U.S. History PSCI 2305 Final Exam

PSCI 2305 Flashcards

• Q: What is the social contract theory?

A: People agree to be governed for protection of their rights.

• Q: What core values define American political culture?

A: Liberty, equality, and democracy.

• Q: Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

A: They created a weak national government.

• Q: What is popular sovereignty?

A: The government's power comes from the people.

• Q: Is the U.S. a direct democracy or a republic?

A: It's a republic where people elect representatives.

• Q: What did the Great Compromise create?

A: A two-house Congress: House by population, Senate equally.

• Q: What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

A: It counted enslaved people as three-fifths for representation.

• Q: How does the Constitution limit government power?

A: With separation of powers and checks and balances.

• Q: Who were the Federalists and Anti-Federalists?

A: Federalists supported the Constitution; Anti-Federalists wanted a Bill of Rights.

• Q: How is the Constitution amended?

A: By 2/3 of Congress and 3/4 of states.

• Q: What is federalism?

A: Shared power between federal and state governments.

• Q: What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?

A: It gives Congress implied powers to make laws.

• Q: What does the Tenth Amendment do?

A: It reserves powers to the states.

• Q: What is dual vs cooperative federalism?

A: Dual is separate powers; cooperative is shared responsibilities.

• Q: How do federal grants influence states?

A: They give money with conditions to shape policy.

• Q: What are civil liberties vs civil rights?

A: Liberties protect freedom; rights ensure equal treatment.

• Q: What is selective incorporation?

A: It applies the Bill of Rights to states via the 14th Amendment.

• Q: What are the two religion clauses?

A: Establishment bans official religion; free exercise protects belief.

• Q: Does free speech have limits?

A: Yes, like threats or inciting violence.

• Q: What is the right to privacy?

A: An implied right from several amendments.

• Q: What are Miranda rights?

A: Warnings about silence and counsel from the 5th and 6th Amendments.

• Q: What is the Equal Protection Clause?

A: It requires states to treat people equally.

• Q: What did Brown v. Board do?

A: It ended school segregation.

• Q: What did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 do?

A: It banned discrimination in public places and jobs.

• Q: What did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 do?

A: It banned racist voting laws and added federal oversight.

• Q: How is Congress structured?

A: House by population, Senate with 2 per state.

• Q: What is a filibuster?

A: A Senate delay tactic that can be ended by 60 votes.

• Q: How does a bill become a law?

A: It passes both houses and is signed by the President.

• Q: What are the President’s powers?

A: Commander-in-Chief, veto, appointments, treaties, and more.

• Q: What is an executive order?

A: A presidential directive with the force of law.

• Q: What is impeachment?

A: Congress can remove officials for high crimes.

• Q: How are federal judges chosen?

A: Appointed by President and confirmed by Senate for life.

• Q: What is judicial review?

A: Courts can strike down unconstitutional laws.

• Q: Why does public opinion matter?

A: It influences what officials do.

• Q: What is political socialization?

A: How people learn political values and beliefs.

• Q: What are agents of political socialization?

A: Family, school, media, peers, religion.

• Q: What is a political ideology?

A: A set of beliefs about government’s role.

• Q: How is public opinion measured?

A: With scientific polls using random sampling.

• Q: What are forms of political participation?

A: Voting, protesting, contacting officials, volunteering.

• Q: What affects voter turnout?

A: Education, age, income, interest, and barriers.

• Q: How does U.S. turnout compare?

A: Lower than other democracies, especially in midterms.

• Q: Which amendments expanded voting?

A: 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th.

• Q: What is political efficacy?

A: Belief that your actions matter in politics.

• Q: What do political parties do?

A: They organize elections and run government.

• Q: Why only two major parties?

A: Winner-take-all elections discourage third parties.

• Q: What is party polarization?

A: Parties are more divided and less willing to compromise.

• Q: What is an interest group?

A: An organization that influences policy.

• Q: What is lobbying?

A: Persuading officials to support policies.

• Q: What is the free rider problem?

A: People benefit without contributing to a group.

• Q: What roles does the media play?

A: Watchdog, agenda-setter, and informer.

• Q: What is agenda-setting?

A: Media shapes what issues people focus on.

• Q: What is framing?

A: Media influences how we interpret issues.

• Q: How has social media changed politics?

A: It spread news fast and lets people speak directly.

• Q: What is the equal-time rule?

A: Stations must give candidates equal airtime.

• Q: What are the policy-making stages?

A: Agenda, formulate, adopt, implement, evaluate.

• Q: What is fiscal vs monetary policy?

A: Fiscal is taxing/spending; monetary is money supply.

• Q: What do bureaucracies do?

A: They carry out and enforce laws.

• Q: Who handles foreign policy?

A: The President leads, but Congress shares power.

• Q: What are domestic/economic policy tools?

A: Programs, spending, regulation, and monetary control.