U.S. Government and Politics: Key Concepts and Court Cases

How would you characterize an economy where the government makes all economic decisions and owns major industries?

Command economy (Communism).

Equality of opportunity, free trade, and free competition are core values of which philosophy?

Liberalism (Classical liberalism / Capitalism).

The principle allowing Massachusetts to set education standards is called?

Federalism (States' rights).

Which branch is established by Article I of the Constitution?

Legislative branch.

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court?

John G. Roberts Jr.

The Secretaries listed (RFK Jr., Noem, Burgum, Hegseth) fulfill what role?

Cabinet members (Executive branch advisors).

Which branch is established by Article II of the Constitution?

Executive branch.

Which branch makes laws?

Legislative branch (Congress).

Which branch interprets laws?

Judicial branch (Courts).

What was the Bill of Rights intended to do?

Protect individual liberties from government power.

What type of democracy does the U.S. have?

Representative democracy (Republic).

Why might citizens favor an authoritarian government?

Desire for order, stability, or security.

An economy where the government controls production and resources is?

Command economy.

An economy led by private sector and market forces is?

Free-market (Capitalist) economy.

What does "left wing" mean in U.S. politics today?

Progressive, favors social equality and government action in the economy.

What does "right wing" mean in U.S. politics today?

Conservative, favors limited government and traditional values.

Shays' Rebellion was significant because it ___?

Exposed weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Why was the Declaration of Independence remarkable?

It asserted natural rights and justified revolution against tyranny.

What are the Federalist Papers?

Essays promoting ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Who wrote the Federalist Papers?

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay.

During ratification, Federalists were those who ___?

Supported the new Constitution and strong central government.

Antifederalists were those who ___?

Opposed the Constitution, favored states' rights.

Oppressive government using unjust power is called?

Tyranny.

A system dividing power between central and regional governments is?

Federalism.

Judicial review is the power of ___?

Courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Separation of powers describes ___?

What is the Division of government?

Division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

What does the Supremacy Clause assert?

Federal law is the supreme law of the land.

What is an example of state power when Massachusetts bans tobacco sales under 21?

Police power (public health/safety).

What principle do marriage certificates valid across states illustrate?

Full Faith and Credit Clause.

What is an example of the ability to assess multiple levels of taxes?

Concurrent powers.

What happens the first Monday in October each year?

Supreme Court session begins.

What is the process expanding the Bill of Rights to states called?

Incorporation (via the 14th Amendment).

Is firing John Doe for his posts a First Amendment violation?

No — the First Amendment restricts government, not private employers.

What is the doctrine placing a heavy burden on the government to regulate speech called?

Strict scrutiny.

Why are limits on protest times and locations allowed?

They are content-neutral, time/place/manner restrictions.

What is the rule preventing double trials for the same crime called?

Double jeopardy.

What does the Fourth Amendment protect citizens against?

Unreasonable searches and seizures.

Can police use evidence from a warrantless search of a home?

No — it's inadmissible under the exclusionary rule.

Which amendment guarantees the right to remain silent?

Fifth Amendment.

What is true of grand juries?

They decide whether enough evidence exists to indict.

What is the right to remain silent warning known as?

Miranda rights.

What is the significance of Timbs v. Indiana?

Applied the Eighth Amendment's ban on excessive fines to the states.

What is the best definition of due process of law?

Fair treatment through the normal judicial process.

What was the consequence of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health (2022)?

Overturned Roe v. Wade; ended federal right to abortion.

What does 'eminent domain' describe?

Government taking private property for public use with compensation.

Which 2022 case overturned abortion precedent?

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

Which concept did Dobbs undermine for not being 'in' the Constitution?

Right to privacy (substantive due process).

Which amendment allows the state to take property for public use?

Fifth Amendment (Takings Clause).

Under what circumstances can the state take property?

For public use with just compensation.

What obligation does Massachusetts have to homeowners when taking property?

Provide fair market compensation.