Unit 1 Test Reveiw Flashcards
1
Q
Common Goods
A
Goods that all people may use but that are of limited supply.
2
Q
Democracy
A
A form of government where political power rests in the hands of the people.
3
Q
Direct Democracy
A
A form of government where people participate directly in making government decisions instead of choosing representative to do this for them.
4
Q
Elite Theory
A
Claims political power rests in the hands of a small, elite group of people.
5
Q
Government
A
The means by which a society organizes itself and allocated authority in order to accomplish collective goals.
6
Q
Ideology
A
The beliefs and ideals that help to shape the political opinion and eventually policy.
7
Q
Intense Preferences
A
Beliefs and preferences based on strong feelings regarding an issue that someone adheres to over time.
8
Q
Latent Preferences
A
Beliefs and preferences people are not deeply committed to and that change over time.
9
Q
Majority Rights
A
Protections for those who are not part of the majority.
10
Q
Monarchy
A
A form of government where a handful of elite society members hold political power. Members are decided by lineage.
11
Q
Oligarchy
A
A form of government where a handful of elite society members hold political power. Not based on Lineage.
12
Q
Partisanship
A
strong support, or even blind allegiance, for a particular political party.
13
Q
Pluralist Theory
A
Claims political power rests in the hands of groups of people.
14
Q
Political Power
A
Influence over a government’s institutions, leaderships, or policies.
15
Q
Politics
A
The process by which we decide how recourses will be allocated and which policies government will pursue.
16
Q
Private Goods
A
goods provided by private businesses that can be used only by those who pay for them.
17
Q
Public Goods
A
Goods provided by government that anyone can use and that are available to all without charge.
18
Q
Representative Democracy
A
A form of government where voters elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on behalf of all the people instead of allowing people to vote directly on laws.
19
Q
Social Capital
A
Connections with others and the willingness to interact and aid them.
20
Q
Toll Good
A
A good that is available to many people but is used only by those who can pay the price to do so.
21
Q
Totalitarianism
A
A form of government where government is all-powerful and citizens have no rights.
22
Q
What is Government
A
Government provides stability to society, as well as many crucial services such as free public education, police and fire services, and mail delivery. It also regulates access to common goods, such as public land, for the benefit of all. Government creates a structure whereby people can make their needs and opinions known to public officials. This is one of the key factors that makes the United States a representative democracy. A country where people elect representatives to make political decisions for them depends on the ability and willingness of ordinary people to make their voices known, unlike an oligarchy dominated by only a small group of people.
23
Q
Who Governs? Elitism, Pluralism, and Tradeoffs
A
Many question whether politicians are actually interested in the needs of average citizens and debate how much influence ordinary people have over what government does. Those who support the elite theory of government argue that a small, wealthy, powerful elite controls government and makes policy to benefit its members and perpetuate their power. Others favor the pluralist theory, which maintains that groups representing the people’s interests do attract the attention of politicians and can influence government policy. In reality, government policy usually is the result of a series of tradeoffs as groups and elites fight with one another for influence and politicians attempt to balance the demands of competing interests, including the interests of the constituents who elected them to office.
24
Q
How to be Engaged in Democracy
A
Civic and political engagement allows politicians to know how the people feel. It also improves people’s lives and helps them to build connections with others. Individuals can educate themselves on important issues and events, write to their senator or representative, file a complaint at city hall, attend a political rally, or vote. People can also work in groups to campaign or raise funds for a candidate, volunteer in the community, or protest a social injustice or an unpopular government policy. Although wealthier, older, more highly educated citizens are the most likely to be engaged with their government, especially if they have intense preferences about an issue, younger, less wealthy people can do much to change their communities and their country.
25
What goods are available to all without direct payment?
a) private goods
b) public goods
c) common goods
d) toll goods
B
26
In which form of government does a small group of elite people hold political power?
a) direct democracy
b) monarchy
c) oligarchy
d) totalitarian
C
27
What is the difference between a representative democracy and a direct democracy?
