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173 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is totalitarian? |
The government has total control of all aspects.. no ownership.. no private interprise.. very strict Internet access.. no religion (i.e. North Korea) |
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What is authoritorian? |
No free press.. no political opposition.. ownership and religion allowed.. just don't mess with the government (i.e. Argentina, China ) |
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What is an oligarchy? |
Government of the few, by the few, for the few |
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What is anarchy? |
No government.. CHAOS! |
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What is theocracy? |
State and religion indivisible (run by religion) |
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What is fascism? |
One race is the "master race" and all others are not accepted.. (Hitler and WWII) |
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What do conservatives believe? |
They look to the state to solve the issues of the state.. They don't believe that the National government needs to make a national policy on everything |
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What do liberals believe? |
They see the federal government is the one to solve all problems in the US.. they think they should be involved in every situation |
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What is socialism? |
The government is the deciding factor |
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What is communism? |
No respect for the individual.. The party is the guiding force for everything. They accomplish the dreams and wishes for everyone, to make everyone equal (i.e. China.. limits # of children) |
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What is capitalism? |
Private ownership is valued (entrepreneurs) |
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Referendum and initiative |
Both are political freedoms that most enjoy in the US. A referendum is when the state passes a bill when it is approved by a majority of voters. Initiative is when you get enough signatures on a petition. |
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Article 1 of the Constitution |
The longest article in the Constitution.. Says what Congress should be doing and that they SHOULD be the strongest branch of government |
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Article 2 of the Constitution |
The presidency (election, oath) the president is the executive power |
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Article 3 of the Constitution |
The court system (judicial power) |
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Article 4 of the Constitution |
Each state recognizes the laws of every other state |
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Article 5 of the Constitution |
Amending the Constitution (get 2/3 of the house and Senate and 3/4 of the state's to agree) |
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Article 6 of the Constitution |
The supremacy clause.. if there is a conflict between a state and national law. The national law wins |
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Article 7 of the Constitution |
We needed 9/13 of the state's to ratify the Constitution |
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Our government from 1776-1790 |
Articles of Confederation (between the Constitution & declaration of independence) |
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What is the Magna Carta? |
(British 1215) places limits on king's power |
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What is the mayflower compact? |
(1620) created civil laws and put limits on government power |
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What did John Locke believe about kings? |
He said that they deserved no divine right |
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What led to the writing of the US Constitution? |
-Flaws in the Articles of Confederation -Shays' Rebellion |
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What were some flaws in the Articles of Confederation? |
-Each state had 1 vote -Each state could print their own currency -Trouble raising taxes and enforcing laws -Trouble raising money for a militia |
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Who was Daniel Shays? |
Leader of Shays' Rebellion.. hero of the revolutionary battle at Bunker Hill |
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What was Shays' rebellion? |
(1786) A rebellion of over 2000 farmers in western Massachusetts that owed taxes but couldn't pay them so they burned County Court offices so there would be no records of the money they owed |
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Whay directly leads to the calling of the Constitutional Convention in 1787? |
Shays' Rebellion |
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2 rough drafts of the Constitution |
Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan |
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Who wrote the Virginia Plan? |
Mainly gov. Edmund Randolph, with help from Thomas Jefferson |
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What was the Virginia plan? |
They wanted 2 houses.. a lower house (determined by population.. Virginias favor) and an upper house elected by the lower house.. legislature is all powerful, picking president and cabinet and appointing judges, and they can nullify state laws |
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What was the New Jersey plan? |
Only wanted 1 house Supremacy clause (Article 6- state and national law conflicts) Multiple presidents Majority of governers could remove the president Equal representation |
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Who proposed the New Jersey plan? |
gov. William Patterson |
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1 unicameral state left |
Nebraska |
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What was the combining of the 2 Constitution rough drafts called? |
Connecticut Compromise Great Compromise Sherman Compromise |
