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GOV Midterm
MC
143
Political Studies
Undergraduate 2
03/10/2016

Additional Political Studies Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
"Bicameralism" is a constitutional principle that means
Definition
division of Congress into two chambers
Term

The most common method of passing an amendment of the Constitution is

 

Definition
passage in bith house of Congress by a 2/3 vote, followed by ratification by 3/4 of the state legislatures
Term
How many amendments are there in the U.S. Constituion?
Definition
27
Term
Judicial review is the power of
Definition
the courts to decide on the constitionality of actions taken by the other branches of government
Term
The three branches of the government created by the Constitution are
Definition
executive, judicial, and legislative
Term
The principle of granting the federal government only those powers specifically listed in the Constition is called
Definition
the theory of seperated powers
Term
What is the term lenght of a member of the House of Representatives?
Definition
2 years
Term
The system of shared powers, divided between a central government and the states, is called
Definition
federalism
Term
The ability of the president to veto a bill passed by Congress is a good example of what principle of limited government?
Definition
checks and balances
Term
What is the Three-fifths Compromise?
Definition
It determined that three out of every five slaves would be counted for purposes of representation and taxation
Term
The Great Compromise lead to the
Definition
creation of a bicameral Congress
Term
The first written constitution for the United States was called
Definition
the Articles of Confederation
Term
Beyond voting, most forms of political participation take place at what level of government?
Definition
state and local
Term
Those seeking to restrain the power of the national government look to what part of the Constitution?
Definition
10th Amendment
Term

What is the main purpose behind the privledges and immunities clause of Article IV?

 

Definition
It prevents a state from giving special favors to its own residents or discriminating against nonresidents
Term
What level of government is not mentioned at all in the Constitution?
Definition
local government
Term
Which level of government writes the majority of all criminal laws?
Definition
state government
Term
What clause of the Constitution requires that states normally recognize the laws, acts, and judicial decision of other states?
Definition
full faith and credit clause
Term
What constitutional clause affirms that national laws and treaties, made under the authority of the Constitution, are the supreme law of the land?
Definition
Supremacy clause
Term
When both state and national governments possess a certain authority, it is called
Definition
a concurrent power
Term
What constitional clause requires states to normally honor the public acts and legal decisions of one another?
Definition
full faith and credit clause
Term
The authority of the states to regulate the safety, health, and even morals of its citizens is called
Definition
police power
Term
The specific powers granted to the federal government in Article I, Section 8 are called
Definition
expressed powers
Term
A system of government in which power is divided between the national government and lower levels of government is called
Definition
federal government
Term
Which of the following was not one of the writers of the Federalists Papers
Definition

John Madison

John Adams

Alexander Hamilton

John Jay

Term
What is a person who lives in the district represented by a member of the legislature?
Definition
a constituent
Term
Congress is____ legislature with___ members
Definition
bicameral; 535
Term
How long is the term of office for a U.S. senator?
Definition
6 years
Term
As of 2003, how many women serve in the U.S. Senate?
Definition
13
Term
The most common occupation among members of COngress before coming to Congress is
Definition
lawyer
Term
In each House district there are approximately___ persons.
Definition
600,000
Term
A senator or representative running for re-election is called the
Definition
incumbent
Term
In recent years, approximately what percentage of House members seeking re-election successfully win their race?
Definition
95%
Term
Redistricting is controversial because
Definition
the way districts are drawn can advantage one party over another
Term
Pork-barrel legislation deals with
Definition
specific projects and their location within
Term

Who is the Speaker of the House?

 

