Midterm

Question 1

What is the purpose of government according to the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 1

To protect natural rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness)

Legitimate power comes from consent of the governed.

Question 2

What theory strongly influenced the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 2

Social contract theory (John Locke)

People have the right to alter or abolish unjust governments.

Question 3

What type of government does the U.S. Constitution create?

Answer 3

A limited government with enumerated powers

Designed to prevent tyranny through structure.

Question 4

What is popular sovereignty?

Answer 4

The principle that government derives its power from the consent of the governed

Embedded through elections and representation.

Question 5

Define Participatory Democracy.

Answer 5

Broad citizen participation emphasizing voting, activism, civic engagement

Common at local/state levels (initiatives, referendums).

Question 6

What characterizes Pluralist Democracy?

Answer 6

Political power shared among many interest groups

Groups compete to influence policy.

Question 7

In Elite Democracy, who holds most power?

Answer 7

A small group of economic or political elites

Elections exist, but elites often shape outcomes.

Question 8

What does Federalist No. 10 argue?

Answer 8

A large republic controls factions better than small ones

Supports a strong national government.

Question 9

What is the main argument of Brutus I?

Answer 9

A large republic is dangerous; representatives are too distant from the people

Strong central government threatens liberty and states’ rights.

Question 10

List key weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Answer 10

• No power to tax
• No standing army
• No executive branch
• No national judiciary
• Amendments required unanimous consent
• States held most power

These weaknesses led to the creation of the Constitution.

Question 11

Who were the Federalists?

Answer 11

Supporters of ratification wanting a strong national government

Authors include Hamilton, Madison, Jay.

Question 12

Who were the Anti-Federalists?

Answer 12

Opponents of ratification fearing centralized power

Wanted explicit protections for rights, leading to the Bill of Rights.

Question 13

What is the Great Compromise?

Answer 13

Bicameral legislature: House based on population, Senate with equal representation

Also known as the Connecticut Compromise.

Question 14

What does the 3/5 Compromise entail?

Answer 14

Slaves counted as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation

This compromise was crucial for representation in Congress.

Question 15

What is the Electoral College?

Answer 15

Compromise between popular election and congressional selection of president

It plays a key role in the presidential election process.

Question 16

Describe the amendment process outlined in Article V.

Answer 16

• Proposal: 2/3 Congress OR national convention
• Ratification: 3/4 of states

This process allows for changes to the Constitution.

Question 17

What are the three branches of government?

Answer 17

• Legislative: makes laws (Congress)
• Executive: enforces laws (President)
• Judicial: interprets laws (Courts)

Each branch has distinct powers and responsibilities.

Question 18

Give an example of checks and balances.

Answer 18

• Presidential veto of congressional legislation
• Congressional override of veto
• Senate confirmation of appointments
• Judicial review of laws and executive actions
• Impeachment power

These mechanisms prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Question 19

What does Federalist No. 51 justify?

Answer 19

Checks and balances

“Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.”

Question 20

What does Federalist No. 70 support?

Answer 20

A strong, energetic executive

Emphasizes the need for a decisive leader.

Question 21

What is the significance of Federalist No. 78?

Answer 21

Introduces judicial review and justifies life tenure for judges

Argues that the judiciary is the weakest branch.

Question 22

Define Enumerated Powers.

Answer 22

Explicitly listed powers in the Constitution, mostly in Article I, Section 8

These powers define the scope of federal authority.

Question 23

What are Reserved Powers?

Answer 23

Powers not given to federal government, reserved to states (10th Amendment)

This reinforces state sovereignty.

Question 24

What are Concurrent Powers?

Answer 24

Powers shared by federal and state governments

Examples include taxation and law enforcement.

Question 25

What does the **10th Amendment** reinforce?

Answer 25

State sovereignty ## Footnote It emphasizes that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states.

Question 26

What is the **14th Amendment** known for?

Answer 26

Due process clause and equal protection clause ## Footnote Used to apply the Bill of Rights to the states.

Question 27

What was established in **McCulloch v. Maryland**?

Answer 27

Implied powers and upheld supremacy clause ## Footnote States cannot tax federal institutions.

Question 28

What did **U.S. v. Lopez** limit?

Answer 28

Congress’s commerce power ## Footnote Marked a shift back toward states’ rights.

Question 29

What are **Categorical Grants**?

Answer 29

Federal grants with strict conditions used to influence state policy ## Footnote These grants often come with specific requirements.

Question 30

What are **Block Grants**?

Answer 30

Federal grants with broad guidelines allowing more state flexibility ## Footnote These grants give states discretion in how to use the funds.

Question 31

What are **Civil Liberties**?

Answer 31

Protections from government power, mostly found in the Bill of Rights ## Footnote They ensure individual freedoms.

Question 32

What does the **First Amendment** protect?

Answer 32

* Religion: free exercise clause and establishment clause * Speech: protected unless it poses a clear threat * Press: prior restraint generally prohibited ## Footnote These protections are fundamental to democratic society.

