Terms

Question 0

Popular sovereignty

• associated philosophers
• description

Answer 0

• Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau

- Government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Question 1

Social contract theory

• associated philosophers
• description

Answer 1

• Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau

- individuals submit to surrender some freedoms for the greater good in society

Question 2

Articles of confederation

Answer 2

First unifying governmental agreement in the United States. Too weak.

Question 3

Constitutional convention

Answer 3

Intended to fix A of C, ended up writing the constitution.

Question 4

Virginia Plan

Answer 4

Favors large population (two houses, both by population)

Question 5

New Jersey Plan

Answer 5

Favored small population (one house, one vote per state)

Question 6

Great Compromise

Answer 6

Current legislative makeup (two houses 1 population 1 state)

Question 7

3/5ths Compromise

Answer 7

Slaves would be counted as 3/5 of a person for both property taxes and population

Question 8

Federalists vs anti-federalists

Answer 8

Fed: strong gov’t
Anti: weak gov’t

Question 9

Federalist papers

• authors
• description

Answer 9

• Hamilton, Madison, Jay

- promoted the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Question 10

Federalist 10

Answer 10

Addresses the question of how to guard against factions, or groups of citizens, with interests contrary to the rights of others or the interests of the whole community. He uses this to argue for the Constitution because he says that a big republic would be better than a small republic for this purpose.

Question 11

Federalist 51

Answer 11

Explains the importance of checks and balances in a government, says that the Constitution has these checks and balances.

Question 12

The Bill of Rights

Answer 12

The first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution. Proposed to assuage the fears of the antifederalists who opposed constitutional ratification.

Question 13

Federalism

Answer 13

Describes a system of government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central government authority and constituent political units such as states or provinces.

Question 14

Separation of powers

Answer 14

Under this model the state is divided into branches, each with separate and independent powers and areas of responsibility so that the powers of one branch are not in conflict with the powers associated with the other branches.

Question 15

Limited government

Answer 15

In this system, the power of government to intervene in the exercise of civil liberties is restricted by law, usually in a written constitution.

Question 16

Powers of the national government

Answer 16

Print money, declare war, establish an Army and Navy, enter into treaties with foreign governments, regulate commerce between states and international trade, establish post offices an issue postage, make laws necessary to enforce the Constitution

Question 17

Checks and balances

Answer 17

System used to allow each branch of government to limit the others.

Question 18

Supremacy clause

Answer 18

Article 6 clause 2. Establishes the US Constitution, federal statutes, and treaties as the supreme law of the land (over states and localities)

Question 19

Full faith and credit clause

Answer 19

Article 4 section 1 of the United States Constitution. Makes states respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.

Question 20

Commerce clause

Answer 20

Article 1 section 8 clause 3. States that the US Congress shall have power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states and with Indian tribes.

Question 21

Elastic clause

Answer 21

Section 8 clause 18. Also known as the necessary and proper clause, the basket clause, the coefficient clause, and the sweeping clause. The Congress shall have power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the US.

Question 22

Dual federalism

Answer 22

A type of federalism in which power is divided between the federal and state governments in clearly defined terms. Also called layer cake federalism.

Question 23

Unfunded mandate

Answer 23

Requires a state or local government to perform certain actions with no money provided for fulfilling the requirements.

Question 24

Pardon power – state versus federal government shared powers

Answer 24

Granted to the president under article 2 section 2.most governors have the power to pardon offenses under state criminal law.

Question 25

Constitutional amendment process

Answer 25

Proposals may be adopted and sent to the states by either a two thirds vote in both the Senate and House
OR
A two thirds vote of national conventions called by Congress at the request of the legislatures of at least two thirds of the states.

All 33 amendment proposals that have been sent to the states have come into being via the Congress.

Question 26

Political socialization

Answer 26

Factors include family, media, peers, education, religion, faith, race, gender, age, geography.

Question 27

Referendum

Answer 27

The general vote by the electorate on the political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision.

Question 28

Political action committees

Answer 28

An organization the pools campaign contributions for members and donates those funds to campaign for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation.

Question 29

Frontloading

Answer 29

The tendency of states to choose primary times very early in the cycle to gain the most political leverage

Question 30

Third parties

Answer 30

Can take votes from candidates from the two major parties, can draw attention to issues that may be ignored.

Question 31

Divided government

Answer 31

A state in which one branch of government is from one political party and another branch is from the other. Causes gridlock.

Question 32

Interest group

Answer 32

Use various forms of advocacy to influence public opinion and/or policy.

Question 33

Amicus curiae briefs

Answer 33

Literally “friend of the court”

People or organizations can submit packets of information and opinions to a court to persuade them in a case.

Question 34

Exclusive powers of the House of Representatives

Answer 34

Revenue bills, articles of impeachment

Question 35

Exclusive powers of the Senate

Answer 35

Gives advice and consent on treaties and presidential appointments, try impeached officials

Question 36

Structure of the House of Representatives

Answer 36

435 members with two-year terms, more centralized power, emphasizes tax and revenue policy, more committees

Question 37

Structure of the Senate

Answer 37

100 members with six-year terms, less centralized power, emphasizes foreign-policy, fewer committees

Question 38

Conference committee

Answer 38

Created when two versions of a bill from the two houses do not match exactly.

Question 39

Reapportionment

Answer 39

After census, representation is distributed based on population.

Question 40

Redistricting

Answer 40

The process of drawing new districts after a census

Question 41

Powers of Congress

Answer 41

Collect taxes, borrow money, regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the states, and with Indian tribes, establish uniform rule of naturalization in uniform laws of bankruptcy, to coin and print money and regulate the value, to punish counterfeiting, to establish post offices and post roads, to promote the progress of science and the useful arts through copyright law, to create courts, to punish piracies, to declare war, to raise armies, to create a navy, to exercise legislation over the seat of government.

Question 42

War Powers act of 1973

Answer 42

The president can send US Armed Forces into action abroad only by declaration of war by Congress, statutory authorization, or in case of a national emergency created by attack on the US. Requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of action and for bids them from remaining for more than 60 days without authorization.