U.S. Government Exam Review

What is the purpose of government?

Protect, maintain public order, resolve social conflicts, responsibility for a stable economy, and provide public services.

Limited Government

A system in which government's powers are restricted and individuals' rights are protected.

Declaration of Independence

Written by Thomas Jefferson, Declares Independence, List of complaints against Britain,expresses enduring beliefs of American society. Defines liberty, order, equality, democracy, and justice.

John Locke

Enlightenment philosopher who wrote the "Second Treasties of Government", greatly influenced the Declaration of Independence. Principles:Natural Rights and Consent of The Governed.

Surpremacy Clause and changes

Created to keep elastic clause from being stretched, and to restrict governmental powers. Overlooked during McCulloch VS. Maryland case. During the civil war, supremacy clause guaranteed that the union could not be dissolved.

Unitary System

A form of government in which all powers of the government are held by a single unit or agency.

Federal System

A form of government in which governmental powers are divided between a central authority and a number of regional political subdivisions.

Confederacy

A political system in which a weak central government has limited authority, and the states have all of the power.

Socialism

The economic system that advocates government ownership of the means of products.

Capitalism

An economic system characterized by open competition in a free market and based on private ownership.

Communism

A system of government in which the state controls the means of production.

Parlimentary Government

A form of government in which the executive leaders are chosen by and responsible to the legislature.

Presidential Government

A form of government in which the legeslative and executive brances are seperate and function independently.

Democracy

A sytem of government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.

Direct Democracy

A democratic system of government in which all citizens participate in politics and desicion-making.

Representative Democracy

A democratic system of government in which policies are made by officials accountable to the people who elected them.

Dictatorship

A form of government in which an absolute ruler controls the power, often through fear or force, and ignores the will of the people.

Monarchy

A government in which the ruler's power is hereditary.

Popular Sovereignty

The fundemental principle that the power to govern belongs to the people and that the government must be based on the consent of the governed.

Second Treasties of Government

Written by John Locke, and expresses enlightenment philosophy and the principles of the consent of the governed and natural rights.

Checks and Balances

A system in which the political power is divided among the three branches of government, each having some control over the others.

Preamble

Lists the six goals of government: form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic peace, provide for common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure liberty.

First Amendment

Freedom of speech and press including pure speech, speech plus, symbolic speech, and flag burning.

Second Amendment

Right to bear arms

Tenth Amendment

Powers of states and people

Fourteenth Amendment

Citizenship and Civil Rights

Fifthteenth Amendment

Right to Vote

Seventeenth Amendment

Direct election of senators

Nineteenth Amendment

Women's sufferage

Twenty-First Amendment

Repeal of prohibition

Twenty-Fourth Amendment

Abolition of poll taxes

Twenty-Sixth Amendment

18-year-old right to vote

Original Method of Electing House Members

Originally, members of the Senate were selected by the state legislatures for staggered 6 year terms, in accordance with Article 1, Section 3 of the Constitution.

Reserved Powers

The powers that the constitution sets aside for the state governments.

Powers Denied to the States (Delegated powers)

The powers, also called enumerated or expressed powers, that are specifically granted to the federal government by the constitution.

Sovereignty

The authority of a nation-state's right to rule itself.

Federalists

Supporters of a strong central government, as described in the constitution.

Anti-Federalists

Those who opposed the adoption of the constitution.

Due Process

The principle, guaranteed in the constitution, that the state and federal governments must not deprive an individual of life, liberty, or property by unfair or unreasonable actions.

American Disabilities Act

passed in 1990, extends many of the protections established for racial minorities and women to disabled persons. Disabled described as having a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more major activities of life.

Bill of Rights (Limiting Government Power)

Added to the constitution in 1791, this keeps the national government from limiting personal freedoms.

Vietnam War (Influence on the Constitution)

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Recall

The process by which voters can vote to remove the public official from office.

Referendum

The process by which a proposed public measure is voted upon.

Initiative

the process by which citizens can propose a law or state constitutional amendment to be voted upon in an election.

Eminent Domain

The governments right to take control of private property for public use.

Double Jeopardy

The act of bringing a person to trial a second time for the same crime.

Total Number of Amendments

27

Representative Government

A system in which policies are made by officials accountable to the people who elected them.

Concurrent Powers

The powers that both national and state governments have.

Great Compromise

Congress is bicameral, there are two senators per state and representatives by population in the House of representatives.

Republic

A democracy in which the Supreme power lies with the citizens to vote for officials and representatives responsible to them.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

The balance between liberty and order tilted too far to the side of Liberty and as a result the country sink into turmoil and chaos.

State Constitution

Organize a militia in a time of need, elections of all public officials, set up voting procedures and polling places.

Property Taxes

A tax on land and buildings, usually levied by local government.

State Taxes

Taxes set by local and state governments on purchased items, annual income, and licenses.

Jim Crow Laws

Stat and local laws that discriminated against African-Americans and supported segregation.

Privatization

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Weak Mayor Council Plan

Few budgetary, veto, or appointment powers. Mayor must often share executive authority with boards and commission. Little influence on city council.

