The Courts
What is judicial review?
The ability for the Supreme Court to rule Congressional legislation and executive actions unconstitutional
What is "going public"?
The President addresses the public
Describe the representation on the House.
435 representatives elected in single member districts every two years. Same population for each district. More populated states have more representatives
What are the 5 aspects of the Weberian model?
division of labor, hierarchy, formal rules, maintenance of files and records, professionalization.
What does it need for a case to reach the Supreme Court?
Rule of 4, necessary conditions
What is the process of getting on a federal court?
President nominates, the Senate confirms (simple majority)
When do the Executive approval rates tend to be high?
Beginning of the term, wars, attacks
Describe representation in the Senate
100 Senators, 2 for each state. equal representation for each state
What is the spoils system?
Filling the bureaucracy with loyal people to the government
What are the possible Supreme Court decisions?
Opinion of the Court (unanimity, Chief), Concurring opinion, Majority opinion, Dissenting opinions, Plurality opinion
Name and describe the two philosophies (perspectives) of how the Supreme Court justices interpret the Constitution, and the two views of decision making the SC uses.
The "Living" Constitution: The Constitution has a dynamic meaning with changing times and technology so that government laws and actions can be passed that are necessary and proper.
"Originalism": The founders gave the Constitution its original meaning that was not to be interpreted outside of its original contexts.
Judicial restraint: Deferring policy making authority to other branches of government.
Judicial activism: policymaking from the Court
What is the main difference between Trump's approval rates and previous presidents?
Trump disapproval has been higher than approval (lower than 50%)
Who can start a filibuster and why? How many votes are required to stop a filibuster and what is its name?
Any senator in the floor, try to stop a bill or nomination to be voted and approved. Cloture 2/3 (60).
What is the merit system?
Filling the bureaucracy with qualified and independent people
Describe the lawmaking process
Introduce a bill, refer to committee (subcommittee) and vote, floor vote. Similar project in the other Chamber. Conference committee, Executive
Currently, how many women, nonwhite members, Jewish, and Catholics are on the Supreme Court?
Three women, one African American & one Latina, 3 Jews, and 5 Catholics
What are the president's constitutional duties?
Commander in chief, head of state, deliver state of the union, vetoing bills, etc.
Why do incumbents lose more often two years after the turn of a decade?
Decennial redistricting or gerrymandering.
What is an iron triangle? Why is it a problem? Give examples.
stable relationships among bureaucracy, congress and clientele groups. Conflicts of interest, captured agencies.
How many votes are required to override a veto?
2/3 both chambers
What happened in the case Marbury v. Madison and why is it important?
Marbury was granted a commission by the Adam's administration and the Secretary of State under the Jefferson administration, James Madison, refused to deliver the commission to Marbury, bringing the case to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court found that Marbury should be given his commission, however, Congress had no constitutional right to grant the Court the authority to decide this case. Therefore, the Court found a Congressional act unconstitutional and established judicial review.
What are the president's unilateral powers? Examples
Things he can do without interacting with another branch. Executive orders, national sec statements, signing statements, agreements.
Describe the leadership positions in each Chamber and the differences
House: Speaker, majority leader, minority leader, whips.
Senate: VP, President pro tempore, majority leader, minority leader, whips.
How is bureaucracy monitored?
Overhead, police patrol, fire alarm
Describe the trustee, delegate and politico models of representation
Trustee: Representative votes according to his/her interpretation of his/her constituency preferences.
Delegate: Representative votes the way his/her constituency tells him/her
Politico: Trustee + Delegate