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Government > Government: Exam > Flashcards

Government: Exam Flashcards

1
Q

What are the four parts of a state?

A

Population - every state has people
Territory - they must have recognized boundaries
Government - must be politically organized
Sovereignty - must be able to make their own decisions

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2
Q

Why are the US states not truly “states”?

A

US states are subordinate to the US Constitution - they don’t have sovereignty

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3
Q

Name and describe the most significant theory according to the American political system regarding the origin of the state.

A

Social Contract Theor - people band together for mutual defense, choosing a leader, and willingly giving up some freedoms in the process.

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4
Q

Describe three other theories regarding the origins of a government.

A

Force - strong take over the weak
Evolutionary - state is formed by families joining clans, and clans to tribes

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5
Q

Identify three of the clauses from the Preamble (Purpose of Gov’t)

A
  1. In order to form a more perfect union
    2 Establish justice
  2. Provide for the common ddefense
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6
Q

What are the differences between a unitary, federal, and confederate form of government?

A

unitary - power comes from a single, centralized agency
federal - power divided between a national government and local governments
confederate - loos alliance of states with a weak national government

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7
Q

What are the two categories of government under the question “who can participate?” and how are they different?

A

democracy - people choose their government
dictatorship - government not subject to the will of the people

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8
Q

List three things that a government may do in order to protect the fundamental worth of the individual

A
  1. seatbelt laws
  2. traffic lights
  3. health care laws
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9
Q

Why is it important that a democratic government provides majority rule and minority rights?

A

it is important to make sure that the majority rules, thus protecting democracy; at the same time the minority may become the majority. It is important to listen to them as well.

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10
Q

Describe the “Golden Triangle of Freedom” as Eric Metaxas explains. Why are all three necessary for “self-government?”

A

Freedom requires virtue; virtue requires freedom. In order for a people to be free, they must be virtuous otherwise those freedoms will be taken away. Virtue is rooted in and relies on faith. True faith is not coerced. All three must be present for a people to truly be able govern themselves.

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11
Q

Describe why the following statement is true: “A less-virtuous society is less free.”

A

If people are not virtuous, their freedoms will be takenn away because they cannot be trusted.

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12
Q

What role did George Whitfield play in preparing America for self-government?

A

Whitfield preached up and down the 13 colonies, causing Christian revival. The American people became extremely virtuous as a result. So then, the Framers could trust the people with self-government.

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13
Q

According to the John Piper article, Christians are both “pilgrims” and “patriots” at the same time. What does he mean by this?

A

Pilgrim - when we see evil in the world and have the feeling that we are not at home in this world as it is.
Patriot - when we see people doing things that align with our beliefs as Christians and we can celebrate those instances.

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14
Q

How should this reality of pilgrims and patriot inform our politics and the way we view the world?

A

We need to recognize that our first and foremost allegiance is to Christ and His Kingdom. We should have a special closeness with Christians in other countries because they also belong to Christ’s Kingdom.

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15
Q

Plan for counting slaves in the population

A

3/5 Compromise

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16
Q

Called for a boycott of British goods

A

1st Continental Comngress

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17
Q

Earliest document that protected against absolute power by the king

A

Magna Carta

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18
Q

Plan that favored large states

A

Virginia Plan

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19
Q

Weak government abolished by Constitution

A

Articles of Confederation

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20
Q

Document that provided the basis for American individual rights

A

English Bill of Rights

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21
Q

Equal representation in Congress

A

New Jersey Plan

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22
Q

Governed during the Revolution

A

2nd Continental Congress

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23
Q

Later document that limited king’s power by allowing trial by jury and not quartering of troops

