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56 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is the reasoning behind governmental separation of powers?
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The founders didn't want one part of the government to have more power or be able to rule arbitrarily.
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What is separation of powers and is it mentioned in the Constitution?
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No, it is not mentioned. But the first 3 articles explain it. S of P is the positive grants of powers awarded independently to the 3 branches of government.
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Popular Sovereignty
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the concept that people have the ultimate power to govern themselves.
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What was the purpose of the Checks & Balance system
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Each branch of government has certain powers reserved to them and another branch cannot seize control over another branch's reserved powers.
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What are some examples of Checks & Balances?
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Presidential veto, presidential impeachment/trial, interpretation of laws by the Supreme Court.
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How does the Checks and Balance system support the minority?
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By having a complex system of separated powers, federalism & checks & balances, elected officials have a hard time seizing excessive control and making capricious laws.
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Implied Powers
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Powers not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution but are necessary in order to carry out the expressed powers (i.e. banks are necessary if money is coined.
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What are some of the expressed powers for Congress? (Article I)
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Declare war, coin money, tax, ratify treaties, impeach officials, regulate interstate commerce, hold federal elections, regulate immigration & naturalization, regulate federal property, impose duties, pass civil rights legislation.
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What are some of the powers expressed for the Executive Branch (Article II)?
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Commander in Chief, force department heads to write opinions,receive ambassadors, make treaties, conduct foreign affairs, appoint cabinet members and Supreme Court Justices, give the State of the Union Address.
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How can the President check Congress?
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Veto, pocket veto, reprieves & pardons, police actions, executive orders, proclamations, special sessions, campaign endorsements, covert actions, snubbing, declare national emergencies.
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Which amendment ensures the accused must be told the nature of the charges against him?
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6th Amendment
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What does the 14th Amendment guarantee?
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The Bill of Rights applies to both state and federal governments.
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What are the 3 exceptions for the states mentioned in Amendment 14?
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States regulate arms, preliminary hearings can replace grand juries, $5K standard for jury trials instead of $20
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Who proposes amendments?
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The House and the Senate
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Who must propose apportionment (money) bills?
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The House
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How many ways are there to pass a Constitutional Amendment?Describe 2 most preferred and most frequent procedures?
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4. Amendments are ratified by 2/3 of both houses of congress and 3/4 (38) states. 2/3 both houses & 3/4 state conventions (Only #21).
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Political traditions that are established but not in the Constitution.
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Political Parties, Private Interest Groups, Political Action Committees, the 4th Estate (Media)
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What reigns supreme, state or federal laws?
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Federal. State law cannot contradict Federal law.
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What are the roots of Federalism?
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A stronger federal government was needed than that outlined in the Articles of Confederation, but each state should still have the power to govern their citizen's daily affairs.
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What is the most extreme power or check that Congress can use on the President?
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Impeachment and Financial Control
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Who has been impeached, and what were the results?
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Andrew Johnson, no conviction (1 vote)
Nixon, in process but resigned Clinton, found not guilty |
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Why did the Founding Fathers prescribe a two-house legislature and what was it called?
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Bicameralism. Unfair & disorganized representation, state regulation, balance of power due to the different ways membership is made up, Senate is mature reason, House reflects the population and public opinion.
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What is the relationship between shifts in population and the distribution of House seats?
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The 435 seats of the house are distributed thru the states based on population. If a state has more than 1 rep, districts must be created by the states.
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How often does reapportionment take place?
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Every 10 years after census.
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Which branch of government is responsible for passing federal legislation?
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Congress
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What is the purpose and performance of the standing committees of Congress?
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Bills are usually referred to committees. They research them and recommend whether to pass.
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Can bills go to committees in both houses?
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Yes, regardless of whether they pass one house.
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What is the "Necessary & Proper Clause"
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Implied powers. Traced to Article 1 Section 8. Congress can pass lasw that are "necessary and proper" to carry into execution the enumerated powers.
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Must a bill be sponsored by a congressman?
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Yes
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What support services to Congressional Staff Workers provide?
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Organize hearings, research relevant topics, draft bills & amendments to bills, act as liaisons, run interference, act as go-betweens, collect information & investigate.
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How can a lobbyist increase his influence?
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Represent well-organized interest groups, acquire a reputation of influencing legislators, be accessible and informative.
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What branch of Congress permits unlimited floor debate? What is it called?
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The Senate. Fillibustering.
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How can the President influence legislation?
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Build a relationship, State of the Union Address, be informative, call special sessions, endorsements, public support, veto, out-research committees.
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What are some of the reasons for the massive growth of federal spending?
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Social & defense programs, foreign aid.
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What is the minimum number of votes required to constitute a majority for presidential elections?
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270 out of 538
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What is an absolute majority?
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50%+1
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What is one reason for the electoral college?
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Closest thing we can come to to a direct democracy. With a changing population a true majority cannot be determined.
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Who are the federal office holders that serve at the pleasure of the President?
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Heads of Executive Departments, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Cabinet Members, Ambassadors, Liaisons, Assistants, Commerce Commisioners.
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Who are the Joint Chiefs of Staff?
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Secretary of State, Treasury, Attorney General, Commerce & Veteran's Affairs
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Name the Constitutional role discharged by the President when administering th e federal bureaucracy.
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Chief of State, Chief Executive, Commander-in-Chief, Chief Diplomat, Chief Legislator, Protector of the Peace, Manager of Economic Prosperity, World Leader.
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What is the most compelling reason for the selection of a vice president?
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From a state where electoral votes are needed, ideology is close to the candidate's, different personality draw, trusted for delegated duties.
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Why are Supreme Court Justices instituted for life terms?
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So the Supreme Court is non-partisan and is not swayed by politicians or public opinion. So they can vote their conscience without worrying about their jobs.
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What is judicial review?
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The Supreme Court has the authority to determine the constitutionality and validity of the acts committed by the other tow branches of government.
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What is the role of Congress in organizaing and administering the Federal Court system?
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The Constitution gives Congress the right to establish inferior federal courts as they deem necessary.
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How many Federal District Courst are there?
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98 that act as trial courts in federal cases.
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What is the U.S. Court of Appeals?
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An intermediary court that takes the pressure of the Supreme Courts workload in hearing appeals.
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Name some inferior courts that hear only cases of a certain type.
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U.S. Bankruptcy Courts, Tax Courts
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Who defines Federal Court Jurisdiction?
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Congress
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How do residency requirements help reduce election day fraud?
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50 day residency requirement (28 in California). So people can only vote once.
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How does voting for a candidate based on charisma or personality cause overlooking the issues?
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Media contributes. Voters may vote based on looks instead of issue knowledge.
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Why do Independents affiliate?
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So they can vote in the primaries.
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Why doesn't the Constitution provide for political parties?
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The founders knew the times, issues and ideologies would change so they didn't want to set them in the constitution . Also, they are just organizations.
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How does the Constitution protects the expression of unpopular or minority points of view?
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Freedom of expression clause in the 1st Amendment, Bill of Rights, Popular Sovereignty, Checks & Balances.
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What are the major functions of political parties with a democracy?
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Give different ideologies a voice, align people on issues and prevent deep divisions
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Describe how the two party system ensures a stable change of government at election time?
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More than 2 parties makes a majority difficult. Compromise hard. No stalemates. More can get passed.
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Why do major parties often adopt popular issues first espoused by third parties?
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To gain undecided voters, candidates often adopt a popular third party idea.
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