Representative-Representatives that are elected by the people make voting decisions on laws.
Direct Democracy-Citizens represent themselves politically and vote respectively. (however, it would take forever to vote on anything, as everything would need each and every citizen opinion).
28
What does government do for people?
The government provides benefits to all people, as well as common goods and services.
29
The elite theory of government maintains that ________.
a) special interest groups make government policy
b) politicians who have held office for a long time are favored by voters
c) poor people and people of color should not be allowed to vote
d) wealthy, politically powerful people control government, and government has no interest in meeting the needs of ordinary people
D
30
Which of the following is a good example of a tradeoff?
a) The government pleases environmental activists by preserving public lands but also pleases ranchers by allowing them to rent public lands for grazing purposes.
b) The government pleases environmental activists by reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone National Park but angers ranchers by placing their cattle in danger.
c) The government pleases oil companies by allowing them to drill on lands set aside for conservation but allows environmental activist groups to protest the drilling operations.
d) Groups that represent a variety of conflicting interests are all allowed to protest outside Congress and the White House.
A
31
Supporting the actions of the Democratic Party simply because one identifies oneself as a member of that party is an example of ________.
a) partisanship
b) ideology
c) latent preference
d) social capital
A
32
When a person is asked a question about a political issue that person has little interest in and has not thought much about, the person’s answer will likely reflect ________.
a) ideology
b) partisanship
c) intense preferences
d) latent preferences
D
33
What kinds of people are most likely to become active in politics or community service?
People who are more educated, older, and wealthier are more likely to become active in politics and community service. Those who want to contribute to society.
34
What political activities can people engage in other than running for office?
People can pay attention to the news in order to be aware of the most important issues of the day. They can contribute money to a campaign or attend a rally in support of a political candidate whose views they favor. They can write letters to members of Congress and to state and local politicians. They can vote.
35
Anti-Federalists
those who did not support ratification of the Constitution.
36
Articles of Confederation
the first basis for the new nation’s government; adopted in 1781; created an alliance of sovereign states held together by a weak central government.
37
Bicameral Legislature
a legislature with two houses, such as the U.S. Congress.
38
Bill of Rights
the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution; most were designed to protect fundamental rights and liberties.
39
Checks and balances
a system that allows one branch of government to limit the exercise of power by another branch; requires the different parts of government to work together.
40
Confederation
a highly decentralized form of government; sovereign states form a union for purposes such as mutual defense.
41
Declaration of Independence
a document written in 1776 in which the American colonists proclaimed their independence from Great Britain and listed their grievances against the British king.
42
Enumerated Powers
the powers given explicitly to the federal government by the Constitution (Article I, Section 8); power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, raise and support armies, declare war, coin money, and conduct foreign affairs.
43
Federal System
a form of government in which power is divided between state governments and a national government.
44
Federalists
those who supported ratification of the Constitution.
45
Great Compromise
a compromise between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan that created a two-house Congress; representation based on population in the House of Representatives and equal representation of states in the Senate.
46
Natural Rights
the right to life, liberty, and property; believed to be given by God; no government may take away.
47
New Jersey Plan
a plan that called for a one-house national legislature; each state would receive one vote.
48
Republic
a form of government in which political power rests in the hands of the people, not a monarch, and is exercised by elected representatives.
49
Reserved Powers
any powers not prohibited by the Constitution or delegated to the national government; powers reserved to the states and denied to the federal government.
50
Separation of Powers
the sharing of powers among three separate branches of government.
51
Social Contract
an agreement between people and government in which citizens consent to be governed so long as the government protects their natural rights.
52
Supremacy Clause
the statement in Article VI of the Constitution that federal law is superior to laws passed by state legislatures.
53
The Federalist Papers
a collection of eighty-five essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay in support of ratification of the Constitution.
