LAP 3 - U.S. Government

What is the primary difference between civil liberties and civil rights?

Civil liberties limit government power to protect individual freedoms, while civil rights require government action to ensure equal treatment.

What document contains the main civil liberties in the United States?

The Bill of Rights.

What does the 1st Amendment protect?

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

What is the significance of the 14th Amendment?

It guarantees equal protection under the law and applies to state and local governments.

What is selective incorporation?

The process by which the Supreme Court applies the Bill of Rights to the states on a case-by-case basis.

Which Supreme Court case established the exclusionary rule?

Mapp v. Ohio.

What is the Lemon test?

A test to determine if a law violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

What are the three levels of scrutiny used by courts to evaluate discriminatory laws?

Rational basis, intermediate scrutiny, and strict scrutiny.

What does the 4th Amendment protect against?

Unreasonable searches and seizures.

What is the purpose of the Equal Protection Clause?

To ensure that similarly situated individuals are treated equally under the law.

What landmark case overturned Plessy v. Ferguson?

Brown v. Board of Education.

What did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 accomplish?

It outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

What is the significance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

It aimed to eliminate barriers to voting for African Americans.

What does the 6th Amendment guarantee?

The right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, and the right to counsel.

What is the role of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)?

To enforce federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee.

What is the significance of the case Gideon v. Wainwright?

It established the right to counsel for defendants who cannot afford an attorney.

What is the Miller test used for?

To determine whether speech or expression can be labeled as obscene.

What does the 8th Amendment prohibit?

Cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail.

What is the importance of the Miranda v. Arizona case?

It established the requirement that individuals must be informed of their rights before custodial interrogation.

What does the term 'hate speech' refer to?

Speech that attacks a person or group based on attributes such as race, religion, or sexual orientation, which is generally protected under the First Amendment.

What are 'no-knock' warrants?

Warrants that allow law enforcement to enter a property without prior notification to the resident.

What is the significance of the case Obergefell v. Hodges?

It legalized same-sex marriage across the United States.

What is the purpose of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924?

To grant U.S. citizenship to Native Americans.

What does Title IX prohibit?

Sex discrimination in any federally funded education program or activity.

What is the concept of 'protected classes'?

Groups of people protected from discrimination by law, such as race, gender, and religion.

What does the term 'prior restraint' refer to?

Government action that prohibits speech or other expression before it can take place.

What is the significance of the case Tinker v. Des Moines?

It upheld students' rights to free speech in public schools.

What was the primary goal of the 19th Amendment?

To grant women the right to vote.

What significant act was passed in 1924 for Native Americans?

The Indian Citizenship Act.

What is the significance of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)?

It aimed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex, but it was never ratified.

What landmark case ruled sodomy laws unconstitutional?

Lawrence v. Texas (2003).

What was the outcome of Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)?

It legalized same-sex marriage across the United States.

What does affirmative action aim to address?

It aims to benefit historically discriminated groups in education and employment.

What constitutional test applies to affirmative action policies?

Strict scrutiny applies when race is involved.

What was the ruling in Regents of UC v. Bakke (1978)?

Quotas were ruled unconstitutional, but holistic review was allowed.

What does the term 'free exercise' refer to in legal contexts?

The right to practice one's religion freely.

What was the significance of Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission?

It involved a baker's refusal to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple based on religious beliefs.

What is the primary concern in Carpenter v. United States (2018)?

The requirement of a warrant for accessing cell phone location data.

What is political socialization?

The process of learning political norms and practices.

What are key agents of political socialization?

Family, school, peers, religion, community, media, and major life events.

What are the characteristics of reliable polling?

Representative sample, random sampling, neutral questions, transparent methodology, and appropriate margin of error.

What is a 'push poll'?

A poll designed to change minds rather than measure public opinion.

What does media framing refer to?

How information is presented, which shapes audience interpretation.

What is the Electoral College?

A body of electors established by the Constitution to elect the President and Vice President.

What is the significance of Citizens United v. FEC (2010)?

It ruled that political spending is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.

What is the impact of voter turnout disparities?

Lower-turnout groups receive less attention from campaigns and policymakers.

What are some proposed reforms to increase voter turnout?

Automatic registration, mail voting, Election Day holiday, and early voting.

What does the Voting Rights Act aim to do?

Outlaw discriminatory practices in voting.

What was the outcome of Shelby County v. Holder (2013)?

It invalidated key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, weakening federal oversight of state voting laws.

What is the difference between structural and motivational barriers to voting?

Structural barriers are systemic obstacles, while motivational barriers relate to individual willingness to vote.

What is the role of the Federal Election Commission (FEC)?

To regulate federal campaign donations and ensure compliance with election laws.

What is the concept of 'dark money' in campaign finance?

Political spending by organizations that are not required to disclose their donors.

What does the term 'faithless elector' refer to?

An elector who does not vote for the candidate they pledged to support.

What is the significance of the 15th Amendment?

It prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race.

What is the 26th Amendment about?

It lowered the voting age to 18.