POSC 100 CSULB Flashcards
Define Focal Point
a solution that people tend to choose by default in the absence of communication.
normative vs positive theory
“Positive theory is a theory that tries to explain how the world works in a value-free way, while a normative theory provides a value-based view about what the world ought to be like or how it should to work. In general, positive theories express what is, while normative theories express what ought to be.”
All successful governments share two features:
coercion and collecting revenue (tax)
explain why self-interested individuals typically “defect” when playing the prisoner’s dilemma.
Because it has better options and outcomes
How do cooperation and coordination differ?
cooperation may use force and coordination may not use force
What is a confederation? When writing the Articles of Confederation, why did Americans want a confederation?
Confederation has a weak national government.
Americans wanted a confederation because we wanted to replicate life under home rule
Under the Articles of Confederation, normal legislation require the support of ______ and constitutional amendments required the support of ______.
9 of the 13 states to say yes ; unanimity
Identify three deficiencies in the Articles of Confederation that led to the call for a Federal Convention.
Confederation congress did not have the power to:
Effectively collect taxes
Defend the US
Regulate commerce
The Virginia Plan proposed a ________ system of government where local units such as states and counties implement laws, but rarely make their own.
Unitary
What is meant by enumerated powers (Article 1, Section 8)?
the powers granted to the Federal government, and specifically Congress
Article III grants Federal judges ________, creates a _________, and gives the remaining decisions over the structure of the judiciary to _______.
have life tenure ; strong separate systems of federal courts (Supreme Court [?]) ; congress
Who has the power to propose, veto, and specify the details of legislation in (i) parliamentary systems and (ii) presidential systems?
presidential parliamentary
propose legislative executive
veto executive legislative
policy detail legislative executive
How did Gouverneur Morris convince practical men at the Federal Convention to adopt independent election of a president that can succeed himself?
Gouverneur Morris
succeed? —————- not? independent
intrigue and cabal — no incentive
Why did Madison oppose the Bill of Rights? Cite two reasons.
because it was unnecessary and undesirable
Direct democracy is a system of government where ________ have the opportunity to ________.
both elective representations and citizens ; write and propose legislation
Representative democracy is a system of government where ______ have the opportunity to _______.
only elective representatives ; write and propose legislation
A political reformer is someone who wants to ______.
change the rules of the government
Why were the western states more likely to adopt Progressive reforms?
2 reasons,
1 - realized the constitution were bad and they needle to be revised, wanted to change political institutions,
2 - progressives were protestants, and protestants didn’t like catholics
In California, an initiative can be overturned if ______.
Courts declare it unconstitutional, or the voters pass another initiative that overrides it
Identify the mechanics of passing an initiative:
Circulation - get 2000 dollars and an idea
Signatures - 150 days to get the signature that you need, if you are changing the constitution you 8% of the vote of california , if it’s only an ordinary piece of legislation only 5% of the vote of California.
Enactment - the ballot (?) you need a simple majority (50% plus one) only those who cast yes or no
Once your initiative has qualified for the ballot, 50% plus one need to approve it in order to become law
Is it easier to amend the California or the U.S. Constitution?
It is easier to amend the Constitution
The _______ Amendment to our Constitution guarantees equal protection and due process for all citizens.
14th Amendement
The Supreme Court, in the Bakke (1978), ruled that quotas and separate admissions standards for minorities ________ (choose one: “were” or “were not”) unconstitutional and that affirmative action _______ (choose one: “could or “could not”) be used.
were not ; could
Which of the following explains why the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hobby Lobby in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores?
All of the above
Government
Institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled
who governs in:
autocracy ; democracy ; oligarchy
autocracy - one person (king)
democracy - citizens or general population
oligarchy - wealthy people, military officers, or landowners
Difference between representative democracy and direct democracy?
Representative democracy: system of government that gives citizens an opportunity to elect top government officials
direct democracy: system that permits citizens to vote on laws and policies
Citizenship
Informed and active membership in a political community
Political Efficacy
The belief that one can influence government and politics
Since 1960s, has Americans sense if political efficacy increased, decreased, or remained constant?
Decreased, 25% felt shut out from the government
What is the relationship between political efficacy and citizen participation in government?
increased political efficacy = increased participation and vice versa
Consequences of declining levels of political efficacy
Leads to apathy, low levels of participation, withdrawal from political life
Why was the Declaration of Independence philosophically remarkable?
It was remarkable for its assertion that government couldn’t deprive people of certain “unalienable rights” that include “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”
Why was the Declaration of Independence politically remarkable?
despite the differences among the colonists along economic regional, and philosophical Iines, it focused on grievances goals, and principles that might unify various groups
A _______ is a system of government in which member states retain almost all of their sovereign authority and delegate limited powers to a weak central body
confederation
Why did the British government tell John Adams that they would not negotiate treaties related to revolutionary war disputes w/ the national government?
