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100 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
An agreement between the people and their government signifying the people’s consent to be governed.
Social contract
The study of who gets what, when, and how; how policy decisions are made.
Political Science/Politics
An economic system said to exist whenever a government has total control over the economy
Totalitarianism
Member of the political community to whom certain rights and obligations are attached – who agrees to participate/obey in return for government protections.
Citizen
As discussed in class, a government that derives its power from the people.
Democracy
A system of government that gives citizens the opportunity to vote for those who will work on their behalf (“middle men”).
Indirect (representative) democracy
Characteristic identified by the adage “One person, one vote.”
(Political) Equality
Form of government in which power is vested in a sequence of hereditary rulers.
Monarchy
Form of government where “the privileged” rule. Privilege and participation in
the government is conditioned on the possession of wealth, social status (class),
achievement, or military rank – whatever metric that is valued by the society.
Oligarchy
An “evolved” concept. Originally, it meant “Freedom from” government interference. It now includes the modern usage - “Freedom to” engage in activities without arbitrary or capricious discrimination.
Personal Liberty
A core political value of American Democracy. It holds that “the primary function of government is to enable the Individual to achieve his/her highest level of development (achievement).”
Individualism
“When the largest percentage of a society’s voting population gets its way.”
It has long been a core political value of the American system with some noted exceptions designed to protect individual rights and the liberties of minorities.
Majority Rule
As discussed in class, the 1964 Exception to Majority Rule.
Civil Rights Act of 1964
As discussed in class, the 1965 Exception to Majority Rule.
Voting Rights Act of 1965
As discussed in class, name Our Nation’s Founding Father who was quoted as saying that “Dissent is the highest form of Patriotism.”
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Hobbes argued that people must surrender themselves to rulers in exchange for protection from their own savage nature and from outside enemies.
Name the form of government he advocated as the Best.
Strong Monarchy
John Locke argued that people form governments to preserve life, liberty, and property, and to assure justice. Name the government form he advocated as Best
Democracy
Members of this very optimistic group (born 1977 – 1994) [26 million] tend to be much more technologically (READ: Internet) savvy and more globally focused than any preceding generation. They admire and reflect the fiscally conservative stance of their grandparents, but may take an extreme the socially liberal/libertarian lifestyles of their parents.
Generation Y
People born after World War II (1946 – 1964) [76.8 million]. Enjoyed the benefits of an optimistic society and trusted government to work in their best interests. They are retiring “healthier & wealthier” than any previous generation. They fear their retirements are putting major strain on already overburdened Social Security and Medicare systems. They suspect subsequent generations may not be up to the challenge of leadership. Therefore, they remain informed, registered, and vote in record numbers
Baby Boomers
This very libertarian group (1964 – 1977) [50 million] experienced the economic downturn of the late 1980s and were unable to immediately capitalize on the lifelong promise of the “American Dream.” As a result, several of these Americans entered into early mid-life crises (as reflected by their rates of addiction, bankruptcy, and divorce). Scandals (such as Watergate, the Savings & Loan Debacle, Clinton Affairs, and Enron) have undermined their confidence in the government and led them to believe that political leaders ignore their interests. Therefore, they tend to mistrust the political process and government agents.
Generation X
As discussed in class, name the “Next Generation” (named by Time magazine) said to prefer Virtual socialization over the Mundane (Real World). Able to tackle many tasks at once, their markedly increased rates of perception appear to be offset by decreasing Attention span
Generation M
The coherent set of values and beliefs about the purpose and scope (role) of government held by groups and individuals. They often translate into political party support, which in turn affects how one votes at the polls
political ideology
The Political Ideology that advocates for individual freedoms and an end to
governmental interference in its citizens’ lives. Favors a SMALL federal government and a free market economy. Argues that people should be allowed to rise/fall according to their own merit.
Libertarianism
The Political Ideology that advocates for a small federal government.
Generally believes that a government is best that governs least; favors local/state action over federal (national) action; emphasizes fiscal responsibility especially balanced budgets; and believes that social and domestic problems are best dealt with by the private sector (e.g. churches and charities).
Conservatism
The Political Ideology that advocates for a large federal government with
extensive governmental involvement in the economy and provision of social services.
Generally believes that government should take an activist role in protecting the
rights of women, the elderly, minorities, and the environment.