Strong of Mayor Council Plan

Mayor has the power to propose the city budget and to veto ordinances passed by council. Has the authority to appoint and remove heads of city departments.

Council-Manager Plan

Voters elect the city council who passes ordinances, and appoints department heads and city managers. City managers oversee the departments

Commission Plan

Voters elect commissioners that serve as department heads, and also pass ordinances.

Voter Behavior

Voters will join a political party, the most common are Democratic, Republican, and Independent. Voters are allowed to and will change their political party at anytime. Those whom support a party may donate money, encourage others to join, and attend party meeting.

Political Ideology

Political attitudes influenced by family, gender, religion, race or ethnicity, education, and region.

Differences between Democrats and Republicans

Democrats work to create equality, want social security, are considered liberals, are more humanitarian, levy higher taxes, are for government regulations and are pro-choice. Republicans dont want guns, believe you earn what you work for, don't support welfare, don't force integration, are considered to be conservatives, want traditional values, only assist countries of NATO and the UN, and are for the death penalty.

Primaries

A nominating election held in the spring in which all party members may vote to choose the party's candidate for the general election.

Open Primaries

A type of direct primary in which voters may choose on election day the party primary they want to vote in.

Closed Primaries

A type of direct primary in which only registered party members may vote.

Voter Regulations

A person must have at least three months of U.S. citizenship, must be at least 18-years-old, state citizenship of at least 10 days, and must register to vote.

National Conventions (Political Parties)

A group of people organized to influence government throughout winning elections and setting public policy.

Split Ticket Voting

A vote for candidates of more than one party in the same election.

Political Participation (Examples)

Watching the campaign on tv, voting in the campaign, reading magazines about the campaign,influence the vote of others, wearing a campaign button or sticker, give money, attend a meeting, or work for a party or candidate.

Campaign Costs and Candidate Spending

National campaigns are more expensive than local campaigns. Most candidates spend their money on mass media.

Political Party

A group of people with similar believes and ideas, who try to influence the government through multiple political ways.

Citizenship Requirements

There are three ways to become a U.S. citizen: natural born, naturalization, being born and traveling abroad.

Mass Media and Candidates Usage

Candidates use mass media to influence the voters through newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and the internet.

General Elction

A regularly scheduled election in which all voters vote for the winners for each office.

Liberal

A person expressing political views or policies favor the use of governmental power to promote individual liberties and social progress.

Conservative

A person expressing political views that generally favor traditional values, the status quo, and the idea that government should stay out of the affairs of private citizens.

Moderate

A person opposed to extreme views whose political attitudes are between conservative and liberal.

Interest Groups and their Impact on Government

First, they buy broadcast time on radio or television, and newspaper and magazine adds. Secondly, they publish results on research studies that they sponseor, in order to influence public opinion. Lastly, they work closely with media to stage events to draw the public's attention.

Sufferage Over Time

Early attitudes and the sufferage movement (1840-1920), discrimination and growing concerns (1920-1970), Court decisions (1970-1976), and recent issues (1976-present)

Political Efficacy

Influence in political activities; the sense that one can make a difference through political participation.

Gridlock

A conflict between the legislative and exacutive branches that usually results in inaction.

Political Action Committees

(PAC)A political arm of an interest group set up to contribute to political campaigns.

Influence on Partisan Votes

Created by labor unions, professional organizations, and corporations in order to influence government.

Law Making Process

A proposed law is presented to a committee in a hearing. After the hearing, then must go through the house rules committee, is then brought into a debate during floor action, then must be voted upon. If passed by both houses, the bill must be signed by the president

Overriding a Presidential Veto

A 2/3 vote from the members of both houses is needed to override a veto the president put on a congressionally passed bill.

Committee Process

Types of committees: standing, select, joint, and conference. The best committees of each house are given assignments.

Cloture

The decision of three fifths of senate to limit or end debate on an issue and call for a vote.

Malapportionment

Distribution of representatives among congressional districts in unequal proportion the their population.

Powers of Congress

Delegated powers of congress are to borrow money, levy taxes, regulate trade with foreign countries, create a national currency, establish bankruptcy laws, declare war, and issue copyrights and patents. Nonlegislative powers are impeachment, review executive policies, approval of agencies, and make appropriations.

Impeachment

The formal procedure by which a president or any federal official is removed for misconduct from office.

Bicameralism

Having or consisting of two legislative houses or chambers.

Filibuster

A tactic, often a lengthy speech or debate, designed in order to delay the Senate's vote on a bill.

Public Policy

All of government's actions and programs that address issues and problems in society, or work toward a national goal.

Electoral College and its Role

People selected in each state who gather to formally cast their ballots for the president and vice president.

Executive Powers

The president has the executive powers to appoint officers and justices to the Supreme Court, remove individuals at will, grant pardons and grant amnesty.

Qualifications of the Executive Branch

Natural-born citizenship, residency of at least fourteen years, and must be at least thirty-five years of age.

State of the Union Address

Required by the constitution, and usually after an election, the president calls together both houses to give an address, and gain legislative support for his mentioned ideas.