Congressional Queries
Presidential Problems
Order in the Court
Politics as Usual

American Landscape
Constitutional Underpinnings

100
What is a filibuster?
A long speech in the Senate that tries to block legislative action.
100
What is the difference between an executive order and a law?
A law has to be passed by both houses of Congress then has to be approved by the pres. An executive order is signed by the president with full force of law.
100
What precedent and what case did Brown v. Board overturn?
Plessy v. Ferguson. Separate but equal.
100

How many officials would be elected in a winner-take-all, plurality district?

One

100

What section of the country has experienced the fastest population growth in the past two decades?

The South aka The Sun Belt

100

What is the difference between a representative democracy and a direct democracy?

Representative democracy: citizens vote for leaders/representatives Direct democracy: citizens vote on every major issue/decision

200
What is the selection of committee chair usually based upon?
Seniority and/or party affiliation
200
Which Amendment limited the president to two terms of office?
The 22nd Amendment
200
How many justices does it take to bring a case to the Supreme Court?
Four
200

What is party dealignment?

When people leave their political party in favor of becoming independent/unaffiliated.

200

What ethnic group is the largest minority group in the U.S. today?

Hispanic/Latino

200

Name two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

No power to: tax, enforce laws, draft troops, control trade There was no: national army/navy, system of national courts Each state could issue its own paper money

300
What group reconciles bills from the House and the Senate?
A conference committee
300
What are the four departments in the inner cabinet?
State, Treasury, Defense, Justice
300
What rule was established in Mapp v Ohio?
The exclusionary rule.
300

Name two functions of a political party.

May include: control the government develop policy nominate people for office organize/inform voters watchdog for other party represent individuals/groups

300

How do younger usually Americans differ from older Americans in their political beliefs?

Generally speaking, younger voters are more liberal that older voters.

300

In the battle over Constitutional ratification, which group argued for the inclusion of the Bill of Rights?

The Anti-Federalists

400
What does congress need to override presidential veto?
A two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate.
400
What is a pocket veto?
When, if Congress is NOT in session, the president does not sign a bill and 10 days pass.
400
What are two beliefs of judicial conservatives?
Believe in the original intent of constitution/forefathers, follow judicial precedent, defer to other branches or local governments to establish law
400

Name one realigning election in American history.

1828, Andrew Jackson 1860, Abraham Lincoln 1896, William McKinley 1932, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Richard Nixon 1968

400

The US is predicted to have a minority majority population by 2050. What does this mean?

Whites will still be a plurality, but the combination of minorities will make up 51+%of the population.

400

What was the purpose of the 3/5 Compromise?

It decided how slaves would be counted (3/5ths a person) for representation purposes

500
Which House committee oversees programs such as Social Security and Medicare?
The Committee on Ways and Means
500
What are two ways that congress can oversee the bureaucracy?
funding, investigations, creation of new bureaucratic departments
500
What clause of the 1st Amendment was the basis for Engel v Vitale?
The establishment clause.
500

People who believe that “my vote doesn't matter” or little political efficacy that they play a role in politics. Issue of voting Conservative in a Liberal leaning state and vice versa where your vote may be “washed out” due to overwhelming vote practice this.

What is political apathy?

500

What is the name of political divisions within a society that can make political conflict more intense and society more polarized?

Reinforcing Cleavages

500

What was the agreement reached in the Connecticut Compromise?

Bicameral Congress House of Representatives: representation based on population (VA Plan) Senate: equal representation for each state (NJ Plan)

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