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Mid Term Exam 1
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| House of Representatives | one of the two chambers of the United States Congress, responsible for making and passing federal laws, with its membership based on the population of each state |
| U.S. Senate | the upper chamber of the United States Congress, consisting of two representatives from each state who serve staggered six-year terms and have unique powers, such as confirming presidential appointments and ratifying treaties |
| Amendment | a formal change or addition made to a law, document, or constitution through a specific procedure |
| Popular sovereignty | the principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, reflecting their will and preferences |
| Separation of powers | the constitutional principle that divides the responsibilities and powers of government into three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful |
| Checks and balances | a system in which each branch of government has the authority to limit the powers of the other branches, ensuring that no single branch becomes too powerful |
| Federalism | a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and regional entities, such as states or provinces, allowing each to maintain its own integrity while sharing governance |
| Judicial Review | the power of the courts to examine the actions of the legislative and executive branches of government and determine whether those actions are consistent with the constitution, declaring any inconsistent actions unconstitutional |
| Limited Government | a political principle that restricts the powers and authority of government, ensuring it operates within defined boundaries to protect individual rights and freedoms |
| Supremacy Clause | a provision in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution that establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land, overriding any conflicting state laws |
| Budget | a financial plan that outlines expected income and expenses over a specific period, helping individuals or organizations manage their finances effectively |
| Expressed powers | powers specifically granted to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution, clearly outlined and defined within its text |
| Filibuster | a legislative tactic used in the U.S. Senate by which a minority of senators, or sometimes a single senator, prolongs debate to delay or prevent a vote on a bill or other legislative action |
| Speaker of the House | the presiding officer of the U.S. House of Representatives, elected by the majority party to lead the House and manage its legislative agenda |
| Senate Majority Leader | the elected leader of the majority party in the U.S. Senate, responsible for directing legislative activities and representing the party's interests on the Senate floor |
| Implied powers | The powers of the U.S. government that are not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are inferred as necessary to carry out its enumerated powers |
| Advice and Consent (think U.S. Senate) | the constitutional authority of the U.S. Senate to approve or reject presidential appointments and treaties, ensuring a system of checks and balances in government |
| Concurrent powers | The powers that are shared and exercised simultaneously by both the federal government and state governments within the same territory |
| Elastic clause | known as the Necessary and Proper Clause, is a provision in the U.S. Constitution that grants Congress the authority to make laws deemed necessary to execute its enumerated powers |
| Treaty | a formal written agreement between two or more countries that is negotiated and signed by their representatives and typically requires ratification by the respective governments |
| House | typically refers to the House of Representatives, which is the lower chamber of a bicameral legislative body responsible for representing the population and initiating legislation |
| Enumerated Powers | the specific powers granted to Congress by the U.S. Constitution, primarily listed in Article I, Section 8, which include authorities such as collecting taxes and declaring war |
| The Commerce Clause refers to what? | Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution |
| The Commerce Clause gives power to who? | Congress |
| The Commerce Clause allows Congress to do what? | Regulate commerce with foreign nations, among states, and with the Indian tribes |
| What does Congress use the Commerce Clause to do? | Justify exercising legislative power over the activities of the states and their citizens |
| The Commerce Clause has been seen as what? | a grant of congressional authority and a restriction on the regulatory authority of the States |
| What two things in the Commerce Clause are argued to refer to? | To only trade or exchange AND broad commercial and social intercourse between citizens of different states |
| Nation/state | a sovereign political entity characterized by a defined territory and a population that shares a common identity, culture, or language |
| Social Contract Theory | the philosophical concept that society is formed through an implicit agreement among individuals to establish moral and political rules governing their behavior and the authority of their rulers |
| John Locke | English philosopher known for his contributions to political theory, particularly the ideas of natural rights, government by consent, and the social contract, which greatly influenced modern democratic thought (Life, Liberty, Property) |
| Purposes of Government | The purpose is to maintain order, protect individual rights, provide for the common good, and ensure justice within a society |
| Principle of Reciprocity | The Golden Rule, which states, ''Do unto others as you would have them do unto you;'' May be defined as at least two entities mutually engaging in a monetary or non-monetary exchange. |
| What are the three branches of government? | Legislative, Executive, Judicial |
| What is the role of the Legislative Branch? | Makes laws for the country |
| What is the role of the Executive Branch? | Enforces laws and manages the government’s agenda |
| What is the role of the Judicial Branch? | Interprets laws and makes sure justice is served |
| Federalism (federal system) | a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and regional entities, such as states or provinces, allowing each to maintain its own governance while being part of a larger political framework |
| democracy | a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who exercise it directly or through freely elected representatives |
| Republic | a form of government in which power resides with the citizens who elect representatives to make decisions and govern according to established laws |
| Autocracy | a system of government in which one person holds absolute power and authority over the state |
| Monarchy | a political system in which supreme authority is held by a single ruler, typically a king or queen, whose position is usually inherited |
| Oligarchy | a form of government in which power is concentrated in the hands of a small group of individuals, often for corrupt or selfish purposes |
| Capitalism | an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, where investments and production are driven by competition in a free market |
| Free Enterprise | an economic system that allows private businesses to operate competitively for profit with minimal government interference, promoting freedom of choice and market dynamics |
| Socialism | an economic and political system advocating for collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, with an emphasis on promoting economic equality |
