Terms : Hide Images
| 13678607396 | Conservative | Status Quo, less Gov. | 0 | |
| 13678607397 | Moderate | Mid-Ground | 1 | |
| 13678607398 | Liberal | Peaceful gradual change, reject violent revolution | 2 | |
| 13678607399 | Radical | Far Left, Resorts to extreme methods to bring about change. | 3 | |
| 13678607400 | Political Spectrum | Tool used to visually compare different political positions by placing them on one or more axis. |  | 4 |
| 13678607401 | Right | Less Gov intervention, Traditional Values | 5 | |
| 13678607402 | Left | More Gov Intervention, support change | 6 | |
| 13678607403 | Parliamentary Government | Executive are members of the legislative branch | 7 | |
| 13678607404 | Presidential Governemt | Separates Power between executive/legislative | 8 | |
| 13678607405 | Reactionary | Far right, Extreme methods | 9 | |
| 13678607406 | Representative Democracy | People represented through elected officials. | 10 | |
| 13678607407 | The State | Body of people living in a defined territory, having power to make and enforce law without the consent of any higher authority. | 11 | |
| 13678607408 | Monarchy | Power in the hands of royalty | 12 | |
| 13678607409 | Dictatorship | Ruled by a single leader not elected. | 13 | |
| 13678607410 | Military Dictatorship | Army is in control | 14 | |
| 13678607411 | Theocracy | Religious based Government | 15 | |
| 13678607412 | Public Policies | All things a government decides to do. | 16 | |
| 13678607413 | Conferred Power | Power which is agreed upon. | 17 | |
| 13678607414 | Four aspects of the State | 1. Population: must have people 2. Territory: recognized boundaries 3. Sovereignty: Having supreme and absolute authority in it's own territory 4. Government- Different forms | 18 | |
| 13678607415 | Evolutionary theory | Developed out of early familiy | 19 | |
| 13678607416 | Divine Right Theory | State created by God and those of royal birth have a divine right to rule. | 20 | |
| 13678607417 | Force Theory | A group claimed control and forced all other to submit. | 21 | |
| 13678607418 | Social or Political Contract theory | Peoples moral and/or political obligations are dependent on an agreement among them to form the society in which they live. *Law and political order are not natural, they are human creations. | 22 | |
| 13678607419 | Confederate | An alliance of independent states | 23 | |
| 13678607420 | Federal | Power is divided between a central gov't and several local gov't. | 24 | |
| 13678607421 | State of Nature | Survival of the Fittest | 25 | |
| 13678607422 | Unitary | All power belongs to one level of gov't | 26 | |
| 13678607423 | Government | An organization of people set up to protect the community and make rules. -Protects community -Makes laws -Keeps order | 27 | |
| 13678607424 | Politics | Activities relate to governance of a country or area | 28 | |
| 13678607425 | Democracy | Gov elected by the people. Determine either directly or through elected Reps. | 29 | |
| 13678607426 | Direct Democracy | People vote Directly on every issue | 30 | |
| 13678607427 | Democrats | Generally liberal because they support gov reg. of the economy. | 31 | |
| 13678607428 | Republicans | Generally Conservatives because they advocate a reduction in gov. | 32 | |
| 13678607429 | Current issues (Left) | Left: Pro Gun control, Pro Choice, No Censorship, Prisons should Rehabilitate, Pro-privacy, Equal funding for Education. | 33 | |
| 13678607430 | Current issues (Right) | Right: Anti-gun Control, Pro-life, Anti Flag burning, Prisons should punish, Prayer in schools, School vouchers. | 34 | |
| 13678607431 | Taxation (Left) | Acceptable, Gov have $ to fund programs benefiting society, % taxes preferred over flat rate, rich= more tax | 35 | |
| 13678607432 | Taxation (Right) | Taxes infringe on personal freedoms Taxes= bad for free market Taxes= Penalization those who are successful Taxes= Punish Profit Prefers flat tax | 36 | |
| 13678607433 | Business Regulation (Left) | Yes on gov. Reg Market no reliable to provide safe work conditions Gov. reg= protect workers+ consumers= Everyone= chance to succeed | 37 | |
| 13678607434 | Business Regulations (Right) | Business need free from gov. and supply and demand will guide Gov policies that affect products are bad Trickle down economics is the way to stimulate economy | 38 | |
| 13678607435 | Political Rights (Left) | Extend Civil Rights to minority groups, students, prisoners, homosexuals, and poor. Protect individual rights: Free speech, pro-choice, anti-capital punishment, and privacy. | 39 | |
| 13678607436 | Political Rights (Right) | Cent gov= diminish Issues dealt best on state and local level No change in family values ( usually christian centered) O.K to censor obscure ideas that shake Status Quo. | 40 | |
| 13678607437 | Distribution of wealth (Left) | Disparity between rich and poor no good, taxes= distribute wealth. Gov more involved in ed, Health care, Child C., and Elderly. Pub Project= Stimulate economy | 41 | |
| 13678607438 | Distribution of wealth (Right) | Business= right to make profit People are rich or poor b/c of choices they make Prosperous people should no be penalized. | 42 | |
| 13678607439 | Economy (Left) | Minimum wage standards Public projects= more jobs Gov provide basic living standards of living to all citizens | 43 | |
| 13678607440 | Economy (Right) | Economy works best in free market (Laissez- Faire) Forces of the market= trusted to meet needs of business, consumer, and workers. Gov. programs should not compete with private industry. | 44 | |
| 13678607441 | Foreign Affairs (Left) | Spread Democracy + Protect human rights in the world Strong Support of UN. | 45 | |
