Gov/Econ Study Guide — Flashcard Answers

Definition of government

The institution through which a society makes and enforces public policies.

Four characteristics of a state

Population, Territory, Sovereignty, Government.

Government involvement in economy

Capitalist = least; Communist = most; Socialist = in-between.

Social Contract Theory

People give up some freedoms to a government in exchange for protection.

Punishments of the Intolerable Acts

Closed Boston Harbor, restricted town meetings, quartering troops, British officials tried in Britain.

Thomas Paine’s pamphlet

Common Sense.

First Amendment wording

Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Number of amendments in Bill of Rights

10.

Establishment Clause

Government cannot create a religion.

Free Exercise Clause

People may practice their religion freely.

Year of US independence

1776.

Two houses of Congress

House of Representatives (population-based) and Senate (2 per state).

First sentence of the Preamble

“We the People of the United States…”

Five rights in the First Amendment

Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition.

Common phrase for 'capital punishment'

Death penalty.

Impeachment

Charging a public official with misconduct.

What removes a president after impeachment?

A 2/3 conviction vote in the Senate.

Company with Roundup lawsuits

Monsanto (owned by Bayer).

Republican/Democrat; Conservative/Liberal

Republican = Conservative / Right-wing; Democrat = Liberal / Left-wing.

Common issue stances

Republicans: gun rights, anti-abortion, pro-death penalty, smaller welfare; Democrats: gun control, pro-choice, anti-death penalty, stronger welfare.

Which party dominated the South early 20th century?

Democrats; now Republicans dominate.

Republican 'Southern Strategy'

Attracted white Southern voters by appealing to opposition to desegregation.

Swing states

Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin.

Where candidates get most financial support

Corporations and wealthy donors.

Sixth Amendment guarantee

Right to a speedy and public trial.

Number of amendments to the Constitution

27.

Amendment reversing a prior amendment

21st Amendment reversed the 18th (Prohibition).

Why the Electoral College is controversial

Possible to lose popular vote but win presidency; unequal influence of small states.

SPLC and ACLU

SPLC: fights hate groups, civil rights cases; ACLU: protects civil liberties (free speech, religion, etc.).

Braunfeld v. Brown (1961)

Court upheld Sunday closing laws despite burden on religious business owners.

Rev. Roake v. Brumley (2024)

Religious-liberty case; ruling favored religious rights.

Mahmoud v. Taylor (2024)

Case involving religious discrimination and public officials; decision supported free exercise rights.

Fulton v. Philadelphia (2020)

Court ruled Philadelphia couldn’t deny a Catholic foster agency a contract for religious reasons.

Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969)

Speech can only be punished if it incites imminent lawless action.

Coral Ridge Ministries v. SPLC (2022)

Court refused to loosen 'actual malice' standard in defamation cases.

County of Allegheny v. ACLU (1989)

Religious displays on government property allowed only if not endorsing religion.

Kennedy v. Bremerton (2022)

Coach praying on field protected by Free Exercise and Free Speech.

Number of Supreme Court Justices

9.

'Special interest groups'

Industries/organizations hiring lobbyists to influence government.

Tax on imported goods

Tariff.

'Revolving Door' system

Officials leave government and immediately work as lobbyists in industries they once regulated.

Lobbying spending in 2024

About $4 billion+ overall (approximate total spending).

What is a PAC?

Political Action Committee — raises and donates money to influence elections.

Government is biggest customer for which industry?

Defense/military industry.

Industry spending the most on lobbying

Pharmaceutical/health sector.

Most recently emerged big industry

Technology sector (especially Big Tech).

Industry with HQs near the Capitol

Defense contractors and lobbying-heavy industries (defense, finance).

Industry that changed product to survive

Tobacco industry (pivoted to vaping/alternative nicotine).

Industry spending heavily on Republicans

Energy/oil & gas.

% of retired 4-stars working in defense industry

About 80%.

% of Google lobbyists who were former government employees (2024)

About 87%.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to favor a political party.

Should elections eliminate campaign contributions?

Yes — reduces corruption and influence of wealthy donors; No — limits free speech and political participation.

How lobbying affects policymaking

Helpful: provides expertise, informs lawmakers; Harmful: favors wealthy interests, distorts democracy.