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Who proposed the Connecticut Compromise? |
Roger Sherman |
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What was in the Connecticut Compromise? |
Bicameral.. lower house determined by population Senate: equal representation -chosen by state legislature -changed by 17th amendment Judges are chosen by president, pending senate approval |
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Writings in the newspaper that supported the writers of the Constitution |
Federalist papers |
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Who wrote the federalist papers? |
James Madison John Jay Alexander Hamilton (All signed publius- of the people) |
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The number of electoral votes each state has is determined by.. |
# of members in the house + # of members in the senate |
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Unitary vs. Federal system |
Unitary -central (everything handled by central government) Federal System -Divided power (things are run by state & local governments ) |
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Article I, Section 8 |
-expressed power (what's actually written in the Constitution) tells exactly what Congress' duties are (ex. Power to punish pirates and counterfeiters, power to establish a US post office) -implied power (the last paragraph) not actually written but implied.. referred to as the "Necessary and Proper" or Elastic Clause |
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Who was McCulloch? |
He worked for the bank of the United States in Maryland |
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McCulloch vs. Maryland |
(1819) -state of Maryland put a tax on US bank -McCulloch refuses to pay -all courts in Maryland support the taxing -Marshall decides that Congress can create a bank of the US because of "implied power" and no state can tax an arm of the federal government |
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Who was John Marshall? |
Chief Justice of Supreme Court |
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What is concurrent power? |
2 or more levels of government can do the same thing (example: 16th amendment) |
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What is the 16th amendment? |
Allowed federal government to charge federal income taxes |
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Nullification Doctrine |
Proposed by John C. Calhoun.. (says states don't have to enforce laws that they feel are unconstitutional) |
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Gibbons vs. Ogden |
-Aaron Ogden wants to run his steam boat in the Hudson River to transport goods and make money.. New York gave him a contract to do so.. Gibbons wants to join and gets permission from federal agency.. Marshall decides that New York has no right to only allow 1 person to do something. Congress's ability to regulate commerce has no restrictions |
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What is commerce? |
Movement or shipping of goods across political boundaries |
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Who brought us the steam boat? |
Robert Fulton |
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The period after the civil war |
Dual Federalism (state and national governments DO NOT interact) |
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FDR's "New Deal" |
-expands the role of federal government -they started getting involved in state issues -created many federal government organizations |
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AAA |
Agricultural Adjustment Administration |
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NRA |
National Recovery Administration |
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CCC |
Civilian Conservation Core |
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What is cooperative federalism? |
Sharing of reponsibility between states (Ex. Categorical grant, block grant, mandates) |
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What is a categorical grant? |
Government money used for a SPECIFIC purpose.. (highways, unemployment, etc.) |
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What is a block grant? |
Government money that can be used flexibly |
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What is a mandate? |
Typically hated.. federal government demands that something happens, but doesn't give the state the money to do so |
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How did George Washington feel about political parties? |
He didn't like them.. he feels that they have "baneful effects" on society (toxic, deadly) |
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Are political parties mentioned in the Constitution? |
No |
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What is a party? |
A group that seeks benefit for themselves |
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What do political parties do? |
Organize and mobilize to win a race (an election), to seize machinery of government, then carve and shape policy |
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What is realignment? |
The dominant majority party is replaced by a rival or newer party |
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When are federalists replaced permenantly? |
1800.. (shifted to the democratic-republican party) |
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What happens in the case of a tie in the presidential election? |
The house votes.. you need 26 votes to win |
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The last time the house voted |
1824 John Quincy Adams Andrew Jackson Henry Clay William Crawford Adams promised Clay he would make him secretary of state (in charge of foreign policy) if he withdrew, he did and helped Adams get elected |
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Who is elected in 1828? |
Andrew Jackson |
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What did Andrew Jackson do upon election? |
-Introduced party convention in 1832 -lowered property qualifications -spoils (he bribed people for votes) *this was the first election where there were 1 million registered voters) |