Definition
The elected leader of the majority party in the House
Term
Who has the most formal power in the Senate?
Definition
the majority and minority leaders
Term
A filibuster allows members of the Senate to prevent a vote on a bill by speaking continuously on the floor
Definition
Term
How can a president's veto be overridden by Congress?
Definition
by a 2/3 vote by both houses
Term
Oversight can be best described as
Definition
the efforts of Congress to supervise the manner in which its laws are implemented by the executive branch
Term
The role the House of Representatives plays in impeachments can be best compared with that of a
Definition
judge
Term
The frequency with which they must seek re-election makes members of the House
Definition
more responsive to the needs of local interest groups in the districts they represent
Term
Three factors related to the American electoral system affect who gets elected to office in this country, and what they do once they get there ARE
Definition
incumbency, franking, and party affiliation
Term
What is the process by which 3/5 of the Senate can end a filibuster
Definition
cloture
Term
A vote on which 50% or more of the members if one party takr one position while at least 50% of the members of the other party take the opposing position is called
Definition
congressional gridlock
Term
Since the 1960s, Americans trust in their government generally has
Definition
fallen sharply
Term
The decline of political efficacy results from
Definition
  • the belief that citisens cannot effect what happens in government
  • the decline in active participation in public debates
  • the decline in politcal knowledge
Term
Survey date shows that the level of Americans politcal knowledge is
Definition
distressingly low
Term
What is the principle difference between an autocracy and an obligarchy?
Definition
the number of people in charge
Term
A government that accepts no legal limits on its power, by may accept the restraint of other social institutions, such as churches, is known as
Definition
Authoritarian
Term
If the government was controlled by a small group of wealthy landowners and corporate leaders, this would be best described as
Definition
and obligarchy
Term
Government can be best defined as
Definition
the institutions and procedures by which a piece of territory and its people are ruled
Term
A service that a person needs but is usually unable to provide for him or herself individually is called
Definition
a public good
Term
According to the textbook, what is the main benefit of constitutional government?
Definition
the government must obey democracy
Term
Who described politics as "who get what, when, and how?"
Definition
Harold Lasswell
Term
Direct democracy is best defined as
Definition
a systemt that allows citizens to vote directly for laws and policies
Term
The Bill of Rights is
Definition
the first 10 amendments of the Constitution
Term
The Bill of Rights was designed to protect
Definition
liberty
Term
In American political culture, economic freedom means
Definition
laissez-faire capitalism
Term
The Constitution's Preamble, beginning with the words "We the people.." is an indication of what principle?
Definition
popular sovereignty
Term
Affirmative action is very controversial because
Definition
Americans argue about whether it promotes or restrains equality
Term
Politcal rights are a protection against
Definition
the tyranny of the majority
Term
The seperate but equal doctrine was introduced in what Supreme Court case?
Definition
Plessy v. Ferguson
Term
Disputes over affirmative action demonstrate that
Definition
Americans disagree over what is the public's legitimate role in ensuring equality of opportunity
Term
Which of the following statements is true?
Definition
  • The U.S. has a greater gap in income between the poorest and richest than any other developed nation
  • Income gaps between the Americans are small, compared with those in other developed nations
Term
What restrictions were placed on the right to vote?
Definition
race, gender, property
Term
Low voter turnout and political apathy endangers
Definition
democracy
Term
"Political culture" refers to the
Definition
shared values, beliefs, and attitudes that serve to hold a nation and its people together
Term
The right of each citizen to vote is an example of
Definition
political equality
Term
The central historical conflict regarding liberty in the US was the
Definition
enslavement of African Americans
Term
The power to declare war is given to whom under the Constitution?
Definition
the Senate
Term
The term ___ was coined by critics who feared that the cheif executive's powers had grown  too great since WWII
Definition
the imperial presidency
Term
What is required for Congress to override a presidential veto?
Definition
2/3 of both houses of Congress
Term
Who was the first First Lady to seek and win public office on her own?
Definition
Hillary Clinton
Term
The delcline of voting and political participation by Americans had which of the following effects?
Definition
It enhances the power of the president while weakening Congress
Term
The last time Congress exercised its constitutional power to declare was was in
Definition
1941
Term
The office of the presidency was established by what article in the Constitution?
Definition
Article II
Term
In what type of law is the government always the plaintiff?
Definition
criminal law
Term
If a private individual brought a suit against a corporation for breaking a contract, what kind of law would this lawsuit involve?
Definition
civil law
Term
The party that brings a complaint in court is called the ___, and the one against whom the complaint is brought is called the ___.
Definition
plaintiff; defendant
Term
The phrase "stare decisis" means
Definition
"let the decision stand"
Term
When a case is resolved through a negotiated agreement before a full trial is completed, it is called
Definition
plea bargain
Term
The area of authority possessed by a court, in terms of either subject area or geography, is called its
Definition
jurisdiction
Term
The right of due process is best described as the right of
Definition
every person not to be treated arbitrarily by a government official or agency
Term
Original jurisdiction refers to
Definition
the court with the authority to hear a case first
Term
Trial courts in the federal judicial system are called
Definition
district courts
Term
How many justices currently serve on the Supreme Court?
Definition
9
Term
Through the exercise of ____, the Supreme Court has held actions or laws of the executive and legislative branches unconsitutional
Definition
judicial review
Term
Why is the Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison important?
Definition
In this case, the court authorized itself to exercise judicial review over laws passed by Congress
Term
What is common law?
Definition
law made by judges through their decisions, not through specific statutes
Term
A writ of certiorari is granted when
Definition
at least 4 justices of the Court agree to hear a case
Term
If someone is an advocate of judicial restraint, he or she believes
Definition
  • in looking only at the words of the Constitution in order to understand the meaning
  • that the Court should beware of overturning the judgments of popularly elected legislatures
  • that judges should limit their interpretations to the intention of the law's framers
Term
A single lawsuit involving thousands of smokers suin a tobacco company would be a good example of
Definition
a class action suit
Term
Since the early 1990s, the Supreme Court has adopted a more ____ position on civil rights, affirmitive action, abortion rights, criminal procedures, voting rights, desgregation, and the power of the national governemnt.
Definition
conservative
Term
The president has the power to appoint all the following, with the approval of the Senate, except
Definition
the vice president
Term
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution are called
Definition
The Bill of Rights
Term
Which of the following is the best example of a substantive civil liberty?
Definition
"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion"
Term
According to the textbook, what is the constitutional problem relating to the nationalization of the Bill of Rights?
Definition
Does the Bill of Rights put limits only on the national government, or does it limit state governments as well?
Term
Which of the following is the best description of the Supreme Court's first ruling on the issue of the nationalization of the Bill of Rights in 1833?
Definition
The Bill of Rights limits only the national government but not state governments
Term
The process by which the Supreme Court has expanded specific parts of the Bill of Rights to protect citizens against states as well as federal actions is called
Definition
selective incorporation
Term
The wall of separation between church and state is best found in what clause of the Constitution?
Definition
the establishment clause
Term
Why was the Religious Freedom Reestorarion Act ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court?
Definition
The Court argued that only the judiciary can interpret the scope of the Bill of Rights
Term
when the government blocks the publication of material it does not want released, this is known as
Definition
prior resistant
Term
Which of the following types of speech does/ does not receive full First Amendment protection
Definition

