ABCDEFGH
What is an alien?
A non-citizen.
What is a census?
A population count taken by the Census Bureau
What is a citizen?
A community member who owes loyalty to the government and are entitled to protection from it.
What are concurrent powers?
Powers shared by the state and federal governments.
What is a constituent?
A person from a legislator’s home district.
What is a constitution?
A detailed, written plan for government.
What is direct democracy?
A form of democracy in which the people vote firsthand.
What is the Electoral College?
A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice- president.
What are expressed powers?
Powers that Congress has that are specifically listed in the Constitution.
What is the federal system?
The sharing of power between the central and state governments.
What is a filibuster?
A tactic for defeating a bill in the Senate by talking until the author withdraws it.
What is judicial review?
The power of the Supreme Court to say whether any federal, state, or local law or government action goes against the Constitution.
What is a lobbyist?
A representative of an interest group who contacts lawmakers or other government officials directly to influence their policy-making.
What is naturalization?
A legal process to obtain citizenship.
What is a platform?
A series of statements expressing the party’s principles, beliefs and positions on election issues.
What is a political party?
An association of voters with broad common interests who want to influence or control decision-making in government by electing the party’s candidates to office.
What are priorities?
The goals a community considers most important and most urgent.
What is public policy?
The course of action the government takes in response to an issue or problem.
What is a representative democracy?
A government in which the citizens choose a smaller group to govern on their behalf.
What are reserved powers?
Powers that the Constitution does not give to the national government that are kept by the states.
What is a veto?
The refusal to sign a bill or resolution.
What did Marbury v. Madison decide?
It established that the Supreme Court has the power of judicial review, to decide what is constitutional.
What did Gideon v. Wainwright decide?
It states that all defendants are entitled to an attorney, even if they cannot afford one.
What did Miranda v. Arizona decide?
It decided that suspects of a crime cannot be questioned until they’ve been read their rights.
Which amendment guarantees women the right to vote?
19 th Amendment
Which amendment stated that all powers not specifically given to the national government go to either the states or the people?
10 th Amendment
What is the best way to prepare to vote?
Stay informed.
Why do politicians need to know and be aware of public opinion?
Public opinion both shapes their decisions and determines the timing of their actions.
What are the two ways to become an American citizen?
By birth and by naturalization.
Does the First Amendment protect your right to yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater (when there is no fire)? Why or why not?
No, it does not, because you are putting other people in danger.
What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?
The Bill of Rights
In his Farewell Address upon leaving the presidency, what did George Washington have to say about political parties?
He warned the American people against them.
Why do people not vote?
Apathy Don’t meet requirements. Think their vote won’t matter. Don’t like any of the candidates.
What middle position were the writers of the Constitution trying to create when they established the federal system?
Between an all- powerful central government and a system where the states dominate.
What powers were explicitly not given to the states in the Constitution?
Declare war Make treaties Issue money Tax imports Keep an army Take away civil liberties
If a conflict arises between the states and the national government, who wins?
The national government
What is the Supremacy Clause, and what does it state?
Article VI of the Constitution; it states that the laws of Congress are the supreme laws of the land.
What are the three forms of city government?
Mayor-council Council-manager Commission
What is the “No Child Left Behind” Act?
An act passed by President George W. Bush authorizing $26.5 billion in new education spending, but also increasing the rules schools must follow
What is the biggest educational issue facing state governments today?
Providing high-quality schooling equally to all students.