Question 33

What was the ruling in **Engel v. Vitale**?

Answer 33

School-sponsored prayer unconstitutional ## Footnote This case reinforced the separation of church and state.

Question 34

What did **Wisconsin v. Yoder** determine?

Answer 34

Free exercise outweighs compulsory education ## Footnote This case recognized religious rights over state interests.

Question 35

What is the **substantial disruption test** from **Tinker v. Des Moines**?

Answer 35

Students do not lose rights at school unless there is substantial disruption ## Footnote This case affirmed student free speech rights.

Question 36

What doctrine was established in **Schenck v. United States**?

Answer 36

Clear and present danger doctrine ## Footnote Balances liberty against public order.

Question 37

What was the outcome of **New York Times v. United States**?

Answer 37

Protected press from prior restraint ## Footnote This case emphasized the importance of a free press.

Question 38

What does **Selective Incorporation** refer to?

Answer 38

Gradual application of the Bill of Rights to states using the 14th Amendment due process clause ## Footnote Not all rights are incorporated at once.

Question 39

What does the **Equal Protection Clause** require?

Answer 39

States to treat people equally under the law ## Footnote This clause is the basis for civil rights litigation.

Question 40

What was the significance of **Brown v. Board of Education**?

Answer 40

Overturned segregation in schools using equal protection reasoning ## Footnote This landmark case was pivotal in the civil rights movement.

Question 41

What did the **Civil Rights Act of 1964** achieve?

Answer 41

Ended segregation in public accommodations ## Footnote This act was a major legislative victory for the civil rights movement.

Question 42

What did the **Voting Rights Act of 1965** do?

Answer 42

Removed barriers to minority voting ## Footnote This act aimed to ensure fair voting practices.

Question 43

What is **Title IX** known for?

Answer 43

Gender equality in education ## Footnote It prohibits discrimination based on sex in federally funded education programs.

Question 44

What doctrine was established in **Plessy v. Ferguson**?

Answer 44

Separate but equal doctrine ## Footnote This case upheld racial segregation laws.

Question 45

What was upheld in **Korematsu v. United States**?

Answer 45

Japanese internment during World War II ## Footnote This case is often criticized for its violation of civil liberties.

Question 46

What does **Baker v. Carr** establish?

Answer 46

One person, one vote principle ## Footnote Federal courts can hear redistricting cases.

Question 47

What does **Shaw v. Reno** limit?

Answer 47

Racial gerrymandering ## Footnote This case set precedents for fair districting.

Question 48

What is **Affirmative Action**?

Answer 48

Policies to address past discrimination based on equal protection analysis ## Footnote These policies aim to promote diversity and equal opportunity.

Question 49

What are the differences between the **House** and **Senate**?

Answer 49

* House: larger, strict debate rules, revenue bills originate here * Senate: smaller, unlimited debate, unique procedural rules ## Footnote These differences affect legislative processes.

Question 50

What are the **formal powers** of the President?

Answer 50

* Commander in chief * Veto * Appointments * Treaties ## Footnote These powers are outlined in the Constitution.

Question 51

What are the **informal powers** of the President?

Answer 51

* Executive orders * Agenda setting * Persuasion ## Footnote These powers allow the President to influence policy beyond formal authority.

Question 52

What does the **22nd Amendment** establish?

Answer 52

Term limits for the presidency ## Footnote This amendment limits a president to two terms.

Question 53

What is **judicial review**?

Answer 53

Power to declare laws unconstitutional ## Footnote Established in Marbury v. Madison.

Question 54

What is the difference between **judicial activism** and **judicial restraint**?

Answer 54

* Judicial activism: courts should actively interpret the Constitution * Judicial restraint: courts should defer to the elected branches ## Footnote These philosophies influence court decisions.

Question 55

What ensures the independence of the judiciary?

Answer 55

Life tenure for judges ## Footnote This protects judges from political pressures.

Question 56

What are the limits on the courts?

Answer 56

* Constitutional amendments * Jurisdiction stripping * Appointments and confirmations ## Footnote These factors can restrict judicial power.

Question 57

What is the structure of the **bureaucracy**?

Answer 57

* Cabinet departments * Independent agencies * Regulatory commissions ## Footnote This structure allows for specialized functions within the government.

Question 58

What is **discretionary authority**?

Answer 58

The ability of bureaucratic agencies to make choices in how to implement laws ## Footnote This authority allows for flexibility in policy execution.

Question 59

What are **Iron Triangles**?

Answer 59

Policy networks involving Congress, agencies, and interest groups ## Footnote These networks influence policy outcomes.

Question 60

What are **Issue Networks**?

Answer 60

Broader, more fluid policy connections than Iron Triangles ## Footnote These networks can change based on specific issues.

Question 61

What are methods of **oversight and accountability** in bureaucracy?

Answer 61

* Congressional hearings * Power of the purse * Presidential appointments * Court rulings ## Footnote These methods ensure bureaucratic agencies are held accountable.