Midterm #1

Question 1

What is a conservative?

Answer 1

An American whose political beliefs are reduced govt spending, traditional moral values, and strong national defenses.

Question 2

What is a liberal?

Answer 2

An American who values cultural diversity, government programs, public intervention within the economy, and individuals rights to a lifestyle based on their values.

Question 3

What is an Institution?

Answer 3

The organization, norms, and rules that structure a government and public action. An example would be the supreme court or department of homeland security.

Question 4

What is federalism?

Answer 4

The balancing act between the different levels of government (Federal, state, local, etc.)

Question 5

What are checks and balances?

Answer 5

The way the different branches of government keep one part of the government from having too much power.

Question 6

What is negative and positive liberty, and the difference between the two?

Answer 6

Positive liberty is the idea that individuals should be provided with a base level of necessities so they can pursue their own goals. Negative liberty is the idea that individuals should not be interfered with at all so they have complete freedom to pursue their goals.

Question 7

What is equal opportunity?

Answer 7

The idea that each American has an equal opportunity to influence politics and achieve financial success.

Question 8

What is equal outcome?

Answer 8

The idea that citizens should have roughly equal economic success.

Question 9

What is social equality?

Answer 9

When all individuals have the same status in a society.

Question 10

What is political equality?

Answer 10

When all individuals have the same political rights and opportunities.

Question 11

What is an unfunded mandate?

Answer 11

A federal legislation that’s forced onto a state/area without federal funding to run it.

Question 12

What’s the difference between civil liberties and civil rights?

Answer 12

Civil liberties RESTRICT government action to protect individual rights, civil rights REQUIRE government action to protect individual rights.

Question 13

What is selective incorporation?

Answer 13

When protections from the bill of rights are used one at a time, instead of an entire amendment.

Question 14

What’s the difference between judicial rule and judicial standard?

Answer 14

Judicial rule is a hard set line on what is allowed and what is not (black and white). Judicial standard is a guiding line on what is legal and what’s not (gray area that can be interpreted).

Question 15

What is exclusionary rule?

Answer 15

Evidence that is obtained illegally may not be used in trial.

Question 16

What are laboratories of democracy?

Answer 16

States within a federal country that can serve as a laboratory when testing a policy.

Question 17

What is Bureaucratic theory?

Answer 17

The theory that the power of government lies with the millions of people who run the day to day responsibilities of the government.

Question 18

What is Social movement theory?

Answer 18

The theory that citizens can rise up in powerful protests despite who runs the government.

Question 19

What is Pluralist Thoery?

Answer 19

The theory that interest groups influence government the most.

Question 20

What is Elite Theory?

Answer 20

The theory that power is held by a small number of wealthy or powerful individuals.

Question 21

What’s the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 21

The 13 colony states declaring their separation from British rule, with reasons why, and their goals as a nation.

Question 22

What is the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 22

Our nations first constitution which required the agreement of all 13 states to make any changes which resulted in a weak central government.

Question 23

What is Devolution?

Answer 23

The transfer of power from national or state/local government power.

Question 24

What is a Republic?

Answer 24

A nation in which its government is indirectly represented by its citizens through their elected officials.

Question 25

What is “Clear and Present Danger”?

Answer 25

A court doctrine that allows the restriction of free speech if it is believed to lead to prohibited action such as violence or terrorism.

Question 26

What is penumbra?

Answer 26

A group of rights that is taken from an implication of other rights in the Bill of Rights.

Question 27

What are concurrent powers?

Answer 27

Government authority that is shared by both local and federal governments, such as the right to taxation.

Question 28

What are inherent powers?

Answer 28

Powers not specified by the constitution but necessary for the government to fulfill.

Question 29

What is enumerated power?

Answer 29

The national government only has the power of what is specified in the Constitution.

Question 30

What is Implied Power?

Answer 30

National government powers that aren’t specifically listed in the Constitution, but implied.

Question 31

What is reserved power?

Answer 31

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

Question 32

What is full faith and credit clause?

Answer 32

The full faith and credit definition is the obligation that every state has to recognize and accept other states’ public records, judicial proceedings, and legislative acts

Question 33

What is the necessary and proper clause?

Answer 33

The constitutional declaration that defines Congress’s authority to exercise the “necessary and proper” powers to carry out its designated functions

Question 34

What is the supremacy clause?

Answer 34

If the power is granted to the federal government, they have say over state/local government.

Question 35

What is due process?

Answer 35

Every citizen has the right to a lawyer and a due process in court.

Question 36

What is free exercise clause?

Answer 36

Every citizen has the right to practice whatever religion they please.

Question 37

What is the first amendment?

Answer 37

Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of press, and right to protest.

Question 38

What is the second amendment?

Answer 38

The right to bear arms to protect oneself against government tyranny.

Question 39

What is the fourth amendment?

Answer 39

No unreasonable search or seizures. Police must have a warrant.

Question 40

What is the fifth amendment?

Answer 40

Nobody can be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of the law.

Question 41

What is the fourteenth amendment?

Answer 41

Freedom of slaves and provided they have equal rights/protection under government.

Question 42

What is the Bill of Rights?

Answer 42

The first ten amendments of the Constitution.