| Communism | a political and economic ideology that seeks to establish a classless society by abolishing private property and advocating for communal ownership of the means of production |
| Difference between Free Enterprise and Socialism/ Communism | individual freedom and private ownership vs collective ownership and government control to achieve economic equality |
| Adam Smith and the Wealth of Nations | He started classical economics, introduced the division of labor, the benefits of specialization, and the idea of how individual self-interest can lead to positive societal outcomes through market |
| Karl Marx & The Communist Manifesto | He is known for his critique of capitalism and his theories about socialism and communism. He wrote a political pamphlet that outlines the principles of communism and argues that class struggle is the driving force of historical development. |
| Economics | a social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, focusing on how individuals and societies allocate scarce resources |
| Laissez Faire | an economic philosophy advocating for minimal government intervention in the marketplace, allowing individuals and businesses to operate freely |
| Command Economy | an economic system where a central governmental authority makes all decisions regarding the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services |
| Difference between Laissez Faire and Command Economy | One relies on free markets with no government interference, while the other relies on government control and planning to manage the economy |
| Key Parts of the Declaration of Independence | - Introduction - Unalienable rights - Government’s role - Grievances against the king - Declaration of Independence |
| Difference between Federalists and Anti-Federalists | One favored a strong central government to unify the nation, while the other prioritized state sovereignty and individual rights, fearing centralized power |
| Supremacy Clause | Establishes that federal law takes precedence over state laws when there is a conflict between the two |
| Major Principles of the Constitution | - Popular sovereignty - Limited government - Separation of powers - Checks and balances - Judicial review - Federalism - Rule of law |
| Judicial Review | allows judges to ensure that the government follows the rules set out in the Constitution, protecting citizens' rights and maintaining the balance of power among the branches of government |
| Elastic Clause | also known as the Necessary and Proper Clause, is a part of the U.S. Constitution that gives Congress the power to make laws that are needed to carry out its specific responsibilities |
| Expressed Power | The power that is specifically granted to the government by the U.S. Constitution, clearly outlining the authority and responsibilities of its branches |
| Delegated Power | The power granted to a lower government entity or agency by a higher governing body, such as the U.S. Congress delegating certain powers to federal agencies |
| Inherent Power | The power that is not explicitly stated in the Constitution but is necessary for the government to effectively perform its essential duties and responsibilities |
| Implied Power | The political powers not explicitly stated in a constitution but inferred as necessary to carry out the functions of expressed powers |
| Concurrent power | Authorities that are shared and exercised simultaneously by both federal and state governments within the same area of legislation |
| Federal Powers | The authority and responsibilities granted to the national government of a country, particularly in a federal system where power is divided between the central government and regional entities |
| State Powers | The legal authorities and responsibilities that individual states possess to govern themselves and enact laws within the framework of federalism, as recognized by the U.S. Constitution |
| Civil Law | a legal system that governs private rights and disputes between individuals, as opposed to criminal law, and is often based on comprehensive codes and statutes |
| Legislative Branch | creates and passes laws that govern the country. Members of both the House and the Senate are elected by the people. This branch plays a crucial role in shaping policies and makes sure that the government does the will of the people |
| What are the powers of the House? | - Initiating revenue bills - Impeachment - Electing the president - Representing the people - Make laws - Manage finances - Hold officials accountable |
| What are the powers of the Senate? | - Approves treaties - Confirm appointments - Conducts impeachment trials - Makes laws |
| Congressional Duties | the responsibilities of the legislative branch, including enacting laws, funding government functions, ratifying treaties, confirming presidential appointments, and overseeing the executive branch through investigations and hearings |
| Congressional Powers | the specific authorities granted to the U.S. Congress by the Constitution, enabling it to legislate, regulate commerce, declare war, and oversee the executive branch, among other responsibilities |
| Federalist Paper 10 | A large republic can effectively control the dangers of factions by diluting their influence and promoting a diversity of interests, thereby protecting minority rights and the common good. |
| Federalist Paper 39 | The Constitution establishes a government that is both national and federal, republican principles by ensuring that power derives from the people while maintaining a system of checks and balances to protect individual rights and state sovereignty |
| Federalist Paper 47 | the importance of separating powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government to prevent tyranny and protect liberty, arguing that each branch must remain distinct to ensure a system of checks and balances. |
| Federalist Paper 51 | advocates for the separation of powers within government and the necessity of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful, thus protecting individual rights and maintaining liberty |
| Summary of Article 1 of the Constitution | establishes the legislative branch of the government, outlining the structure, powers, and responsibilities of Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. |
| Census | a systematic count and evaluation of a population, typically conducted by governments to gather demographic, economic, and social data about individuals in a specific area |
| Lobbyist | a person who is hired to influence public officials, particularly legislators, to support specific policies or legislation on behalf of a business or interest group |
| Due Process | a legal principle that ensures fair treatment through the judicial system, requiring that all legal proceedings follow established rules and principles |
| Sunshine Laws | regulations that require government agencies to conduct their meetings and maintain records in a transparent manner, allowing public access and participation |
| Seniority System | a practice in organizations, particularly in Congress, where individuals are given preferential treatment, such as promotions or leadership roles, based on their length of service |
| Incumbent | a person who currently holds a specific office or position, especially in a political context |
| Rider | an additional provision or amendment added to a legislative bill or contract that modifies or expands its terms |
| Closure | the act of closing or the condition of being closed, often referring to the end of a process or the resolution of an emotional experience |
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