US Government Lecture Notes

Flashcards about US Goverment, Economic Theories, and International Relations

List the three main economic systems.

Capitalism, socialism, and communism.

What are key characteristics of capitalism?

Private ownership, free enterprise, competition, freedom of choice, and potential for profits.

What are the goals of socialism?

Equal distribution of wealth, centralized government control, and public ownership of land.

What are features of communism?

Central government planners make all decisions; known as a command economy.

What were the Articles of Confederation?

The first government implemented after the American colonies' revolt, featuring a weak national government.

What were key weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Inability to regulate trade, no chief executive or national court, and unanimous consent required for amendments.

What was Shays's Rebellion?

A revolt by farmers against tax collectors and banks, illustrating government ineffectiveness.

What was the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

A convention to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, resulting in the U.S. Constitution.

What Enlightenment thinkers influenced the Constitution?

Hobbes, Locke, and Montesquieu.

Examples of basic principles of the Constitution

Federalism, separation of powers, popular sovereignty

Define federalism.

Division of powers between state and national governments.

What is separation of powers?

Division of government into three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) with checks and balances.

What is legislative power vested in?

A bicameral Congress outlined in Article I of the Constitution.

What was the Great Compromise?

A two-house legislature with equal representation in the Senate and population-based representation in the House.

List the categories of Congress's Powers

Economic, judicial, war, and peace powers

What economic powers does Congress have?

Taxation, borrowing, regulating commerce, coining money, and bankruptcy rules.

What war powers does Congress have?

Declaring war, raising support for armies, maintaining a navy, and organizing militias.

What is the elastic clause?

Grants Congress implied powers to carry out delegated powers.

What powers are prohibited to Congress?

Suspending habeas corpus (except in war), imposing export taxes, and passing ex post facto laws.

Who is the head of the executive branch?

The President

What are the responsibilities of the President?

Commander-in-Chief, negotiates treaties, appoints officials, grants pardons, and recommends legislation.

How can Congress override a presidential veto?

Requires a two-thirds majority in Congress.

What are the constitutional requirements for president?

Must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and have resided in the U.S. for at least 14 years.

How is the president and vice president elected?

Electoral College, with a total of 538 electors.

What does the Twenty-Second Amendment (1951) state?

Limits individuals to two elected terms as president.

What does Article III of the Constitution establish?

The Supreme Court

What did the Judiciary Act of 1789 organize?

The Supreme Court and established 13 federal district courts.

What are the levels of court in the Judicial Branch?

Federal district courts, Courts of Appeal, with Supreme Court review reserved for selected cases

How many justices are in the Supreme Court?

A Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.

What is a decision made by Supreme Court Justice called?

Opinions can be unanimous, majority, concurring (different reasoning), or dissenting (conflicting arguments).

What is the federal bureaucracy known as?

Fourth branch

What does the federal bureaucracy include?

President's Cabinet, the Executive Office, and independent agencies.

What was the first regulatory agency?

The Interstate Commerce Commission, established in 1887.

What is the purpose of Independent executive agencies?

Resemble Cabinet departments but lack Cabinet status; notable examples include the Civil Rights Commission, EPA, and NASA.

What is the purpose of government corporations?

Created to provide essential services.

What did the Civil Service Act (1883) aim to reform?

The spoils system through merit-based recruitment.

What is Political socialization?

The process through which individuals form political allegiances.

What are some key cleavages affecting political identification?

Family, race, gender, class, religion, education, and region.

What do liberals favor?

Change and view government as a means to improve life quality.

What do conservatives emphasize?

Individual initiative and local solutions.

What is the definition of Political Parties

Organizations aimed at influencing government by electing candidates.

What did the Federalist Party support?

A strong federal government, loose interpretation of the Constitution, and were pro-British.

Who were the Democratic-Republicans?

Opposed Federalists, supported strict interpretation, pro-French.

When was the Republican Party established?

1854, to oppose the spread of slavery.

What are some functions of political parties?

Nominate candidates, raise public interest, and organize governance.

What is crucial for fundraising and organizing state conventions?

State level Central committees.

List some environmental factors that affect Political institutions

Size, location, geography, economic strength, industrialization, and cultural diversity

How can authority be distributed?

Through confederations or federal systems.

What governments concentrate power at the central level?

Unitary governments

What is Political culture?

Encompasses shared societal values regarding governance and politics.

Describe Traditional Analysis for International Relations.

Focuses on descriptive processes, global issues, international institutions, and nation-states' foreign policies.

Describe Strategists' Approach for International Relations.

Emphasizes war and deterrence, often using game theory to assess negotiations and military effectiveness.

What does the Grand Theory by Hans J. Morgenthau advocate?

Realism in international relations, focusing on power interests and balance as means to peace.

What is the Systemic Approach for foreign Policy Perspectives?

Looks at how military actions affect global power balance and alliances.

What is the Modern Global System a reflection of?

Influences from 18th and 19th century Western European foreign policy and imperialism.

What did the Peace of Westphalia (1648) establish?

State sovereignty and reducing papal authority.

What did the industrial and scientific revolutions led to?

Advancements in military technology, changing warfare from conservative to more violent approaches.

What is the Foundation of International Law based on?

Principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and legal equality among nation-states.

Who Influenced International Law historically?

Hugo Grotius, the "father of international law,"

What did Post-20th century focus on for International Law?

Peaceful conflict resolution (e.g., League of Nations Covenant, Kellogg-Briand Pact, UN Charter).