Political Science Final Exam

What is politics?

Politics is a struggle for power that can be found anywhere, like in family and college.

What are the basic goals of the government?

The basic goals of the government are to maintain order, protect property, and provide goods.

What are the problems of the Articles of Confederation?

The problems included a weak national government, no standing army, and 13 states having sovereignty.

What were the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation were the United States’ first constitution for 13 states.

What is checks and balances?

Each branch of government is checked and balanced by the power of the other branches.

What is separation of powers?

Divided vertically is federalism and horizontally is the separation of powers.

What kind of system does the U.S. have?

The U.S. has a federal system, while most countries have a constitutional system.

What is full faith and credit?

If you have a driving license in one state, it is recognized in others.

What does partisanship predict?

Partisanship is the most important factor to predict someone’s vote.

Why do we have a two-party system in America?

The winner-takes-all method in single-member districts leads to a two-party system.

What are the advantages of a two-party system?

Advantages include stability and moderate policy.

What are the disadvantages of a two-party system?

Disadvantages include limited options and minority representation.

What role does the third party play?

Third parties push the major parties in one direction or another.

What is media fragmentation?

Media fragmentation is splintering the audience in a choice-rich environment.

What are the key differences between the Senate and the House of Representatives?

The House has 435 members with a two-year term, while the Senate has 100 members with a six-year term.

Why do Americans have mixed feelings about Congress?

Americans dislike Congress as a whole but appreciate how it makes laws and executes powers.

What are the arguments for term limits?

Pro arguments include reducing careerism and bringing in new members; con arguments include losing effective members and increasing interest group power.

How representative is Congress? Why does it matter?

Congress is often viewed as old and wealthy, impacting policies and representation.

Why do we have an electoral college?

The electoral college exists to balance the influence of big and small states in presidential elections.

In which section of the US Constitution is Congress discussed?

Congress is discussed in Article I.

What happens to most bills in committees?

90% of the bills die in committees.