Government Honors Study Guide

A centralized government

What was lacking during medieval times that inspired Enlightenment philosophers to seek better governance?

It justified overthrowing a government that denies individual liberties.

Why did Thomas Jefferson include John Locke’s social contract theory in the Declaration of Independence?

Consent of the governed

Which foundational principle is affirmed by both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution?

Through popular consent

During the Enlightenment, how did thinkers propose combating oppressive governments?

Aristotle

Which ancient thinker first articulated the Natural Law theory that society should be ruled by ethical principles?

Montesquieu

Which Enlightenment thinker wrote about three branches of government checking one another’s power?

Domestic instability after the American Revolution required a constitution to guarantee liberty.

Why did the American colonies demand a new government after 150 years of British rule?

Self-government

What fundamental value did the Pilgrims express in the Mayflower Compact?

To create rules, protect people from conflicts, and provide law and order.

Name three key reasons governments exist.

Checks and balances

In Federalist writings, what constitutional principle was James Madison explaining when he described each branch restraining the others?

The Magna Carta

Which 1215 document first limited the absolute power of the English monarch?

The Enlightenment

From which European intellectual movement did American government draw many of its ideas?

Liberty and equality

Democracies try to balance which two often competing ideals?

Much of the U.S. Constitution was inspired by whose writings?

Enlightenment philosophers

What statement about historic governmental development is accurate?

For long periods, governmental change was largely stagnant.

A Supreme Court ruling that a law is unconstitutional illustrates which principle?

Judicial review

Which policy choice best shows tension between individualism and the rule of law?

Imposing harsher criminal penalties for recreational drug use

Colonial toleration of Catholics in Maryland and Quakers in Pennsylvania exemplified which value?

Religious freedom

What realization about safety is the basis of the concept of sovereignty?

People are safer together, accepting that some will hold more power.

What is John Locke’s Social Contract Theory?

Individuals are naturally free and may revolt against improper government after giving consent to be governed.

The phrase “inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is foundational to which document?

The Declaration of Independence

Name three major issues debated at the Constitutional Convention.

Election of the president, balance of power between large and small states, and continuation of the slave trade.

Which 1776 agreement formed a loose “league of friendship” among thirteen states?

The Articles of Confederation

Which philosopher believed societies should be governed by the "general will" of their citizens?

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

How did Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland clarify federal power?

They established judicial review and the supremacy of federal law over state law.

Richard Nixon’s Watergate resignation demonstrated which American value?

Rule of law

A presidential veto of a congressional bill shows what constitutional principle?

Checks and balances

What system divides power between national and state governments?

Federalism

Why was the Bill of Rights adopted?

To calm fears of tyranny, guarantee civil liberties, and win Anti-Federalist support.

What was a key obstacle to Constitution ratification?

Determining each state’s number of congressional representatives

Which change helped ensure the Constitution’s ratification?

Adding the Bill of Rights

How does the U.S. Constitution describe the American form of government?

An indirect (representative) democracy

What argument did Federalists use to defend the new Constitution?

Separation of powers would limit government authority.

Which statement summarizes Anti-Federalist beliefs?

States should be stronger, elites are corrupt, and ordinary people need more influence.

What nickname was given to the New Deal agencies created during the Great Depression?

The alphabet agencies

Give two defining statements of federalism.

Power is shared nationally and by states; it is a compromise between unitary and confederate systems.

Provide an example of an implied power of Congress.

The power to carry out space exploration

List three characteristics of a confederation.

State/local governments are supreme, the central government is weak, and national powers come from the states.

Which president created many ‘alphabet soup’ agencies?

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Which was NOT a feature of the Articles of Confederation?

Shared power between national and state governments

What powers are exercised by both state and federal governments?

Concurrent powers

The effort by Nixon, Reagan, and Bush to return power to states was called what?

New Federalism

Which feature is NOT characteristic of a unitary system?

Central and local governments have equal power

Name a western country with a unitary government.

France

Between 1781 and 1789, the U.S. was what type of system?

A confederate system

Give an example of an inherent national power.

Acquiring territory through exploration or occupancy

Which model likens federalism to a layer cake with distinct responsibilities?

Dual Federalism

Which was NOT a founder’s reason for federalism?

To give states more power than the national government

Identify a factor that shapes American political attitudes.