A

Petition of Right

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24
Q

Combined the New Jersey and Virginia Plans

A

Connecticut Compromise

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25
(T/F) The Articles of Confederation provided for a bicameral system in Congress
F
26
(T/F) The Bill of Rights, in the Declaration of Independence, provides all people with certain unalienable rights.
F
27
(T/F) Judicial Review provides the Supreme Court with the means of declaring law unconstitutional.
T
28
The first 10 amendments are the Bill of Rights and amendments 13-15 are the Civil War amendments.
T
29
To formally amend the Constitution, a bill has to pass by 2/3 in Congress and by 2/3 in the States.
F
30
When the founders established US government, they looked to French documents to serve as the blueprint for individual rights and freedoms that all people should enjoy.
F
31
Three characteristics of US government are that it is limited, ordered, and representative.
T
32
Were vastly ruled by the king and were allowed to form with written grants
Colonies (1776-1783)
33
Created the Declaration of Independence and was the first government of the free United States
2nd Continental Congress (1776-1783)
34
Formed a "firm league of friendship"
Articles of Confederation (1783-1787)
35
Provided for a Separation of Powers, includes amendments, and allows Congress to pass laws and the Supreme Court to verify them
Constitution (1787-present)
36
List and describe four of the six principles of the Constitution
Popular sovereignty - the people ultimately have the power Checks and balances - no one branch can gain too much power Separation of Powers - different branches have different responsibilities Limited government - no one is above the law
37
What were four weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
They could not tax the states They could only borrow troops They had no power over trade or commerce It could only be amended if all 13 colonies agreed
38
What were the differences between the royal, proprietary, and charter colonies?
Royal - strict control by the king Proprietary - king allow a governor to rule in his place Charter - king granted a group of people a charter to establish and rule their own land
39
List and describe four ways in which the Constitution can be informally amended.
Judicial decisions - the courts constantly reexamine the law Executive action - the president continually interprets his role Legislative process - Congress makes bills that evaluate their power Political parties - constantly interpreting their beliefs about the Constitution
40
The term bicameralism means that our government has
two houses
41
How long is each term of Congress?
two years
42
The House of Representatives has ____________ members
435
43
the reapportionment of Congressional representatives occurs after each:
Census
44
Up for re-election in the 2016 election are _______ House members and _________ Senators
All, 1/3
45
All of the following are qualifications for a House member except:
Have to be 30 years old
46
Senators are considered as having:
More power than House members
47
What does it mean that Senate has an "oversight function"?
They can check to see if executive agencies are working effectively
48
Which of the following group of people vote the way their party wants them to?
Partisans
49
The salary for the Congressmen/women is set by:
Congress
50
Which of the following groups is currently the largest in the Senate?
Democrats
51
Which of the following occupations would best describe what Senate members died before they were in office?
lawyers
52
Which of the following is not a power that Congress has?
supreme
53
Thomas Jefferson would want Congress to only exercise which power?
expressed
54
which of the following can Congress not tax?
churches
55
Which of the following would be an example of an indirect tax?
cigarettes
56
Which of the following powers allows Congress to set up a National Bank?
Power to Borrow
57
Which term describes Congress's ability to take private land for public use?
Eminent domain
58
What is another term for the "necessary and proper" clause?
"Elastic Clause"
59
The president of the Senate is the __________.
Vice-President of the US
60
The rule that allows the members of the Senate who have served the longest to hold the highest positions is known as...
Seniority Rule
61
When a bill dies in committee it is referred to as being...
Pigenonholed
62
This type of committee brings members of the House and Senate together to work out a bill:
conference committee
63
Which of the following statements best summarizes what it means that our representatives are "politicos"?
They are partisans, trustees, and delegates
64
Congress's ability to monitor health care under the Affordable Care Act comes from which of the following expressed powers of Congress?
Commerce Power
65
Describe the differences between expressed, implied, and inherent powers of Congress.
E – the specific powers outlined by the constitution Implied – Powers given to Congress to fulfill the expressed powers Inherent – Powers that Congress has simply because they are government.
66
What is gerrymandering? How can it be used to create an advantage for a party?
The redrawing of district lines after a census. A political party in control can do this to their advantage by drawing lines that favor their party.
67
24. What are three things that Congress must do when it convenes at the beginning of a new term?(3pts)
They must choose a Speaker of the House, they must swear in new members and fill vacancies in committees.
68
Explain the similarities and differences in the responsibilities of a Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate.(2pts)
SoH – May debate, vote in or to create a tie, presides, and is a member of the majority PoS – May not debate, votes in a tie, presides, is the Vice President
69
Describe two inherent powers of Congress (4).
Impeaching the president and confirming a President's supreme court nomination
70
What is the relationship between filibustering and the cloture rule? (2)
