Untitled Flashcards Set

Comprehensive Study Guide for American Government Midterm

Part I: Foundations and Ideas

Definitions of Politics and Government

• Politics: Conflict over who gets what, when, and how (Harold Lasswell)

• Government: System of institutions through which society is ruled

• Popular Sovereignty: The principle that people are the ultimate source of governing authority

• Power: The ability of individuals, groups, or institutions to influence political decisions

• Authority: The recognized right of officials to exercise power

Importance of the "Rules of the Game" in Politics and Government

• Rules determine how power is distributed and exercised

• Provide a framework for conflict resolution and decision-making

Political Culture

• Definition: Widely shared and deep-seated beliefs of a nation's people about politics

• Elements of American Political Culture:

  • Liberty: Freedom from oppressive government

  • Individualism: Emphasis on personal initiative and self-sufficiency

  • Equality: Equal treatment under the law

  • Self-Government: People are the ultimate source of power

American Founding Period

• Causal Factors Behind Push for Independence:

  • Taxation without representation

  • British restrictions on colonial trade and governance

  • Enlightenment ideas promoting individual rights

• Distinct Groups/Interests in Colonial America: Merchants, farmers, laborers, and plantation owners

• Declaration of Independence: Established inalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Articles of Confederation

• Purpose: First framework for national government

• Design: Strong state powers, weak national government

• Weaknesses: Inability to tax, no executive branch, difficult to amend

• Strengths: Northwest Ordinance of 1787, managed the Revolutionary War

Shays' Rebellion

• Exposed weaknesses in the Articles; led to the Constitutional Convention

Constitution

• Constitutional Convention: Delegates sought a stronger national government to balance state power

• Points of Dispute:

  • Representation: Resolved by the Great Compromise

  • Slavery: 3/5 Compromise

• Ratification: Federalists (pro-Constitution) vs. Anti-Federalists (concerned about individual rights)

Checks and Balances

• System ensuring no single branch dominates

Mischiefs of Faction

• Addressed in Federalist No. 10 by Madison, advocating for pluralism to prevent tyranny

Federalism

• Definition: Division of power between national and state governments

• Types:

  • Dual Federalism: Clear division of powers

  • Cooperative Federalism: National and state governments work together

Key Clauses

• Necessary and Proper Clause: Expands Congress's powers

• Commerce Clause: Regulates interstate commerce

• Supremacy Clause: Federal law is supreme over state law

Important Court Cases

• McCulloch v. Maryland: Established implied powers

• Gibbons v. Ogden: Strengthened federal power over commerce

• United States v. Lopez: Limited federal power under the Commerce Clause

State and Local Government

• Characteristics of State Constitutions: More detailed than the U.S. Constitution

• Forms of Municipal Government: Mayor-council, commission, council-manager

• Direct Democracy Tools: Initiative, referendum, recall

Civil Liberties

• Definition: Individual rights protected from government interference

• Bill of Rights: First 10 amendments; guarantees freedoms such as speech, religion, and assembly

Key Court Cases

• Miranda v. Arizona: Established Miranda rights

• Gideon v. Wainwright: Right to an attorney

• Roe v. Wade: Established right to privacy

Civil Rights

• Definition: Protection against discrimination

• Key Court Cases:

  • Plessy v. Ferguson: Upheld "separate but equal"

  • Brown v. Board of Education: Overturned Plessy, ending school segregation

Key Legislation

• Civil Rights Act of 1964: Outlawed segregation in public places

• Voting Rights Act of 1965: Removed barriers to voting for minorities

Critical Thinking in Politics

• Critical Thinking: Forming opinions after weighing evidence

• Obstacles to Critical Thinking:

  • Cognitive laziness

  • Misinformation

Political Science as a Tool

• Provides systematic insights into politics and government