Liberalism
A “defender of the status quo.” Said to believe that “a government is best that governs least.” Favors local/state action over federal (national) action; demands fiscal responsibility (balanced budgets); and feels that domestic issues are better addressed by the private sector than by the government.
Conservative
A “laissez-faire” thinker. Said to favor a free market economy and no govern-
ment interference in personal liberties. Fiercely competitive and frugal, these folks reject attempts by the federal government to remedy social ills by spending their tax dollars on public work or welfare programs; believe that federal agencies (FBI/CIA) infringe on civil liberties; oppose “bloated” defense budgets.
Libertarian
A “challenger of the status quo.” Said to favor big government; a wide array of social services; and the protection of minority rights.
Liberal
Today, most Americans’ positions on specific issues cut across liberal and conservative ideological boundaries, and most people prefer to be categorized as _______________________.
Moderates
An American ideal of happy and successful life, which often includes wealth, a house, a better life for one’s children, and, for some, the ability to grow up to be president. Its details are often influenced by one’s political ideology as well as by their social, economic, educational, and personal circumstances.
American Dream
document drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1776 that listed the American colonies’ grievances and proclaimed their right to separate from Great Britain’s monarchy.
Declaration of Independence
economic theory designed to increase a nation’s wealth through the development of commercial industry and a favorable balance of trade.
Mercantilism
the failed “league of friendship” agreement between the 13 former American colonies. Its chief weakness was the lack of a strong, central government.
Articles of Confederation
James Madison’s proposal which advocated that national representation in a legislature be based on each state’s population AKA Big State Plan
Virginia Plan
Proposal in which several states advocated that national representation in a legislature be divided equally – with each state getting an equal number of votes AKA Small State Plan
New Jersey Plan
Our horizontal federal structure gives each of the branches of the national government some oversight and control over the actions of the others via:
Checks and Balances
Property owners, landed rich, merchants who favored a stronger national government and supported the proposed U.S. Constitution. They later formed the first U.S. political party
The Federalists
Small farmers, shopkeepers, and laborers who favored strong state govts, a weak national government, and opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution
The Anti-Federalists
Gives the U.S. Congress the authority to make any laws it needs to carry
out its duties under the Constitution AKA the “elastic” clause.
Necessary and Proper Clause
The concept of forensic analysis involves a standard approach or process. Choose the correct combination of steps for this process. (Select THREE)
Authenticate the evidence.
Collect the evidence and analyze the evidence.
Acquire the evidence.
The first 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
The Bill of Rights
Named for the former Revolutionary War Army captain who led the insurrection, it was a 1786 rebellion of 1,500 disgruntled and angry farmers. The Congress under the Articles of Confederation failed to muster an army to put it down. It is credited with shocking the nation’s leaders into recognizing the weak central government’s inadequacies.
Shays’s [sic] Rebellion
Mandate that national law takes precedence over all other laws passed by state or local governments
Supremacy Clause
The U.S. Supreme Court held in this controversy that the Court has the power to nullify the acts of the nation’s govt when those acts are found to be unconstitutional
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Series of 85 political papers (essays) written by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, et al. in support of ratifying the proposed U.S. Constitution
The Federalist Papers
Modern definition: Powers that are written down (specifically) in the U.S. Constitution
Enumerated Powers
A document establishing the structure, function, and limitations of a govt
constitution
Agreement that reconciled the two plans for the proposed U.S. legislature. It resulted in the creation of a bicameral U.S. Congress.
The Great Compromise
Agreement that temporarily “settled” the issue of slavery as far as representation in the proposed U.S. House of Representatives was concerned.
The Three-Fifths (3/5ths) Compromise
System of government in which power is held by the People and then shared vertically with the national, state and local governments.
Federal System
System of government in which power is held by a strong national government and then shared vertically with state and local governments.
Unitary System
Exercise of authority in the areas of public health, safety and the morals of citizens to which the States are allowed to speak first. [10th Amendment]
Reserve (Police) Powers
Expressly forbidden by the U.S. Constitution – law that allows a finding of guilt without a trial.
Bill of Attainder
Portability clause that ensures your federal rights are respected and travel with you throughout the U.S.
Privileges & Immunities clause
Portability clause that ensures your federal responsibilities are respected and travel with you throughout the U.S.
Privileges & Immunities clause
Expressly forbidden by the U.S. Constitution -- law passed “after the fact” that declares previously legal actions illegal and subject to penalty.
