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144 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Government Questions out of the book. Ch. 1 pg. 38
1. Political efficacy is the beleif that |
one can influence what government does.
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2. The famous political scientist Harold Lasswell defined politics as the struggle over
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who gets what, when, how
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3. What is the basic difference between autocracy and oligarchy?
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the number of people who control governing decisions
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4. According to the authors, good citizenship requires
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political knowledge and political engagement
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5. The principle of political equality can be best summed up as
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"one person, one vote"
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6. What are some important principle of American democracy?
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Popular Sovereignty
Majority Rule, Minority Rights Limited Government |
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7. What are some things that are related to liberty?
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Freedom of Speech
Free Enterprise Freedom of Religion |
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8. What are some things that are part of American political culture?
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Belief in equality of opportunity
Belief in individual liberty Belief in free competition |
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9. What are some things that do not represent the ideals and practices of democracy in America?
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The use of property restrictions for voting in three remaining states
The influence of money in electoral politics The low voter turnout in American elections |
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10. Americans' trust in their government
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declined steadily from the early 1960's to the mid-1990's but has risen slightly since then
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Vocabulary from ch. 1
1. Authoritarian Government (pg. 15) |
the law imposes few real limits, yet the government is kept in check by other political and social institutions that it is unable to control and must come to terms with (such as autonomous territories, organized religion, organized business groups, or organized labor unions) (many countries in Europe and South America, Asia, and Africa)
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2. Autocracy (pg. 14)
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governed by a single individual (king or dictator) (North Korea, China, and Cuba)
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3. Citizenship (pg. 11)
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derived from the Greek ideal “enlightened political engagement,” meaning we must have an informed and active membership in a political community
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4. Constitutional Government (pg. 15)
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(or Liberal Governments)– when governments are limited as to what they are permitted to control (substantive limits), as well as how they go about it (procedural limits) (United States and a small number of other nations)
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5. Democracy (pg. 14)
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The essence of democracy is the participation of the people in choosing their rulers and the people’s ability to influence what those rulers do
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6. Direct Democracy (pg. 17)
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A system that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies
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7. Equality of Opportunity (pg. 28)
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widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential (that everyone has a fair chance)
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8. Government (pg. 14)
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the formal institutions through which a land and its people are ruled; to govern is to rule
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9. Laissez-Faire Capitalism (pg. 27)
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an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government interference; laissez-faire translates to “leave alone”
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10. Liberty (pg. 26)
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freedom from governmental control (personal and economic freedom)
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11. Limited Government (pg. 26)
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a principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution
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12. Majority Rule, Minority Rights (pg. 29)
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the democratic principle that a government follows the preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests of the minority
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13. Oligarchy (pg. 14)
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governed by a small group (land owners, military officers, or wealthy merchants) who control most of the governing decisions (20th century South Africa, or the French First Republic)
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14. Pluralism (pg. 17)
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or Group Politics – the pattern of struggles among interests (the theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government, the outcome being compromise and moderation)
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15. Political Culture (pg. 26)
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broadly shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the government should function. American political culture emphasizes the values of liberty, equality, and democracy, which holds the US together dating back to our founding
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16. Political Efficacy (pg. 9)
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the ability to influence government and politics
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17. Political Equality (pg. 28)
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the right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of “one person, one vote”
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18. Politics (pg. 16)
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refers to conflicts over the character, membership, and policies of any organization to which people belong (but for this class means, conflict over the leadership, structure, and policies of governments)
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19. Popular Sovereignty (pg. 28)
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a principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people
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20. Power (pg. 17)
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having a share of politics is called having power or influence (influence over a governments leadership, organization, or policies)
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21. Representative Democracy/Republic (pg. 17)
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a system of government that gives citizens a regular opportunity to elect the top government officials (a system of government in which the populace selects representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decision making)
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22. Totalitarian Government (pg. 15)
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governments not only are free of legal limits but also seek to eliminate those organized social groups that might challenge or limit their authority. Who also typically attempt to dominate or control every sphere of political, economic, and social life (Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin, Nazi Germany, and perhaps prewar Japan and Italy)
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Chapter 2 Questions (pg. 78)
1. In the Revolutionary struggles, who was allied with the New England merchants? |
a
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2. How did the British attempt to raise revenue in the North American colonies?
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a
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3. The first governming document in the US was?
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a
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4. Which state's proposal embodied a principle of representing states in the Congress according to their size and wealth?
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a
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5. Where was the execution of laws conducted under the Articles of Confederation?
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a
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6. What were some reasons that did not make the Articles of Confederation seem too weak?
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a
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7. What mechanism was instituted in the Congress to guard against "excessive democracy"?