54
Three-Fifths Compromise
a compromise between northern and southern states that called for counting of all a state’s free population and 60 percent of its enslaved population for both federal taxation and representation in Congress.
55
Unicameral Legislature
a legislature with only one house, like the Confederation Congress or the legislature proposed by the New Jersey Plan.
56
Veto
the power of the president to reject a law proposed by Congress.
57
Virginia Plan
a plan for a two-house legislature; representatives would be elected to the lower house based on each state’s population; representatives for the upper house would be chosen by the lower house.
58
What is The Pre-Revolutionary Period and the Roots of the American Political Tradition?
For many years the British colonists in North America had peacefully accepted rule by the king and Parliament. They were proud to be Englishmen. Much of their pride, however, stemmed from their belief that they were heirs to a tradition of limited government and royal acknowledgement of the rights of their subjects.
Colonists’ pride in their English liberties gave way to dismay when they perceived that these liberties were being abused. People had come to regard life, liberty, and property not as gifts from the monarch but as natural rights no government could take away. A chain of incidents—the Proclamation of 1763, the trial of smugglers in courts without juries, the imposition of taxes without the colonists’ consent, and the attempted interference with self-government in the colonies—convinced many colonists that the social contract between the British government and its citizens had been broken. In 1776, the Second Continental Congress declared American independence from Great Britain.
59
What are The Articles of Confederation?
Fearful of creating a system so powerful that it might abuse its citizens, the men who drafted the Articles of Confederation deliberately sought to limit the powers of the national government. The states maintained the right to govern their residents, while the national government could declare war, coin money, and conduct foreign affairs but little else. Its inability to impose taxes, regulate commerce, or raise an army hindered its ability to defend the nation or pay its debts. A solution had to be found.
60
How did the Constitution Develop?
Realizing that flaws in the Articles of Confederation could harm the new country and recognizing that the Articles could not easily be revised as originally intended, delegates from the states who met in Philadelphia from May through September 1787 set about drafting a new governing document. The United States that emerged from the Constitutional Convention in September was not a confederation, but it was a republic whose national government had been strengthened greatly. Congress had been transformed into a bicameral legislature with additional powers, and a national judicial system had been created. Most importantly, a federal system had been established with the power to govern the new country.
To satisfy the concerns of those who feared an overly strong central government, the framers of the Constitution created a system with separation of powers and checks and balances. Although such measures satisfied many, concerns still lingered that the federal government remained too powerful.
61
What is the Ratification of the Constitution?
Anti-Federalists objected to the power the Constitution gave the federal government and the absence of a bill of rights to protect individual liberties. The Federalists countered that a strong government was necessary to lead the new nation and promised to add a bill of rights to the Constitution. The Federalist Papers, in particular, argued in favor of ratification and sought to convince people that the new government would not become tyrannical. Finally, in June 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the Constitution, making it the law of the land. The large and prosperous states of Virginia and New York followed shortly thereafter, and the remaining states joined as well.
62
How does one Change the Constitution?
One of the problems with the Articles of Confederation was the difficulty of changing it. To prevent this difficulty from recurring, the framers provided a method for amending the Constitution that required a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress and in three-quarters of state legislatures to approve a change.
The possibility of amending the Constitution helped ensure its ratification, although many feared the powerful federal government it created would deprive them of their rights. To allay their anxieties, the framers promised that a Bill of Rights safeguarding individual liberties would be added following ratification. These ten amendments were formally added to the document in 1791 and other amendments followed over the years. Among the most important were those ending slavery, granting citizenship to African Americans, and giving the right to vote to Americans regardless of race, color, or sex.
63
British colonists in North America in the late seventeenth century were greatly influenced by the political thought of ________.
a) King James II
b) Thomas Jefferson
c) John Locke
d) James Madison
A
64
The agreement that citizens will consent to be governed so long as government protects their natural rights is called ________.
a) the divine right of kings
b) the social contract
c) a bill of rights
d) due process
B
65
What key tenets of American political thought were influential in the decision to declare independence from Britain?
