Foundations
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence and who was the 'Father of the Constitution'?
Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson, with help from Adams and Franklin
The 'Father' of the U.S. Constitutions was James Madison
What are three enumerated powers of Congress?
Passing a federal budget, raising money and coining money, declaring war, maintaining our armed forces, enacting legislation/bills/laws
Why was the Bill of Rights added to the U.S. Constitution?
To get the anti-Federalists to agree to ratify the Constitution and to limit the power of the national government
How does political socialization begin?
With our families
What are the four types of voting behavior?
Rational choice voting based on self interest
Retrospective voting based on candidate's past record
Prospective voting based on candidate's platform
Party-Line voting based on your political party
Participatory democracy
Pluralist democracy
Elite democracy
In the legislative process, what is one unique feature of the Senate and one unique feature of the House of Representatives?
Senate: Filibusters and Clotures
House: Rules Committee
In regards to legal cases involving freedom of religion, what is the 'Lemon' test?
Under the "Lemon" test, government can assist religion only if
(1) the primary purpose of the assistance is secular,
(2) the assistance must neither promote nor inhibit religion, and
(3) there is no excessive entanglement between church and state.
Name four different kinds of polls
Benchmark polls
Tracking polls
Entrance or exit polls
What is efficacy and how does it affect voting?
Efficacy is how much a person believes their vote really matters. The higher their efficacy, the higher chance they will vote.
U.S. government was designed as a limited government. What are four ways this is demonstrated in the design of our government?
Natural rights
Popular sovereignty
Republicanism
Social Contract
What is the difference between mandatory and discretionary spending?
Mandatory spending is required by law
Discretionary spending is optional or negotiable
What is prior restraint and how does the Supreme Court usually lean on it?
When the government tries to prevent the press from publishing something (preemptive censorship). The Court usually leans toward a 'heavy presumption against prior restraint' even in cases involving national security.
Name three factors that effect scientific polling
Sampling techniques (random, stratified)
Identification of respondents
Size of sample and margin of error
Type, format and wording of questions
What is an 'iron triangle' and who is involved?
An 'iron triangle' is a mutually beneficial relationship between Congress, the bureaucracy and interest groups.
Which required document speaks to how constitutional provisions of separation of powers and checks and balances control abuses by majorities?
Federalist No.51
What are two differences between a veto and a pocket veto?
A veto is when a president won't sign a bill within the 10 day clock. When a president vetoes a bill, Congress can try to override the veto (2/3rd vote of both chambers)
A pocket veto is when a president doesn't sign a bill, the 10 day clock elapses and Congress is not in session. There is no option for a veto override with pocket veto.
Give five examples of our due process rights?
No unreasonable searches or seizures
Right to legal counsel
Speedy and public trial
An impartial jury of your peers
Right to hear charges, mount a defense, secure witnesses
What is a major difference between Keynesian economics and supply side economics?
Keynesian economics believes in top down drivers of economic growth (i.e. government spending)
Supply side economics believes in bottoms-up drivers of economic growth (lower taxes and regulations to free up resources and fund growth)
What is the incumbency advantage phenomenon?
The strong likelihood that a candidate running for reelection will be reelected due to name recognition, media coverage, political party support and a proven voting record.
What is federalism and in which amendment is it embedded into the U.S. Constitution?
Federalism is layers of government, which each layer having their distinct powers. It is found in the Tenth Amendment which says that any powers not expressly given to the federal government are reserved to the states.
How are Executive Orders and Executive Agreements different from laws and treaties?
Both go around Congress and can be torn up by the next president.
What is selective incorporation and how does it protect us?
Selective incorporation stems from the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause to prevent state infringement of basic liberties.
Which part of our government manages monetary policy and which part manages fiscal policy?
Monetary policy managed by Federal Reserve
Fiscal policy managed by Congress/President
What is the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2022 and how did it affect campaign funding?
Tried to ban soft money contributions and reduce attack ads with 'Stand by your ad' provision