Since the US under the articles was unable to enforce existing treaties it (the british) would negotiate w/ each of the 13 states separately
Identify 2 main shortcomings of the AOC
- The US had great difficulty conducting its foreign affairs successfully, since their wasn’t national military and competition among the states
- The power that states retained under the AOC began to alarm well-to-do Americans, in particular, New England Merchants and southern planters, when radical forces gained power in a # of state governments. Colonial elite grew weaker -> radicals gained strength and now controlled States
explain how Shay’s rebellion helped convince reluctant Americans of the necessity of a Constitutional Convention.
Shay’s rebellion exposed the weaknesses of the government under the AOC and led many ago call for strengthening the federal government in order to put down future uprisings
electoral college
a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president
staggered, 6-year terms in the US senate were to designed to make that legislative body _____. By contrast, 2-year terms in the US house were designed to make that legislative body ____.
even more resistant to popular pressure ; directly responsible to the people
In the US Constitution the framers employed the _____ and _____ in order to prevent the new government from abusing its power
separation of power ; federation
Those who supported the constitution because it contained a strong national government were known as the ______ and those who opposed the new Constitution because they wanted a weaker national government were known as the ______
federalists ; anti-federalists
The anti-federalists argued that he powers of the national government should be limited by adding a _______ to the constitution to prevent the new government from abusing its power
Bill of rights
Federalism refers to a system of government where the constitution divides the powers and functions and government between a _____ and _____. By contrast, in a unitary system of government the constitution grants almost no power to ______
national government ; lower levels of government ; lower levels of government
most of the rules and regulations that Americans face in their daily lives are set by _______ and ______ governments
state ; local
The countries that are most likely to adopt federalism includes those with _________, or ________. federalism helps such nations manage social difference by presenting citizens with many opportunities to ________. This is one advantage that a federal system offers compared to a unitary system. 2 other advantages include:
-Because states and even localities have their own ___, ___, and _____ policy extermination and innovation is another possibility as is the tailoring of policy to local preferences
- ______ among states and localities to attract individuals and businesses promises to _______ of government services
diverse ethnic, linguistic, or sectional groupings ; express their preferences ; taxing, spending, and policy-making powers ; competition ; maximize the efficiency
A key argument for state policy control is that states have been important sources of ______ that have ______ to other states or to the federal government. For instance, smoking bans originated on _____ in 1990 before spreading to commercial flights across states in 1990
policy innovations ; diffused ; San Luis Obispo, CA
______ compels state governments to obey costly federal regulations but doesn’t reimburse these costs
unfunded mandates
federalism can demobilize citizens because it is difficult individuals to determine _____
which government is responsible for the problem that concerns them, and they may give up
In Hernandez v. Texas (1954), the Supreme Court ruled that ______ were entitled to equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment.
all other nationality groups (all groups and ethnicities)
Civil ________ protect people from government actions and civil _______ protect citizen equality by the government.
liberties ; rights
Civil Liberties
Constitutional protection for citizens from government
Due process of the law
the right of every individual against arbitrary action by national or state governments
Civil Rights
citizens protections secured by government
Thirteenth Amendment
abolished slavery
Fourteenth Amendment
Guaranteed equal protection and due process
Fifteenth Amendment
guaranteed voting rights for African American men
With the adoption of the _____, civil rights became part of the Constitution.
14th Amendment
The _______ Amendment to our Constitution guarantees equal protection and due process for all citizens.
14th
Your textbook argues that _______ fostered the growth of the women’s movement. The movement was further helped along when ___________ helped establish gender discrimination as a highly visible civil rights issue.
Title 7 of the civil rights act ; the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court, in the Bakke (1978), ruled that quotas and separate admissions standards for minorities ________ (choose one: “were” or “were not”) unconstitutional and that affirmative action ________ (choose one: “could or “could not”) be used.
were not ; could
In Hernandez v. Texas (1954), the Supreme Court ruled that _______ were entitled to equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment.
all other nationality groups (all races and ethnicities)
Balance Rule
Southern states admitted free states to the Union only if their entry was matched with a slave state
Identify the two principle obstacles that Black people (and other historically excluded groups) face in achieving civil rights.
- Fragmented constitutional system
- politics of self-interest
What institutional rule explains why slavery went unchallenged in the early 1800s?
balance rule
Why, as a Democratic presidential candidate, does Truman court Black voters?
Black voters were numerous in northern states and were pivotal voters in states with lots of electors.
Why did Black civil rights leader choose Selma and Birmingham as sites for nonviolent marches?
Selma and Birmingham had police chief that were very racist and violent. The police would initiate violence and the protests would be news coverage. People saw peaceful protesters being met with guns, dogs, and hoses. Northerns thought this was unacceptable. It compelled a presidential response.
During what historical event did the gay and lesbian movement forge a collective identity? Explain how this event helped foster queer identities.
World War II.
They helped by making young adults move away from their family;
military recruit large number of gays and lesbians;
sex-segregated environment fosters gay identity
What institutional rule helped Harvey Milk win political office (and what institutional rule prevented Harvey Milk from winning office)?
district helped win politics office, and city-wide prevented Milk from winning office