Americans believed all people (i.e., white males) possessed the rights to life, liberty, and property. The best way to protect these rights was by limiting the power of government.
66
What actions by the British government convinced the colonists that they needed to declare their independence?
They believed the British were treating the colonists unfairly. The British passed many tax laws that impacted the colonists. The colonists had no representatives in Parliament to vote on or discuss these laws. In English government, the people had to have representatives who could vote on taxes that would affect them. The colonists had no such voice in British government.
67
What important power did the national government lack under the Articles of Confederation?
a) It could not coin money.
b) It could not declare war.
c) It could not impose taxes.
d) It could not conduct foreign affairs.
C
68
In what ways did Shays’ Rebellion reveal the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
-The federal government could not raise the money to pay the veterans.
-The federal government could not raise an army to put down the uprising.
-The national government could not tax citizens directly, only request money from the states.
-Congress had extremely limited powers under the Articles of Confederation.
-Congress did not have the authority to fund troops to suppress the rebellion.
-Congress was not empowered to regulate commerce and thereby mitigate the economic hardships of rural workers.
69
According to the Great Compromise, how would representation in Congress be apportioned?
a) Each state would have equal representation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
b) Congress would be a unicameral legislature with each state receiving equal representation.
c) Representation in the House of Representatives would be based on each state’s population and every state would have two senators.
d) Representation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate would be based on a state’s population.
C
70
How did the delegates to the Constitutional Convention resolve their disagreement regarding slavery?
a) It was agreed that Congress would abolish slavery in 1850.
b) It was agreed that a state’s enslaved population would be counted for purposes of representation but not for purposes of taxation.
c) It was agreed that a state’s enslaved population would be counted for purposes of taxation but not for purposes of representation.
d) It was agreed that 60 percent of a state’s enslaved population would be counted for purposes of both representation and taxation.
D
71
What does separation of powers mean?
Separation of powers refers to the process of dividing government into different branches and giving different responsibilities and powers to each branch. In this way, the separate branches must work together to govern the nation. For example, according to the Constitution, Congress has the power to draft legislation. However, the president must sign a piece of proposed legislation before it becomes a law. Thus, the president and Congress must work together to make the nation’s laws.
72
Why were The Federalist Papers written?
a) To encourage states to oppose the Constitution.
b) To encourage New York to ratify the Constitution.
c) To oppose the admission of slaveholding states to the federal union.
d) To encourage people to vote for George Washington as the nation’s first president.
B
73
What argument did Alexander Hamilton use to convince people that it was not dangerous to place power in the hands of one man?
a) That man would have to pass a religious test before he could become president; thus, citizens could be sure that he was of good character.
b) One man could respond to crises more quickly than a group of men like Congress.
c) It was easier to control the actions of one man than the actions of a group.
d) both B and C
D
74
Why did so many people oppose ratification of the Constitution, and how was their opposition partly overcome?
The Anti-Federalists were opposed to the ratification of the Constitution because they felt as though it gave too much power to the national government. ... Anti-Federalists feared that a tyrannical, national government would take rights away from American citizens (as the British had done).
75
How many states must ratify an amendment before it becomes law?
a) all
b) three-fourths
c) two-thirds
d) one-half
B
76
What is the Bill of Rights?
a) first ten amendments to the Constitution that protect individual freedoms
b) powers given to Congress in Article I of the Constitution
c) twenty-seven amendments added to the Constitution over the years
d) document authored by Thomas Jefferson that details the rights of the citizens
A
77
What did the Fourteenth Amendment achieve?
The Fourteenth Amendment gave citizenship to African Americans and made all Americans equal before the law regardless of race or color. Over the years it has also been used to require states to guarantee their residents the same protections as those granted by the federal government in the Bill of Rights.
