Key Documents
What is the constitution?
A constitution is a set of rules that guides how a country, state, or other political organization works. The constitution may tell what the branches of the government are, what powers they have, and how they work. It may also state the rights of citizens.
What are government mandates and what is one example of a mandate?
Federal mandates are orders that induce "responsibility, action, procedure or anything else that is imposed by constitutional, administrative, executive, or judicial action" for state and local governments and/or the private sector. Federal Mandates- when Congress requires states to do certain things, for example, clean the air and water, or provide educational services.
What is a political party?
An organization that seeks political power by electing people to office so that its positions and philosophy become public policy.
What is the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation was the United States' first constitution. The Articles of Confederation created a national government composed of a Congress, which had the power to declare war, appoint military officers, sign treaties, make alliances, appoint foreign ambassadors, and manage relations with Indians.
What is political socialization?
Process by how people acquire their political orientation.
What is the bill of rights?
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual like freedom of speech, press, and religion. It sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the Federal Government to the people or the States.
What is the purpose of grants?
A grant is one of the ways the government funds ideas and projects to provide public services and stimulate the economy. Grants support critical recovery initiatives, innovative research, and many other programs.
What is the Democratic view on abortion?
Pro-choice, medical funding, free birth control.
Strength/ weakness of articles of confederation.
Strength: Congress could declare war, and start an army and navy, they could make peace and sign treaties, they can borrow money.
Weakness: They had no power to enforce treaties, they couldn't raise taxes to pay borrowed money back, They had no national currency.
What are the factors of political socialization?
Family, school/peers, mass media, religious beliefs, race/ethnicity, gender, age, region, and the impact of events.
What is the Declaration of Independence and what are the 3 main points?
The Declaration of Independence is an important part of American democracy because first it contains the ideals or goals of our nation. The Declaration of Independence states three basic ideas: (1) God made all men equal and gave them the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; (2) the main business of government is to protect these rights; (3) if a government tries to withhold these rights, the people are free to revolt and to set up a new government.
What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause and why is it important?
The clause in Article IV of the U.S. Constitution that requires states to give full faith and credit to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of the other states. The Full Faith and Credit Clause ensures that, no matter the differences among state laws, those laws are still respected in other states.
What is a Republican form of government?
System of government in which power is held by the voters and is exercised by elected representatives responsible for promoting the common welfare.
What was Shay's rebellion and why is it important?
Shays's Rebellion exposed the weakness of the government under the Articles of Confederation and led many including George Washington to call for strengthening the federal government in order to put down future uprisings.
What are public opinion polls and how do they have impact on the election?
Public opinion polls are interviews/surveys with samples of citizens that are used to estimate feelings and beliefs of the entire population. This can have an impact on the election because people could vote the way the poll says is most popular even though they don't feel that way or they haven't decided who or what they are going to vote for, resulting in inaccurate results.
What does Federalist paper 10 state?
A large republic will help control factions because when more representatives are elected, there will be a greater number of opinions. Therefore, it is far less likely that there will be one majority oppressing the rest of the people.
Legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one state to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed.
What are the roles of a political party?
Nominate candidates, rally their supporters, participate in government, act as a "bonding agent" for their own officeholders, and act as a watchdog over the other party.
What does article 1 and 2 state in the Constitution?
Article one: Design of the legislative branch.
Important ideas include: separation of powers, checks and balances, election of members into Congress, how laws are made, and the powers of Congress
Article two: Places power in the hands of a president.
Describes how he is elected, how many years he serves, requirements to become the president, and lists his powers.
What role does the media play in shaping public opinion?
1. Influence political attitudes
2. Aids in the development of public opinion
3. Intermediary between people and government
4. Questions motives and purpose of government,
5. Plays important role in public agenda, less clear if they change the public opinion (exception when public opinion is volatile) but then people tend to watch channels that follow their political beliefs.
What does Brutus 1 argue?
Brutus 1 argued that federal power was bad and that the Constitution gives too much power to the federal government. That's why Brutus said a representative democracy would only create an elite group of people that lead the country because they would concentrate power
What is an unfunded mandate and what can the states do with the money granted to them?
Regulations, or in some cases conditions for receiving grants, that impose costs on state or local governments or private entities for which they are not reimbursed by the federal government.
Explain how judicial review empowers the Supreme Court within the system of checks and balances.
It gives the Court the power to overturn laws passed by Congress/legislative branch or actions
taken by the president/executive branch.
The Constitution of the United States established America's national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens
What is the function of the national committee?
To keep the party operating between conventions; is composed of representatives from the states and territories. Each state has a nation committee man/woman as delegate to the committee. Also includes assorted governors members of congress, and other party officials.