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Creation of the Republican party |
Happened in 1854 in Ripon, Wisconsin.. they were calling for abolition |
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Kansas - Nebraska Act of 1854 |
Popular Sovereignty.. proposed by Stephen Douglas (democrat) -let the people decide -Lincoln's hatred of this is what gets him back into politics (as a Republican this time ) |
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What happened in the 1856 election? |
Republicans nominated John C Fremont over Lincoln |
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What happened in the election of 1860? |
Stephen Douglas (D) vs. Abraham Lincoln (R)<- won by 50% -John Bell -John Beckenridge |
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Was Lincoln the leading republican when he was nominated? |
No, it was William Seward who became his secretary of state |
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Only 2 democrats to win from 1860-1932 |
-Grover Cleveland -Woodrow Wilson |
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Who was elected in 1896? |
William Mckinnley (R) elected vs. William Jennings-Bryan |
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What was the combining of the 2 Constitution rough drafts called? |
Connecticut Compromise Great Compromise Sherman Compromise |
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What was the McKinley coalition? |
Focused more on Northern businesses than southern |
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What happens in the 1932 election? |
FDR beats Herbert Hoover (after great depression) |
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What happens 2 years into FDR's first term in 1934? |
Democrats took over senate and house |
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How and when did FDR die? |
He died of a heart attack April 14, 1945 |
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What happens in 1980 election? |
Ronald Reagan (R) beats Jimmy Carter (D) 51% to 41% -3rd party candidate (John Anderson 7% ) -Senate taken by republicans after democrats had it from 1954-1980 |
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What is dealignment? |
(Opposite of realignment) a movement away from both existing political parties |
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2 types of primaries |
Closed (OK) - must be democrat or republican to vote in the primaries Open (NH) - anyone can vote on whichever side also..... Caucus (IO)- public meeting, NOT a closed private ballot.. you vote in a public room |
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Similarities between totalitarians and fascists |
-no free press -basically no Internet -no political opposition -charismatic leader |
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Who is the current speaker of the house? |
John Boehner |
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Who is our majority leader? |
Mitch McConnel |
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Who declares war? |
Congress |
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When was Kennedy assassinated? |
November 22, 1963 |
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When did Nixon leave office? |
August 9, 1974 |
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Longest war in American history |
Afghanistan |
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Votes for president |
Electoral college |
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Why did Nixon resign? |
Watergate |
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3/5ths compromise |
Every 5 slaves count as 3 free persons when it comes to population (seats in the house) |
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What is reapportionment (or apportionment) ? |
# of US house members per state.. happens every 10 years after census (1964 case) 435 congressional districts must contain the same number of people |
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What is redistricting? |
Redrawing the map of all congressional districts in state legislature districts.. State legislature almost always does this |
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What is gerrymandering? |
"Redistricting gone wild" the manipulation of electoral districts to serve the interests of a particular group or party.. Makes no geographical sense but plenty of political sense |
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Congressional oversight |
Making sure the executive branch is doing its job |
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What is checks and balances? |
Mechanisms in which each branch of government is able to influence and participate in the activities of other branches |
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Whay is logrolling? |
Voting for another member's bill so that they will return the favor |
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What is cloture? |
Agreeing on when to end debate (60 votes ) |
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Whay are earmarks |
"11th hour" last moment spending inserted in a bill that benefits one state in a district |
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Members in house and senate |
435 in house 100 in senate |
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Term of office in house and senate |
2 years in house 6 years in senate (they do 1/3 every 2 years) |
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Where do all money bills originate? |
The house |
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What is the ways and means committee? |
In charge of taxes, trade issues, and government debt |
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Debate in the house and senate |
House- limited to 5-10 min Senate- no limit |
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Advice & consent |
Only in senate.. Article II Section II.. treaties and appointments.. never in house.. only time when house votes is when president dies and old vp new president nominates new vp.. they both vote.. need 2/3 |
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Discharge petition |
