Test 4 Flashcards
slander
spoken; a statement that defames the character of another person
libel
literature; writing that falsely injures another person
exclusionary rule
evidence obtained in violation of your 4th and 5th amendment protections can’t be used against you
obscenity
offensive to the average person using contemporary standards and lacking literary, artistic, political, or scientific value
plea bargain
pleading guilty to a lesser sentence so that it doesn’t go to trial
civil liberties
citizen protections from the government
civil rights
citizen protections from other citizens
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Practices Act (RICO)
those found guilty must forfeit all ill-gotten gains and interest in any business gained through a pattern of “racketeering activity”
(AKA their property can be seized by the government)
GDP
gross domestic product; total $ value of goods and services produced in a single year
inflation
rise in the general level of prices
unemployment rate
percent of labor force not working, but actively looking for work
monetary policy
manipulation of the supply of money circulating in the economy; federal reserve is in charge
fiscal policy
manipulation of government income and expenditures; congress is in charge
budget
financial estimate of income and expenditures
surplus
when income exceeds spending at the end of a budget
deficit
when spending exceeds income at the end of a budget
national debt
the total deficit from the first presidency to the present; currently at $34.5 trillion
Plessy v. Ferguson
separate but equal doctrine
Brown v. Board of Education
class action suit that overturned Plessy v. Ferguson
prohibited segregation laws for public schools, arguing that separate facilities are inherently unequal
as a result, public schools had to desegregate
Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)
legalized same sex marriage
free exercise clause
protects any religious belief
establishment clause
no state endorsed religions
1st Amendment
Freedom of Religion
“congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”
free exercise clause & free establishment clause
Freedom of Expression
freedom of speech, press, and assembly
restrictions:
a “clear and present danger” to society
libel (literature) and slander (speech)
obscenity
2nd Amendment
Right to Bear Arms
“as well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”
was originally interpreted as a collective right; is now interpreted as an individual right
5th Amendment
Protection from Self-Incrimination
(pleading the 5th)
told when detained and questioned as a subject:
right to remain silent
right to an attorney during questioning
attorney provided if unaffordable
these rights may be waived
4th Amendment
Protections from Unreasonable Search and Seizures of Property
When can you be searched?
search warrant ordered by judge
observed probable cause for crime
when consent is given
Reasonable searches (warrant is not needed)
getting on an airplane
crossing an international border
emails stored on a server for >6 months
evidence is not needed under the Patriot Act to get a warrant against a suspected terrorist
What can be searched?
you, things carried, the room
8th Amendment
Protection from Excessive Bail
Protection from Cruel and Unusual Punishment
there is great debate in the U.S. if the death penalty constitutes cruel and unusual punishment; some states have banned it, others haven’t. different states use different methods to carry out the death penalty and there have been some botched attempts that have caused additional controversy.
14th Amendment
“no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, property, without the due process of law… nor deny anyone… the equal protection of laws”
this was the first time these responsibilities were put onto the states
recession
negative GDP growth in two consecutive quarters
fiscal year
Oct. 1 to Sep. 30
entitlements
benefits citizens are entitled to by law if they qualify
social security, healthcare, etc.
discretionary spending
part of the budget that Congress can cut without affecting entitlement recipients or creditors
includes defense, housing and community development, transportation, education, etc.
Susan v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg County
forced the busing of students to racially integrate neighborhood public schools
white people could avoid this by moving out of the school district (white flight)
Civil Disobedience
non-violence
breaking unjust laws
serving the punishment
What is the Federal Reserve Board and what are its powers?
Board of Governors with 7 members appointed by the Senate and confirmed by the President
14 year terms, non-renewable
chairman serves a 4 year term overlapping the President
self-funded, no tax dollar support
manages supply of U.S. dollars
Keynesian Economic Theory
government should manipulate demand as needed; the key is to create the right level of demand
the belief the government must manage the economy by spending more money when in a recession and cutting spending when inflation occurs
Supply Side Economic Theory
increase supply by cutting business taxes
the belief that lower taxes and fewer regulations will stimulate the economy
Monetarist Economic Theory
stabilize money supply and thereby its value;
one who believes that inflation occurs when too much money is chasing too few goods
How can we retain the Social Security program?
extend retirement age beyond 67
decrease benefits on a means-tested formula
cut benefits across the board
increase individual/employer payroll tax
borrow more money to pay the benefits
raise or eliminate the wage cap on social security (only income up to $142,000 is taxed at the moment)
Civil Rights Act (1964)
desegregated public accomodations
Voting Rights Act (1965)
federal enforcement of voting rights
Civil Rights Act (1968)
outlawed discrimination in housing
redlining
a discriminatory practice that consists of the systematic denial of services such as mortgages, insurance loans, and other financial services to residents of certain areas, based on their race or ethnicity
hate crimes
creates more severe penalties for vandalism, assault, and murder due to hatred of a victim’s social group (ie: race, religion, gender)
Lawrence v. Texas (2003)
legalized sodomy
Bostock v. Clayton County (2020)
prohibits workplace discrimination for LGBTQ+ people, equating it with sexual discrimination
What were the reasons for white flight?
decrease in the quality of education
increase in crime
decrease in property value
there was no actual evidence for any of these, however, white people consistently gave these reasons for moving
the _____ money lent out, the ____ money there is
the more money lent out, the more money there is; the less money lent out, the less money there is
