Comprehensive U.S. Government and Political Philosophy Review

Which philosopher argued that a government ruled by a king is preferable to a state of nature?

Thomas Hobbes

What is an enumerated power mentioned in the U.S. Constitution?

Congress has the power to coin money.

What are the characteristics of a public good?

It is impossible to exclude someone from consuming them, and consumption is nonrivalrous.

Give an example of a public good.

The air we breathe.

Which of the following is not a public good?

Money.

What justifies government action in antitrust policy?

Private markets may be subject to inefficiency or abuse if buyers or sellers manipulate prices.

What are negative externalities?

Negative externalities exist when the full social cost of an activity is not captured by the price charged to the consumer.

What is one objective listed in the Preamble of the Constitution?

Promote the general welfare.

How did the role of the national government change after the Great Depression?

The government was seen as responsible for unemployment, inflation, or the general state of the economy.

What percentage of total federal spending does Social Security account for?

Approximately 20 percent.

Why does the government provide insurance?

Private markets do not always offer certain kinds of insurance at affordable rates.

What is the main argument in favor of Medicaid and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families?

A rich society should ensure that everyone has a basic standard of living.

What is the main argument against Medicaid and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families?

Such programs are abused or create disincentives for self-help.

What is an example of a policy designed to discourage risky behavior?

Motorcycle helmet laws.

What is an example of government policy encouraging certain preferences?

Income tax deduction on charitable contributions.

What is the basic organizing principle of democracy?

Government by consent of the governed.

What best describes the Bill of Rights?

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution.

How do members of the public consent to specific policy decisions in the U.S. government?

There is no mechanism for direct voting on specific policy decisions.

Which branches of government carry out laws and policies?

Legislative and executive branches.

Who were voting rights generally limited to in the original 13 states?

White adult male citizens who owned property.

What are the two voting restrictions that still exist today?

Citizenship and age.

What does the Constitution say about how laws should be implemented?

It is almost completely silent on how laws are to be implemented.

What is the most important legal question concerning the DACA program?

Does the executive branch have authority to take unilateral action under existing immigration laws?

What statement is true about political parties at the time the Constitution was written?

Political parties did not exist.

What are the benefits of having political parties?

They organize the process for selecting candidates and play a major role in organizing government after elections.

What is a false statement about interest groups?

Most interest groups seek to benefit every faction of society.

What condition does Social Security primarily protect against?

No longer having a job due to age.

What are examples of public goods provided by the government?

National defense and police protection.

Which program is means tested, requiring low income for eligibility?

Medicaid.

What recent trend in American politics reflects a commitment to tribal loyalties over policy decisions?

Polarization.

Why did the desire for a new framework to govern America grow?

The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government and did not allow the central government to draft soldiers.

According to the Virginia Plan, how would the legislature be structured?

There would be two houses with representation based on population.

What is a key difference between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution?

The Constitution's consent of the governed comes from the people through ratification, not the states.

True or False: Ratification of the Constitution became official when 9 of the 13 original colonies approved it.

False.

What term describes supporters of the strong national government created by the Constitution?

Federalists.

What was the primary objection of the Antifederalists to the Constitution?

It would be difficult to govern a large territory with the proposed representative government and it gave too much power to the federal government.

What does the term 'Enumerated power' mean in the context of the Constitution?

The federal government is only allowed to do what is specifically listed in the Constitution.

What was the significance of the Supreme Court's interpretation in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?

It increased federal power by allowing the central government wide latitude in achieving its goals.

What does Article II of the Constitution outline?

The qualifications and powers for the executive branch.

True or False: Article II provides little guidance on how to select and remove the president.

False.

What must happen for a president accused of wrongdoing?

They must be impeached by the House of Representatives and convicted by the Senate.

True or False: The number of Supreme Court justices must always be 9 according to Article III.

False.

What does the Supremacy Clause state regarding conflicts between state and federal laws?

The federal law governs and the state law is unconstitutional.

What is federalism in the context of the United States?

There are two governments that operate in parallel: the federal government and state government.

What is an important limitation on Congress's power to spend?

The money spent should be for the general welfare.

Which engagements were declared wars by Congress?

Mexico in 1846 and Spain in 1898.

What was the purpose of the War Powers Resolution?

To rein in the president's ability to commit U.S. armed forces abroad without congressional authorization.

What does the Commerce Clause justify in terms of federal power?

It serves as the basis for many criminal drug laws and justifies the expansion of federal power after the Great Depression.

What was the government's main argument in Wickard v. Filburn (1942)?

If a farmer grows extra wheat for personal use, it reduces market purchases, potentially lowering wheat prices.

What did the Supreme Court hold in U.S. v. Lopez (1995)?

Congress could not regulate carrying firearms in a school zone, as it was close to traditional areas of state policy.

What are some important powers belonging to Congress?

