Political Science Practice Test #1

define political science

the systematic study of government and politics

explain the role of politics in government

to bring people together, to develop policies favorable to their interest and persuade voters to elect their candidates

define democracy

a government in which power is vested in the people and exercised through representation

define capitalism

an economic system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners

define Constitutionalism

government according to constitutional principles

explain the relationship b/t political culture and public opinion

the public opinion affects the political party that gets elected

define political justice and individual rights

political justice is the use of judicial process for the purpose of political power. individual rights are rights that exist when a person is born

define the components of Gross Domestic Product

consumption, fixed investment, change in inventories, government purchases and net exports

explain the difference b/t countries, nations, states and governments

countries and States are internationally recognized boundaries and its own government. nations are groups of people who share culture. government is a group of people who govern a country

describe the history of political parties

political parties evolved around major issues and have led to two parties after George Washington's presidency

explain the difference b/t the two-party and multi-party government systems

two-party systems are b/t two candidates of two major political parties. multi-part systems are set up to allow multiple political parties to have the opportunity to gain control

define current political parties

two major political parties are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. the Democratic Party has become more liberal while the republicans are more conservative and pro-business

explain the role of minor political parties

they force major parties to address new issues and can take away votes from the major political party

describe the relationship b/t political parties and special interest groups

special interest groups try to influence elections and can try to get certain parties or politicians elected depending on the group's issue

define special interest groups

organizations dedicated to particular political goals

explain the difference b/t private and public special interest groups

public interest groups promote the issues of general public concern. private interest groups can represent certain occupations

explain how special interest groups have influenced American politics

interest groups can meet with officials and persuade them to support their positions, can testify before Congress, provide financial support and influence voters

outline the history of civil liberties in the united states

the civil liberties were written into federal government in the Bill of Rights and later became enforced by all states on a case by case basis

explain the importance and limitations of freedom of speech

allows the free exchange of ideas and is limited when it threatens the public. the limits on free speech must address severe threats to the nation

explain the importance and limitations of freedom of press

allows the press to inform the public of any issues. press can be limited when the security concerns outweigh the need to be informed

explain the importance and limitations of freedom of religion

allows all individuals to practice their faiths however extreme examples are not allowed. the Court weighs individual rights against society's needs

explain the importance and limitations of freedom of assembly

protects the right to gather and discuss issues. this can be limited when the assembly is violent and unnecessarily disrupt daily life

define procedural rights for the accused

rights for the accused prevent the government from imprisoning people without trial

explain the right to privacy and the right to bear arms

the right to privacy restrain governmental and private actions that threaten the privacy of individuals. the right to bear arms is the militia's right to possess arms for defense

describe the role of courts in deciding civil liberty cases

explain the history of civil rights

civil rights are protections from discrimination based on race, gender, etc. started with rights for African-Americans, then voting rights for women

explain equal protection under the 14th amendment

equal protection under the law ensured new freed blacks had all rights

explain civil rights for women and americans with disabilities

civil rights for women include those to vote, an equal chance for jobs and maternity leave. americans with disabilities requires businesses to make their property accessible to the disabled

explain the characteristics of a democracy

individual liberty, majority rule, power and civic responsibilities and free elections

describe autocracy

government in which one person has unlimited authority over others

describe totalitarianism

a political system in which all authority is in the hands of the state

describe authoritarianism

a way of governing that values order and control over personal freedom

define transitional governments

explain the powers and functions of legislatures

legislature proposes bills, can impeach and confirm appointments, declare war

differentiate b/t congress and parliament

explain the purpose of legislative committees

to purpose and evaluate bills, divide the work in Congress to specialize in certain subject matters

explain the U.S. electoral college system

differentiate direct and indirect elections

describe individual representation and the U.S. electoral systems

define primary elections

explain election runoffs and recalls

explain the electoral evolution of Congress

explain the rationale for reapportionment and redistributing congressional districts

explain party nomination

describe national forces that influence Congress

explain the difference b/t Presidential and Congressional campaigns

presidential campaigns reach the whole country and congressional campaigns reach a state or district

describe factors that influence election outcomes

describe the difference b/t the state and U.S. court systems

describe the power of the federal judiciary

define the federal court system of the U.S.

explain the judicial decision-making

explain the checks and balance system on the power of the U.S. Supreme Court

explain the difference b/t original and appellate jurisdiction

original jurisdiction is the first time a case is tried and appellate jurisdiction is when the original decision is appealed

explain the selection of Supreme Court Justices process

the president appoints a Justice and the Senate must confirm the Justice

describe how special interest groups use litigation strategies to influence government policy

define bureaucracy

explain the history, impact and problems associated with federal bureaucracy

explain the relationship b/t the President, Cabinet and Congress when determining legislation

explain how elections are related to public perception of government

define the bureaucratic accountability process

explain how mass media and journalism have impacted the political system

describe the difference b/t private and state controlled media

explain media's influence on the public

media and journalism can influence what news the public sees and can spin stories towards one side

define media bias and the reason for public criticism of media

explain the role of media in elections and other government activities

explain rules that govern media

define yellow media

define public opinion and public culture

explain how to measure public opinion

explain how public opinion leaders are selected and recognized

describe the difference b/t random and quota sampling used to collect public opinion

explain the bias associated with opinion polls and surveys

explain how voter turnout is impacted by polls and surveys

list alternative forms of political participation

explain the difference b/t laws and customs

define American law

law created by the U.S. constitution

define code law

explain the difference b/t criminal law and civil law

define statutory law

describe administration, regulatory and religious law

explain the steps of the public policy process

list types of policy

give examples of Republican and Democrat policy beliefs

define social insurance progrmas

describe public assistance programs

explain the difference b/t market and state controlled economies

define and give examples of regulatory policy

explain governmental policies to protect the U.S. economy

describe business cycles influenced by governmental decisions

explain how government promotes economic interests

define fiscal policy

explain how monetary policy is determined by the federal reserve

describe types of U.S. foreign policy

explain which government entities are responsible for foreign policy

describe situations that for U.S. military power

explain how government protects the ideals, interests, and needs of America

explain the economic rationale for a national security policy

list the tools of foreign policy

list important veteran organizations

explain the difference b/t globalization and nationalism