78
Bill of Attainder
a legislative action declaring someone guilty without a trial; prohibited under the Constitution
79
Block Grant
a type of grant that comes with less stringent federal administrative conditions and provide recipients more latitude over how to spend grant funds
80
Categorical Grant
a federal transfer formulated to limit recipients’ discretion in the use of funds and subject them to strict administrative criteria
81
Concurrent Powers
shared state and federal powers that range from taxing, borrowing, and making and enforcing laws to establishing court systems
82
Cooperative Federalism
a style of federalism in which both levels of government coordinate their actions to solve national problems, leading to the blending of layers as in a marble cake
83
Creeping Categorization
a process in which the national government attaches new administrative requirements to block grants or supplants them with new categorical grants
84
Devolution
a process in which powers from the central government in a unitary system are delegated to subnational units
85
Dual Federalims
a style of federalism in which the states and national government exercise exclusive authority in distinctly delineated spheres of jurisdiction, creating a layer-cake view of federalism
86
Elastic Clause
the last clause of Article I, Section 8, which enables the national government “to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying” out all its constitutional responsibilities
87
Ex Post Facto Law
a law that criminalizes an act retroactively; prohibited under the Constitution
88
Federalism
an institutional arrangement that creates two relatively autonomous levels of government, each possessing the capacity to act directly on the people with authority granted by the national constitution
89
Full Faith and Credit Clause
found in Article IV, Section 1, of the Constitution, this clause requires states to accept court decisions, public acts, and contracts of other states; also referred to as the comity provision
90
General Revenue Sharing
a type of federal grant that places minimal restrictions on how state and local governments spend the money
91
Immigration Federalism
the gradual movement of states into the immigration policy domain traditionally handled by the federal government
92
New Federalism
a style of federalism premised on the idea that the decentralization of policies enhances administrative efficiency, reduces overall public spending, and improves outcomes
93
Nullification
a doctrine promoted by John Calhoun of South Carolina in the 1830s, asserting that if a state deems a federal law unconstitutional, it can nullify it within its borders
94
Privileges and Immunities Clause
found in Article IV, Section 2, of the Constitution, this clause prohibits states from discriminating against out-of-staters by denying such guarantees as access to courts, legal protection, and property and travel rights
95
Race-to-the-Bottom
a dynamic in which states compete to attract business by lowering taxes and regulations, often to workers’ detriment
96
Unfunded Mandates
federal laws and regulations that impose obligations on state and local governments without fully compensating them for the costs of implementation
97
Unitary Systems
a centralized system of government in which the subnational government is dependent on the central government, where substantial authority is concentrated
98
Venue Shopping
a strategy in which interest groups select the level and branch of government they calculate will be most receptive to their policy goals
99
Writ of Habeas Corpus
a petition that enables someone in custody to petition a judge to determine whether that person’s detention is legal
100
What are the Division of Powers?
Federalism is a system of government that creates two relatively autonomous levels of government, each possessing authority granted to them by the national constitution. Federal systems like the one in the United States are different from unitary systems, which concentrate authority in the national government, and from confederations, which concentrate authority in subnational governments.
The U.S. Constitution allocates powers to the states and federal government, structures the relationship between these two levels of government, and guides state-to-state relationships. Federal, state, and local governments rely on different sources of revenue to enable them to fulfill their public responsibilities.
101
What is the Evolution of American Federalism
Federalism in the United States has gone through several phases of evolution during which the relationship between the federal and state governments has varied. In the era of dual federalism, both levels of government stayed within their own jurisdictional spheres. During the era of cooperative federalism, the federal government became active in policy areas previously handled by the states. The 1970s ushered in an era of new federalism and attempts to decentralize policy management.
102
What are the Intergovernmental Relationships?
To accomplish its policy priorities, the federal government often needs to elicit the cooperation of states and local governments, using various strategies. Block and categorical grants provide money to lower government levels to subsidize the cost of implementing policy programs fashioned in part by the federal government. This strategy gives state and local authorities some degree of flexibility and discretion as they coordinate with the federal government. On the other hand, mandate compels state and local governments to abide by federal laws and regulations or face penalties.