Family, gender, religion, race/ethnicity, or region (any one of these)

Which idea does NOT typify modern liberal ideology?

Opposition to taxing the wealthy at higher rates

Why is weekday voting an institutional barrier to turnout?

Many voters find it difficult to vote on workdays.

Which activity is NOT political participation?

Simply attending a church mass

Name three steps pollsters must follow for accurate surveys.

Use random sampling, craft neutral questions, and contact respondents cost-effectively.

Who founded modern polling in 1932 by surveying his mother-in-law’s electorate?

George Gallup

Give two common uses of polls.

Media assessing issue opinions and candidates evaluating name recognition

How do weak political parties reduce turnout?

They are poorly organized at local levels, offering less voter engagement.

Which factor does NOT strongly influence U.S. political attitudes?

Housing

What term describes candidates who change positions based on polls?

Waffling

Which activity IS political participation in a democracy?

Directly contacting elected representatives

Name two factors that may lower voter turnout.

Political scandals and growing voter alienation

What institutional barrier involves strict rules on voting by mail?

Difficulty in absentee voting

Which statement captures a basic expectation in a democracy?

Citizens should thoughtfully choose their officials

Which election famously proved polls wrong, predicting Dewey over Truman?

The 1948 U.S. presidential election

Writing to officials, volunteering for campaigns, and speaking at school boards are examples of what?

Political participation

Under the winner-take-all Electoral system, what happens in each state?

The candidate with the most popular votes receives all Electoral College votes.

Which idea is LEAST associated with American political culture?

Guaranteeing freedom to pursue a better life without limits

Define individualism in U.S. political culture.

Placing individual rights above those of the state

Which statement about polling accuracy is incorrect?

A sample can replicate the population so perfectly that polls are completely accurate.

Are the president and vice-president elected every general congressional election?

False; they are elected every four years, not every two.

Which is NOT a legal requirement for voting in the United States?

Being physically present in the country on Election Day

Why has the Green Party failed to win major U.S. offices?

Its ideas were absorbed by a major party, so supporters vote for that party instead.

State three functions of political parties.

Organize government, check the other party’s power, and inform the public

What is gerrymandering?

Redrawing legislative districts in odd shapes to favor one party

Which communication medium allows real-time two-way interaction between citizens?

The Internet

How do open and closed primaries differ?

Open primaries allow any voter to choose a party ballot; closed primaries limit voting to registered party members.

Parties often facilitate cooperation between which branches?

The legislative and executive branches

Explain the winner-take-all Electoral College rule.

The statewide popular-vote winner receives all of that state’s electoral votes.

What is the group called that each state names to elect the president and vice president?

The Electoral College

How can a minority party limit the majority party’s power?

By holding some offices and publicly criticizing majority policies

Why must House candidates craft district-specific campaigns?

House districts are small and have unique local issues.

What is a chief criticism of interest groups?

Powerful groups can drown out other voices and weaken democracy.

When a minority party exposes government wrongdoing, what role is it playing?

Watchdog

Which is NOT a type of primary election?

A plural primary

Has campaigning recently become shorter and cheaper?

False; campaigns are still long and costly.

Why might politicians leak information to journalists?

To test public reaction, shift opinion, or curry favor with reporters.

What is the authority of any legislator to introduce a bill called?

Proposal power

What minimum number of members must be present for either chamber to vote?

A quorum

Which committee resolves House–Senate bill differences?

A conference committee

When the vice president is absent, who presides over the Senate?

The president pro tempore

Which House body sets the rules and time limits for debate?

The House Rules Committee

A House rule allowing limited debate and no floor amendments is called what?

A gag rule

Which branch has the power to declare war?

The legislative branch (Congress)

Name three powers shared by the House and Senate.

Coining money, declaring war, raising an army and navy

What situation can create legislative–executive gridlock?

Different parties control Congress and the presidency

Both congressional houses share what budgetary power?

Reviewing and restricting the executive’s annual budget

Which responsibility does NOT belong to Congress?

Determining constitutionality of laws

Who has the sole power to impeach federal officials?

The House of Representatives

Committees formed for temporary, specific purposes are called what?

Select committees

Who serves as president of the Senate and votes only to break ties?

The Vice President of the United States

Where must all revenue bills originate?

The House of Representatives