Allows the house to bring a rejected bill back to the floor if they get 218 signatures.. not in senate |
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Voting in house and senate |
House is electronic Senate is voice vote |
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3 types of rules in rules commitee |
Open.. unlimited amendments Closed.. no amendments Qualified.. restricted |
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Congressional leadership elections are |
Private |
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What does the Speaker of the House (John Boehner) do? |
Decides who speaks Makes committees Assigns bills Fundraising Patronage- giving things away that buy loyalty Office space |
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What does the majority leader (Kevin McCarthy) do? |
Sets legislative schedule Develops republican agenda Voting schedule Strategy |
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What are whips? |
They keep people in line and make sure they get their votes . Go to a higher power if need be |
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Who is the senate majority leader? |
Mitch McConnel |
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Senate President Pro-Tempore |
Patrick Lahey.. bills are signed by speaker and president pro tempore |
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3 types of committees in Congress |
Standing or permenant-always going to be there no matter what Select - temporary (watergate) Conference- appointed by speaker and majority leader.. irons out differences between house and senate bills before they are sent to the president |
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Whay are the whigs? |
They are against the Jefferson democrats and believe in public spending for improvements |
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3 whigs |
-Abraham Lincoln -William Henry Harrison -Henry Clay |
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What happened to the Whig party? |
It destroyed itself because of disagreements on abolition of slavery |
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How many republicans were in the south in 1896? |
Practically none |
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6 realigning elections |
1800- Federalists are replaced permenantly.. switch to democratic-republican party.. Thomas Jefferson defeats John Adams 1828- democrat Andrew Jackson defeats John Adams.. uses spoils 1860- 4 way election.. Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, John Bell, John Beckenridge.. Lincoln wins by 50% 1896- Republican William Mckinnley defeats William Jennings Bryan and creates the McKinley coalition 1932-FDR (D) defeats Herbert Hoover (R) then 2 years into his first teem democrat take over senate and house 1980- Ronald Reagan (R) defeats Jimmy Carter (D).. senate taken by republicans after democrats had it from 1954-1980 |
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6 presidential roles |
Head of state Executive power Commander in chief Chief diplomat Chief legislature Party leader |
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Explain the president's role as executive leader |
-makes sure take care laws are faithfully executed -Upholds acts of Congress -Pardons (keeps people from going to jail for their offenses |
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What is the war powers resolution |
-The president can send troops into action without congressional approval, but he must notify the speaker of the house and the senate president pro Tempe within 48 hours -congress can withdrawal all troops within 60 days (Gulf of Tonkin resolution- president Johnson) |
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Describe the president's role as chief diplomat |
-recognition of other nations (Soviet union born in 1917.. didn't recognize until 1933) ( recognize China in 1949) -treaties (need 2/3 vote) |
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What do we use more often than treaties? |
Executive agreements.. the president's decision |
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Describe the president's role as chief legislature |
-the president proposes, Congress disposes -veto |
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How does congress override a presidential veto? |
2/3 vote |
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What is a pocket veto? |
The president doesn't sign it, and doesn't veto it.. if Congress adjourns after 2 weeks, the bill is dead.. if they stay in session long after 2 weeks, it is law |
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What is a line - item veto? |
(Governers, not president) very short life.. now dead.. allows the governers to veto PART of a bill without killing the whole thing |
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Only president to use line-item veto? |
Bill Clinton |
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Explain the president's role as party leader |
-chief fundraiser for their political party |
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4 types of presidential power |
1) expressed.. stated in constitution 2) statutory.. derived from laws passed by Congress 3) inherent.. implied 4) executive privelage.. their right to keep things a secret from the general public |
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25th amendment |
Allows for the vice presidential spot to be filled when a vice president has to step up to the presidential role |
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Next 10 in line for presidency (1947 presidential succession act ) |
1 vice president 2 speaker of the house 3 senate president pro Tempe 4 secretary of state 5 secretary of treasury 6 secretary of defense 7 attorney general 8 interior department 9 department of agriculture 10 commerce |
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2016 American Election Process |
July 18,2016 GOP- Cleveland, OH July 25, 2016 Dem. -Philadelphia, PA |
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What is the difference between delegates and electors |
Delegates are people chosen to vote for a candidate on the 1st ballot at the convention (choose their own vote) Electors are people pledged to vote for the candidate who wins a state on Nov 8, 2016 (get told who to vote for) |
