Government Exam Review

What are the three types of power all governments have

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

Describe power in relation to government

The ability to influence the behavior of others

describe authority in relation to government

the legal ability to use power

describe legitimacy in relation to government

wide acceptance of the authority of those empowered to rule

define dictatorship

one person has absolute control and legitimacy Is forced through fear

define absolute monarchy

Hereditary power. Legitimacy is a long tradition, monarch and family line have sovereignty, led by king and queen

define constitutional monarchy

Limited power, constitution has authority and legitimacy, king and queen have sovereignty 

define oligarchy

group takes over by force, small group holds all power, authority is generational, takeover force/threats

Define theocracy

Could be any kind of leader based on religion, god or divine being holds power

Define direct democracy

Open discussions and debate, citizens have the power

Define indirect/republican democracy

governed by primary document, voting and elections, citizen s elect leaders

how is power divided in a unitary government

the power to make, enforce, and interpret laws is in the central governments

how is power divided in a Confederate government

the power to make, enforce, and interpret laws are in state governments

how is power divided in federal governments

the power to make, enforce, and interpret laws are in the national and state governments

How are parliamentary and presidential govts different?

in par, leg and exe are combined into one branch of government. in pres, exe and leg power is seperated into two branches

what are the essentials of democracy (6)

respect for human rights, a multi party system/political tolerance, a democratic voting system, respect for rule of law, democratic governance, citizen participation

define respect for human rights (EOD)

the government protects the rights that are important for the people to live freely and participate in government (the right to vote, freedom of speech, etc)

define a multi party system/political tolerance (EOD)

having at least two political parties off choices to voters and protecting diversity of political views

define a democratic voting system (EOD)

the guarantee that all adults have an equal right to vote and that elections are free, fair, and open to all

define respect for rule of law (EOD)

government officials only act according to laws that dictate how power is used, it prohibits the random actions of government officials.

define democratic governnance (EOD)

the existence of features like seperation of powers, checks and balances, and popular sovereignty that limit the power of government

define citizen participation (EOD)

the government empowers all people that actively freely participate politically

what are the democratic values (9)

life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, justice, common good, equality, truth, diversity, patriotism

define life (DV)

each person has the right to live a life of their choosing.

define liberty (DV)

this includes the freedom to believe what you want, choose your own friends, to have your own ideas and opinions, to express your ideas in public, the right for people to meet in groups, the right to have any lawful job or business

define the pursuit of happiness (DV)

each person can find happiness in their own way, as long as they do not step on the rights of others

define justice (DV)

all people should be treated fairly in getting advantages and disadvantages of our country. no group or person should be favored

define common good (DV)

people should work together for the good of all. Laws should be made for the good of everyone

define equality (DV)

everyone should get the same treatment regardless of where their parents or grandparents were born, their race, religion, or how wealthy they are

define truth (DV)

The government, its representatives, and policies should be honest, transparent, and subject to public scrutiny

define diversity (DV)

differences in language, thought, food, nationality, race, and religion are not only allowed but seen as important.

define patriotism (DV)

having a devotion to the nation and the core values it was founded upon

what is a constitution? why do governments have them?

a set of fundamental principles or establishes precedents that determine how a country, state, or organization is governed

define constitutional government

a government where the power of the gov are defined and limited by a constitution

define republicanism

having a represenative government. electing officials to do the work of gov for us

define separation of powers

strict division of govt powers into different branches to prevent too much power in one part of govt

define checks and balances

each branch of govt has power over the other branches

define federalism

division of power between fed govt and state govt, each level has unique powers and responsibilities

define protection of individual rights

the basic freedoms of all people the govt must protect

define popular sovereignty

the people hold the ultimate authority over the govt

how did the founders expect to promote civic virtue in the large, diverse United States?

they emphasized education, moral character, and active citizenship

what behaviors are expected of an effective citizen?

following the law, paying taxes, staying informed and voting

why is it important for citizens to be effective, what would happen if they weren't?

to support the values of democracy and contribute to the common good of the country, if they weren't the country and govt would weaken as a whole

what are the benefits US citizens receive that non-citizens don’t?

non-citizens cannot vote, hold office, or serve on jury

define a citizen (as based off the 14th amendment)

anyone born or naturalized in the US and subject to the jurisdiction thereof

define resident aliens

non-citizens who are here legally

define undocumented immigrant

non-citizens who are here illegally

define naturalized citizens

a non-citizen can acquire citizenship in a country after birth

what does it mean to be ideologically conservative

The role of the government is to promote economic freedom and traditional social norms and moral values.

what does it mean to be ideologically liberal

The role of the government should be to intervene in the economy and provide and broad range of social services ensure well-being and equality across society and promote diversity of lifestyles

what does it mean to be ideologically libertarian

The role of government should be limited to just a few areas that affect the entire country

what does it mean to be ideologically populist

Government should play an active role in providing greater economic equality through social welfare programs, while also promoting traditional social behavior and a nationalist/isolationist foreign policy

what are political parties

An orginization of people who share similar beliefs that try to control government by winning elections

what are the four functions of political parties in the US?

recruit/nominate candidates, serve the people by generating ideas and acting as a label to help voters identify broad ideas about government, inform/mobilize supporters, act as a watchdog over opposing parties

how did the two party system start?

