Branches of Government
What Enlightenment thinker inspired the U.S. separation of powers?
Montesquieu
What is public policy?
Government action to address public issues
What is policy formation?
The process of turning ideas into official proposals and laws
How many electoral votes are there in total?
538
What is the first step in choosing a party’s presidential nominee?
Caucuses and primaries
What are the three branches of government?
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
Name one example of a public policy.
Social Security, the Clean Air Act, or the Affordable Care Act
What group often drafts model legislation for lawmakers?
Think tanks or advocacy groups
How many electoral votes are needed to win the presidency?
270
What is the Iowa Caucus known for?
Being the first major contest in the nomination process
What power allows Congress to control federal spending?
The Power of the Purse
What phrase in the Constitution guides U.S. policy goals?
“Promote the general welfare”
What event moved national security to the top of the U.S. agenda in 2001?
The September 11 terrorist attacks
What amendment created separate ballots for President and Vice President?
12th Amendment
What is “Super Tuesday”?
A day when many states hold primaries at once
What can Congress do to override a presidential veto?
two-thirds vote in both houses
What is the difference between distributive and redistributive policy?
Distributive gives benefits to groups; redistributive transfers resources among groups
How does public opinion influence policy?
Strong public pressure can push lawmakers to act on certain issues
What is the difference between the popular vote and the electoral vote?
The popular vote is by citizens; the electoral vote decides the winner
What happens at a national convention?
The party officially nominates its presidential and vice-presidential candidates
What is the main purpose of checks and balances?
To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful
What are the six stages of the policy cycle?
Problem Identification, Agenda Setting, Policy Formulation, Adoption, Implementation, Evaluation
Name one obstacle to policy formation in Congress.
Partisan gridlock or competing interests
Name a 21st century election where the popular vote lost to the electoral vote
Bush v Gore, Clinton v Trump
What event marks the official start of a new presidential term?
Inauguration Day on January 20