Unit 1
What is the state of nature?
The state of nature is a hypothetical condition that preceded society, government, and structure.
What are the two main political party’s of the US?
Republican (Conservative) and Democrat (Liberal).
What are the functions of political parties?
What is popular sovereignty?
The ideal that political power belongs to the people.
What is the first amendment responsible for protecting?
Freedom of: speech, religion, petition, assembly, and the press.
What is John Locke’s belief on the purpose of government?
To ensure natural rights.
What is straight ticket voting?
Selecting only members of your party for all ballot positions.
What is the role of a free press in a democracy?
The privilege of every citizen to be engaged through voting, public offices, representation in Congress, and other ways.
What is limited government responsible for?
What is the second amendment?
The right to bear arms.
What is Thomas Hobbes belief on the purpose of government?
To impose law and to prevent the state of war.
What is split ticket voting?
Selecting people of different political parties based on your own personal beliefs.
Media role in politics?
Key linkage institution between the people and policymakers.
3 branches in the Separation of Powers?
Judicial, legislative, executive.
What is important about the 9th amendment?
It leaves the door open for additional rights to be added.
Tabula rosa definition and meaning?
“Blank slate,” meaning our experience is what shapes our knowledge.
What is the least scientific way to poll?
Internet/media polling.
Most influential interest group?
NRA- National Rifle Association.
Checks and balances was created to?
Require each branch to be subject to checks by the other two branches, so no branch can overstep its bounds.
Why is the third amendment not used much anymore?
Troops are not in need of quartering anymore.
Centralized VS. Decentralized power and strengths?
Centralized power is when power is in one place or with one person- strong.
Decentralized power is spread out- weak.
The issue with primary voting?
No one shows up to vote in primary elections, which means only extreme voters go, causing a decrease in moderates.
Principles of the Constitution?
Popular sovereignty, constitutionalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial review, and federalism.
What is federalism?
The idea that the federal government and the individual state can be self reliant, also serves as a way to limit the federal governments control.
Limitations to the 4th amendment?
Freedom from illegal searches and seizures unless they provide a search warrant with probable cause, must be approved by a judge.