| 13678607442 | Foreign Affairs (Right) | Gov role= pro us business and econ. intervention in other countries. Fix us before we fix others Support tariffs (tax on imports) | 46 | |
| 13678607443 | SCOPE OF THE GOVERNMENT (Left) | The government should serve as the equalizers in society and establish a basic standard of living, a minimum wage is an acceptable tool of government intervention. The left accepts government control and regulation of business and an active government that protects political rights. | 47 | |
| 13678607444 | SCOPE OF THE GOVERNMENT (Right) | Government should be downsized. Large governments, both federal and state, have the power to control business interests and therefore potentially infringe on the freedoms of individuals. Government programs tend to provide unnecessary services that go beyond the scope of the constitution. | 48 | |
| 13678607445 | Two- Party System | A system where two major political parties dominate politics within a government | 49 | |
| 13678607446 | Third party | Any political party that is not one of the two major parties in a two-party system | 50 | |
| 13678607447 | Plank | Each issue included in a political party's platform. Gives the candidates a clear political position with which they can campaign. They give voters a sense of what the candidates believe in, the issues they think are important, and how - if elected - they will address them. | 51 | |
| 13678607448 | Becoming President | Step 1: Formation of a Presidential Exploratory Committee Step 2: Announcement of intention to run for president based on findings of the exploratory committee Step 3: Fundraising and gathering of support and endorsements from the general public as well as other politicians, special interest groups, corporations, etc. Step 4: Campaigning early, especially in states where primaries are important (Iowa, New Hampshire, candidates home state, etc.) Step 5: Continuing to campaign to beat out all other opponents from within your own party Step 6: Attending your party's National Convention and securing the nomination of the party Step 7: Campaigning nationwide against your opponents from other parties Step 8: Winning election and securing enough electoral college votes to be named the next president | 52 | |
| 13678607449 | Three main concepts of Government brought by English Colonists | The need for an ordered social system, or government. The idea of limited government, that is, that government should not be all-powerful. The concept of representative government—a government that serves the will of the people. | 53 | |
| 13678607450 | Royal Colonies | Ruled directly by the English monarchy. | 54 | |
| 13678607451 | Proprietary colonies. | Land given to the colonist by the Monarchy | 55 | |
| 13678607452 | Charter Colonists | Self-governed, and their charters were granted to the colonists. | 56 | |
| 13678607453 | Confederation | A joining of several groups for a common purpose | 57 | |
| 13678607454 | The Albany Plan | In 1754, Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan, an annual congress of delegates (representatives) from each of the 13 colonies would be formed. | 58 | |
| 13678607455 | Stamp Act Congress | In 1765, a group of colonies sent delegates to the Stamp Act Congress in New York. These delegates prepared the Declaration of Rights and Grievances against British policies and sent it to the king. | 59 | |
| 13678607456 | First Continental Congress | The colonists sent a Declaration of Rights to King George III. The delegates urged each of the colonies to refuse all trade with England until British tax and trade regulations were repealed, or recalled. | 60 | |
| 13678607457 | Second Continental Congress | In 1775, each of the 13 colonies sent representatives to this gathering in Philadelphia. The Second Continental Congress served as the first government of the United States from 1776 to 1781. | 61 | |
| 13678607458 | Declaration of Independence | July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. Between 1776 and 1777, most of the States adopted constitutions instead of charters. | 62 | |
| 13678607459 | Common Features of State Constitutions | Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Civil Rights and Liberties Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances | 63 | |
| 13678607460 | Popular Sovereignty | The principle of popular sovereignty was the basis for every new State constitution. That principle says that government can exist and function only with the consent of the governed. The people hold power and the people are sovereign. | 64 | |
| 13678607461 | Limited Government | The concept of limited government was a major feature of each State constitution. The powers delegated to government were granted reluctantly and hedged with many restrictions. | 65 | |
| 13678607462 | Civil Rights and Liberties | In every State it was made clear that the sovereign people held certain rights that the government must respect at all times. Seven of the new constitutions contained a bill of rights, setting out the "unalienable rights" held by the people. | 66 | |
| 13678607463 | Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances | The powers granted to the new State governments were purposely divided among three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Each branch was given powers with which to check (restrain the actions of) the other branches of the government. | 67 | |
| 13678607464 | Articles of Confederation (AC) | Approved November 15, 1777 Est. "a firm league of friendship" between the states Needed the ratification of the 13 states March 1, 1781 Second Continental Congress declared the Articles effective | 68 | |
| 13678607465 | Structure of Constitution | 3 parts; the preamble, the articles(7), and the amendments | 69 | |
