100 Political Beginnings Major Concepts ConstitutionFederalismPolitical Parties
What was the first attempt of a government by the United States? ANSWER
Articles of Confederation #1
What was the main problem with the Articles of Confederation? ANSWER
Weak central government #2
What was the structure of the government under the Articles of Confederation? ANSWER
Unicameral Congress No executive or judicial branch #3
What is a dictatorship? ANSWER
A form of government in which the leader has absolute power and authority #14
What features did state constitutions and the Articles of Confederation have in common? ANSWER
Popular sovereignty and limited government #8
What is popular sovereignty? ANSWER
The people hold all political power and the government rules with consent of the governed #9
What are the four characteristics of the state? ANSWER
Population, Government, Territory, Sovereignty #6
What is the difference between a presidential government and parliamentary government ANSWER
Parliamentary government: form of government in which the executive branch is made up the prime minister elected from the legislative branch Presidential government: government in which the executive and legislative branches of the government are separate, independent, and coequal #13
What are the five concepts of democracy? ANSWER
Worth of the Individual Equality of all persons Majority rules, Minority rights Compromise Individual Freedom #7
Explain the Social Contract Theory ANSWER
People entered into a contract w/ the government; they gave up some of their liberty for the government to protect their life, liberty, and property Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau = Social Contract Theorists #4
What was The Federalist? ANSWER
Series of letters written to the people of New York that urged ratification of the Constitution #10
What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights? ANSWER
To ensure individual rights #11 & 15
How has the Constitution been able to last so long? ANSWER
It is a living document and has the ability to change (amendment) #12
Describe ‘Separation of Powers’ ANSWER
Separation of the government’s power into three different branches: legislative, executive, and judicial #16
What is the Constitutional basis for implied powers? ANSWER
Necessary and Proper Clause #17
What is federalism? ANSWER
The division of power between the nation and state #5
Which clause in the Constitution requires states to honor each other’s documents, licenses, etc? ANSWER
Full Faith and Credit Clause #17
What are exclusive powers? ANSWER
Exclusive powers: powers that can be exercised by the National government alone #18
What are concurrent powers? ANSWER
Concurrent powers: powers both the National government and states possess and exercise #18
Explain the Supremacy Clause ANSWER
Maintains that the Constitution is the Supreme law of the land #17
Which type of minor party tends to be long lived? ANSWER
Ideological Single issue parties are short lived #19
How do people join a political party? ANSWER
Personal choice – they pick their party #20
What is the best way to measure public opinion? ANSWER
Scientific poll #30
What is the most significant indicator of a person’s partisan voting? ANSWER
Party identification N/A
What are the five functions of a political party? ANSWER
Nominate Candidates Inform/Activate Supporters Bonding Agent Govern Watch dog N/A
100 Elections and Money CongressPresidencyJudiciary
Why is money important to an individual’s campaign? ANSWER
Makes them known to public through television and other ads #25
What do candidates spend most of their money on? ANSWER
Television ads #27
Who can make campaign contributions? ANSWER
Individuals, businesses, unions, and other organizations #26
How are campaign contributions limited? ANSWER
Foreigners can’t give $; Limits on amount of money one is allowed to contribute #26
What is the difference between and open and closed primary? ANSWER
Open primary: anyone can vote Closed primary: only declared party members can vote #28
How long does a Senator’s term last? ANSWER
6 years #32
Who is presiding officer of the Senate in the Vice President’s absence? ANSWER
President Pro Tempore #39
What do committees do? ANSWER
Screen bills; divide the workload of Congress #33
How is debate different in the House and Senate? ANSWER
Debate in the House is strictly limited; there are few limitations on debate in the Senate #38
What did the 17 th Amendment do? ANSWER
Allowed for popular/direct election of Senators; Senators were previously chosen by State Legislatures #36
How is the number of presidential electors figured out for each state? ANSWER
Representatives + Senators #42
What are the President’s options when he receives a bill? ANSWER
Sign it Veto it Do nothing – allowing it to become law Pocket veto #46
What two duties are assigned to the Vice President? ANSWER
Preside over Senate Decide presidential disability #43
How do diplomats, judges, Cabinet members, etc get their jobs? ANSWER
President appoints and Senate approves #47
What is the major flaw of the electoral college? ANSWER
The winner of the popular vote is not guaranteed the presidency #44
What type of jurisdiction does the Supreme Court have? ANSWER
Original and Appellate #51
What federal court has original jurisdiction in MOST cases heard in federal court? ANSWER
District courts #49 – sort of
What is a writ of certiorari? ANSWER
An order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up the record in a given case for review #57
What is significant about Marbury v. Madison ANSWER
Established Judicial review #50
What is due process? ANSWER
The government must act fairly and according to rules; no state can deny basic rights to its people #54