Washington had Hamilton as the Secretary of Treasury, and supporters founded the Federalist party. Washington also had Jefferson as Secretary of state, and supporters founded Dem-Reps.

why are minor political parties in important?

acts as a spoiler and takes voters from major candidates, introduces new ideas from the fringe of society

what is the fundamental weakness of minor political parties?

lack of funding, outsiders view as protest votes, electoral system

how did the 15th amendment expand voting rights?

gave all men the right to vote

how did the 19th amendment expand voting rights?

all men and women the right to vote

how did the 24th amendment expand voting rights

abolished the poll tax

how did the 26th amendment expand voting rights

lowered the national voting age

what are factors that shape someones opinions and how they vote?

candidates character, important political issues, demographic (personal) factors

what groups of people typically vote democrat?

females and LGBTQ, ages 18-40, black/Latino/Asian, higher education, low income and high income, northern states

what groups of people typically vote republican?

males/straight, ages 50+, white, low education, mid income, south/midwest

what are primary elections?

Preliminary elections that people vote on who they would like to represent their political parties in the general election

what are common criticisms of the presidential preliminary election process?

too long, too expensive, early primaries carry too much weight

Why did the Framers create the Electoral College for electing the President? 

Limited media and transportation, and they thought the people wouldn’t have enough information about candidates to cast an informed vote

What are some criticisms of the Electoral College system (what are its major flaws)?

winner of popular vote not guaranteed presidency, many feel their vote is unimportant, focus is only on a few swing states, discourages 3rd parties

what is the proportional method of reform to the electoral college?

 The percentage of popular vote one earns in a state % = the % of the electoral college they would earn

what is the congressional district method of reform of the electoral college?

allocating the winner of statewide election 2 votes, and the winner in each congressional district 1 vote

what is the direct election method of reform to the electoral college?

Get rid of electoral college, One person = One vote, whoever gets the most votes wins. Would require a constitutional amendment

what are the main ideas of the natural rights philosophy

natural rights (rights given by birth that cannot be taken), pop sovereignty (the people are source of govt power), consent of the governed (only legit govt actions are those agreed on by the ppl), right of rebellion (right of ppl to remove their consent from govt that stopped protecting their rights)

 What ideas about government did the colonists get from the Magna Carta

Limited government, king can be replaced, rule of law (the laws apply to everyone)

What ideas about government did the colonists get from the English bill of rights?

Trial by jury, no cruel/unusual punishment, can petition against government, free press and religon.

define due process

The government must allow people a fair hearing before infringing on their rights of life, liberty, and property

Why did the colonists create their own colonial governments when they first arrived from England?

Economic and religious reasons, They needs their own governments to manage colonial affairs due to the colonists being unable to rely on the British government

How did the King and Parliament violate the Social Contract the colonists had with England?

The social contract was called “Salutary Neglect” and it was essentially a hands off policy towards the colonists. After the French and Indian war, Britian was in debt and ended their SN policy by enacting the Stamp act on the colonists.

what are rights all people have?

natural rights

what is the best kind of government?

democracy

what can happen if the government fails the people?

there can be a revolution

why were the colonies justified in breaking free?

Because the previous government stopped caring about people’s natural rights

Describe the structure of the national government under the Articles

A loose confederation of states, only one branch, very weak

Why did Americans want a confederation?

They didn’t want anything like the British Monarchy, needed a national body that could make decisions, protection

Why were the Articles unsuccessful? What were its weaknesses?

Only a legislative branch, no national court system, no regulation of trade and taxes, each state had multiple representers but only one vote

What did Shays’ Rebellion reveal about the Articles of Confederation?

The weakness of the Articles and the need for a stronger central government

What types of groups/interests were represented at the Constitutional Convention?

55 delegates from every state except Rhode Island, Average age 42, Each state had one vote, agreed to work in secret, debates progressed according to rules of civil discourse

what did the Virginia plan call for?

Large state plan for proportional representation in legislature based off of state population

what did the new Jersey plan call for?

Small state plan for equal representation in legislature

How did the Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise) resolve the dispute over representation in Congress?

Created two houses, one with proportional representation and one with equal representation.

Decribe the 3/5 compromise

For every 5 slaves a state had 3 were coutned towards the state’s total population (each slave is ⅗ of a person)

describe the slave trade compromise

Congress will have the power to abolish the slave trade but not until 1808

describe the fugitive slave compromise

applied to any slave who escaped to a free state and was apprehended; the state would be required to return the slave to their owner

What is the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution (Art. VI, sec. 2) and why is it important?

All laws created by congress, states, or local governments must follow the constitution. It is important because it provides framework for federal and state law and unifies the country

Why did the Framers list so many powers for Congress in the Constitution (Art. I, sec. 8)? What were they trying to fix?

They wanted to create a more effective central government while providing limits to the government’s power.

what 3 major arguments did anti-federalists have against the constitution?

national govt given too much power, country is too big, no bill of rights

how did federalists respond to anti-federalist complaints against the constitution?

the government need more power (supremacy clause), different groups of people will be represented by different branches of govt, including a bill of rights is unnecessary and dangerous

why was the bill of rights added to he constitution?

to appease anti-federalists and gain their support

what is the most common way to amend the constitution?

2/3 of both houses agree to propose, and then it is passed by ¾ of state legislatures (38 states)

What are the Constitutional qualifications to be a member of the House of Representatives?

at least 25, must be citizen for 7 years, live in state they represent

What are the Constitutional qualifications to be a member of the Senate?

must be at least 30, citizen for 9+ years, must live in state they represent