POL 120 Civics Review Intro to Public Policy

Q: Do both views of liberalism (classical & modern) conflict?

A: Yes. They differ on the scope of freedoms and government responsibility. Government operates by compromise, revising the social contract, and balancing individual liberty with social responsibility.

Q: Why is it difficult to create a universal social contract?

A: Because people don’t share a universal understanding of “good,” so compromises must be made

Q: Why did the framers design a limited executive?

A: To avoid creating a king; they wanted an executive with power but not too much.

Q: What are the basic requirements to be President?

A: At least 35 years old, natural-born citizen, resident in the U.S. for 14 years.

Q: How long can a president serve?

A: Two 4-year terms (22nd Amendment).

Q: Who succeeds the President if they die or resign?

A: Vice President → Speaker of the House → Senate President Pro Tempore (20th & 25th Amendments).

Q: How can a president be removed from office?

A: House impeachment + Senate conviction for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

Q: How many members are on the Supreme Court?

A: 9.

Q: Who appoints Supreme Court justices?

A: The President (with Senate confirmation).

Q: What kinds of cases does the Supreme Court hear?

A: Limited number, only cases with federal/constitutional implications.

Q: What is the “double expectations gap”?

: The gap between what the president promises and what they can actually do.

Q: Difference between head of state and head of government?

A: Head of State: symbolic, apolitical, unifying role. Head of Government: partisan, policy-making role.

Q: What is the short version of how a bill becomes law?

A: Introduced → Committee → House & Senate vote → Conference Committee (if needed) → Both houses approve → President signs or vetoes.

Q: What are “riders” on bills?

A: Add-ons unrelated to the bill, sometimes used to kill bills.

Q: What happens if the president vetoes a bill?

A: Congress can override with a 2/3 vote; bill becomes law unchanged.

Q: How many senators are there?

A: 100 (2 per state).

Q: What is partisanship?

A: Voting along party lines most of the time.

Q: How do Congress and the President check each other?

A: Congress passes bills, President signs/vetoes; President executes laws, Congress oversees; President appoints, Senate confirms.

Q: How do Congress and the courts check each other?

A: Congress makes laws, courts interpret; Congress creates lower courts, sets salaries, decides jurisdiction.

Q: Where does most of the bureaucracy sit?

A: Under the executive branch.

Q: What are interest groups?

A: Private organizations that seek to influence government policy.