Chap 2.
Q: What were major weaknesses of the Articles?
: Congress could not directly tax, could not effectively regulate interstate commerce, lacked a permanent executive and judiciary, and amendments required unanimity.
Q: What did Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau contribute?
A: Locke: natural rights and social contract. Montesquieu: separation/decentralization of powers. Rousseau: social contract and popular sovereignty.
Q: Why have a federal system?
A: It divides power, can facilitate collective action, and allows more local lawmaking, though it can also create stalemate and unclear responsibility
Q: Which level is primarily responsible for public education?
: State and local governments are primarily responsible; the uploaded slides emphasize that local governments implement laws under state authority.
Q: What is public opinion?
A: Attitudes about political issues, institutions, events, and broader worldviews.
What is the Bill of Rights and how many amendments are there?
The Bill of Rights is Amendments 1–10, protecting individual liberties. The Constitution has 27 amendments.
Q: What is federalism vs. fiscal federalism?
Federalism divides governing power between national and state governments. Fiscal federalism concerns the financial relationships and distribution of functions among levels of government.
Q: What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers?
A: To support ratification of the Constitution and explain/defend the proposed government.
Q: What is the metaphor for dual federalism?
A: The uploaded slides do not explicitly provide the metaphor.
Q: What are agenda-setting, priming, and framing?
Agenda-setting focuses attention on issues. Priming makes certain considerations more important when people evaluate an issue/person. Framing influences how people interpret an issue or event.
Q: Why was Shays’ Rebellion significant?
: The uprising exposed weaknesses of the Articles and increased pressure for a stronger national government.
Q: What are the major types/phases of federalism?
A: State-centric, dual, cooperative, New Federalism, and regulated/progressive federalism.
Q: What is Federalist No. 10 about?
A: Madison's concern with factions—groups with interests that may conflict with the public good.
Q: What are implied powers? Give an example.
A: Powers not explicitly written but reasonably inferred from enumerated powers. Example: Congress's authority to create a national bank under the Necessary and Proper Clause.
Q: What are the Equal Time Rule and Right of Rebuttal?
A: Equal Time gives candidates for the same office equal opportunity on broadcast media. Right of Rebuttal gives people an opportunity to respond to personal attacks.
Q: Why was the Philadelphia Convention originally called?
A: To address problems with the Articles of Confederation.
Q: Categorical vs. block grants?
: Categorical grants have specific purposes and more federal control. Block grants give states more discretion over how funds are used.
Q: What is the Supremacy Clause?
A: Article VI provision making valid federal law supreme over conflicting state law.
Q: Which clause regulates interstate commerce?
A: The Commerce Clause.
Q: Which branch resolves federal-state disputes?
A: The judicial branch, especially the Supreme Court.
Q: What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
A: It allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.