Foundations of Democracy
Which foundational document argues that a large republic is the best way to control the "mischiefs of faction"?
Federalist No. 10. Madison argued that pluralism would prevent any one group from dominating the minority.
What is the system where each branch of government can limit the power of the other two to prevent any one branch from becoming too strong?
Checks and Balances. Examples include the presidential veto and congressional override power.
Which 1819 case established that federal law is supreme over state law and that Congress has implied powers?
McCulloch v. Maryland. The Court used the Necessary and Proper Clause to rule that states cannot tax a federal bank.
What are constitutionally established guarantees and freedoms that protect citizens against arbitrary government interference?
Civil Liberties. These include protections found primarily in the Bill of Rights
What is the process by which individuals develop their political beliefs and values, which is most strongly influenced by family?
Political Socialization. It also occurs through schools, peers, and media.
What is the term for a nation that maintains popular sovereignty and the consent of the governed through elected representatives?
Republicanism. This principle ensures the will of the people is reflected in government decisions by their representatives.
What is an informal power the President uses to influence Congress by speaking directly to the public through media to set the national agenda?
The Bully Pulpit. This allows the president to use the spotlight of the office to build public support for specific policies.
In which 1995 case did the Court rule that Congress exceeded its power under the Commerce Clause by banning guns in school zones?
United States v. Lopez. The Court ruled that gun possession in a school is a local activity, not interstate commerce.
Which First Amendment clause prevents the government from sponsoring or supporting religious activities, such as leading prayers in public schools?
The Establishment Clause. This keeps religion and government separate.
Which type of poll is conducted on election day to find out why voters chose certain candidates and to predict the outcome of the race?
Exit Poll. These help explain election results and voter motivations.
Under the Articles of Confederation, which 1786 uprising exposed the national government’s inability to raise a standing army?
Shays’ Rebellion. The weakness of the central government scared many leaders into realizing a stronger system was needed.
When the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill, what committee is formed to reconcile the wording differences?
Conference Committee. Both chambers must pass the identical reconciled version before it goes to the President.
What is the legal doctrine where the Supreme Court uses the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause to apply the Bill of Rights to state governments?
Selective Incorporation. This prevents states from passing laws that violate core civil liberties like freedom of speech.
In which landmark case did the Court rule that states must provide a lawyer to defendants who cannot afford one, incorporating the Sixth Amendment?
Gideon v. Wainwright. This case extended procedural due process protections to state courts.
Which three constitutional amendments expanded the right to vote to African American men, women, and 18-year-olds?
15th, 19th, and 26th Amendments. Each was a major step in making American democracy more inclusive.
What model of democracy emphasizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests, such as labor unions or the NRA, to influence policy?
Pluralist Democracy. This model sees politics as a contest among various competing interest groups.
What concept describes the long-lasting alliance between a bureaucratic agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group to shape policy?
The Iron Triangle. These groups work together to support specific policy areas like agriculture or defense.
Which landmark case established the principle of "one person, one vote" by ruling that challenges to redistricting could be heard by federal courts?
Baker v. Carr. It allowed the courts to review unequal representation in legislative districts under the Equal Protection Clause.
In his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used which constitutional provision to argue that racial segregation was unjust?
The Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment). He argued that the government could not treat people differently based on race.
Which 2010 SCOTUS case ruled that corporate and union funding of independent political broadcasts is a form of protected free speech?
Citizens United v. FEC. This led to the rise of Super PACs that can spend unlimited money to influence elections.
Which document, written by Anti-federalists, warned that the "Necessary and Proper Clause" and "Supremacy Clause" would give the federal government absolute and uncontrollable power?
Brutus No. 1. It argued for a small, decentralized republic to better protect personal liberties.
What term describes money that is required by law to be spent on entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare?
Mandatory Spending. Because this is locked in, it decreases the opportunities for "discretionary spending" unless tax revenue increases.
Describe the concept of "stare decisis" and how it influences Supreme Court decision-making.
"Let the decision stand." It is the principle of following legal precedent to keep the law consistent and predictable.
What legal doctrine is used by the Court to protect fundamental rights not explicitly listed in the Constitution, such as the right to privacy?
Substantive Due Process. It is the idea that some rights are so personal that the government should not interfere with them at all.
What are the two major schools of thought regarding fiscal policy, with one favoring government spending to stimulate demand and the other favoring tax cuts to stimulate investment?
Keynesian Economics and Supply-Side Economics. Liberals generally favor Keynesian methods, while conservatives favor supply-side.