The power to regulate currency, borrow money, and regulate trade.

Where do all executive powers of the president originate?

From the Vesting clause.

What is the justification for executive privilege?

Without confidentiality, advisors may not feel free to provide candid advice to the president.

What did the Supreme Court rule in U.S. v. Nixon (1974) regarding executive privilege?

Executive privilege does not apply if there is a request for specific information in a criminal investigation.

The president is protected from lawsuits concerning actions before taking office due to presidential immunity.

False.

True or False: The power of judicial review is explicitly stated in the U.S. Constitution.

True.

What is counter-majoritarian difficulty?

It is the notion that when a court overturns a law, it acts against the wishes of the people as expressed by their representatives.

What was the first enduring English settlement in North America and when was it established?

Jamestown; 1607.

In what year did the French and Indian War conclude?

1763

What was the First Continental Congress?

A meeting of delegates from 12/13 colonies in 1774 to respond to dissatisfaction with British rule.

When was the Declaration of Independence issued and by whom?

Issued by the Second Continental Congress in 1776.

Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson.

What authority does the Declaration of Independence appeal to for justifying separation from Britain?

Nature and nature's God.

What does 'all men' refer to in the Declaration of Independence?

The whole human family, male and female of every race.

What was Thomas Jefferson's view on slavery in relation to the Declaration of Independence?

He believed slavery was inconsistent with its principles but did little to end it, thinking blacks and whites could not coexist peacefully.

What must a government do to be considered legitimate according to the Declaration of Independence?

It must protect the natural rights of citizens and have their consent.

What is Madison's response to critics of the Constitution?

He admits that republicanism contains flaws but argues that it provides the cure for these flaws.

How does Federalist 10 define a faction?

A faction is any group of people pursuing their self-interest in a way that is detrimental to the rights of others or the common good.

What causes factions according to Federalist 10?

Liberty and diversity of opinions.

What is the 'extend the sphere' argument in Federalist 10?

It argues that republican government will work best over a large territory because it can encompass more people and therefore more diversity.

Why does Federalist 51 argue that 'constitutional means' alone are insufficient?

Because power is of an encroaching nature and the constitution is just words on paper, meaning it's not self-enforcing.

What does Madison argue in Federalist 51 regarding human self-interest?

He argues that human self-interest is key to preventing the concentration of governmental power in a single department.

When did the British first come to America?

In 1607.

What was the first established colony in America?

Jamestown, located in Virginia.

What was the second established colony in America?

Plymouth.

What was New York originally?

A Dutch Settlement.

What is the difference between a colony and a state?

A colony is a territory controlled by a foreign power, while a state is a self-governing political entity with its own independent government and sovereignty.

Which country controlled the first settlements in North America?

Spain.

What was the outcome of the British/French War in North America by 1763?

France lost and transferred their territory to Spain.

What significant event occurred in 1717?

New Orleans was founded by France.

What did the British Parliament begin in 1765?

A series of tax laws.

What was the Tea Act of 1773?

It allowed the East India Company to sell tea directly to colonists, disadvantaging colonial tea sellers.

What was one direct effect of the Tea Act?

The Boston Tea Party.

What did the Currency Act of 1764 do?

It restricted the use of paper money in the colonies.

What was taxed by the Sugar Tax of 1764?

Sugar, textiles, coffee, and wine.

What did the Stamp Act of 1765 tax?

Various paper goods including legal documents, newspapers, and playing cards.

What did the Quartering Act of 1765 require of colonists?

It required them to provide and pay for lodging, food, fuel, and other necessities for British troops stationed in the colonies.

What was the purpose of the first Continental Congress called in 1779?

To discuss grievances and demands for equal treatment as British subjects.

Why did Georgia not send delegates to the first Continental Congress?

They needed British troops to help with their conflict with local tribes and did not want to alienate themselves from Britain.

What happened in Boston in April 1775?

British troops arrived, and the colonists in Boston were known as ringleaders of agitation.

What was a common role of loyalists during the colonial unrest?

Many loyalists turned spies for Britain.

What was the first action taken by British troops regarding the Massachusetts Militia?

To disarm the Massachusetts Militia.

What role did designated riders like Paul Revere play during the Revolutionary War?

They warned villages ahead of troops that were advancing.

What significant event occurred on April 19, 1775?

The first shots were fired, marking the Battle of Lexington and Concord.

What was the initial conflict before it became known as the Revolutionary War?

It was initially a Civil War.

What was the purpose of the 2nd Continental Congress called a couple of weeks after the initial conflict?

To organize a formal military response.

Who was appointed as the head of all militias during the Revolutionary War?

George Washington.

Why was George Washington chosen to lead the militias?

He was the highest-ranking colonist and known for his military strategies.

What pamphlet did Thomas Paine circulate in January 1776, and what was its significance?

'Common Sense' argued for independence and popularized the idea of consent.