpretation of the Constitution must be put in the context of contemporary realities.

Question 45

Unitary government

Answer 45

A national polity governed as a single unit, with the central government exercising all or most political authority.

Question 46

Confederation

Answer 46

A group of independent states or nations that yield some of their powers to a national government, although each state retains a degree of sovereign authority.

Question 47

Diffusion

Answer 47

The spreading of policy ideas from one city or state to others, a process typical of American federalism.

Question 48

Delegated powers

Answer 48

National government powers listed explicitly in the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8).

Question 49

Commerce clause

Answer 49

The constitutional declaration empowering Congress to regulate commerce with foreign nations, between states, and with Indian tribes.

Question 50

Necessary and proper clause

Answer 50

The constitutional declaration that defines Congress’s authority to exercise the “necessary and proper” powers to carry out its designated functions. Stretches national government authority to include anything implied in the Constitution’s text.

Question 51

Implied powers

Answer 51

National government powers implied by, but not specifically named in, the Constitution.

Question 52

Supremacy clause

Answer 52

The constitutional declaration (in Article 6, Section 2) that the national government’s authority prevails over any conflicting state or local government’s claims, provided the power is granted to the federal government.

Question 53

Inherent powers

Answer 53

Powers not specified or implied by the Constitution but necessary for the president or Congress to fulfill their duties.

Question 54

Reserved powers

Answer 54

The constitutional guarantee (in the Tenth Amendment) that the states retain government authority not explicitly granted to the national government.

Question 55

Concurrent powers

Answer 55

Government authority shared by national and state governments, such as the power to tax residents.

Question 56

Full faith and credit clause

Answer 56

The constitutional requirement (in Article 4, Section 1) that each state must recognize and uphold laws passed by any other state.

Question 57

Dual federalism

Answer 57

Clear division of governing authority between national and state governments.

Question 58

Cooperative federalism

Answer 58

Mingled governing authority, with functions overlapping across national and state governments.

Question 59

Grants-in-aid

Answer 59

National government funding provided to state and local governments, along with specific instructions about how the funds may be used.

Question 60

New federalism

Answer 60

A version of cooperative federalism, but with less oversight by the federal government (which still provided funds) and more control on the state and local level.

Question 61

Block grants

Answer 61

National government funding provided to state and local governments, with relatively few restrictions or requirements on spending.

Question 62

Progressive federalism

Answer 62

Modern federalism variant in which the national government sets broad goals for a program, and relies on state innovations to achieve them.

Question 63

Unfunded mandate

Answer 63

An obligation imposed on state or local government officials by federal legislation, without sufficient federal funding support to cover the costs.

Question 64

Devolution

Answer 64

The transfer of authority from national to state or local government level.

Question 65

Preemption

Answer 65

The invalidation of a U.S. state law that conflicts with federal law.

Question 66

Civic voluntarism

Answer 66

Citizens voluntarily participating in public life without government involvement - - for example, getting together to build a playground or clean up the litter in town.