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How are delegates chosen? |
Through either primary or caucus |
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Who holds the first caucus? |
Iowa on February 1, 2016 |
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Who holds the first primary? |
New Hampshire on February 9, 2016 |
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Starting in 1972, party bosses no longer select candidates.. they are chosen by..? |
Primaries or caucuses |
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First ad ever |
I like Ike |
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First negative ad |
Daisy girl (Lyndon Johnson defeats Barry Goldwater) |
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Who did the first debate? |
Don Hewitt (creator of 60 minutes) |
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Ford - Carter debate |
1976- Ford challenges Carter to a debate and made foolish statements making himself look stupid (said that Poland, etc. was independent from the Soviet Union) |
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Raegan-Carter debate |
1980.. Raegan's team acquired Carters notes |
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Dukakis on the death penalty |
-he is strongly against it -Bernard Shaw "attacked" him during the debate by asking whether or not he would favor the death penalty if his wife was raped or murdered |
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NY Times vs. Sullivan |
-malicious intent (makes it harder to sue) -pentagon papers (1971)- written by government employees "no prior restraint" on speech/publication.. stolen by employee and given to the newspaper |
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Any court below supreme court level |
Inferior court |
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Marbury vs. Madison |
-March 3, 1803 -write of mandamus (forces someone to do something) -Marbury wanted Madison to make him justice of the peace -he wanted him to hurry and give him the papers because Thomas Jefferson came into office the next day -John Marshall said they had no constitutional power to order a writ of mandamus |
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Who's on the court |
JRSEACSAS John Roberts (chief justice) Bush '05 Ruth Bader Ginsburg- Clinton '03 Sonia Sotomayor- Obama '09 Elena Kagan- Obama '10 Antonin Scalia- Reagan '86 Clarence Thomas- Bush '91 Samuel Alito- Bush '06 Anthony Kennedy- Reagan '88 Stephen Breyer- Clinton '94 |
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3 levels of court |
District court Appeals court Supreme court |
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What is judicial review? |
The power to determine what is or is not constitutional |
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Writ of certiorari |
Asking the court to make an aspect of the Constitution clearer or more certain |
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Amicus curiae |
A short, succinct argument filed by people who are not involved in the case, but that express sympathy with one side |
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Stare decisis |
"Let the decision stand" legal precedent (the ruling is not questioned) |
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Solicitor general |
The top government lawyer in all cases before the supreme Court where the government is a party |
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Things district court handles |
1- any constitutional question 2-civil or criminal cases 3- bankruptcy 4- maritime or admiralty cases (any case that originates on the high seas) 5- cases involving more than 75k 6- review of any federal agency |
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Difference between district court and appeals court |
-no new evidence -appeals judge makes sure district judge was fair and just |
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Cases to high court- "rule of four" |
Four of nine justices needed to take case |
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2 judicial philosophies |
Original intent- figures out what framers of constitution meant when it was written. No modern influence Judicial activism- thinks constitution is living document. Allows for modern influence. |
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Clinton vs. Jones |
(Jan 1997) Presidents have civil immunity from lawsuits on official functions |
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Bush vs. Gore |
(Nov 7 2000) -6 million people voted in Florida -didn't know who won for 36 days -had to have votes in by Nov 14 -Gore went to district court and asked for more time.. no -went to appeals.. yes -took a month to get to supreme court.. they finally said to stop on Dec 12 |
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John Paul Stevens dissent about Bush vs. Gore |
He said continuing to count would undermine judges due process of the 14th amendment |
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Bureacracy |
"Red tape" you can't go straight to one person to get an answer, you have to go around alot of people |
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Max Weber's 3 elements to bureacracy |
-hierarchical (vertical)- top to bottom chain of command -specialization- division of labor (specialty) one person doesn't do it all -promotion and advancement- merit, not personality |
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What is rational? |
To organize society |
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Presidential cabinet -secretary of state |
Main implementation of foreign policy (on paper) -passports -embassies -National Security Advisor: more influential to the president than the secretary of state.. does not need senate confirmation like sec. of state... appointed only by president |
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Presidential Cabinet -Treasury |
-prints money and coins -subagency-- IRS |
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Presidential Cabinet -US Justice Department |
-Attorney General -Lawsuits -ATF |
