Units 1-4 Study Guide American National Government

What is the fundamental definition of politics?

Politics is fundamentally about decision-making over values and resources.

Who defined politics as 'Who gets what, when, and how'?

Harold Lasswell (1938)

What is the definition of government?

Government is the institution with authority to make binding decisions for society.

What type of government is characterized by one person holding power?

Autocracy

What type of government is characterized by a small group holding power?

Oligarchy

What type of government shares power widely among citizens?

Democracy

What does sovereignty refer to?

The legal authority to use coercive power to allocate values.

What is popular sovereignty?

The principle that all citizens have the right to participate in political decisions.

What are the two views of democracy?

Democracy as Process and Democracy as Substance.

What does Democracy as Process emphasize?

The participation of citizens in decision-making.

What are the three core principles of True Democracy?

Majority Rule, Political Freedom, Political Equality.

What is Direct Democracy?

A system where citizens directly make decisions.

What is Representative Democracy?

A system where citizens elect officials to make decisions for them.

What does the promise of American democracy include?

Protection of individual rights, citizen participation, and fairness.

What is a common fallacy regarding democracy?

Democracy always produces the best policies.

What is the reality of majority preferences in democracy?

Majority power must be restricted to protect minority rights.

What is the False Consensus Effect?

The assumption that one's views are common sense and shared by most others.

What is normative analysis in political science?

Analysis that asks 'What should we do?' and is subjective.

What is empirical analysis in political science?

Analysis that asks 'What is true?' and is objective.

What are the characteristics of the scientific method?

Explicit rules, systematic logic, controlled observation, and replication.

What is descriptive research in political science?

Research that describes how things are.

What is causal/explanatory research?

Research that identifies relationships between variables.

What is a positive relationship between variables?

When the independent variable increases, the dependent variable also increases.

What is a negative relationship between variables?

When the independent variable decreases, the dependent variable increases.

What is Rational Choice Theory?

A theory that suggests people act based on self-interest.

What does the Michigan Model explain?

Party identification develops from upbringing, parents, education, and income.

What is partisanship?

A psychological attachment to a political party.

What does the term 'political science' refer to?

The study of politics using empirical analysis.

What is the primary characteristic of the U.S. federal system?

National and state governments share power.

Which level of government is formally recognized by the U.S. Constitution?

Only state governments are formally recognized.

Who was a major proponent of a strong national government?

Alexander Hamilton.

What did Thomas Jefferson advocate for regarding government control?

Strong state control.

What branches are included in all state governments?

Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

What do state constitutions generally include?

A Bill of Rights.

What has historically weakened gubernatorial power?

Judicial review from the U.S. Supreme Court and political constraints.

What factors indicate the power of a governor?

State population size, economy, election of executive officials, term limits, and veto power.

What is the structure of state legislatures?

Bicameral in all states except Nebraska.

What are the typical terms for state senators and representatives?

Senators ≈ 4 years; Representatives ≈ 2 years.

What role do state judiciaries play?

Strike down state laws conflicting with state constitutions.

How are most state judges selected?

Most state judges are elected.

What are the major local governing units?

Counties.

What is the role of townships within counties?

Perform governing roles within counties.

What are special districts created for?

To solve problems across boundaries and share tax burdens.

What is home rule in the context of city government?

Allows cities to govern themselves without state legislative approval.

What is the most common form of city government in large cities?

Mayor-Council Plan.

What is the difference between partisan and nonpartisan elections?

Partisan elections list candidates with party labels; nonpartisan elections do not.

What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

To protect civil liberties from government intrusion.

What is the difference between positive rights and normative rights?

Positive rights exist only when backed by the state; normative rights are inherent and may exist without state enforcement.

What did the 14th Amendment introduce regarding civil liberties?

Incorporation of the Bill of Rights to apply to state laws.

What are the three democratic components required for a functioning society?

Political freedom, political equality, and popular sovereignty.

What does the Clear and Present Danger Test determine?

Whether speech can be restricted due to imminent danger of significant harm.

