Congress
The Presidency
The Supreme Court
The Federal Bureaucracy
Federalism
100
What are implied powers?
Sections in the Constitution that give Congress the authority to imply, or suggest, other powers
100
How does the bully pulpit work against the president?
With the president standing the eyes of the public, their ever action is scrutinized. If public opinion turns against the president's policies, the president's power is in jeopardy.
100
What is original jurisdiction?
Jurisdiction of a lower court to determine the facts of a case.
100
How are most heads of government organizations chosen?
Nominated by the president and approved by the Senate
100
What is federalism?
A system of government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central governing authority and constituent political units
200
What is the committee system in Congress?
Committees have jurisdiction over particular subjects. They are made up of only a small section of Congress and work on that particular subject only, allowing the rest of Congress to move on to other issues. This increases the efficiency of Congress.
200
What are the three ways a president can create legislation?
Executive orders, signing statements, and executive agreements
200
What many votes from justices are required to accept a case and why does this matter?
4, which protects the rights of the minority.
200
What is the role of the federal bureaucracy?
To implement public policy
200
What is the 10th Amendment?
Reserves all powers not delegated to the national government for the states.
300
What is the trustee theory of representation?
Elected representatives should be "trustees" who gain the trust of their constituents and then exercise their own best judgement on matters of public policy.
300
How does the American president differ from the British Prime Minister?
A British PM is appointed by the majority party in Parliament and must have previously served in Parliament. They can also be removed at any time due to low public opinion or a vote of no confidence.
300
Name 2 checks on the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court relies on the executive branch to enforce their decisions, Congress can pass amendments to nullify Court decisions, Congress defines court jurisdiction and funding, the president appoints justices, self-imposed limits, and federalism.
300
How does the federal bureaucracy help the president and Congress?
More efficiently implements public policy. Also hands over the responsibilities of relatively minor tasks to government agencies, lessening the work load of the other branches.
300
What are laboratories of democracy?
A state, if its citizens choose, tries novel social and economic experiments without risk to the rest of the country.
400
What are the 3 forms of Leadership in the House?
The Speaker of the House, decentralized committee leadership, and political party control
400
What is the president's role in foreign policy listed in Article II?
Commanding the armed forces, making treaties, appointing ambassadors and consuls, and receiving ambassadors and other public ministers.
400
What is senatorial courtesy and how has it changed the Constitution's original plan for nominating and appointing judges and justices?
Senatorial courtesy is the Senate will approve a federal judge unless a senator of the state in which the nominee will operate disagrees. Since this informal practice is so powerful, presidents usually defer to specific state senators to nominate judges which the president then approves.
400
How do groups of citizens and the media check the federal bureaucracy?
Scrutiny by those affected by administrative policies and the media can unveil problems and miscarriages of justice in the bureaucracy.
400
Name 3 ways federalism has changed since 1787
The national government has greatly expanded, 17th Amendment, expansion individual district sizes, and categorical grants
500
In what 4 ways does Congress differ from the British Parliament?
Representation, separation of powers, length of terms, and federalism
500
Name 4 ways Congress can limit presidential powers
Creating legislation limiting presidential power, refusing to approve presidential nominees, refusing to fund presidential programs, and impeachment.
500
How is the Supreme Court a democratic institution?
Case decisions can be influenced by sending in mail or amicus curiae briefs, and the system of litigation promotes pluralism.
500
How has the Administrative Procedure Act changed the federal bureaucracy?
Sets guidelines for all administrative units on how to act, requires all decisions made by the bureaucracy be made public, and allows judicial review of the federal bureaucracy.
500
How does federalism and equally divided sovereignty serve as a check on both national and state governments?
Federalism forces the two levels of government to constantly fight to win the confidence and support of the American people.
M
e
n
u