103
How is there Competitive Federalism Today?
Some policy areas have been redefined as a result of changes in the roles that states and the federal government play in them. The constitutional disputes these changes often trigger have had to be sorted out by the Supreme Court. Contemporary federalism has also witnessed interest groups engaging in venue shopping. Aware of the multiple access points to our political system, such groups seek to access the level of government they deem will be most receptive to their policy views.
104
What are the Disadvantages of Federalism?
The benefits of federalism are that it can encourage political participation, give states an incentive to engage in policy innovation, and accommodate diverse viewpoints across the country. The disadvantages are that it can set off a race to the bottom among states, cause cross-state economic and social disparities, and obstruct federal efforts to address national problems.
105
Which statement about federal and unitary systems is most accurate?
a) In a federal system, power is concentrated in the states; in a unitary system, it is concentrated in the national government.
b) In a federal system, the constitution allocates powers between states and federal government; in a unitary system, powers are lodged in the national government.
c) Today there are more countries with federal systems than with unitary systems.
d) The United States and Japan have federal systems, while Great Britain and Canada have unitary systems.
B
106
Which statement is most accurate about the sources of revenue for local and state governments?
a) Taxes generate well over one-half the total revenue of local and state governments.
b) Property taxes generate the most tax revenue for both local and state governments.
c) Between 30 and 40 percent of the revenue for local and state governments comes from grant money.
d) Local and state governments generate an equal amount of revenue from issuing licenses and certificates.
C
107
What key constitutional provisions define the scope of authority of the federal and state governments?
The following parts of the Constitution sketch the powers of the states and the federal government: Article I, Section 8; the supremacy clause of Article VI; and the Tenth Amendment. The following parts of the Constitution detail the limits on their authority: Article I, Sections 9 and 10; Bill of Rights; Fourteenth Amendment; and the civil rights amendments.
108
What are the main functions of federal and state governments?
The federal government makes legislation to take care of its people's rights. The state governments take care of state legislation (whatever federal government doesn't cover) and have the senate and house of representatives to voice the rights of their citizens.
109
In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court invoked which provisions of the constitution?
a) Tenth Amendment and spending clause
b) commerce clause and supremacy clause
c) necessary and proper clause and supremacy clause
d) taxing power and necessary and proper clause
C
110
Which statement about new federalism is not true?
a) New federalism was launched by President Nixon and continued by President Reagan.
b) New federalism is based on the idea that decentralization of responsibility enhances administrative efficiency.
c) United States v. Lopez is a Supreme Court ruling that advanced the logic of new federalism.
d) President Reagan was able to promote new federalism consistently throughout his administration.
D
111
Which is not a merit of cooperative federalism?
a) Federal cooperation helps mitigate the problem of collective action among states.
b) Federal assistance encourages state and local governments to generate positive externalities.
c) Cooperative federalism respects the traditional jurisdictional boundaries between states and federal government.
d) Federal assistance ensures some degree of uniformity of public services across states.
C
112
What are the main differences between cooperative federalism and dual federalism?
Cooperative federalism have both governments coordinate their powers to solve problems, while dual federalism has both federal and state government exercise their authority in designated jurisdiction.
113
What were the implications of McCulloch v. Maryland for federalism?
The McCulloch decision established the doctrine of implied powers, meaning the federal government can create policy instruments deemed necessary and appropriate to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. The case also affirmed the principle of national supremacy embodied in Article VI of the Constitution, namely, that the Constitution and legitimate federal laws trump state laws.
114
Which statement about federal grants in recent decades is most accurate?
a) The federal government allocates the most grant money to income security.
b) The amount of federal grant money going to states has steadily increased since the 1960s.
c) The majority of federal grants are block grants.
d) Block grants tend to gain more flexibility over time.