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a
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8. Which might describe the Supreme Court as understood by the Founders?
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a
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9. What were the Antifederalists most concerned with?
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a
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10. The draft constitution that was introduced at the start of the Constitutional convention was authored by?
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a
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Vocabulary Ch. 2 (pg. 79)
1. Amendment (pg. 66) |
A change added to a bill, law, or constitution.
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2. Antifederalists (pg. 61)
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Those who favored strong state governments and a weak national government and who were opponents of the Constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787. (Opposed the Constitution and preferred a federal system of government.)
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3. Articles of Confederation (and Perpetual Union)(pg. 46)
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America's 1st written constitution; served as the basis for America's national government until 1789. (The US's 1st Constitution, written in November 1777, and ratified by all states in 1781 - 1789)
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4. Bicameral (pg. 51)
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Having a legislative assembly composed of 2 chambers or houses. (2-chambered)
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5. Bill of Rights (pg. 53)
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The 1st 10 amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791; they ensure certain rights and liberties to the people.
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6. Checks and Balances (pg. 53)
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Mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches. Major examples include the presidential veto power over congressional legislation, the power of the Senate to approve presidential appointments, and judicial review of congressional enactments. (Staggered terms in office and indirect elections)
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7. Confederation (pg. 46)
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A system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government. (The relationship between the government and the states.)
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8. Elastic Clause (pg. 55)
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Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution (also known as the necessary and proper clause), which enumerates the powers of Congress and provides Congress with the authority to make all laws "necessary and proper" to carry them out. (Signified that the enumerated powers were meant to be a source of strength to the national government, not a limitation on it.)
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9. Electoral College (pg. 53)
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The presidential electors from each state who meet after the popular election to cast ballots for president and vice president. (Indirect election)
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10. Expressed Powers (pg. 55)
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Specific powers granted by the Constitution to Congress (Article I, Section 8) and to the president (Article II). (The Constitution implied that any powers nbot listed were not granted at all.)
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11. Federalism (pg. 53)
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A system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between a central government and regional governments. (Constructed to keep the government from abusing its powers.)
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12. Federalist Papers (pg. 61)
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A series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay supporting the ratification of the Constitution. (Defended the principles of the Constitution and sought to dispel fears of a national authority.)
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13. Federalists (pg. 60)
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Those who favored a strong national government and supported the Constitution proposed at the American Constitutional convention of 1787. (Supported the Constitution and preferred a strong national government.)
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14. Great Compromise (pg. 50)
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The agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that gave each state an equal number of senators regardless of its population, but linked representation in the House of Representatives to population.
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15. Judicial Review (pg. 56)
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The power of the courts to review and, if necessary, declare actions of the legislative and executive branches invalid or unconstitutional. The Supreme Court asserted this power in Marbury v. Madison. (Not explicitely mentioned in the Constitution, yet is the power of the courts to render the final decision when there is a conflict of interpretation of the Constitution or of laws between the courts and Congress, the courts and the executive branch, or the courts and the states.)
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16. Limited Government (pg. 63)
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A government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.
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17. New Jersey Plan (pg. 50)
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A framework for the Constitution, introduced by William Paterson, which called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population. (It concentrated on specific weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation, to revise it, instead of replacing it.)
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18. Separation of Powers (pg. 53)
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The division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision making. (Was also created in order to make sure the government doesn't abuse its power.)
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19. Supremacy Clause (pg. 57)
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Article VI of the Constitution, which states that laws passed by the national government and all treaties are the supreme law of the land and superior to all laws adopted by any state or any subdivision. (All laws made under the"Authority of the US" would be superior to all laws adopted by any state or any other subdivision, and the states would be expected to respect all treaties made under that authority; under this clause all officials of all governments are bound to take an oath of office to support the national Constitution.)
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20. Three-Fifths Compromise (pg. 52)
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The agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that stipulated that for purposes of the apportionment of congressional seats, every slave would be counted as 3/5's of a person. (Every 5 slaves would count as 3 "free" persons.)
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21. Tyranny (pg. 63)
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Oppressive government that employs cruel and unjust use of power and authority. (Unjust rule by the group in power.)
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22. Virginia Plan (pg. 50)
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A framework for the Constitution, introduced by Edmund Randolph, which called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state. (Provided for a system of representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state or the proportion of each state's revenue contribution to the national government, or both.)
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Chapter 3 Questions (pg. 115)
1. What term describes the sharing of powers between the national government and the state governments? |
a
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2. The system of federalism that allowed states to do most of the fundamental governing from 1789 to 1937 was?
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a
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3. What resulted from the federal system?
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a
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4. The overall effect of the growth of national policies has been?
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a
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5. Which amendment ot the Constitution stated that the powers not delegated to the national government or prohibited to the states were "reserved to the states"?
