Unit 1 Foundations of American Democracy
What is pubic policy?
Public Policy:
the course of action the government takes in response to an issue or problem
What are enumerated powers?
What are implied Powers?
Enumerated: Powers listed explicitly in the Constitution
Implied : Necessary and Proper Clause allows congress to pass any law that is required by enumerated power
This amendment is known as the Privacy Amendment
4th Amendment
What is political socialization?
Political socialization:
the process by which people form their ideas about politics and acquire their ideas about government
Name the effect the following amendments had on voting.
13th. 19th. 23rd 26th
13th allowed black men to vote
19th allowed women to vote
23rd allowed DC citizens to vote
26th lowered voting age to 18
What is the social contract theory?
Social Contract Theory:
The belief that people are free and equal by natural right, and that this in turn requires that all people give their consent to be governed (John Locke)
Who is the only leader for the House of Representatives listed in the Constitution?
Who is currently the Speaker of the House?
Speaker of the House
Mike Johnson
What is the difference between the establishment clause and the free exercise clause?
Establishment Clause prevents the government from supporting a stage sponsored church.
The Free Exercise Clause prevents the government from interfering with people's religious practice.
What is the Rule of Law?
Rule of Law
principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern
Explain the following voting models:
Rational choice Retrospective
Prospective Party Line
Rational choice carefully studying the issues
Retrospective - previous track record of politician
Prospective -potential future of promised by candidate
Party line - based on party affiliation
What are natural (unalienable) rights?
Natural Rights are the rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include life, liberty, and property
Name three of the four types of Congressional Committees and explain what they do.
Standing - permanent
Select - temporary
Joint - House and Senate serve
Conference - used to reconcile two versions of a bill
What is selective incorporation?
The prices by which the protections outlined in the Bill of Rights are applied to state governments.
Gideon v Wainwright
McDonald v Chicago
What are:
Entrance Polls
Exit Polls
voters asked about which candidate they are going to vote for and why before walking in
polls conducted as voters leave polling places on election day
What is Political Efficacy?
When a person wonders if their vote will really make a difference.
What was the First Constitution in the United States?
Articles of Confederation:
the nations first constitution; was limited because states held most of the power, and congress lacked the power to tax and regulate trade, no executive branch, weak legislative branch
What is a filibuster?
Who gave the longest filibuster in the history of the Senate?
Talking a bill to death
Strom Thurmond
Explain how Schenck v United States impacted the interpretation of freedom of speech.
Speech which creates a "clear and present danger" is not protected by the first amendment and Freedom of speech.
Liberal Ideology
Liberal Ideology:
progressive, things are good lets get better, human rights, more government involvement to help citizens
What is a linkage institution?
A structure that serves as a connection between the public and government.
political party, interest groups, elections, media
What is judicial review?
Judicial Review; The court had the right to check the other branches of government by declaring laws unconstitutional
What is a signing statement?
Allows the president to express how the executive branch interprets the laws and how the president intends to execute it.
What is the exclusionary rule?
Any evidence obtained in violation of the fourth amendment cannot be used (inadmissable) in court.
What is Conservative Ideology?
Conservative Ideology:
traditional, business/econ, law & order, more self-reliance/less government involvement
What is a winner take all district?
The system which awards all of a state's electoral votes to the candidate who wins the majority of popular votes.