Unit 1
The framers designed Congress this way—so passing laws would take time, debate, and compromise rather than happening quickly.
What is slow and deliberate in the law-making process?
This is one rare way a president could limit the Supreme Court’s power—by simply choosing not to carry out what the justices have decided.
What is refusing to enforce a Court ruling?
In cases involving minors and mentally incompetent defendants, the Supreme Court limited the death penalty after changing its interpretation of this amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
What is the Eighth Amendment?
The credibility of a poll showing 60% support for a flat tax is strongest when this is reported, giving an indication of the potential margin of error in the results.
What is the sampling error?
A group that raises money to contribute to political campaigns and influence policy, with limits on direct contributions to candidates.
What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?
Congress used this enumerated power to regulate employer health plans and deny certain tax deductions, because it involves overseeing economic activity that crosses state lines.
What is regulating commerce among the states?
One way this House committee can address concerns about VA hospital service quality is by using this power to investigate and question agency officials.
What is holding a hearing and subpoenaing high-level officials?
This type of case—where a woman is prevented from obtaining an abortion—has repeatedly been treated by the U.S. Supreme Court as falling under the constitutional right to privacy.
What is a case involving abortion?
Conservatives generally believe individuals should not rely on government aid for their economic well-being, while liberals argue the government should help improve the economic position of low-income people.
What is the difference between conservative and liberal views on social policy?
When someone benefits from an interest group's actions without participating in or contributing to it.
What is the free rider problem?
Federalists believed a large republic best protected individual freedoms, while Anti-Federalists argued that only a small republic could do so.
What is the difference between Federalist and Anti-Federalist views on the size of a republic?
When a bill to raise the minimum wage is stuck in committee in the House of Representatives, this rarely successful maneuver can force it out and require a floor vote.
What is filing a discharge petition?
According to prior Supreme Court decisions, this practice in public schools—based on race—would likely violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
What is race-based segregation?
This type of program—designed to promote opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups—can create tension between individualism and equality of opportunity.
What is implementing affirmative action programs?
People vote with their best interests in mind.
What is Rational Choice Theory?
This 1819 case strengthened the national government by affirming Congress’ implied powers, while a 1995 case limited Congress’ power under the Commerce Clause.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland and United States v. Lopez?
One challenge presidents face in carrying out their policy agenda is that civil service protections make it difficult to remove these career bureaucrats even when they disagree with the president’s priorities.
What is members of the professional bureaucracy?
Based on Tinker v. Des Moines (1969), this form of student expression—such as wearing clothing to protest a school board decision—is considered protected symbolic speech.
What is wearing t-shirts objecting to a school board decision?
A president following Keynesian principles during a recession would most likely push for this—boosting government spending on unemployment benefits and public works projects to stimulate demand.
What is a budget with significant increases in spending for unemployment benefits and public works projects?
This effect of candidate-centered campaigns means a politician’s charisma can matter more than their experience or policy positions.
What is the candidate’s ability to appeal to voters, outweighing traditional qualifications?
This clause gives Congress the ability to pass laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers, while this amendment reserves powers to the states.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause and the Tenth Amendment?
When a newly elected president rewards a top campaign fund-raiser with a federal position—such as an ambassadorship—this practice is known as this type of political appointment.
What is political patronage?
This Fourth Amendment violation occurs when law enforcement searches a suspect’s cell phone without first obtaining a warrant.
What is analyzing a suspect’s cell phone before a warrant is issued?
A poll of 1,200 people asked respondents to agree, disagree, or remain neutral about two statements:
Statement A: “The government should spend more money on welfare.” — 35% agreed
Statement B: “The government should spend more money on helping the poor.” — 60% agreed
What most likely explains the difference in support between the two statements?
A. The questions were not open-ended
B. The questions contained a difference in wording
It is an independent regulatory agency that administers and enforces federal campaign finance laws.
What is the role of the Federal Election Commission (FEC)?