Foundation of GOV
Which principle of democracy is demonstrated when citizens vote to elect their representatives?
Popular sovereignty
Name the three branches of the federal government.
Executive, Legislative, Judicial
Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
To protect individual rights from government interference (protect freedoms).
List three forms of civic participation.
Voting, contacting officials, protesting, volunteering, serving on juries.
What is the primary purpose of taxes and fees collected by government?
To fund government goods and services (public goods, infrastructure, defense, social programs).
The Declaration of Independence primarily established which democratic ideal about where government power comes from?
That government power comes from the people
What is the purpose of separation of powers in the U.S. Constitution?
To prevent any one branch from gaining too much power; distribute functions among branches.
What does the 14th Amendment guarantee about equal protection?
It extended equal protection under the law to all citizens.
What is the primary responsibility of the media in a democracy?
Inform the public about government actions and policies (provide accurate, timely information; investigate wrongdoing).
Why does the government regulate markets? Give one example of a regulation and its intended benefit.
To protect consumers and ensure fair competition (example: food safety regulations protect public health).
Define federalism and explain how it divides power in the United States.
Federalism = power divided/shared between national, state, and local governments; example: education primarily state, national defense federal.
Which branch interprets laws and determines constitutionality, and what power allows it to do that?
Judicial branch; power: judicial review (established by Marbury v. Madison).
Distinguish between a right and a responsibility; give one example of each for citizens.
Right example: free speech; Responsibility example: voting, obeying laws, jury service.
Explain how voter turnout typically differs between local, state, and presidential elections and one reason why.
Turnout: typically highest in presidential elections; local often lower due to lower publicity and perceived impact; reasons include media attention, voter awareness.
What type of economic system gives individuals the most freedom of choice, and what kind of system does the U.S. have?
Market economy gives most individual freedom; U.S. is a mixed economy (blend of market mechanisms and government regulation).
Identify and explain one major difference between totalitarian government and constitutional monarchy.
Totalitarian: complete central control, limits personal freedoms; constitutional monarchy: monarch with limited or ceremonial power, constitutional rules; difference: level of citizen political freedom and rule of law.
Define “checks and balances” and give one concrete example of a check one branch has on another.
Checks and balances: each branch limits others (example: President vetoes legislation; Congress can override veto).
What is civil disobedience? Describe a historical example and explain why participants used that tactic.
Civil disobedience: peaceful lawbreaking to protest unjust laws (e.g., MLK Jr. and Montgomery Bus Boycott/protests); explain nonviolent, principled nature.
Describe how geographic factors (e.g., rural vs. urban) can affect civic participation; include one policy solution to increase participation.
Rural areas may face access barriers (distance, fewer polling places); solutions: expanded early voting, mail ballots, mobile polling stations.
Describe the main role of the Federal Reserve and one tool it uses to influence the economy.
Federal Reserve regulates monetary policy and banking; tool: setting interest rates (federal funds rate), open market operations.
Explain how societal values and beliefs can shape the structure or policies of government over time; give one historical example.
Societal values shape laws/policies (e.g., civil rights movement -> laws expanding rights); answer should reference a clear example such as expansion of suffrage or civil rights legislation.
Explain concurrent powers and give two examples of functions that both state and federal governments perform.
Concurrent powers shared by federal and state: e.g., taxing, maintaining law and order, building roads.
Explain institutional discrimination and describe one government action that has sought to address it.
Institutional discrimination = laws/policies that disadvantage groups; government action example: Civil Rights Act, ADA, or affirmative policies to reduce disparities.
Discuss how social movements achieve change most effectively, using an example that shows sustained peaceful pressure and legal strategy.
Effective movements combine peaceful protest, legal action, public persuasion (example: Civil Rights Movement used protests, legal cases, legislative lobbying).
Explain what public goods are and why government typically provides them; include one real-world example and economic reasoning.
Public goods benefit everyone and are non-excludable/non-rivalrous (e.g., national defense); provided by government because private markets may underprovide them.