Political Science

What is democracy?

Rule by the people, rule by the majority, and self-governance.

Why do we need government according to Madison?

Because men aren’t angels.

Who laid the principles of liberty and proper government?

Hobbes and Locke.

What are the three branches of government?

Executive, legislative, and judicial.

What is the idea of checks and balances?

To prevent one branch from getting too powerful.

What did the framers generally want?

A balanced society.

What do conservatives generally believe on economic issues?

They tend to favor less government intervention.

What would an authoritarian be in favor of?

More government.

What do a liberal and libertarian agree on?

Less government in individuals' privacy.

What was the first constitution in the US?

Articles of Confederation.

Was there an abuse of states' rights in the Articles of Confederation?

No.

What compromises were made in the Constitution?

Connecticut compromise, 3/5ths compromise, Bill of Rights, No slave trade until 1808.

What was the biggest disagreement in the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan?

Representation between large and small states.

What is the Connecticut compromise?

It established a bicameral legislature.

What is the structure of the US legislature?

Bicameral.

Is slavery mentioned in the Constitution?

No.

What was the three-fifths compromise?

Each slave counted as 3/5ths of a white person.

What did slave-owning states want regarding representation?

To count slaves fully for more representatives in the House.

Do we have a pure democracy?

No, we have a republic.

What is Madison's definition of tyranny?

The concentration of power in one institution.

What are the checks the legislative has on the executive?

Right of veto, impeachment, and removal.

What is not considered a check and balance?

Choosing leaders between House and Senate.

Has the election of senators changed?

Yes, now we directly elect them.

What are the ages for the House, Senate, and President?

25, 30, 35 respectively.

How are SCOTUS vacancies filled?

The president nominates and the Senate approves.

What is judicial review?

The power of the judiciary to review laws and potentially override them if unconstitutional.

Who were the authors of the Federalist Papers?

Jay, Madison, and Hamilton.

Why did Anti-Federalists oppose the Constitution?

They feared a strong central government.

What provides the basis for implied powers in Congress?

The Necessary and Proper Clause.

Who fought for the Bill of Rights?

Anti-Federalists.

What is the contradiction of the Necessary and Proper Clause?

The Tenth Amendment.

What type of government is the UN an example of?

Confederation.

Which government type gives primary power to the national government?

Unitary government.

What is a federal system?

Power is divided between state and national governments.

Which group did Thomas Jefferson side with?

Anti-Federalists.

What idea did Reagan run under?

Government itself is the problem and not the solution.

What did George W. Bush do regarding government power?

Strengthened the power of central government.

Do people believe the federal government is too powerful?

Yes.

What is the 'race to the bottom'?

States do less for citizens rather than more.

What are negative freedoms?

Civil liberties.

Which focuses on equality: civil liberties or civil rights?

Civil rights.

Are civil liberties ever abridged?

Yes, especially during times of crisis, but they tend to grow over time.

What is the Establishment Clause?

The government cannot establish a religion.

What is the Free Exercise Clause?

The government cannot take away the right to practice religion.

Opponents of gun rights focus on which part of the 2nd amendment?

The first part.

What are Miranda rights?

Rights told to you when arrested.

What was Reconstruction?

The post-civil war period where the North occupied the South.

Which amendment overturned the Dred Scott decision?

The 14th Amendment.

What amendment banned public discrimination?

The 14th Amendment.

Did the court support the use of the 14th amendment to ban private discrimination?

If the government is involved, then it's not a problem under the 14th amendment.

Who was Rosa Parks?

Civil rights activist famous for being arrested for not giving up her seat to a white person.

Who made the 'I Have a Dream' speech?

Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK).

What happened to the Equal Rights Amendment?

Passed by Congress & sent to states but didn’t get enough votes.

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act?

Requires reasonable accommodations for disabled employees.