POL 1101 Introduction to American Government Review

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering U.S. and Georgia government structures, theories of power, constitutional history, and current policy project highlights from lecture.

Elite Theory

A theory of government holding that a small group of elites controls power while other citizens have little or no influence.

Pluralist Theory

A theory of government holding that competing interest groups influence the government and hold political power.

Bureaucratist Theory

A theory suggesting that government employees and the "Deep State" control the government.

Unitary Executive Theory

The theory that the President controls the government, often associated with the MAGA movement and Donald Trump.

Executive Branch Duties

The President's responsibilities to enforce federal laws, recommend new ones, serve as commander in chief of the Armed Forces, and meet with leaders of other countries.

Vice President's Roles

Serves as President of the Senate and becomes President if the current President can no longer do the job.

Department of Health and Human Services

A cabinet department that conducts medical research, prevents diseases, and assures the safety of food and drugs.

U.S. Department of State

Manages America's foreign policy and relations, advises the President, negotiates treaties, and represents the U.S. internationally.

Department of Justice (DOJ)

Enforces federal laws, defends national interests, oversees the FBI, DEA, and ATF, manages prisons, and protects civil rights.

Department of the Treasury

An agency that collects taxes, recommends economic improvements, and manufactures coins and money.

Supreme Court Justice Appointment

Justices are appointed by the President, approved by the Senate, and can serve for life.

House of Representatives Qualifications

Candidates must be at least $25$ years old, a U.S. citizen for at least $7$ years, and live in the state they represent.

Maxwell Frost

The youngest member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the first member of Generation Z elected to Congress.

Senate Qualifications

Candidates must be at least $30$ years old, a U.S. citizen for at least $9$ years, and live in the state they represent.

Senate Special Duties

The power to vote on treaties, approve Presidential appointees (Cabinet and Supreme Court), and hold trials for government officials.

House of Representatives Special Duties

The power to recommend tax bills and decide if a government official should be put on trial before the Senate (impeachment).

First Continental Congress (1774)

A meeting held in response to the Intolerable Acts where colonies remained loyal but agreed not to import British goods.

Second Continental Congress (1775)

A meeting that petitioned the King to address grievances and created the "Continental Army."

Declaration of Independence Committee

The group appointed to draft the declaration, consisting of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston.

Articles of Confederation Power Limits

The national government only had the power to declare war, sign treaties, appoint military officers/ambassadors, and manage relations with Native Americans.

Shay's Rebellion

An instance of local unrest that highlighted the weaknesses of the central government under the Articles of Confederation.

Virginia Plan

Proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on population, supported by larger states.

New Jersey Plan

Proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, supported by smaller states.

Great Compromise

A settlement creating a bicameral legislature with the House based on population and the Senate based on equal representation ($2$ per state).

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement that $5$ enslaved persons would count as $3$ votes for the purpose of state representation and taxation.

Enumerated Powers

Specific areas in which the Constitution explicitly grants the national government power, such as coining money and declaring war.

Reserved Powers

Powers not explicitly granted to the federal government that are kept by the states, as established by the Tenth Amendment.

Supremacy Clause

Article VI, Clause 2, which states the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the "supreme Law of the Land."

The Federalist Papers

A series of essays supporting the Constitution and federalism written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified to protect individual liberties and address Anti-Federalist concerns.

Georgia Governor Line-Item Veto

A power held by the GA Governor to cut specific items in a spending bill, which the U.S. President does not possess.

Marble-cake Federalism

A term coined by Morton Grodzins to describe cooperative federalism where different levels of government are intermingled.

Duel Federalism

A political arrangement where national and state governments act within distinct, separate areas of jurisdiction.

New Federalism

An attempt by Nixon and Reagan to restore state power by using block grants to shift program management back to the states.

Nationalist Federalism

A type of federalism where national ideology and block grants are used to drive state-level policy on issues like immigration and DEI.

Entrepreneurism Federalism

States acting as independent actors to create policies on international issues like climate change (e.g., Paris Accord) or autonomous vehicle regulation.

Primary Microplastics

Intentionally manufactured small plastic particles, including microbeads, plastic pellets (nurdles), and glitter made from polyethylene terephthalate ($PET$).

Secondary Microplastics

Particles formed from the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as abandoned fishing gear or microfibers from synthetic clothing.

DEI Financial Impact

McKinsey's 2015 report found racial diversity increases likely financial returns by $35\%$, while gender diversity increases them by $15\%$.

Indirect Costs Cap

The Trump Administration capped NIH funding for researcher pay and equipment at $15\%$, impacting research operations.

1st Amendment

Protects five fundamental freedoms: religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms.

3rd Amendment

Prevents the government from forcing citizens to house (quarter) soldiers in their homes during peacetime.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring a warrant based on probable cause.

5th Amendment

Guarantees due process of law, protects against double jeopardy (being tried twice for the same crime), and protects against self-incrimination (the right to remain silent).

6th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to an attorney in criminal cases.

7th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases (lawsuits involving money or property).

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments.

9th Amendment

Clarifies that the people retain other rights not explicitly listed in the Constitution (unenumerated rights).

10th Amendment

Enshrines the 'reserved powers,' meaning any power not delegated to the federal government is reserved for the states or the people.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship to anyone born or naturalized in the U.S. and guarantees equal protection and due process under state law.

15th Amendment

Prohibits the government from denying a citizen the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote by prohibiting voter discrimination based on sex.

24th Amendment

Abolished poll taxes, preventing the government from charging citizens a fee to vote in federal elections.

26th Amendment

Lowered the national voting age from 21 to 18.

17th Amendment

Established the direct popular election of U.S. Senators (previously, they were chosen by state legislatures).

22nd Amendment

Limits the President of the United States to serving a maximum of two elected terms.

27th Amendment

The 'Congressional Pay amendment' prevents any law that changes the salary of Congress members from taking effect until after the next set of congressional elections.