Federalism
Congress
Executive
Judicial
Court Cases
100

Explain what a block grant is.

A block grant is money given to states by the federal government that gives them a broad area/free reign of how to spend it.

100

Define what a delegate model is

An official that promises to do exactly what their voters want them to do

100

What is an executive order, and what does it act as?

An executive order is an order created by the President that holds the weight of the law.

100

Explain what dissenting opinion means.

The separate opinion of a judge who voted against the majority opinion

100

What is similar between the court cases Texas v. Johnson and Tinker v. Des Moines?

The First Amendment protected their freedom of speech OR they both involved protection of symbolic speech.

200

What solution does Madison propose in Federalist 10 to solve the problem with factions?

A large federal government that accommodates for many factions, limiting their power.

200

Which section of the legislative branch approves treaties?

Senate

200

What powers does the Executive Branch have to check other branches?

President can veto bills

President is the most public figure and their popularity can influence decisions

Bureaucracy has more knowledge on its specific sphere than other branches

Or any other valid answer

200

What is the difference between criminal and civil court?

Criminal court is used for someone who broke laws and is facing criminal charges.

Civil court is for resolving financial disputes (lawsuits)

200

Which court case used the Tinker vs. Des Moines case to argue for sexual innuendo spoken over school announcements?

Bethel vs. Fraser

300

What is the main problem addressed in Brutus 1?

The federal government, with the supremacy and elastic clause, will soon overpower and limit states' powers.

300

What does the power of the purse mean, and how can Congress it to check other branches?

Power of the purse: Congress is in charge of federal money/expenses

They can check other branches by limiting or expanding their budget.

300

What are the 4 different types of government agencies?

Regulatory agencies

Independent Executive Agencies

Government corporations

Cabinet

300

Explain the difference between Judicial Activism and Judicial Restraint

Judicial Activism: Judges make bold decisions that could overturn previous rulings or make new legislation.

Judicial Restraint: Judges use previous court cases and make decisions from established rulings.

300

Why was the Exclusionary Rule not applied to the case Nix v. Williams?

They were able to demonstrate that the evidence would have been found without constitutional violation. (Inevitable Discovery)

400

Explain the 10th Amendment and its purpose within the federal system.

The federal government only has powers stated in the Constitution, everything else is reserved for state powers.

The 10th Amendment is important in balancing power between state and federal and making sure one does not overpower the other.

400

What did the War Powers Act do for legislative branch?

The War Powers Act expanded Congress power and gave them more control over armed forces. President was required to consult Congress before using military and could not override Congressional rulings

400

How many cabinets are in the bureaucracy, what are the role of the cabinet heads, and what are the heads called?

15 cabinets

The heads are the President's advisors

They are called Secretary (except for the Attorney General)

400

Explain how the legislative and executive branch checks on the judicial branch through Supreme Court justices.

The president (executive branch) nominates Supreme Court justices.

The Senate (legislative branch) confirms these justices OR Senate can impeach/remove judges

400

 In New York Times vs. US, the Court ruled in favor of the press. Prior restraint to the publication of the government protected Pentagon Papers was found unconstitutional because…

They were unable to prove that publishing these papers would result in direct and immediate harm.

500

What is the pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system called?

Fiscal federalism

500

In the Iron Triangle, how does Congress check bureaucracies?

Examples:

Congress monitors execution after a bill gets passed

Can subpoena agency heads and ask them to testify for proof of proper implementation

Manages agency budget (power of the purse)

500

The concept of "divided government" means that one political party can control the executive branch while another controls the legislative branch. 

Describe a problem that divided government poses for the President, and a way for them to overcome that problem.

Example:

Ideological conflict can make legislature/appointments harder to get approved.

The President can consult parties and compromise on choices that satisfy both.

500

"The constitution is not an empty bottle... it is like a statute, and the meaning doesn't change." - Justice Scalia

Which idea does this quote best reflect?

A. Judicial activism

B. Judicial restraint

C. Popular sovereignty

D. Judicial review

B. Judicial restraint

500

In McDonald v. Chicago (2010), the Court ruled that the Second Amendment right to bear arms was applicable to the states.  What other right did the Supreme Court use to establish their ruling?

The right to “life, liberty, or property, without due process of law”