The Constitution
The Articles of Confederation were ratified into what document?
The first U.S. Constitution
Define Federalism
The division of power between the national and state governments
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first ten amendments of the Constitution
What is originalism?
The Constitution should be interpreted as it was understood at the time of its creation
Define political science
The study of government and politics at the local, state, national, and international levels
What are the three branches of government?
Article 1: Legislative, Article 2: Executive Branch, Article 3: Judicial.
Define dual federalism
A federal system under which national and state governments are responsible for separate policy levels
Negative vs. positive liberty
Negative: freedom from
Positive: freedom to
What is pragmatism?
The Constitution is an ever-evolving document that should be interpreted adaptively
What is the full faith and credit clause?
The states’ responsibility to each other
What was the result of the 1787 Constitutional Convention?
The creation of the Constitution of the United States
What is the difference between a unitary vs. confederate vs. federal government?
Unitary: power to federal government
Confederate: power to the states
Federalism: power shared by the two levels of government
Define Brown v. Board of Education
A landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court which ruled that U.S. state laws establishing racial segregation in public schools are unconstitutional, even if the segregated schools are otherwise equal in quality.
Is Brown v. Board of Education an example of pragmatism or originalism? Why?
Pragmatism - it applied the principle of “equal protection” in light of modern understandings of education and equality, rather than historical practices or rulings
What is devolution?
The transfer of powers from the federal government to state governments
What is the purpose of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government?
Legislature: makes the laws
Executive: carries out the laws
Judicial: evaluates the laws
What is the difference between dual and cooperative federalism?
Dual federalism: clearly enumerated powers between state and federal governments
Cooperative federalism: state and national governments collaborate on major national priorities
Democracy vs. Republic
Democracy: government by consent of the governed
Republic: a state in which decisions are made by elected officials
Is D.C. v. Heller (2008) an example of originalism or pragmatism? Why?
Originalism - instead of asking “What makes sense for gun laws today?” Justice Scalia referenced why gun ownership was protected/coded into law in the first place
Liberal vs. conservative positions on strength of federal government
Liberal: wants stronger federal government
Conservative: wants weaker federal government (stronger state governments)
The Connecticut Compromise resulted in the creation of which assembly?
What are implied vs. reserved powers?
Implied powers: federal government powers
Reserved powers: state government powers
Three "big ideas" of American government
Liberty, self-rule (democracy), limited government, individualism, the "American Dream," equality, religion, and diversity
What is the primary argument for pragmatism?
The world is always changing/"modern problems require modern solutions"
What are the two clauses of the 2nd Amendment?
Prefatory: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state"
Operative: "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed"