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OU Fall Classes 24' Decks > POLS Midterm Study > Flashcards

POLS Midterm Study Flashcards

1
Q

What is the classic definition of politics?

A

What is a set of activities that are associated with making decisions in groups, or other forms or power relations among individuals, such as the distribution of status and resources?

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2
Q

The process of resolving conflicts and deciding who gets what, when, and how is known as?

A

Politics

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3
Q

Why do governments form?

A

What entity forms to establish a system to promote order, justice, welfare, and defense of a nation?

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4
Q

What is the social contract?

A

What is an agreement between the people and the government that helps create the rules of conduct by a just society and establishes legal equality?

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5
Q

What is democracy?

A

What is a form of government “by the people,” or popular sovereignty?

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6
Q

What do the Greek terms “Demos” and “Kratos” mean, respectively?

A

People, Power

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7
Q

Inciting discontent or insurrection, making false statements that interfere with the military, and subverting the constitution are examples of what concept?

A

What are some examples of sedition?

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8
Q

Why is sedition criticized in terms of how the law is applied to it?

A

Vague and overbroad descriptions, heavy criminal penalties that undermine the democratic process, and violation of freedom of expression contribute to what concept?

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9
Q

What concept (terms) describes “government by the people”?

A

Popular sovereignty is also known as what?

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10
Q

What type of democracy is centered on electoral processes as the basis of democratic legitimacy? Hint: It favors procedures over outcomes.

A

What is procedural democracy?

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11
Q

What type of democracy is centered on equal participation of all groups of society in the political process as the basis of democratic legitimacy? Hint: It favors the people.

A

What is substantive democracy?

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12
Q

Today, the US can be defined as leaning more toward what type of democracy?

A

Procedural

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13
Q

What is representative democracy?

A

What is a political system of government in which citizens elect representatives? In other words, the ruling body (government) is elected by citizens.

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14
Q

What is a constitutional democracy?

A

What is a government where the authority of those who govern is limited, in which the people vote for representatives or laws, and in which the laws are authorized and constrained by a constitution?

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15
Q

What are the conditions favorable to democracy?

A

Equal opportunity, economic equality, fair representation (due process), and rule of law.

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16
Q

What was the Virginia Plan?

A

Proposition during the Constitutional Convention for a strong central government, a bicameral legislature, dominated by the big states.

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17
Q

What is a referendum?

A

What is it called when proposed amendments or legislative measures that have been passed are submitted to a popular vote?

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18
Q

The Anti-federalists are known for what ideals?

A

They opposed ratification of the constitution and a strong central government.

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19
Q

What important US event happened in Philadelphia in 1787?

A

The Constitutional Convention - it served as a debate toward agreement on proposals and inclusions of the US Constitution.

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20
Q

What are the first 10 amendments typically called?

A

The Bill of Rights

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21
Q

The New Jersey plan proposed what exactly?

A

A single (unicameral) legislative house in which each state would be represented equally

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22
Q

Essays promoting ratification of the Constitution are known under what name?

A

What is The Federalist?

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23
Q

What is the state of contemporary democracy?

A

Liberties and rights are in decline, we still have free and fair elections, right to vote to enact policy intact. Dominant two political parties at war, and bipartisanship is rampant in all branches of govt.

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24
Q

What was Huntington’s theory about?

A

Who argued that future wars would be fought “not between countries, but between cultures,” and that Islamic civilization would become the biggest threat to Western domination of the world.

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25
Q

What are some values of democracy?

A

Liberty, equality, as outlined in the Bill of Rights

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26
Q

What is majority rule?

A

Greater number should exercise greater power. Limited to protect minority rights.

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27
Q

What is meant by minority rights?

A

Legal protections for people of racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, gender, or sexual minorities.

28
Q

What is the difference between civil liberties and civil rights?

A

Civil liberties - like freedom of speech and due process - are protected from interference from the government.

Civil rights - like women voting and gay marriage - protected from discrimination due to race, color, religion, culture, or ethnicity.

29
Q

What is the purpose of checks and balances?

A

To limit the power of each branch of government from becoming too powerful through a distinct separation of powers so each branch can check each other during government proceedings.

30
Q

What is an oligarchy?

A

What is a small group of people that has control of a whole country, organization, or institution? (e.g. the 1%). It’s a political system run by a few people; usually very wealthy and/or powerful people.

31
Q

What is constitutionalism?

A

Principle of adhering to a system of government under rules and regulations set forth within the framework of a written constitution that seeks to limit the powers of those who govern.

32
Q

What are two advantages of Federalism?

A

1.) Checks growth of power / limits government.
2.) Keeps government closer to the people - Fed>states>local>people

33
Q

What are two disadvantages of Federalism?

