Test 2 review Flashcards
- The roles of the three branches and how they interact with each other
Legislative - makes laws
judicial - interprets laws
Executive - Enforces laws
- What is gerrymandering? Why is it problematic?
When district lines are drawn with political intent. This has been used to restrict racial minorities. It can also give an unfair advantage to the ones doing it.
- The composition of the House and the Senate and why they were created this way. What this says about power and accountability.
majority leaders, with the advice of minority leaders, get together and decide the number of representatives on each committee and the number of committees
They determine what the ratio will be between the parties for representation on committee
- How committees are selected/The impact of Political Parties
- Republicans and Democrats in Congress each have a committee on committees, and their committees create a roster for each available position in each committee that their party has.
- The committee roster is sent to the party representatives for confirmation.
- The Democrat and Republican rosters are put together and submitted for approval from the entire House.
The chair of every committee is from the majority party. It is typically based on seniority.
Committee membership is based on proportion of party in Congress.
- What does it mean for Congress to be bipartisan and why can it be beneficial?
When both political parties come to a compromise.
- What are the four types of representation in Congress?
Policy representation: Obligation of members to try to pass legislation that represents the interests of their constituency.
Allocative representation: The passage of laws that benefit the district in a material way. (pork barrel)
Casework: taking care of the needs and problems of constituency
Symbolic representation: Public role of showcasing values of public service and patriotism.
- The Executive and the role of the Bureaucracies
Smaller organizations in charge of more specific jobs that answer to higher-ranked officials
- What happens if the president can no longer carry out the duties of president? Who is next? Provide the list in order.
President
Vice-President
- What happens if the president can no longer carry out the duties of president? Who is next? Provide the list in order.
President Vice-President Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore of the Senate Secretary of State
- Powers that the president uses that are not listed in the Constitution are known as what? How does the president get these powers?
Inherent Powers - The presidents give themselves this power as they claim it is implied in their constitutional duty to “take care that the laws be carefully executed”
- How does a divided government often affect the president’s plans?
Opposition in the legislative can slow down or stop a president’s policy plans
- What is the cabinet? What are the different roles in the cabinet?
An advisory group comprised mostly of the heads of major departments. 15 departments covering essential government functions or policy areas.
- What does the Solicitor General do and how does he or she have an advantage?
The solicitor general is the attorney that represents the U.S. in federal court hearings. they have an advantage because they are more experienced with the supreme court process than other attorneys.
- What are Amicus Curiae briefs? Why are they important?
“friend of the court” documents. filed by interested parties to persuade the court either to grant certiorari or not or influence a ruling.
- What is writ of certiorari?
pleas from a party that lost in a lower court and believes that there was a procedural or legal problem with the verdict.