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a
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6. The process of returning more of the responsibilities of governing fromt eh national level to the state level is known as
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a
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7. One of the most powerful tools by which the federal government has attempted to get the states to act in ways that are desired by the federal government is by?
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a
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8. The form of regulated federalism that allows the federal government to take over areas of regulation formerly overseen by states or local governments is called?
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a
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9. To what does the term New Federalism refer?
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a
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10. A recent notable example of the process of giving the states more responsibility for administering government programs is?
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a
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Vocabulary Ch. 3 (pg. 116)
1. Block Grants (pg. 105) |
Federal grants-in-aid that allow states considerable discretion in how the funds are spent. (A possible way to reduce federal control, they are grants that allow the states considerable leeway in spending federal reserve money.)
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2. Categorical Grants (pg. 97)
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Congressional grants given to states and localities on the condition that expenditures be limited to a problem or group specified by law. (The National government determines the purposes, or categories, for which the money can be used; mostly before the 1960's they helped the states perform their traditional functions.)
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3. Commerce Clause (pg. 91)
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Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which delegates to Congress the power "to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States and with the Indian tribes." This clause was interpreted by the Supreme Court in favor of national pwer over the economy. (To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States and with the Indian tribes)
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4. Concurrent Powers (pg. 84)
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Authority possessed by both state and national governments, such as the power to levy taxes. (The states share these powers with the national government, where they retain and share some power to regulate commerce and to affect the currency.)
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5. Cooperative Federalism (pg. 98)
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A type of federalism existing since the New Deal era in which grants-in-aid have been used strategically to encourage states and localities (without commanding them) to pursue nationally defined goals. Also known as "intergovernmental cooperation." (A move from "layer cake federalism" to "marble cake federalism" where the line has been blurred from a once-clear distinguishing one, making it difficult to say where the national government ends and the state and local governments begin.)
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6. Devolution (pg. 94)
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A policy to remove a program from one level of government by delegating it or passing it down to a lower level of government, such as from the national government to the state and local governments. (Conservatives believe that a strong federal government encroaches on individual liberties, and believe that our freedoms are better protected by returning power to the states through this process.)
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7. Dual Federalism (pg. 88)
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The system of government that prevailed in the US from 1789 to 1937, in which most fundamental governmental powers were shared between the federal and state governments. (The Constitution created 2 layers of government: the national government and the state governments.)
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8. Expressed Powers (pg. 83)
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Specific powers granted by the Constitution to Congress (Article I, Section 8), and to the president (Article II). (17 powers granted to the Congress in the Constitution, some of which include: the power to collect taxes, to coin money, to declare war, and to regulate commerce.)
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9. Federal System (pg. 83)
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A system of government in which the national government shares power with lower levels of government, such as states. (The central government shares power or functions with lower levels of government, such as regions or states; lower levels of government often have significant independent power to set policy in some areas, such as education and social programs, and to impose taxes.)
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10. Federalism (pg. 83)
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A system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between a central government and regional governments. (The division of powers and functions between the national government and the state governments.)
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11. Formula Grants (pg. 97)
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Grants-in-aid in which a formula is used to determine the amount of federal funds a state or local government will receive. (Used a formula to distribute funds.)
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12. Full Faith and Credit Clause (pg. 84)
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Provision from Article IV, Section 1, of the Constitution, requiring that the states normally honor the public acts and judicial decisions that take place in another state.
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13. General Revenue Sharing (pg. 105)
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The process by which one unit of government yields a portion of its tax income to another unit of government, according to an established formula. Revenue sharing typically involves the national government providing money to state governments. (A form of federal assistance to state and local governments, which provided money to local governments and counties with no strings attached; localities could spend the money as they wished.)
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14. Grants-In-Aid (pg. 97)
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Programs through which Congress provides money to state and local governments on the condition that the funds be employed for purposes defined by the federal government. (Congress appropriates money to state and local governments on the condition that the money be spent for a particular purpose defined by Congress.)
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15. Home Rule (pg. 88)
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Power delegated by the state to a local unit of government to manage its own affairs. (A guarantee of noninterference in various areas of local affairs.)
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16. Implied Powers (pg. 83)
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Powers derived from the necessary and proper clause of Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution. Such powers are not specifically expressed, but are implied through the expansive interpretation of delegated powers. (Enables Congress "to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers.")
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17. Necessary and Proper Clause (pg. 83)
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Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, it provides Congress with the authority to make all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out its expressed powers. (Allowed the national government to expand considerably the scope of its authority.)
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18. New Federalism (pg. 105)
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Attempts by Presidents Nixon and Reagan to return power to the states through block grants. (Basically it is trying to limit the governments control, by allowing the states considerable leeway in spending federal money.)