What is the Imminent Lawless Action Test?

A standard that restricts speech if it incites imminent lawless action.

What are the characteristics of local governments?

Includes counties, townships, special districts, and school districts.

What is the role of elected officials in counties?

Includes positions like sheriff, county prosecutor, and treasurer.

What does the term 'gubernatorial power' refer to?

The power and authority of state governors.

What is the significance of reapportionment in state legislatures?

It affects representation by adjusting districts based on population changes.

What test replaced the 'clear and present danger' test?

The imminent lawless action test.

What does the Roth v. United States (1957) case establish regarding obscenity?

Obscenity is not protected if it is 'without redeeming value.'

What are the three parts of the Miller Test established in Miller v. California (1973)?

1. Appeals to prurient interests; 2. Depicts sexual conduct in an offensive manner defined by state law; 3. Lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

What is the difference between libel and slander?

Libel refers to written false statements, while slander refers to spoken false statements.

What does the Establishment Clause prohibit?

The government cannot show preference for religion or non-religion.

What is the Free Exercise Clause?

It allows individuals the freedom to choose and practice any religion, or none.

What landmark case established privacy rights regarding contraceptives?

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965).

What does Roe v. Wade (1973) establish about privacy rights?

It includes the right to access legal abortion.

What is the significance of the Connecticut Compromise?

It established a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

What was the main objection of Anti-Federalists regarding the Constitution?

The lack of a Bill of Rights.

What are enumerated powers?

Powers explicitly stated in the Constitution.

What is the process for proposing amendments to the Constitution?

A 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress or a national convention called by 2/3 of states.

What does the term 'federalism' refer to?

The division of power between national and state governments.

What is the purpose of checks and balances?

To ensure that no branch of government becomes too powerful.

What is the Lemon Test established in Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971)?

1. Secular purpose; 2. Primary effect does not advance/inhibit religion; 3. No excessive entanglement.

What did the Federalist Papers aim to address?

The reasoning behind the Constitution and how to balance government power to prevent tyranny.

What is the role of judicial review?

Courts determine the constitutionality of laws.

What does the term 'natural rights' refer to?

Rights that individuals have under natural law, often seen as inalienable.

What was the outcome of the Skokie case (1977)?

Nazis were allowed to march in a Jewish community, highlighting freedom of assembly.

What is the significance of the Three-Fifths Compromise?

It counted each enslaved person as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation.

What does the term 'incorporation doctrine' refer to?

The process by which the Bill of Rights is applied to the states through the 14th Amendment.

What is the primary focus of the right to privacy?

To protect individuals from government intrusion into personal matters.

What does the term 'political equality' mean?

The principle that all citizens have equal rights and opportunities in political processes.

What landmark case upheld tax-exempt status for churches?

Walz v. Tax Commission (1970).

What does the term 'balancing test' refer to in constitutional law?

A method used by courts to weigh individual rights against government interests.

Politics

The process by which people make collective decisions and allocate resources and values in society.

Government

The institutions and processes through which public policies are made and enforced.

Autocracy

A system where one person holds absolute political power.

Oligarchy

A system where a small group holds political power.

Democracy

A system where political power is held by the people.

Direct Democracy

Citizens vote directly on laws and policies.

Representative Democracy

Citizens elect officials to make decisions on their behalf.

Sovereignty

Supreme and independent authority within a territory.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that political authority comes from the consent of the people.

Majority Rule

The idea that decisions are made by more than half of the group.

Absolute Majority

More than 50% of all eligible votes.

Simple Majority

More votes than any other option, not necessarily more than half.

Plurality

The most votes among multiple options, even without a majority.

Political Freedom

The right to express ideas, participate in politics, and criticize government without fear.

Political Equality

Equal participation and influence in the political process.

Equality Under the Law

The guarantee that laws apply equally to all people.

Social Equality

Equal social status and treatment within society.

Economic Equality

Equal distribution of economic resources and opportunities.

Equality of Opportunity

Fair chances for all individuals to succeed.