structure, distribution of powers

Question 1

define bicameral system

Answer 1

• having two different chambers

Question 2

define popular sovereignty

Answer 2

the principle that all government authority is derived from the consent of the people being governed who are the source of political power

Question 3

when did the senate become an elected chamber

Answer 3

• after the 17th amendment in 1913

Question 4

how long do senators serve for

Answer 4

• 6 years
• 1/3rd of congress is up for reelection every 2years

Question 5

what is the impact of the short election cycle

Answer 5

• representatives and senators focus more on pleasing their constituents over pay since their constituents need to be won over so they can reelect them

Question 6

constitutional requirements of house

Answer 6

• over 25
• must live in the state but not necessarily district they want to serve
• lived in US for over 7 years

Question 7

constitutional requirements of senate

Answer 7

• over 30
• citizen of US for over 9 years
• must be living in the state they are running for

Question 8

what are powers exclusive to the HoR

Answer 8

• power of the purse
• bringing forth charges of impeachment for president and SC
• choose a president if the EC is in deadlock

Question 9

what are powers exclusive to the Senate

Answer 9

• ratifying treaties
• confirming appointments
• try cases of impeachment for the president and SC judges
• choose the VP if the EC id in deadlock

Question 10

what are the concurrent powers of congress
- ones that are shared by both HoR and senate

Answer 10

• create legislation
• override the presidents veto, with a 2/3rds majority
• propose constitutional amendments
• declare war

Question 11

what is incumbency

Answer 11

• the person who currently holds a political office usually referring to the president, a senator or congress man/woman

Question 12

explain the graven island bridge as an example of incumbency and pork barrel politics

Answer 12

• the bridge was supposed to connect two islands in Alaska to where the local airport was
• it would have cost $400million but only served a small population
• in 2007 it was cancelled leading to an unfinished, half built bridge and so became known as the bridge to nowhere

Question 13

what are reasons 4 reasons incumbents do well

Answer 13

• franking privileges
• gerrymandering
• name recognition so raise more money so do better
• some congressional advantages

Question 14

what are franking privileges

Answer 14

the cost of mailing to constituents is covered by congress
- congress spent $24.8million on this in 2012

Question 15

what congressional advantages do incumbents get

Answer 15

• constituents can get in contact with them easily as they are given a website to show their policy beliefs and success in the community

Question 16

define gerrymandering

Answer 16

• the shaping of congressional districts to give one party a political advantage
• both parties do this

Question 17

how often are congressional districts drawn up

Answer 17

• every 10 years following the census
• so whichever party is the governor of each state can draw up their own boundries
• so if they know the south of a city is democrat and north is republican for example, they will split those, often in odd shapes to ensure the vote is not split, so their desired party can get most possible votes and therefore representatives in the house