Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
American Government
Final Exam Study Guide Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| The evolutionary theory of the origins of the state emphasizes... | Family |
| What is the social contract theory of the origin of states? | People agreed to give up power in return for service for the general well being of the people |
| What are the four characteristics of a state? | Population, Territory, Soveringnty, Government |
| Which of the purposes of government is mainly concerned with other nations? | Provide for common defense |
| The executive and legislative branch each can check the actions of the other branch in a..... | Presidential form of government |
| In a democracy, sovereignty is located with... | People |
| What is a typical way for a dictator to gain power? | Force |
| The 50 states lack which basic characteristic of a state? | Sovereignty |
| The Theory underlying modern democracies was developed to challenge the idea that those of what kind of birth have absolute authority to rule? | Royal |
| The shape of American government is based on the English political ideas of... | Ordered, Limited, and Representative government |
| To whom did the 3/5 compromise refer? | Enslaved people |
| What were the objections to the new constitution? | No bill of rights |
| What rights did the Constitution NOT explicitly guarantee during the ratification process? | Non of them |
| Which group of settlers had the greatest impact on the U.S system of government? | English-British |
| According to the Connecticut Compromise, each state would be represented........ in one house of Congress and on the basis of ...........in the other house. | Equally; population |
| The Great Compromise used which idea from the New Jersey Plan? | Equal Representation |
| Who contributed most to the writing of the Constitution? | James Madison- Father of our Constitution |
| Which of the principles holds that government may do only those things that the people have given power to do? | Limited Government |
| The President's power to veto an act of Congress is an example of..... | Checks and balances |
| What are the features of the United States government? | Federal, Presidential, Representative, Democracy |
| The power of what government to coin money is an exclusive power? | National |
| Which powers can the National Government legally exercise? | Delegated( Expressed, Implied, Inherent) |
| Powers that are exercised simultaneously by the National and State governments are..... | Concurrent |
| What is federalism? | System where powers of government are divided between National and Regional Government |
| What are the reserved powers? | Powers held by the state |
| What is the source of power for local governments? | State Constitution |
| What is the Supremacy Clause? | It states U.S Constitution is the supreme law |
| What is made up of a group of people who work to get candidates nominated to political offices? | Political party |
| What are the functions of the major parties in the U.S? | Nominating candidates, informing and activating supporters, the bonding agent, governing, acting as a watchdog |
| What is membership in either of the two major parties based on? | Personal choice |
| What is the main cause of the two- party system developing in the U.S? | Historical Basis- debate over ratification of constitution |
| What kind of parties are short lived? | Minor |
| What takes clear-cut stands on controversial issues? | Single- issues |
| What is one of the earliest and most influential agents in the political socialization process? | Family |
| What is the most reliable measure of public opinion? | Scientific polls |
| Why do politicians want accurate information about public opinion? | To plan better campaigns |
| Which form of mass media is now the principal source of political information for about 80 percent of the population? | Television |
| What is public affairs? | Events and issues that affect people at large |
| What does "grass roots" mean? | Average voters |
| What is lobbying? | due of process by which group pressure are brought to bear on legislator bodies |
| What does propaganda techniques aim to be? | Persuasive |
| Why do interest groups know that public opinion is important? | No policy will stay in place without public support |
| Why is lawmaking power of Congress important in a democracy? | Because Public will transfers into Public policy |
| How long does a session of Congress typically last now? | Most of the year |
| What are the qualifications for House members? | 25 or older, 7yrs of citizenship, residency of state represented |
| How do they determine the number of representatives each state will have? | By population- taken by decennial census |
| How many senators are there? | 100 |
| Who is responsible for gerrymandering Congressional districts? | State legislators |
| What was the decision in Wesberry V. Sanders? | One- person, one- vote |
| Who sets the pay for Congress? How do they keep people from becoming upset about this issue? | Themselves- modest annual pay raises and fringe benefits |
| How can a member of Congress vote? | Trustees, Delegate, Partisan, Politico |
| How long is a term for members of the house? | 2 years |
| When can the House refuse to set a member- elect? | If and when they don't meet the requirements |
| How many senators does each state have? | 2 per state |
| Who chooses Senators? | The people |
| How were Senators chosen before the 17th amendment? | State legislators |
| How long is a Senators term? | 6 years unlimited |
| What are the qualifications to become a Senator? | 30 yrs or older, Citizenship of 9yrs, Residency of state represented |
| Salaries and other compensation for members of Congress total over how much? | $200,000 |
| What roles does a member of Congress fill? | Legislators, Committee member, representative for the people, servants to the people, politician |
| What is the Speech and Debate clause? | Candidates can not be sued for libel or slander |
| What typically happens during off- year elections? | The party in power looses a seat |
| Name the requirements for president. | 35 or older, natural born citizen, live in the U.S for 14yrs |
| What is the Presidents annual salary? | $400,000 |
| What are the steps involved in determining Presidential Disability? | President informs Congress in writing, V.P and majority of Cabinets inform congress |
| What formal duties are assigned to the V.P by the constitution? | Preside over the Senate & Question Presidential disability |
| How does a State choose its Presidential electors? | Popular vote |
| What are the flaws in the current "winner take all" electoral system? | Person who wins popular vote might not become president |
| Who receives all the electoral votes? | Whoever gets the majority of the states vote gets the electoral vote |
| Which is the most widely supported for reforming the electoral system? | Direct popular vote |
| What is the maximum term for the office of President? | 8 or 10yrs |
| What determines the order of succession to the Presidency after the V.P? Who follows the V.P? | Presidential Succession Act & Speaker of the House |
| How did the Framers intend for the President to be elected? | By a body of electors |
| Why is the 12th amendment so important? | Separated V.P and Presidential election to prevent ties |
| How many electors can each state have? What is the least number each state can have? | As many members as they have in Congress & 3 |
| What is original jurisdiction? | A court in which a case is first hand |
| What is a person who initiates a case? | Plaintiff |
| What is a dissenting opinion? | Written explanation of the views of one or more judges who disagree with a decision reached by majority of the court |
| One weakness of the Articles of Confederation was that it did NOT provide for what? | National Court System |
| Why did the U.S need a national court system? | Because every state was interrupting laws differently |
| What is jurisdiction? | Authority of a court to hear case |
| The Bill of Rights were originally intended as protections against who? | National Government |
| Can you have a democracy without having a freedom of expression? | No |
| What powers does the government have under the Establishment Clause? | Government and Religion is separated |
| What is the Free Exercise Clause? | Prohibits any interference with the free exercise of religion |
| When can the Government limit free speech or free press? | When is libels or slanders someone |
| Why are individual rights included in the Constitution? | People demanded a list of rights |
| Where do your rights end? | Where the next persons begins |
| The Due Process Clause guarantees what? | Basic rights |
| What is the lemon test? | Aid to parochial schools (religious) |
| What does the Free Exercise Clause do? | Follow beliefs as long as it doesn't violate social duties or subvert its order |
| Why are free speech and free press protected? | To express unpopular ideas, beliefs, and opinions |
| How does the court feel about prior restraint? | They don't like it unless extreme situations |
| Which form of mass media has received the most limited 1st amendment protection? | T.V and Radio |
| For what reason does the court regulate assemblies? | To keep the peace |
Created by:
montanabrown49