midterm pt 1

Question 1

Ideology

Answer 1

a set of ideals held by a large group, explaining how society should work and offering a blueprint for social order

Question 2

Constitutional design

Answer 2

establishment of the structure, powers and limitations eithin a government by creating a constitution

Question 3

Checks and balances

Answer 3

the mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches;

president can veto laws, judicial branch can declare unconstitutional, president/judges can be impeached

Question 4

Gerrymandering

Answer 4

the manipulation of political boundaries for political gain;

Question 5

Miranda rights

Answer 5

persons under arrest must be read their legal rights before undergoing interrogation: to remain silent, to an attorney, and that all that is said may be used against them.

Question 6

Necessary and proper clause

Answer 6

Article 1, Section 8: lists the powers of Congress and provides them the authority to use all means necessary and proper for executing those powers; Congress can make laws without the Constitution’s authority if deemed necessary

Question 7

Bill of rights

Answer 7

lists the unalienable rights of citizens; adopted in 1791;

Question 8

Articles of Confederation

Answer 8

America’s first constitution, adopted in 1777 until 1789

Question 9

Article 1

Answer 9

Establishes the legislative branch + enumerates Congress (House + Senate)’s powers

Question 10

Article 2

Answer 10

Establishes the executive branch + enumerates President’s powers

Question 11

Article 3

Answer 11

Establishes the judicial branch + enumerates Supreme Court’s + inferior court powers

Question 12

Veto power

Answer 12

President has the power to turn down acts of Congress up to 10 days after they’ve been passed and while Congress is in session; overridden if 2/3 of Congres votes to do so

Question 13

Cooperative federalism

Answer 13

the national government works with state governments to regulate public policy; states can set their own regulations as long as they meet or exceed federal standards

Question 14

Suffrage

Answer 14

the federally recognized ability to vote

Question 15

19th Amendment

Answer 15

1920 - women’s suffrage; prohibits voting discrimination by gender

Question 16

15th Amendment

Answer 16

1870 - colored suffrage; prohibits voting discrimination by skin color

Question 17

24th Amendment

Answer 17

1964 - abolishes poll taxes

Question 18

Voting Rights Act

Answer 18

1965 - “act to enforce the 15th Amendment;” abolishes literacy tests and provides for examiners to register new voters

Question 19

26th Amendment

Answer 19

1971 - voting age lowered to 18

Question 20

Voter turnout

Answer 20

total votes / # of registered voters = voter turnout

Question 21

14th Amendment

Answer 21

1868 - born and naturalized people are US citizens, and cannot be denied equal protections of the law without due process

Question 22

Bill of Rights

Answer 22

1791 - First 10 amendments, ensuring unalienable rights to citizens

Question 23

Commerce clause

Answer 23

Article 1, Section 8: allows Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, tribes, and with foreign nations

Question 24

Judicial review

Answer 24

power of the courts to determine whether the actions of the president, Congress and the state legislatures are or are not consistent with the Constitution; courts can determine a something unconstitutional

Question 25

Racial gerrymandering

Answer 25

the manipulation of political boundaries for political gain; illegal unless it boosts minority representation

Question 26

Liberal

Answer 26

a person who generally supports political/social reform; government intervention in the economy, expansion of federal social services; efforts on behalf of the poor, minorities, and women; greater concern for voters and the environment

Question 27

Conservative

Answer 27

a person who generally supports the social and political status quo, believing that a large, powerful government poses a threat to citizens’ freedom

Question 28

Separation of powers

Answer 28

the division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision making

Question 29

17th Amendment

Answer 29

1913 - established direct election of Senators in each state; alters previous procedure, wherein Senators were elected by state legislatures

Question 30

Poll tax

Answer 30

a fixed sum demanded without reference to income

Question 31

Categorical grants-in-aid

Answer 31

funds given to states by Congress for specific policy categories, such as education or crime prevention

Question 32

Block grants

Answer 32

federal funds given to srare governments for goods, services or programs, with relatively few restrictions on how they may be spent

Question 33

Supremacy clause

Answer 33

Article 4: all laws and treaties approved bythe national government override laws adopted by any state

Question 34

Literacy test

Answer 34

used to bar people of color from voting

Question 35

Early voting

Answer 35

voters cast votes before election day at designated polling stations or by mail

Question 36

Absentee voting

Answer 36

A vote cast by someone unable to go to a polling station;

Question 37

Federalism

Answer 37

the system of government in which a constitution divides power between a central government and regional governments

Question 38

Equal protection clause

Answer 38

the Fourteenth Amendment grants citizens “equal protection of the laws,” including marginalized groups and naturalized citizens

Question 39

Dual federalism

Answer 39

the system of government that prevailed in the US from 1789 to 1937 when New Deal policies were accepted by the Supreme Court; powers were shared between federal and state governments, with the most important powers left to states;