B
115
Which statement about unfunded mandates is false?
a) The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act has prevented Congress from using unfunded mandates.
b) The Clean Air Act is a type of federal partial preemptive regulation.
c) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act establishes crosscutting requirements.
d) New federalism promotes the use of unfunded mandates.
D
116
What does it mean to refer to the carrot of grants and the stick of mandates?
Grant money may be offered to state governments for much needed serves to entices the states to comply with national mandates.
117
Which statement about immigration federalism is false?
a) The Arizona v. United States decision struck down all Arizona’s most restrictive provisions on undocumented immigration.
b) Since the 1990s, states have increasingly moved into the policy domain of immigration.
c) Federal immigration laws trump state laws.
d) States’ involvement in immigration is partly due to their interest in preventing undocumented immigrants from accessing public services such as education and welfare benefits.
A
118
Which statement about the evolution of same-sex marriage is false?
a) The federal government became involved in this issue when it passed DOMA.
b) In the 1990s and 2000s, the number of state restrictions on same-sex marriage increased.
c) United States v. Windsor legalized same-sex marriage in the United States.
d) More than half the states had legalized same-sex marriage by the time the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal nationwide in 2015.
B
119
Which statement about venue shopping is true?
a) MADD steered the drinking age issue from the federal government down to the states.
b) Anti-abortion advocates have steered the abortion issue from the states up to the federal government.
c) Both MADD and anti-abortion proponents redirected their advocacy from the states to the federal government.
d) None of the statements are correct.
D
120
What does venue shopping mean?
Venue shopping is a term used in the field of private international law and public policy. It refers to the possibility offered to a plaintiff or defendant to avail themselves of the jurisdiction or courts of countries that can issue a ruling more favorable to their interests. In public policy, venue shopping refers to the activities of advocacy groups and policymakers who seek out a decision setting where they can air their grievances with current policy and present alternative policy proposals. It is a key component of any political strategy.
121
Which of the following is not a benefit of federalism?
a) Federalism promotes political participation.
b) Federalism encourages economic equality across the country.
c) Federalism provides for multiple levels of government action.
d) Federalism accommodates a diversity of opinion.
B
122
Describe the advantages of federalism.
Brandeis, past Supreme Court Justice, stated that states should be able to experiment with policy innovations that wouldn't harm any other states
Helped unjust regulations get discarded
If you are running for office and don't get a desire position, a group of representatives from another part of government may be able to aid you in gaining office at another position.
123
Describe the disadvantages of federalism.
Federalism can trigger a race to the bottom, leading states to reduce workplace regulations and social benefits for employees; it can obstruct federal efforts to address national problems; and it can deepen economic and social disparities among states.
124
What are Natural Rights?
Life liberty, pursuit of happiness, or as john Locke says the right to property, Thomas Jefferson changes property to pursuit of happiness.
125
Reasons the founding fathers wrote the declaration of independence?
Taxes on molasses, sugar, ink, and tea, to pay the 7 years' war or French and Indian war, quartering of soldiers, overpowering, lack of freedom of commerce, lack of freedom of religion, living in tyranny.
126
What was the first government?
Articles of Confederation, made by the Continental congress, delegates were voted for by each colony (except Georgia), and then they would represent the colonies and take the best responsive legal action. Could not collect taxes or tariffs. Less represented if a larger population, weak military power, navy, to protect the people and from piracy.
127
What decided our government system?
New jersey and Virginia plan.
128
What is the Great Compromise?
A compromise to offer the people proper representation. Split the congress into two party systems. Each state gets two senators, and representatives based on population. Created the 3/5 compromise. Slavery was not banned until 1808, slave trade was legal to continue, each state was required to return all slaves regardless of laws.
129
What are the Three Branches of Government? What do they do?
Judicial-interprets laws, conduct trials, protect the rights of citizens brought before the court, rule on constitutional questions.
Executive-proposes laws, administers laws, commands armed forces, appoints ambassadors and other officials, conducts foreign policy, makes treaties.
