USGOV Test 1 Topics

Political Efficacy

the belief that an ordinary citizen can affect what the government does.

What does a higher political efficacy lead to?

More political participation and knowledge

Most Americans…

lack political efficacy and don't believe the government is run for everyone's benefit

Representative Democracy (Republic)

The populace selects representatives who play a role in government decision-making

Totalitaranism

The government recognizes no formal limit of power AND seeks to destroy or absorb other social institutions that may challenge it

Government

formal (official) institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled.

What are the challenges of government?

Establishing a government that lasts and ensuring it promotes liberty, equality, and democracy.

What are examples of aspects of government?

Taxes, amendments and laws, legal structures (courts of law, police)

How has immigration affected the U.S. population?

The population has grown from 3.9 million (1790) to 340.1 million (1790)

What are some debates surrounding immigration?

Will immigrant political, social, and religious values be compatible with American values?

Diversity in the U.S.

Americans are more diverse (across all categories) than ever

What is the order of the most populous races/ethnicities in the U.S.?

White (61.1%), Latino (18.7%), Black (12.6%), Asian (6%), American Indian (1.1%), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (0.2)%

Equality of Opportunity

Everyone should have the same chance to succeed and use their talents to the fullest.

Example of Equality of Opportunity

No bad schools exist

Examples of Government in Everyday Life

Wake-up time, cleanup, transportation, public school, entertainment, financial aid

What groups of people tend to vote more in elections?

Richer, older, wealthier, and more educated

Do men or women vote more?

Women

What is the order of the races/ethnicities that vote the most?

White, Black, Asian, Latino

What was special about voting statistics in the 2020 election?

More people voted across the board, including the young, poor, and different races.

Why did more people vote more in the 2020 election?

A large, immediate national emergency (COVID-19)

What was special about voting statistics in the 2024 election?

Less people voted across the board, notably Latinos

Voting Stats over Time

Men have been increasingly Republican, and women have been relatively stable (but less Democratic in 2024)

Politics

Conflicts and struggles over leadership, structure, and policies of government (struggle for power).

Ways to Participate in Politics / Political Action

Vote, Protest, Campaign, Donate

How has America become more religiously diverse?

Went from 80% Protestant (1900) to 40% Protestant and 29% no affiliation, 19% Catholic, 7% non-Christian, 5% other (2024)

Majority Rule

The wishes of the majority determines what the government does

Minority Rights

The majority cannot be allowed to violate the liberties of the minority

Do Americans trust their government?

More than half of all Americans do not trust the government

What are the effects of low trust in the government?

Low political efficacy, low participation, and less confidence in institutions

What are causes of low trust in the government?

Expansion in communication technology (social media) and false info spreads easily

Confederation

A system where states retain most power and the central government is weak.

Checks and Balances

The powers of a single branch can be limited by the powers of the other two

Example of Checks and Balances

The president can veto bills passed by Congress

Separation of Powers

The government is divided among 3 branches.

Who proposed Checks and Balances and Separation of Powers?

Baron de Montesquieu

Legislative Branch

Makes laws, creates courtes, controls money, approves appointments

Executive Branch

Carries out laws, includes President/FBI/CIA/etc., appoints justices

Judicial Branch

Evaluates laws, judicial review, decides conflicts between states

John Locke ("Lovely Locke")

Believed humans are naturally good and the government should be limited to protect people from tyranny

Thomas Hobbes ("Horrible Hobbes")

Believed humans are naturally evil and the government should be strong to control people

Article I of the Constitution

Legislative Branch; outlines the powers of Congress

What are some powers of Congress?

Collect taxes, borrow money, regulate commerce, and declare war

Article II of the Constitution

Executive Branch; outlines the powers of the president

What are some powers of the president?

Recognize other countries, negotiate foreign treaties, issue pardons

Article III of the Constitution

Judicial Branch; outlines the powers of judges

What are some powers of judges?

Lifetime appointments, can solve interstate and state vs. federal conflicts, judicial review

Article IV of the Constitution

States' Relation; states recognize each other's laws and cannot discriminate against eachother

Article V of the Constitution

Amendment Process; outlines the process for changing the Constitution

How many amendments does the U.S. have?

27

Article VI of the Constitution

Supremacy Clause; national laws and treaties are the supreme law of the land

Article VII of the Constitution

Ratification; 9/13 states must agree to adopt the Constitution

Articles of Confederation

First written constitution in the U.S. outlining a central government that weakly united the states

Strengths of the Articles of Confederation

Could declare war, make peace, coin/borrow money, regulate trade with Native Americans

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Couldn't tax, raise army, enforce laws, destabilize state actions, states were sovereign and competed against eachother

Shay's Rebellion:

Convinced many leaders a stronger government was needed

Virginia Plan

Representation should be based on population

Who did the Virginia Plan favor?

Large states

New Jersey Plan

Equal representation

Who did the New Jersey Plan favor?

Small states

Great Compromise

The Legislature will contain two chambers (bicameral)

House of Representatives

Based on population (Virginia Plan)

How many representatives are there in the HoR?

435

Senate

Equal representation - 2 each (New Jersey Plan)

How many senators are there in the Senate?

100

Ratification

Official approval of the Constitution

What happened in the 8 months it took to ratify the Constitution?

A major debate occurred between two groups: the Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Federalists

Supported the 1787 Constitution and a strong national government

Beliefs of Federalists

Strong federal government, national military, strong economy, better control of national problems.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed the 1787 Constitution because they feared an overreaching, powerful national government

Beliefs of Anti-Federalists

More power to states, strong protection of individual rights, wanted a Bill of Rights, feared the Elastic Clause and Supremacy Clause

Categorical grants

Money sent to the states and localities on the condition that the money can only be spent on a specific problem or group.

Examples of categorical grants

Medicaid, Head Start programs, food stamps

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Has allowed Congress to grow in power over time by the passage of new laws…. laws justified by this clause in the Constitution.

10th Amendment / Federalism / Reserved Powers

States are guaranteed powers not delegated to the federal government.

Examples of Reserved Powers

Crime and punishment laws, health and safety regulations, marriage and daivorce laws

Concurrent Powers

Powers that are held by both the states and the federal government.

Examples of Concurrent Powers

Issues of business and taxes

Police Powers

the power for states to regulate the health, safety, and morals of their citizens.

Examples of Police Powers

Varying abortion, drug, and punishment laws

Commerce Clause

Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several states and with the Indian Tribes

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Supreme Court said the federal government controls interstate commerce, citing the commerce clause.

Grants-in-aid

programs in which Congress provides money to the states on the condition the states spend it how the federal government tells them to.

Examples of Grants-in-aid

Social support, poverty programs, school lunches

Cooperative Federalism

system in which grants-in-aid are used strategically to encourage states to pursue nationally defined goals.

Unfunded Mandates

Regulations or conditions for receiving grants that impose costs on state or local governments for which they are not reimbursed by the federal government.

Devolution

Return of power from the federal government back to the states

Regulated Federalism

The national government set policy for the states. State governments help pay for and administer programs

New Federalism

Returning authority and power to the states by restructuring federal aid. State governments have flexibility to make policy and administer programs