Unit 1: Foundations of American Government
This is the idea that government derives its power from the consent of the governed.
What is popular sovereignty?
This landmark case established the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
This clause prevents the government from establishing an official religion.
What is the Establishment Clause?
This is the belief that individuals are responsible for their own actions and well-being.
What is individualism?
In this type of primary, only registered party members can vote.
What is horse-race journalism?
This compromise created a bicameral legislature with one house based on population and one with equal representation.
What is the Great Compromise (or Connecticut Compromise)?
This tactic used in the Senate allows a minority to delay or block legislative action through prolonged debate.
What is a filibuster?
This clause of the 14th Amendment has been used to challenge discriminatory laws.
What is the Equal Protection Clause?
This institution is primarily responsible for controlling the money supply and managing interest rates for the United States.
What is the Federal Reserve
This type of media coverage focuses on who is winning rather than policy issues.
What is horse-race journalism?
This Enlightenment thinker’s ideas about natural rights heavily influenced the Declaration of Independence.
Who is John Locke?
When justices consider how past court decisions were ruled to decide current cases, they are following this legal principle.
What is stare decisis?
This legal process applies federal constitutional protections to state governments, case by case.
What is selective incorporation?
A scientifically conducted public opinion poll typically requires this kind of sample.
What is a random sample?
This model suggests voters make decisions based on which candidate best represents their policy preferences.
What is the rational-choice voting model?
Federalist No. 10 argued that this type of group is inevitable but controllable through a large republic.
What is a faction?
These congressional groups specialize in specific policy areas and review proposed legislation.
What are standing committees?
In New York Times v. United States (1971), the Court ruled against this type of government censorship.
What is prior restraint?
Conservatives are more likely than liberals to support this approach to healthcare policy.
What is privatization or a free-market approach?
This 2010 Supreme Court case ruled that independent political spending by corporations and unions is protected speech under the First Amendment.
What is Citizens United v. FEC?
In Brutus No. 1, the author warned that this clause would lead to an all-powerful central government.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
This war powers-related constitutional dilemma reflects the ongoing tension between the president’s role as commander-in-chief and Congress’s authority to do this.
What is declare war?
In Schenck v. United States (1919), the Court upheld limits on speech during wartime based on this “danger” test.
What is the clear and present danger test?
This generation, born approximately between 1981 and 1996, tends to be more liberal on social issues and supports activist government.
Who are Millennials?
This system used by the Electoral College can result in a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote.
What is the winner-take-all system (or the Electoral College system)?