Slander

fighting words

obscenity

Term
In order for a public official to win a libel suit against a news medium, the official must prove
Definition
the story was false and malicious
Term
Which of the following statements regarding the law and the Internet is false?
Definition
while there have been a number of bills concerning internet regulation as of 2004 no federal laws have been passed
Term
In criminal cases the burden of proof lies on the
Definition
government prosecutor
Term
The _____ rule forbids the introduction in trial of any piece of evidence obtained illegally
Definition
exclusionary
Term
What is a grand jury?
Definition
a jury that determines whether there is enough evidence to justify a trial
Term
The controversy over suspicionless drug tests at school and in the workplace pits the governments war on drugs against the right
Definition
to privacy from unwarranted searches
Term
The right against ____ prevents persons from being tried twice for the same crime
Definition
double jeopardy
Term
The requirement that persons under arrest be informed of their right to remain silent is known as the ____ rule
Definition
Miranda
Term
The term "eminent domain" describes
Definition
the power of the government to take private property for public use
Term
The case Gideon v. Wainwright established the right
Definition
to counsel in felony cases
Term
Since 1973, the right to abortion has been
Definition
uoheld but narrowed in scope
Term
The substantive constraints found in the Bill of Rights
Definition
Put limits on what government shall and shall not have the power to do
Term
The procedural restraints found in the Bill of Rights
Definition
define how the government is supposed to act
Term
The constitutional basis for the nationalization of the Bill of Rights is
Definition
14th Amendment
Term
A woman's constitutional right to an abortion was established in
Definition
Roe v. Wade
Term
Which of the following is the key question behind civil rights protection?
Definition
how has the the expansion of the bureaucracy effected democracy?
Term
The NAACP had the most success with which of the following political strategies for combating racism?
Definition
lawsuits
Term
Which of the following best describes how to distinguish civil rights from civil liberties?
Definition
unlike civil liberties, civil rights place positive obligations on the government to take action
Term
The attempt to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment was an important political struggle for
Definition
women
Term
Which of the following was not used as a way to prevent African Americans from voting?
Definition
restrictive covenants
Term
The right to vote was strengthened in 1975 when Congress
Definition
made literacy tests illegal and mandated bilingual ballots or other assistance for non-English speaking Americans
Term
Who inaugurated government affirmative action programs?
Definition
Lyndon B. Johnson
Term
Which of the following best summarizes the Supreme Courts ruling in Brown v. Board of Education?
Definition
racially segregated schools can never be equal
Term
Which of the following best describes the trend in the federal courts toward school desegregation since the 1990s?
Definition
the courts decreased the federal supervision of local school desegregation
Term
Proposition 209, passed California voters in 1996, did what?
Definition
protecteed illegal aliens from discrimination by government agents
Term
In the civil rights act of 1964, Congress vastly expanded the role of the executive branch and th credibility of cour orders by
Definition
requiring that federal grants in aid to state and local governments for education be withheld from any school system practicing racial segregation
Term
The Supreme Court's ruling Plessy v. ferguson
Definition

 

Anniunced the separate but equal rule

Term
Women were guaranteed the right to vote with the passage of the 19th Amendment which was ratified in
Definition
1920
Term
What was the goal pursued by members of the abolitionist movement?
Definition
the end of slavery
Term
What was the Supreme Court's record in segregation cases in the years before Brown v. Board of Education?
Definition
the court overturned forms of segregation, using the separate but equal rule on factual grounds
Term
The civil rights of Latinos and Asian Americans were assisted by the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling that
Definition
school districts must provide instructions that students can understand
Term
To what does the term Jim Crow refer?
Definition
it refers to the system of racial segregation in the South after Reconstruction
Term
One step taken toward the desegregation of public schools was
Definition
busing children from poor urban school districts to wealthier suburban ones
Term
The rights of the disabled not to be discriminated against in employment and access to public businesses is guaranteed by
Definition
the Americans with Disabilites Act of 1990
Term
Which of the following practices was explicitly protected by the seperate but equal principle?
Definition
segregated schools
Term
When did civil rights become part of the US Constitution?
Definition
civil rights were incorporated with the ratification of the 14th amendment
Term
Which of the following areas of discrimination was not touched by the legal principles of Brown v. Board of Education?
Definition

voting

racially discriminatory jury selection

public accomodations

Term
What is the name for the type of school segregation that is the result of racially divded neighborhoods, rather than state laws?
Definition
de facto
Term
What was the purpose of California's Proposition 187?
Definition
it barred illegal immigrants from receiving most public sevices
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