Judicial Branch
What is Stare Decisis?
Says for judges to stick with historic decisions and cases when making a decision.
What are Legislative Committees and why do we need them?
They oversee the executive agencies. They consider bills and mark them up. They also conduct investigations.
Ex: Standing committees and conference committees.
What are the roles of the President vs the Vice President?
The Vice President has no constitutional powers and is there mainly in case the President needs a replacement. They do however, take over Senate deliberations. While the President is there to enforce and implement laws.
Define State of Nature.
The hypothetical life of people before societies came into existence
When was the Declaration of Independence signed?
July 4th, 1776
What does it mean to remand a case?
To send it back for the lower court to make a decision on the case.
What are caucuses?
They are usually bipartisan groups who meet up together to pursue common legislative objectives.
Rivals to parties in policy formation.
How can a President be removed from office?
Impeachment which has to have a majority 2/3 vote of the Parliament, then the Constitutional Court must decide if the President is guilty. If so, he or she is removed.
What were the differences between Locke's and Hobbes ideas on State of Nature?
Locke: says that all men are free "to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature."
Hobbes: says sovereignty as the soul of the Leviathan. Describes SON as the "natural condition of mankind" is what would exist if there were no government, no civilization, no laws, and no common power to restrain human nature. ... Life in the state of nature is "nasty, brutish and short."
After the American Revolution, the states joined together to make what?
A firm league of friendship.
What are the steps for how a judicial associate is nominated?
Nominated by the President, confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, Approved by the whole Senate.
What is the Iron Triangle?
It comprises the policy-making relationship among the congressional committees, the bureaucracy, and interest groups.
What are the swing states and why do they differ?
Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin. They can be won by either a republican or democratic presidential candidate.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
States that all laws made furthering the Constitution and all treaties made under the authority of the United States are the “supreme law of the land.”
In the Declaration of Independence, which part is the longest?
The list of unfair treatment that was made by the King.
What is a Litmus Test?
It is a question asked for a Supreme Court nominee in order to get an idea about their ideologies.
How are filibusters used?
It allows a Representative to hold a speech, about anything, while a bill is supposed to be discussed in order to drag it out to when congress is on recess so that the bill doesn't get passes.
What are the eight chief roles?
1. Chief of State
2. Chief Executive
3. Chief Administrator
4. Chief Diplomat
5. Commander in Chief
6. Chief Legislature
7. Chief of Party
8. Chief Citizen
What does Tabula Rasa mean?
It means to be in a blank state.
Which English Philosopher would favor the Declaration of Independence the most?
John Locke would.
What is the difference between a judicial activist and a judicial restraint?
Activist: View the Constitution to advocate contemporary values and believe it's a changing doc. Believe court should use their power to correct injustices.
Restraint: Limits the power of judges to strike down laws, they only rule against congress if they go against the Constitution.
What is a gatekeeper known for?
They can influence what subjects become national political issues and for how long.
What is the Electoral College magic number?
270 out of 538.
Why did Montesquieu want a separation in powers among three different branches?
So that the government would avoid putting too much power onto one person.
Where was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
At the Second Continental Congress meeting at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.