US Government Midterm: Foundations, Voting, Federalism, Parties, Judiciary

What is Popular Sovereignty?

Government authority comes from the people.

What is the Rule of Law?

No one is above the law, including government officials.

What is Limited Government?

Government power is restricted by the Constitution.

What is Separation of Powers?

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches have distinct roles.

What are Checks and Balances?

Each branch of government can limit the power of the others.

Why is the rule of law essential to maintaining democracy during times of crisis?

It ensures that government actions are held accountable and that individual rights are protected, even in difficult times.

What is Representation?

How citizens' interests are reflected in government.

What is Political Participation?

Voting and other ways citizens influence government.

What does One Person, One Vote mean?

Each vote carries equal weight.

What are Participation Gaps?

Differences in voter turnout among various groups.

What is the 14th Amendment?

It provides for equal protection under the law.

What is the 15th Amendment?

It grants voting rights regardless of race.

What is the 26th Amendment?

It sets the voting age at 18.

What was Baker v. Carr (1962)?

A Supreme Court case that established population equality in legislative districts.

Why does low voter turnout weaken popular sovereignty?

It reduces the representation of the people's will in government.

What is Election Integrity?

Preventing fraud and maintaining trust in the electoral process.

What is Election Access?

Ensuring eligible voters can participate in elections.

What are Tradeoffs in election policy?

Policies can strengthen one goal while weakening another, such as security vs. access.

What are Voter ID laws?

Laws requiring voters to present identification at polling places.

What are Registration deadlines?

The last dates by which voters must register to participate in an election.

What is Federalism?

Shared power between national and state governments.

What is the Supremacy Clause?

Federal law overrides conflicting state law.

What are State Police Powers?

States' authority to protect health and safety.

What is Federal Preemption?

Federal authority that overrides state action.

How do disputes over border enforcement illustrate tensions within federalism?

They highlight conflicts between state and federal authority in enforcing laws.

What are Party Coalitions?

Groups that support a political party.

What is Political Realignment?

Long-term shifts in party support.

What is Ideological Sorting?

Parties becoming more internally consistent in their ideologies.

What is Polarization?

Growing ideological distance between political parties.

How did the 1966-era realignment contribute to modern political polarization?

It reshaped party coalitions and increased ideological distinctiveness among parties.

What is Judicial Review?

The power of courts to interpret the Constitution.

What are Civil Liberties?

Individual freedoms protected from government action.

What are Minority Rights?

Protections against majority pressure.

Why is the judiciary especially important during periods of national crisis?

It protects individual rights and maintains checks on government power.