Legislative-make laws, support the military, establish PO, declare war, regulate commerce, borrow money, collect taxes.
130
What is Federalism?
a mode of government that combines a general government with regional governments in a single political system, dividing the powers between the two.
Or
an institutional arrangement that creates two autonomous levels of government, each possessing the capacity to act directly on the people with authority granted by the national constitution
(division between a national government and a smaller government)
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All powers explicitly granted to the national government are known as
Enumerated powers.
Examples: declare war, impose taxes, coin and regulate currency, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, raise and maintain an army and a navy, maintain a post office, make treaties with foreign nations and with Native American tribes, and make laws regulating the naturalization of immigrants.
(Reserved powers-state powers)
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What is the supremacy Clause (Article VI, Clause 2)
The statement that federal laws are superior to state laws. This is because the constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land, and to prevent state government from overpowering the people the federal government can overpower the state.
(any power that is shared, the federal government will supersede state governments, federal government can choose to enforce its own laws)
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How many states were required to ratify the constitution?
Nine states were required to ratify the constitution
(They felt that the states that needed to ratify was NY and Virginia)
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What two main groups developed during the ratification process?
Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Federalists supported the ratification of the constitution and were mostly the elite members of society, whereas the Anti-Federalists feared the power of the national government.
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In which year did the constitution go into effect?
1789
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What state was the last state to ratify the constitution?
Rhode Island
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How do we amend the constitution (pass an amendment)
An amendment may be proposed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses and two-thirds of the Senate of Congress, or, if two-thirds of the States request one, by a convention called for that purpose.
The amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of the State legislatures or three-fourths of conventions called in each State for ratification.
(*Changes*- proposed by 2/3 of both houses and senate, then 2/3 state legislators get to rewrite the entire thing if they wanted, after the proposal, it is ratified by ¾ of legislator or states need to agree)
Publeas*
Alexander Hamilton
John Jay
James Madison
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What are some of the enumerated powers?
Power to declare war, impose taxes, coin and regulate currency, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, raise and maintain an army and a navy, maintain a post office, make treaties with foreign nations and with Native American tribes, and make laws regulating the naturalization of immigrants.
Punish counterfeit
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What are some of the reserved powers?
Freedom to pass their own laws, freedom to levy taxes, marriage laws
More examples: in image
Public health safety morals etc...
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What are some of the concurrent powers?
Borrow money, make and enforce laws, take property for the public with just compensation (eminent domain). More examples: in image
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What powers are denied by the state?
Cannot tax federal property
Coin money
Tax imports exports
Compare contracts
Your rights as a citizen cannot be revoked if you go to another state
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What can congress do?
The Constitution grants Congress the sole authority to enact legislation and declare war, the right to confirm or reject many Presidential appointments, and substantial investigative powers.
Tariffs
As long as congress has proof, they can implement any powers they wish
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How can the federal government “force” states to do what it wants?
- Article 1 of the constitution saying that congressional power can be expanded if needed
-Federal Gov has control over “Territory or other Property belonging to the United States.”
- “The necessary and proper clause” provides that Congress may “make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing [enumerated] Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.”
-Distribution of grants
(allows the federal government to have more financial influence-income tax-amendment 16)
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How do state and local governments raise revenue?
Taxes and income equity and sales.
State: Property, income, sales, excise (pay when you use) *syntax*toll road/ gas/ tobacco, etc.
California has the lowest property tax
Local: Government grants – money from central government for local services
Council tax – a property tax levied on residential properties
Business rates – a property tax levied on business premises
Property, sales, and other taxes
Charges and fees
Transfers from federal and state governments
Licenses and fees
State-operated businesses
Lotteries (in some states)
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What do you think are some pros and cons to federalism?
Pros: division of power, safeguards state rights and has a stable and strong central government to support the system,
Cons: Abuse of state power, Federal government not enforcing laws, economic disparities
