Midterm Flashcards
Upper class; more elitist, aristocratic; centralized authority; fewer elections, longer terms; compact between people and government
Federalist Group
Middle class; more populist, democratic; decentralized authority; more elections with shorter terms; compact between states
Anti- Federalist Group
No. 2 Federalist Paper
A stronger, centralized government needed; existing unity and common interests
No. 10 Federalist Paper
to deal with factions; can only control side effects; tyranny of the majority; wise men we can trust and to take away majority’s power
Faction
a group of people that are joined by an interest that isn’t of interest of the nation at large
Boucher’s thesis
when christians are disobedient to human ordinances, they are also disobedient to God
Locke’s second treatise of government
Government’s power does not extend beyond furthering the “common good”
Boyd’s argument
Government is coercive and under Satan’s power
Grudem’s argument
Boyd isn’t taking whole Bible into account; fails to distinguish the task of evangelism and civil government
Federalist No. 51
Emphasizes the value of separation of powers and checks and balances to make abusing government harder
Anti-Federalist No. 2
Emphasizes the lack of Bill of Rights in the Constitution
Anti-Federalist No. 3
Emphasizes the diversity and differences among states as a basis for not choosing to form a strong national government
Anti-Federalist No. 9
Emphasizes the dangers of representative government; too disconnected from the people.
What is a constitutional republic?
A nation governed by the rule of the law represented in a democratically elected bicameral legislature
What does the separation of powers mean?
3 branches with checks and balances
What is the Bill of Rights?
1st 10 Amendments; protects individual rights and liberties
What are the two chambers of the bicameral legislative branch?
House of Representatives and Senate
How are senators elected?
Originally chosen by state legislatures, 17th amendment changed it to popular vote
What are the differences in the House and Senate?
Terms, duties, representation, age requirements, cultures
Federalist 57
House should be most responsive to the people (mouthpiece)
Federalist 63
The Senate has greater stability b/c of the longer terms, greater experience, and lengthier deliberations
Where do bills come from?
Anywhere!
Where does a bill go first?
To a standing committee
What is a standing committee?
A committee that discusses a specific topic, most congress work happens here; most bills die here
How many standing committees are in the House and Senate?
20 in House, 16 in Senate
Where does a bill go after the standing committee?
House Rules committee (most powerful)/ Senate rules committee
Bill survives both rules committees? Goes where?
The Floor (entire chamber)
What is a filibuster?
Senator can talk as long as they want to thus delaying the vote of the bill; 60 votes to close debate
What is the exception of the filibuster?
votes concerning nominations of judges
What is the conference committee?
Works out the differences to reach a compromised version of bill; goes back to chambers for a vote
What are the 3 options a president can do with a bill?
- Sign; it becomes a law
- Veto; 2/3 congress overrides
- not sign; 10 days becomes a law
What is a pocket veto?
President chooses not to sign, but congress is out of session, so it dies
What did Burke argue in his speech “Electors of the Bristol”?
You owe your people your judgement
Trustee Theory vs Delegate Theory
Trustee- reps apply own judgement
Delegate- reps vote according to what people want
Federalist 70
Executive needs to be energetic and able to respond quickly and decisively
What was Wildausky’s argument with 2 presidencies?
domestic affairs and foreign affairs(lots of power; people are less informed)
Who is the Presidents biggest rival in Foreign affairs?
The state department
What was Korematsu vs. US about?
War-making branches need to have more specifics
What are executive orders? (schoolhouse rock video)
Official document the president manages the operations of the federal government
What are the purposes of the Supreme Court?
- to provide the ultimate judicial decision on the court cases that come before it
- to uphold and interpret the Constitution
What are the 2 categories of cases that come before the Supreme Court?
Original Jurisdiction and Appellate Jurisdiction
What number of cases are Original Jurisdiction? Key distinction?
- a tiny fraction
- they go straight to the supreme court (controversy of states and cases affecting ambassadors, ministers, consults)
What number of cases are Appellate Jurisdiction? Key distinction?
- 90% of cases
- started in lower courts that were appealed
What are the two paths of Appellate Jurisdiction?
State and Federal
How many cases are appealed a year? How many do Supreme court take? What happens if they don’t take it?
- about 8,000
- about 80
- previous ruling stands
How is a Judge appointed?
President nominates; senate (51 votes) confirms that nominee
What is originalism?
original intent, understanding, and public meaning; textualism
What do the framers say about the Constitution?
- knowable and constraining
- Important info for interpreting the constitution
What does William Brennan argue in his speech?
constitution is a “public text” and should be interpreted in light of contemporary values; applies broad constitutional values
How does Brennan feel about originalism?
He believes it’s “arrogant” to assume we can know original intent
According to Brennan, does the death penalty violate the 8th amendment(cruel and unusual punishment)?
Yes
What is Judical Review?
Supreme court has a check on congress by being able to overturn any congressional action deemed inconsistent with the constitution
2 things Federalist paper 78 (Hamilton) argues?
- Judges should be appointed for life
- S.C is the least dangerous branch
What did Marbury v. Madison talk about?
- Asserts that it’s the court’s job to interpret the constitution
- Establishes the constitution as the supreme law of the land
What was Marshall’s dilemma in Marbury v. Madison?
Thinks Marbury has the right to his commission, but Jefferson won’t comply, making the SC look weak instead of strong
3 main points of Washington’s Farewell Address
- The importance of national unity
- Warns against the forming of parties
- The “spirit of party” has consequences (attitudes of revenge, obstructing gov., false alarms)
What does Washington believe about religion?
Religion and morality are vital to a healthy and popular government; hope is found
What are Tocqueville’s 3 main points?
- There is tension between freedom and equality
- Civic associations are important for preserving freedom
3., Religion/religious associations serve as a safeguard against potential democratic extremes
What does Carl Henry talk about in his speech “…45 years later”?
The moral decline happening in American culture, a culture that is focused on self; Christians are too much like the culture around them
What is projective accommodation?
Take our own beliefs, project them on scripture
What does the bible say about following Governmemt?
Romans 13 - obey government authorities unless they are telling you to sin
