Unit 1
A state passes a law legalizing a substance that federal law still prohibits. The federal government sues, arguing national law overrides.
-Identify the constitutional clause most relevant to resolving this dispute
Supremacy Clause
The president refuses to spend money Congress has appropriated for a program he opposes.
-Identify the constitutional principle being challenged.
Separation of powers / Power of the purse
A public school suspends students for wearing shirts protesting government policy.
-Identify the case that would most likely apply.
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
A polling organization surveys only landline users during work hours.
-Identify the likely problem with the poll.
Sampling bias
A member of Congress introduces a bill that primarily benefits their home district in order to increase reelection chances.
Pork-Barrel legislation
Congress creates a national bank even though the Constitution does not explicitly list this power. A state challenges the law as unconstitutional.
-Identify the Supreme Court case that would most directly support Congress’s authority.
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
The Senate refuses to hold hearings for a Supreme Court nominee.
-Identify the constitutional power that allows this action.
Advice and consent
Police search a suspect’s home without a warrant and find evidence of a crime.
-Identify the constitutional amendment involved.
Fourth Amendment
An incumbent wins reelection after voters reward strong economic growth.
-Identify the voting behavior model demonstrated.
Retrospective voting
A state law requires voters to present a government-issued photo ID. A lawsuit claims the law disproportionately affects minority voters.
What clause does this portray to?
14th amendment (equal protection clause)
What if Congress attempted to require states to pass specific environmental laws or lose all federal funding?
-Explain whether this would likely be constitutional and why.
Unconstitutional coercion (Spending Clause limits)
A federal agency issues new environmental regulations that significantly affect several industries. Members of Congress believe the agency has exceeded the authority delegated to it in the original statute. Congress calls agency officials to testify and considers reducing the agency’s budget.
-Identify the congressional power being exercised and explain how Congress can limit bureaucratic authority in this situation.
Congressional Oversight
A state denies a defendant a lawyer because the crime is not considered serious.
-Identify the Supreme Court case that would overturn this decision.
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
Young voters consistently vote at lower rates than older voters.
-Identify the demographic factor most strongly associated with turnout.
Education level
A federal court strikes down a state law restricting speech online. The state argues the Bill of Rights only applies to the national government.
Selective incorporation
A state refuses to enforce a federal immigration policy, claiming the Tenth Amendment protects its authority.
-Explain the constitutional principle being invoked and how the Court has historically balanced this tension.
Reserved powers / Tenth Amendment
Congress passes a law expanding gun-free school zones using the Commerce Clause.
-Identify the case that limited Congress’s power in a similar situation.
United States v. Lopez (1995)
A public university uses race as one factor in admissions to promote diversity.
-Identify the constitutional clause being debated.
Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment)
News coverage focuses primarily on which candidate is “ahead” rather than policy positions.
-Identify this type of media coverage.
Horse-race journalism
Congress passes a law regulating a purely local activity, arguing that in the aggregate it affects interstate commerce.
Commerce clause
If the Articles of Confederation had included a strong executive and taxation power, explain how this might have altered the arguments in Federalist No. 10.
Faction control argument weakened
If the Supreme Court declared a major executive order unconstitutional, but the president refused to comply, explain which constitutional mechanisms could resolve the conflict.
Impeachment / Judicial review / Congressional enforcement
Police arrest a suspect for armed robbery. During interrogation, officers question the suspect for two hours without informing him of his rights. The suspect confesses. At trial, the defense argues the confession should not be admitted as evidence.
-Identify the constitutional amendment at issue, explain the Supreme Court precedent that applies, and describe the likely outcome.
Fifth Amendment
Miranda V. Arizona
If a major economic recession occurs right before an election, explain how retrospective voting could affect the incumbent party.
Incumbent punishment via retrospective voting
Public approval of Congress remains low, yet most incumbents win reelection.
Task:
A. Identify the political science concept that explains this phenomenon.
B. Explain how congressional behavior contributes to this outcome.
C. Explain how structural features of elections reinforce this trend.
A.
The concept that explains this phenomenon is incumbency advantage.
B.
Incumbents engage in constituency service, credit claiming, and pork-barrel legislation to build positive relationships with voters in their districts. These activities increase name recognition and voter trust, which improves reelection chances even when overall approval of Congress is low.
C.
Single-member district plurality elections create safe districts that favor incumbents. Because representatives are elected from geographically defined districts and often benefit from gerrymandering, incumbents face limited competition, reinforcing their electoral advantage.