POLS-15 FINAL STUDY GUIDE

What is the main function of the executive branch of government?

To execute and enforce the laws of the nation.

Who is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?

The President of the United States.

What power is the President given regarding treaties?

The President can make treaties with the advice and consent of the Senate.

What is the role of the Chief legislator?

To suggest laws to Congress.

What does Article II of the Constitution broadly outline?

The presidential powers and responsibilities.

What are executive actions?

Executive orders and agreements made by the President.

What is the primary responsibility of Congress?

To enact laws and appropriate funds.

What is required for a bill to become a law?

It must be passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President.

What is a filibuster?

A tactic used to delay or block a vote on a bill in the Senate.

Which court system deals primarily with criminal cases?

State Courts.

How long do federal judges serve?

For life, as long as they exhibit good behavior.

What landmark ruling does Marbury v. Madison establish?

The power of judicial review.

What is the difference between civil law and criminal law?

Civil law involves disputes between parties, while criminal law involves prosecuting individuals for crimes.

What is the primary concern for interest groups?

To influence public policy.

What is one strategy used by interest groups in lobbying?

Organizing members to contact their representatives.

What does the Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibit?

Discrimination in voting and registration.

What major event did the PATRIOT Act follow?

The September 11 terrorist attacks.

What is the purpose of the Guantanamo Bay prison?

To detain suspected terrorists.

What are the implications of half of the federal budget being on autopilot?

Many federal spending decisions are predetermined by law rather than by annual congressional appropriations.

What is 'Medicare for All'?

A proposal for a single-payer health care system where the government provides health insurance for all.

What historical context fueled the civil rights movements in America?

Discrimination and segregation against African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans.

What does 'redlining' refer to?

The practice of denying mortgages and insurance to racial and ethnic minorities.

What is meant by the term 'political disinformation'?

Deliberately false information shared to influence public perception or opinion.

What are the major responsibilities of Congress?

Appropriating funds, setting taxes, confirming judicial nominees, and passing laws.

What effect did Prop 13 have on California's local governments?

It slashed property taxes, leading to reduced revenue for local services.

What was the major impact of the Fair Housing Act of 1968?

It prohibited discrimination in housing.

What does the term 'entitlement program' refer to?

Mandatory spending programs such as Social Security and Medicare based on eligibility.

What key component is necessary for a treaty to take effect?

Senate approval.

What is 'collective representation'?

Representation by a group advocating for broader community interests.

Why are taxes considered a complicated measurement of tax burden?

They do not accurately reflect the actual amount people pay, as they can be influenced by various loopholes and deductions.

What strategy does 'participation in elections' as an interest group tactic involve?

Campaigning for candidates who support their policies.

In the context of healthcare, what is one of the biggest criticisms of the current system?

It is for-profit and highly fragmented.

What significant legal decision was made in Loving v. Virginia?

It struck down laws prohibiting interracial marriage.

What is 'gerrymandering'?

Drawing electoral district boundaries to favor a particular party or group.

What is the function of the 'spoils system' in government?

Distributing government jobs and contracts to political supporters and friends.

What role do 'PACs' (Political Action Committees) play in elections?

Raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates.

How does the 'electoral college' work in U.S. presidential elections?

A body

How does the 'electoral college' work in U.S. presidential elections?

A body of electors chosen to elect the President and Vice President.

What is a primary election?

A vote in which an electorate indicates their preferred candidate for an upcoming general election or by-election.

What is proportional representation?

A system where parties are represented in government according to their vote share.

What are human rights?

Rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status.

What does 'naturalization' refer to?

The legal process by which citizens of one country can become citizens of another.

What is nationalism?

A political ideology and movement that regards the nation as the essential and central principle of political organization.

What is federalism?

A system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of government.

What is autocracy?

A type of government in which one person possesses unlimited power.

What is the New Deal?

A series of programs and projects undertaken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat the Great Depression.

What is supply-side economics?

An economic theory that advocates reducing taxes and government spending to stimulate economic growth.

What is Keynesian economics?

An economic theory that advocates government intervention to stabilize the economy and promote full employment.

What is monetary policy?

Actions undertaken by a central bank to manipulate the money supply and credit conditions to stimulate or restrain economic activity.

What is fiscal policy?

The use of government spending and taxation to influence the economy.

What is a progressive tax?

A tax in which the tax rate increases as the taxable amount increases.

What is a regressive tax?

A tax in which the tax rate decreases as the taxable amount increases.

What is the difference between 'de jure' segregation and 'de facto' segregation?

'De jure' segregation is segregation enforced by law, while 'de facto' segregation is segregation that occurs in practice, even without legal mandate.

What is affirmative action?

Policies and practices designed to address past and present discrimination by ensuring equal opportunities in employment, education, and contracting.

What is 'regulatory capture'?

A situation in which a regulatory agency becomes dominated by the industry it is supposed to regulate.

What is 'rent-seeking'?

Efforts by individuals or firms to obtain economic gain through political manipulation rather than through productive activity.

What is the 'iron triangle'?

A close relationship between interest groups, congressional committees, and bureaucratic agencies that can lead to mutually beneficial policy outcomes but may exclude the broader public interest.

What does 'soft money' refer to in campaign finance?

Money contributed to political parties for general party-building activities, which is less regulated than direct contributions to candidates.

What is a 'revolving door' in government?

The movement of individuals between government positions and jobs in the private sector, often leading to concerns about conflicts of interest.

What is 'astroturfing'?

The practice of creating artificial

What is 'astroturfing'?

The practice of creating artificial grassroots movements or campaigns to promote a particular agenda or product.