Foundations
What are the three main purposes of government?
Maintain order, provide general welfare, protect liberty
What compromise created a bicameral legislature?
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
What does the Supremacy Clause state?
Federal law is the supreme law of the land
What is the difference between civil liberties and civil rights?
Civil liberties = protections from government
Civil rights = protections from discrimination
Define "margin of error"
Range of confidence around poll results
What makes the U.S. both a representative democracy and a constitutional democracy?
In a representative democracy, citizens elect leaders to make laws. In a constitutional democracy, government power is limited by a foundational document (the Constitution) that defines structure, powers, and rights.
Name one difference between Federalists and Anti-Federalists
Federalists supported a strong national government; Anti-Federalists preferred state power
What type of federalism is called "layered cake"?
Dual Federalism
Which case overturned "separate but equal"?
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
What are the four traits of public opinion?
Salience, stability, direction, intensity
Who defined politics as "who gets what, when, and how"?
Harold Lasswell
Which Federalist Paper warned against faction?
Federalist No. 10 (Madison)
Which Supreme Court case established the Necessary & Proper Clause?
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
What are the two parts of freedom of religion?
Establishment Clause & Free Exercise Clause
Why might people rely on heuristics when forming opinions?
They use shortcuts when lacking full information.
People benefit from a public good (like clean air, voting) without contributing
What was the 3/5th Compromise?
Slaves were counted as 3/5ths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.
Give one pro and one con of competitive federalism.
Pro: innovation, local tailoring
Con: inequality, race to the bottom
Name three Supreme Court cases that expanded the rights of the accused.
1. Mapp v. Ohio
2. Gideon v. Wainwright
3. Miranda v. Arizona
What is the difference between an exit poll and a self-selected poll?
Exit poll = scientific survey of voters leaving polls
Self-selected poll = unscientific, voluntary