Untitled Flashcards Set

  • How has technology impacted redistricting?
    Technology allows precise mapping, enabling gerrymandering.

  • What does the textbook say about the content of Article I of the Constitution?
    Article I establishes Congress’s structure, powers, and lawmaking authority.

  • How is the principle of bicameralism related to the topic of factions?
    Bicameralism limits faction power by requiring chamber agreement.

  • How is the House of Representatives designed to be closer to the people than the Senate?
    The House has shorter terms and smaller districts for greater accountability.

  • What does Table 4.1 in the textbook discuss?
    Table 4.1 outlines the structural differences between the House and Senate.

  • How is the Senate designed to provide stability to our national government?
    The Senate's longer terms and staggered elections create stability.

  • What are the three most common occupations for members of Congress?
    Lawyers, businesspeople, and educators are the most common.

  • How did the 17th Amendment impact the legislative branch?
    It allowed for direct election of senators, increasing democracy.

  • According to the authors, what is the most important power of Congress?
    The most important power of Congress is the power to make laws.

  • What does Table 4.2 in the textbook discuss?
    Table 4.2 lists Congress's enumerated and implied powers.

  • What specific power was granted to the House of Representatives in regard to economic policy?
    The House can originate revenue-raising bills.

  • What is an earmark?
    An earmark is a provision directing funds to specific projects.

  • What is pork-barrel spending?
    It allocates government funds for local projects to gain support.

  • What is logrolling?
    Logrolling is trading votes to pass each other's bills.

  • What are three arguments in favor of earmarks?
    Earmarks target funding, foster bipartisanship, and address local needs.

  • How does Congress impact foreign policy?
    Congress declares war, approves treaties, and controls foreign funding.

  • What role does Congress play in regard to the judicial branch?
    Congress establishes courts, sets salaries, and approves judges.

  • What role does Congress play in regard to the bureaucracy?
    Congress oversees funding, investigates agencies, and ensures effective law execution.

  • Which positions in the national government are subject to impeachment?
    The President, Vice President, and civil officers can be impeached.

  • Who has the power to impeach?
    The House of Representatives holds the power to impeach.

  • What role does the Senate play in regard to impeached officials?
    The Senate tries and decides whether to convict impeached officials.

  • What is a constituency?
    A constituency is the group of people a legislator represents.

  • What does the 1842 Apportionment Act mandate?
    It requires contiguous and equal-population congressional districts.

  • What do the authors mean when they say voters are unequally represented in the Senate?
    Smaller states have the same number of senators as larger ones.

  • What is apportionment or reapportionment?
    Apportionment distributes congressional seats; reapportionment adjusts after each census.

  • What is redistricting?
    Redistricting redraws district boundaries to reflect population changes.

  • What is gerrymandering?
    Gerrymandering manipulates district boundaries for political advantage.

  • Why do the authors connect polarization in Congress to redistricting?
    Safe districts from redistricting lead to extreme candidates and polarization.

  • Why does Carol Swain argue majority-minority districts may harm African Americans?
    They concentrate minority voters, reducing broader influence.

  • What precedent did Baker v. Carr (1962) establish?
    It allowed federal courts to hear redistricting cases.

  • What was formalized by Gray v. Sanders (1963) and Reynolds v. Simms (1964)?
    They established the "one person, one vote" standard.

  • What did the Supreme Court rule in Shaw v. Reno (1993)?
    Race cannot be the predominant factor in districting.

  • What is incumbency advantage?
    Incumbents are more likely to win due to recognition and resources.

  • What contributes to incumbency advantage?
    Name recognition, fundraising, and constituent services contribute.

  • Is incumbency advantage stronger in the House or Senate?
    It’s stronger in the House due to smaller constituencies and frequent elections.