Filibustering is talking a bill to death and cloture is enacted by 60 members of the Senate to prevent or stop a filibuster.
71
Describe the process by which a bill becomes a law.
A bill is submitted to the House where it is numbered and put in the records. It is then sent to a committee where it is researched, debated, and spelled out. From there it goes to the Committee of the Whole, which acts as one big committee, debated and ironed out. Then it goes to the House for debate and voting. If it passes there, it goes to the Senate, where a similar process occurs. Assuming it passes both houses, it goes to the president who can ratify or veto it. In the event of a veto, Congress, through a 2/3 majority, can override the veto, though that has occurred less than 10% of the time.
72
manages military personnel
department of defense
73
manages secret service and customs
department of the treasury
74
protects against terrorist attacks
department of homeland security
75
headed by the attorney general
department of justice
76
conducts the nation's foreign affairs
department of state affairs
77
food stamps, anti-poverty, forest
department of agriculture
78
public school system
department of education
79
manages natural resources and indian
department of the interior service
80
responsible for everything we buy and sell
department of commerce
81
presides over the senate
VP
82
Must be informed in writing if the President is unable to serve
congress
83
Gets to retreat at Camp David and cruise in Air Force One
Pres
84
Only allowed ten years maximum of service at this position
Pres
85
First in line to succeed the President
VP
86
Chosen to balance the electoral ticket
VP
87
Third in line to the President serves here
Congress
88
Needs to confirm Presidential appointments
Congress
89
Chief Executive
He heads the largest employer in the US and appoints all the cabinet positions
90
Chief Diplomat
He is in charge of foreign affairs and treaties, and often works through the Sec of State
91
Chief Legislator
He sets goals for Congress; encourages them to write certain bills
92
Chief of Party
The president’s political party is generally unified behind that person; they serve as the leader of that party
93
Commander in Chief
He/she heads the military personnel and gives the final order for military action
94
Describe the importance of the Vice-Presidency. Provide specific examples (names of people would be nice). (5 points)
The VP balances the electoral ticket, decides on matters of presidential disability, is president of the Senate, and basically does the things that the President wants him/her to do. Many VP’s have become president after being VP: George H.W. Bush is an example. Other VP’s have become Pres through succession: Gerald Ford, LBJ, and Truman are examples.
95
Explain what characteristics make Adrian Peterson, Mitt Romney, and Kim Kardashian a candidate or not a candidate (formally or informally) for president. (6 points)
The formal qualifications for President include age (35), which would probably disqualify AP and Kim but not Mitt. All three are likely natural born citizens who have lived in the US for 14 years. Informal qualifications include charisma, wealth, happy families, and intelligence. AP may not qualify for his family issues, Kim may not qualify for intelligence issues, Mitt probably qualifies the best.
96
Why is there so much debate over our electoral system today? Why is our system set up this way? (6 points)
Because a person can win the electoral vote and lose the popular vote, or vice versa. Our system is set up this way to recognize the importance of a federal government – that is state and national governmental rights. This system allows for each state to be recognized rather than having the big cities rule the elections.
97
What did the 12 th amendment do and why was it necessary? (4 points)
The 12 th amendment puts the VP and Pres on the same ballot together. This was necessary because they originally had 1 st place Pres and 2 nd place VP. Then you would have a Pres and VP from different political parties. They would never get anything accomplished.
98
Describe the tone of a national convention. What work is done there? (5 points)
It’s a huge party atmosphere that revolves around the chosen candidates. The goal of the convention is to choose Pres and VP candidates, organize a campaign, choose officers, and unite and rally the states behind a single candidate team.
99
what roles do primaries, caucuses, and the national convention play in electing a presidential nominee
everything
100
Exclusive vs. Concurrent Jurisdiction:
Exclusive means that only one court (state or federal) can view a case. Concurrent means that it can be seen by multiple courts.
101
Original vs. Appellate Jurisdiction:
Original is a case that is heard first and appellate is a case heard on appeal
102
Federal Courts have jurisdiction…(6 points)
Because of ____subject matter____. Explain: The federal courts deal with issues that arise out of the Constitution.And because of ____those involved___. Explain: If a case deals with states or an American official like an ambassador or consul, it would go to the federal courts.
103
List three differences between the Districts Court system and the Court of Appeals (3 points).
There are more district courts, they only have original jurisdiction, and there are hundred a judges for the district courts. There are fewer appellate courts, they have appellate jurisdiction, and they see far fewer cases than the district courts.
104
Briefs
These are the details of the case, like testimonies and evidence and previous rulings, that the justices will examine before deciding on a case.
105
Conference
This is where the justices will meet to decide a case. They usually speak in order of seniority.
106
List and explain the three written opinions of the court (6 points).
Majority – the official decision of the court Concurring – an opinion that agrees with the majority; usually written to emphasize something Dissenting – someone in the minority who writes an opinion on why they didn’t agree

Government (8 decks)

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