La Pira JMU POSC 225 exam 1

Difference between normative and empirical theories?

Normative = how the world ought to be (values/judgments).Empirical = how the world is (observation/explanation).

Aristotle's question about politics?

"Who rules, and in whose interest do they rule?"

Self-interested governments (Aristotle)?

Authoritarian, Oligarchy, Democracy (for self-interest).

Public-interested governments (Aristotle)?

Monarchy, Aristocracy, Polity (rule for public good).

Hobbes' contribution to democracy?

Social contract theory - people consent to be governed for protection.

Locke's contribution to democracy?

Natural rights - life, liberty, property cannot be taken by government.

Madison's solution to factions?

Control their effects by designing a constitution that balances interests.

Five conceptions of democracy?

Electoral/Majoritarian, Liberal/Pluralist, Participatory, Deliberative, Egalitarian.

Dahl's polyarchy definition?

Democracy as a process with dispersed power across institutions.

Dahl's 5 standards of democracy?

Effective participation, voting equality, enlightened understanding, control of the agenda, inclusion of adults.

Difference between formal & informal institutions?

Formal = written rules; informal = unwritten customs.

Totalitarianism vs. Authoritarianism?

Totalitarianism = total control; Authoritarianism = strong power but checked by some societal forces.

What is constitutionalism?

Government limited and structured by law.

What is "consent of the governed"?

Government's power comes from people's consent (majority rule implied).

What must a constitution do?

Define institutional parameters, structure government, and state rights of people.

Three major flaws of Articles of Confederation?

Free-rider problem, no unified currency, no interstate dispute resolution.

What did the Great Compromise solve?

Disagreement between large and small states (representation).

What solved Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist conflict?

Bill of Rights.

Limited government means?

Government only has powers explicitly given to it.

Difference between separation of powers & checks and balances?

Separation = division of authority; checks & balances = each branch can block actions of another.

What is federalism?

Power shared vertically between states and national government.

Unitary vs. Confederal vs. Federal system?

Unitary = power in central gov; Confederal = power in states; Federal = power shared.

Full Faith & Credit Clause?

States must respect laws and proceedings of other states.

Privileges & Immunities Clause?

States must respect rights of citizens from other states.

Dual federalism vs. cooperative federalism?

Dual = separate powers, no overlap; Cooperative = powers shared & work together.

New federalism?

Federal gov gives states money without telling them how to spend it.

Civil liberties vs. civil rights?

Liberties = limits on government action; Rights = protections requiring government action.

Key amendments for civil liberties/civil rights?

13th (abolish slavery), 14th (citizenship, due process, equal protection), 15th (voting rights).

Most protected speech?

Political speech (including symbolic).

Four types of unprotected speech?

Falsehoods (libel/slander), commercial speech (limited), obscenity, fighting words.

What is selective incorporation?

Applying Bill of Rights to states on a case-by-case basis via Supreme Court.

What do civil rights guarantee?

Equality under the law, protection from discrimination.

Three levels of scrutiny?

Ordinary (legitimate interest), Intermediate (important interest, e.g. sex), Strict (compelling interest, e.g. race).

Plessy v. Ferguson outcome?

Established "separate but equal" doctrine (upheld segregation).

Brown v. Board outcome?

Overturned Plessy → ended school segregation.

Civil Rights Act did what?

Banned discrimination in public places & employment, enforced equal opportunities.

Voting Rights Act purpose?

Removed barriers to voting, required southern states to get pre-clearance for voting laws.