Key Concepts in American Government and Politics

The Social Contract

The agreement that citizens will consent to be governed so long as the government protects their natural rights.

Supremacy Clause

Although under the constitution the state to retain a great deal of sovereignty and their own powers.

regan promoted new federalism during his administration

what is not true about federalism

Liberalism, Realism, and Constructivism

Different political theories discussed in class.

Government

The means by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority in order to accomplish collective goals and provide benefits that society as a whole needs.

Separation of Power

The assignment of lawmaking, law-enforcing, and law-interpreting to separate branches of government.

Federalism

The division of power between a central government and regional governments.

Articles of Confederation

which document established the first national government of the US.

Republic

A government without a monarch; a government rooted in the 'consent of the governed,' whose power is exercised by elected representatives responsible to the government.

John Locke

British colonists in North America in the late 17th century were greatly influenced by him.

Limited Government

The government's powers are restricted by laws.

Divine Rule

Which of the following is NOT a principle of the US Constitution?

The Great Compromise

Resulted in a two-house Congress with one chamber based on population and equal representation.

communism

a political system - all lands and productive facilities is in the hands of the people and all goods are equally shared

federal: constitution allocates powers between states and gov

unitary: powers lodges in the national gov

federal and unitary systems is most accurate

each branch of gov can limit the power of other branches

the system of checks and balances ensures

the british believed that taxing the colonies was the obvious way to meet the cost of administering the colonies

what was one of the reasons that led to the revolution

national gov it created was too strong

antifederalists attacked the proposed constitution on the grounds that

it could not impose taxes

which important power did the natural gov lack under the articles of confederation

oligarchy

in which form of gov does a small group of elites people hold political power

a simplification of reality

what are theories

democracy

a system of gov in which in theory the people rule either directly or indirectly

thomas jefferson

many prominent citizens were unhappy that the constitution did not list basic civil rights

there would be one house, and all states would have equal representation in it

according to the new jersey plan, how was representation structure in congress

conducting elections

what is an example of a reserved power

first ten amendment to the constitution that protect individuals

what is the bill of rights

wealthy, politically powerful people control government and gov has no interest in meeting the needs of ordinary people

the elite theory of government mentions that

cooperative federalism respects the traditional jurisdictional boundaries between states and federal government

which is not a merit of cooperative federalism

providing public goods, redistributing income, maintaining order, promoting equity

what is the purpose of government

to encourage new york to ratify the constitution

why were the federalist papers written

Whig Party

Not a 3rd party challenger, instead it was for a time one of the parties in the 2-party system.

Gerrymandering

Most likely to lead to the incumbency advantage for a candidate.

disturbance theory

increases diversity and complexity in society prompts

Compulsory voting law, Require or pay a fine.

Why do Belgium, Turkey, and Australia have a higher voter turnout?

Title IX (9)

Primary purpose is to prevent gender discrimination in federally funded schools.

Automatic registration

Unusual step Oregon took to increase voting registration? 18 yrs.

Symbiotic relationship among Congress (interest groups, bureaucracy, and congress)

Aspect of iron triangle

Re-alignment

What term describes a significant change in party loyalty or voter alignment?

anti-federalists aka democratic republicans

federalists versus ....

illegally donate to candidate: 2,700

the bipartisan campaign reform act

gove must treat everyone equally

meaning of civil rights

closed primary (registered)

may only vote in the primary election if you are registered

broadly distributed, particularized benefits

how collective goods different from private goods

public accommodations and employment

the civil rights act of 1964 addresses towards...

highest status

the socioeconomic model of political participation=most likely to participate

in house lobbyist

someone who lobbies on behalf of a company

contract lobbyists

have more resource and hired quickly to multiple firms

liberals

college students today are more...

national voter reg. act

intended to make it easier to register to vote

redistricting

redrawing boundaries for electoral jurisdictions

win elections

main purpose of a political party

14th Amendment

Which amendment expands Civil rights protection?

Desegregation

Dismantling of authorized racial segregation: Executive Order 1948.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Designed to eliminate literacy tests and poll taxes.

The United Farm Workers Union

Created for higher pay for Mexican Americans in California.

19th Amendment

Guarantees women's rights.

Civil Disobedience

Nonviolent breach of 'unjust' laws.

Functions of interest groups

Influence policy, monitor gov. activity, organize campaigns, and educate people.

Party Polarization

Republicans and Democrats have become increasingly dissimilar in their ideologies.

Civil Rights Act

Provided all except elimination of the poll tax as a requirement to vote.

Revolving Door laws

Designed to prevent lawmakers from becoming lobbyists immediately after leaving office.

Collective Goods

Different from Private goods; broadly distributed.

Grand Strategy

The employment of all available diplomatic, economic, and military resources to achieve national interest.

House of Rep.

If Congress were to decide to impeach a president, the 1st step is when the House of Rep. votes by simple majority.

Filibuster

An attempt to stop a bill from being voted on in the senate by means of an endless speech.

fear the opp of corruption

many at the continental congress were skeptical of allowed presidents to be elected by the legislature because....

flase

true or false? prez george w bush was proponent of liberal int. in his foreign policy

Nominating federal judges

A formal constitutional power of the President.

Identical bills

For a bill to pass in Congress, both houses must pass identical bills.

often drawn to benefit partisan groups

The process of redistricting can present problems for congressional rep because...

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

The primary source of policy advice and administrative support for the President.

Checks and Balances

The President's veto powers are an example of...

Bureaucratic Oversight

NOT related to foreign policy.

Executive orders

Directives from the President that have the force of law.

struggles for power between the prez and congress

the passage of the tenure of office act of 1867 was one instance in a long line of

check the prez power to commit us forces to armed conflict without congressional approval

the war resolution of 1973 was designed to...

make treaties, veto powers, commander in chief

three major duties and/or power of the us president

war on drugs

what was discussed during class in decision-making process of foreign policy

small states are over represented, safe wins for one party, and outcomes can differ

problem with the electoral college

the un, world bank, international monetary fund

formed at the end of world war 2

budget process

key means of advancing modern legislation more quickly

james madison

the idea of office of prez was proposed by

neoconservatism

the utilization of drones in other countries borders is an example of

anarchical and unpredictable

the reason why foreign policies are more complicated than domestic policies

Executive agreement

An example is when the President signs legally binding agreements without seeking Congressional approval.

Article II

Outlines the President's powers and responsibilities.

legislate, believed constitutes wanted regardless of anticipated outcome

A congress-person who pursued a strict delegate model would seek

Foreign Policy

Strategy for the national government to achieve goals with external entities.

Deterrence

A policy that discourages aggression by threatening to punish another state.

Politico model of representation

In this model, the representative votes based on what is best for the whole country.

speaker of the house

The leader of the House of Representatives

Amended

Saying a bill is being marked up is another way of saying it is being ...

article i

the powers and limitations of congress

based on the state's population

two senates per state, how are members of the house apportioned?

direct the nation's military operations

primary function of the prez as commander in chief

specific and temporary purpose, while standing c= permanent

a select committee is different from a standing committee because...