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19. Police Power (pg. 84)
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Power reserved to the state government to regulate the health, safety, and morals of its citizens. (A state's authority to regulate fundamental matters, such as: the health, safety, welfare, and morals of its citizens, all in an effort to maintain public order.)
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20. Preemption (pg. 100)
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The principle that allows the national government to override state or local actions in certain policy areas. (National standards that require the federal government to take over areas of regulation formerly overseen by state or local governments.)
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21. Privileges and Immunities Clause (pg. 87)
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Provision from Article IV, Section 2, of the Constitution, that a state cannot discriminate against someone from another state or give its own residents special privileges. (Known as the "comity clause" seeks to promote national unity, in that a state cannot discriminate against someone from another state or give special privileges to its own residents.)
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22. Project Grants (pg. 97)
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Grant programs in which state and local governments submit proposals to federal agencies and for which funding is provided on a competitive basis. (Requires state and local governments to submit proposals to federal agencies.)
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23. Redistributive Programs (pg. 107)
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Economic policies designed to control the economy through taxing and spending, with the goal of benefiting the poor.
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24. Regulated Federalism (pg. 100)
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A form of federalism in which Congress imposes legislation on states and localities, requiring them to meet national standards. (Standards of conduct set by the national government which required the states to set standards that met national guidelines, the effect being that state and local policies in the areas of environmental protection, social services, and education are more uniform from coast to coast.)
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25. Reserved Powers (pg. 84)
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Powers, derived from the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, that are not specifically delegated to the national government or denied to the states. (Another name for the 10th Amendment, because it aims to reserve powers to the states.)
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26. States' Rights (pg. 92)
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The principle that the states should oppose the increasing authority of the national government. This principle was most popular in the period before the Civil War.
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27. Unfunded Mandates (pg. 102)
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Regulations or conditions for receiving grants that impose costs on state and local governmetns for which they are not reimbursed by the federal government.
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28. Unitary System (pg. 83)
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A centralized government system in which lower levels of government have little power independent of the national government. (The central government makes the important decisions, and lower levels of government have little independent power.)
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Chapter 19 Questions (pg. 789)
1. In terms of area, how does Texas rank among the fifty states? |
a
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2. Which of Texas's physical regions is characterized by the presence of many of the state's largest ranches?
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a
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3. Which of Texas's physical regions is found in west Texas?
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a
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4. Creative destruction
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a
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5. Land and land use gave rise to which 3 economies?
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a
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6. Which industry controlled the politics and economy of Texas for most of the twentieth century?
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a
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7. The Texas economy of the 21 centry is centered on?
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a
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8. Which of the following accounts for most of Texas's population growth?
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a
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9. The 3 major metropolitan areas in Texas are?
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a
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Vocabulary Ch. 20 (pg. 790)
1. Elite (pg. 761) |
a
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2. Individualistic Political Culture (pg. 761)
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a
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3. Moralistic Political Culture (pg. 761)
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a
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4. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (pg. 773)
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a
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5. Political Culture (pg. 761)
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a
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6. Political Economy (pg. 783)
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a
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7. Provincialism (pg. 762)
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a
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8. Traditionalistic Political Culture (pg. 761)
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a
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9. Urbanization (pg. 782)
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a
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Chapter 20 Questions (pg. 823)
1. Which idea is contained in both the US and Texas Constitutions? |
a
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2. What is not an important function of a state constitution?
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a
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3. Which part of the US Constitution reserves power to the states?
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a
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4. Under the US Constitution, the government of Texas is most limited by?
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a
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5. A unique feature of the Constitution of 1869 was that?
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a
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6. A new Texas constitution was written when?
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a
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7. The present Texas constitution, what?
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a
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8. Those who wrote the Constitution of 1876 wanted to return control of government ot the people. By "the people" they meant what?
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a
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9. Article I of the Texas Constitution says what?
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a
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10. A new constitution for Texas?
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a
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Vocabulary Ch. 20 (pg. 823)
1. Bicameral (pg. 800) |
a
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2. Confederacy (pg. 803)
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a
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3. Constitution (pg. 795)
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a
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4. Federalism (pg. 795)
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a
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5. Grange (pg. 806)
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a
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6. Impeachment (pg. 812)
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a
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7. Limited Government (pg. 807)
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a
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8. Necessary and Proper Clause (pg. 796)
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a
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9. Plural Executive (pg. 810)
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a
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10. Radical Republicans (pg. 804)
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a
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11. Republican Government (pg. 808)
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a
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12. Separation of Powers (pg. 809)
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a
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13. Supremacy Clause (pg. 796)
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a
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14. Unicameral (pg. 798)
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a
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