Ex post facto law
1819 U.S. Supreme Court case holding that Congress’ use of the necessary & proper clause is constitutional
McCulloch v. Maryland
1824 U.S. Supreme Court decision that Congress has the authority to regulate interstate commerce.
Gibbons v. Ogden
1896 U.S. Supreme Court case holding that the segregation of the races (i.e. that state maintenance of “separate but equal”) was constitutional. It was later Overturned by the famous Brown v. the Board of Education cases (consolidated).
Plessy v. Ferguson
Putting the Supremacy clause into action -- occurs whenever the federal government overrides existing state or local law in order to impose a new national standard (e.g., created by decision, legislation or executive order).
Preemption
When the federal government orders the state and local governments to accomplish a task without providing funding to defray the costs of compliance
Unfunded Mandate
Guaranteed by the Eleventh Amendment; making local, state and national government “immune from (law)suit” unless waived.
Sovereign Immunity
When local, state and national governments exercise grants of power at the same time (e.g. right to tax; make and enforce laws; establish courts).
Concurrent Powers
Addressed the relationship between the Federal & State governments.
Articles IV – VII (including the conclusion)
Vested all Legislative powers in the Congress and establishes it as a
bicameral legislature, consisting of a Senate & House of Representatives.
Article I
Vested Executive power (the Authority to execute the laws of the nation) in the President of the United States, who serves several roles including: Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
Article II
Established a Supreme Court and the federal judiciary (courts), defining their jurisdiction and authority to settle disputes
Article III
The principle that each legislative district within a state should have the same number of eligible voters.
one-person, one-vote
State governments have primary responsibility for:
education, public health, transportation, economic development, and criminal justice
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 addressed:
how states might join the union (United States)
The chief elected executive in state government
governor
The authority (power) of the chief executive to delete (or add) PART of a bill passed by the Legislature.
line-item veto
The authority of a governor to erase a criminal conviction, effectively wiping a person’s record clean.
pardon
The authority of a governor to erase all or part of the sentence BUT will keep the criminal conviction on the record.
commute
The authority of a governor to release a prisoner before a full sentence has been completed BUT with strings (conditions) attached. If any conditions are violated, the prisoner must serve out the term of the original prison sentence.
parole
To return a person (often against their will) to a state to face criminal charges.
extradite
How long someone can stay in public office.
term limit(s)
The primary function of courts is to _____________, and most are matters of _____________ not ________________ law.
B. settle disputes; state; federal
Special type of preemption (putting the Supremacy clause into action), when the national government orders state courts to enforce federal law instead of state law.
inclusion
Almost all contests (elections) for state government posts (offices) are:
partisan
Almost all contests (elections) for local government posts (offices) are:
non-partisan
A special election that serves as a “vote of confidence” that may remove an elected official from office
recall
A charter is a mini-constitution for local government. Name the five types.
special, general, classified, optional and home rule
A local government that is a geographic district created within a state that has general responsibilities for rural services.
county
A local government that emerges from a relatively densely populated area
municipality
A local government that performs a particular function – e.g., K-12 education – and taxes in order to accomplish that function.
special district
Chief elected executive of a city.
Mayor
Chief elected executive of a city.
city council
Professional executive hired to act as a CEO, managing a city’s daily operations and recommending policy changes to the mayor and city council.
(city) manager
Election where the winner will represent only the voters of a specific district within a jurisdiction – and only voters living in that district were allowed to vote for that position.
district-based election
Election in which candidates for office must compete throughout all districts in the jurisdiction as a whole.
at-large election
Government organization established to provide a particular service or run a particular facility e.g., METRO or the Port Authority of Houston.
independent sovereignty
A formal, legal agreement between a state and an Indian tribe
blanket agreement
Formal, legal agreements between the federal government and American Indian nations are called ___________.
compacts
Land designated in a treaty. It is under the authority of an Indian nation and is exempt from most state laws and taxes.
reservation land
Land owned by an Indian nation and designated by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs as exempt from most state laws and taxes.
trust land
Money that comes in from a certain tax or fee and then is restricted (reserved) to a specific use, such as a gasoline tax that is used for road maintenance.
segregated funds
Type of tax that is concerned with how much money you earn e.g., income tax
progressive tax
Type of tax that is concerned with how much money you spend e.g. sales tax.
regressive tax
Thomas Paine “forcefully argued for independence from Great Britain” in this “frank, easy-to-understand” essay - distributed as a pamphlet across the Colonies.
Common Sense