A

1.) Multiple actors can promote duplication and confusion. Too many chiefs. Copycat laws are not customized to the state they are copied to; leading to inequal and sometimes chaotic enforcement of the law.
2.) Promotes inequality in the administration of services and policy across the states.

34
Q

What is marble cake federalism?

A

system of governance where the federal and state governments share power and collaborate on issues. It’s also known as cooperative federalism.

35
Q

What is layer cake federalism?

A

Federal and state governments have separate and distinct tiers of power.

36
Q

What is permissive federalism?

A

Sharing of power between national and state governments.

37
Q

What is our federalism?

A

Presumed power of federal govt. is limited in favor of broad powers reserved to states.

38
Q

How many states were needed to ratify the original Constitution?

A

9 out of 13 original colonies/states

39
Q

What were some strengths of the Articles of Confederation?

A

Allowed us to expand westward and establish the Northwest territory.

Excluded slavery north of the Ohio river.

Created policy for adding states to the nation.

40
Q

What were some weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

A

Weak central government.

Inability to pay debts.

Limited military and treaty power. Could not draft soldiers, and could not enforce treaties.

41
Q

What was exposed by Shay’s Rebellion? What did this event eventually lead to?

A

The federal govt. under the Articles of Confederation lacked the power to raise an army or effectively intervene in state conflicts, leaving Massachusetts to struggle alone against the rebellion. This led to the need for creating a stronger govt. through the drafting of the Constitution.

42
Q

What are the contemporary powers of Congress?

A

Coin and borrow money, make laws, etc.

43
Q

What was the Annapolis Convention?

A

Originally intended to discuss the concerns of interstate and foreign commerce, but eventually gave rise to the Constitutional Convention.

44
Q

What was the Great Compromise?

A

Plan for the bicameral legislature, and declared how the House and Senate would have proportional and equal representation, respectively.

45
Q

What is the ERA?

A

The Equal Rights Amendment. Guaranteed that all citizens have the rights affirmed by the Constitution, regardless of sex. Clarified legal status of sex discrimination in the courts.

46
Q

What is another name for “approval of agreement by the states”?

A

Ratification

47
Q

Which case eventually helped to establish the process of judicial review?

A

Marbury vs. Madison

48
Q

Two-thirds vote in congress, OR two-thirds of the state legislatures can call a national convention to ask Congress to do what?

A

Propose amendments to the Constitution.

49
Q

What is preemption?

A

Power of higher govt. to limit or eliminate authority of lower level government to regulate a specific issue. Example: rec. marijuana.

50
Q

The authority of the govt. to enact laws and enforce order to promote the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the public is known as what?

A

Police power

51
Q

What clause gives Congress the power to create laws that are necessary and proper to carry out the powers granted to the federal government in the Constitution?

A

Necessary and proper clause.

52
Q

In terms of relationships laterally between the states, what is the term used when discussing the limitation of states’ power to avoid infringement on each other’s autonomy?

A

Horizontal Federalism

53
Q

The effort to slow the growth of the federal government by returning many functions to the states is commonly called what?

A

Devolution revolution

54
Q

What are some examples of controversy or challenges pertaining to freedom of speech and freedom of religion?

A

Speech - flag burning, stochastic terrorism, misinformation controversy
Religion - bibles in Alabama schools, no tax for churches

55
Q

The establishment clause prevents what exactly?

A

It prevents the government from establishing a state religion or passing laws that favor one religion over another.

56
Q

What test questions if the government has performed an action that favors a religion?

A

The endorsement test.

57
Q

What does the free exercise clause protect?

A

Protects citizen’s right to practice their religion as they please as long as it breaks no public moral or government interest.

58
Q

What is selective incorporation?

A

What is the ability of the Fed govt. to prevent states from enacting laws that violate a citizen’s constitutional rights?

59
Q

What’s so controversial about the Patriot act?

A

It raises concerns over public privacy and civil liberties violations. Broad surveillance power could be easily abused. Could target innocent individuals.

60
Q

When taking action against a person’s life, liberty, or property, what clause in the 5th and 14th Amendments has to do with this?

A

Due process

61
Q

Equal protection clause appears in which amendment?

A

14th.

62
Q

Which amendment abolished slavery?

A

13th

63
Q

Which amendment prohibits the federal government and states from denying the right to vote based on race. color, or previous condition of servitude?

A

15th

64
Q

What is segregation enforced by the government?

A

De Jure Segregation

65
Q

What is segregation that occurs without support of laws or government?

A

De facto segregation

66
Q

What amendment eliminated poll taxes?

A

24th

67
Q
A

OU Fall Classes 24' Decks (14 decks)

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