| 13678607466 | The Preamble | intro, explains purpose of Constitution and purpose of govt | 70 | |
| 13678607467 | Article I | establishes legislative branch | 71 | |
| 13678607468 | Article II | creates an executive branch to carry out laws created by Congress | 72 | |
| 13678607469 | Article III | creates judicial branch | 73 | |
| 13678607470 | Article IV | explains the relationship of the states to one another and to the national govt | 74 | |
| 13678607471 | Article V | spells out the ways the Constitution can be amended | 75 | |
| 13678607472 | Article VI | contains the supremacy clause, establishing that federal law shall be the supreme law of the land | 76 | |
| 13678607473 | Article VII | addresses ratification and says that 9 states are needed to ratify the Constitution | 77 | |
| 13678607474 | Connecticut Compromise | Two houses Senate - equal representation House - proportional representation based on population Combination of Virginia and New Jersey plans | 78 | |
| 13678607475 | 6 Major Principles of Constitution | 1. Popular sovereignty- rule by people 2. Federalism- power is divided between national and state govts 3. Separation of powers- limits the central govt by dividing power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches 4. checks and balances- each branch of govt exercises some control over the others | 79 | |
| 13678607476 | Electoral College | a compromise, combining features of both congressional selection and direct popular election | 80 | |
| 13678607477 | Electors | individuals selected in each state to officially cast that state's electoral votes; Wisconsin selects 10 electors | 81 | |
| 13678607478 | Popular Vote | the popular vote winner may not win the electoral college; for example: small-state bias caused by each state getting at least three electoral votes regardless of its size | 82 | |
| 13678607479 | The Virginia Plan | -Three Separate branches of government: Legislature, Executive, and Judicial -Bicameral legislature (2 parts) -Based on population or the amount of money given to support the central government -Members of House of Reps = based on population -Senate = chosen by House from a list from the State Legislature -Congress would be given powers it had under the Articles of Confederation -Any State law that conflicted with National Law would be vetoed -"National Executive" and "National Judiciary" -Council of Revision -Veto acts passed by Congress (but can be overridden by Congress) -State officers should take an Oath to the Union -Admission process for new States | 83 | |
| 13678607480 | New Jersey Plan | -Unicameral (one body) Congress of the Confederation -Each state equally represented -Give them limited and closely monitored powers -Tax and regulate trade -Federal Executive -More than one person -Chosen by Congress/could be removed with a majority vote -Federal Judiciary -Single "supreme Tribunal" -Selected by the Executive Branch | 84 | |
| 13678607481 | Three-Fifths Compromise | All "free persons" will be counted; 3/5 of all other persons Southerners could count slaves but had to pay taxes on them | 85 | |
| 13678607482 | judicial review | power of courts to say that laws and actions of govt are invalid bc they conflict w the constitution's principles | 86 | |
| 13678607483 | The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromises | Congress has the power to regulate foreign and interstate trade -Scared southerners because of slave trade -States cannot enact import/export taxes only federal government can -Could not act on the slave trade for 20 years | 87 | |
| 13678607484 | AC (Power of congress) | Make war and peace Send and receive ambassadors Make treaties Borrow money Set up a money system Est. post offices Build a navy Raise an army by asking the states for troops Fix uniform standards of weights and measures Settle disputes among the states | 88 | |
| 13678607485 | James Madison | James Madison was the co-author of the Articles of Confederation. Kept detailed records of the convention Conventions Floor leader Contributed more to the constitution than any other | 89 | |
| 13678607486 | Constitutional Convention | Mid-February of 1787 meeting of all thirteen States, which eventually became the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. | 90 | |
| 13678607487 | AC (States Obligations) | Pledge to obey the Articles and Acts of the Congress Provide the funds and troops requested by the congress Treat citizens of other states fairly and equally Give full faith and credit to public acts, records, and judicial proceedings Submit disputes to congress for settlement Allow open travel and trade b/w and among states Primarily responsible for protecting life and property Accountable for promoting the general welfare of the people. | 91 | |
| 13678607488 | Weaknesses of the Articles | -One vote for each state, regardless of size. -Congress powerless to lay and collect taxes, and regulate foreign and interstate commerce. -No executive to enforce acts of congress. -No national court system. Amendment only with consent of all states. -Amendment only with consent of all State. -A 9/13 majority required to pass laws. -Articles only a "firm league of friendship" | 92 | |
| 13678607489 | Lobbying | efforts by individuals or groups to influence governmental decision makers Types of lobbying; -full-time employee -temporary employee -often former legislatives | 93 | |
| 13678607490 | Inside lobbying | appeals directly to lawmakers and their staff -through meetings -by providing research and info -by testifying at committee hearings | 94 | |
| 13678607491 | Outside lobbying | attempt to influence decision makers indirectly, by influencing the public -try to build public support -increase conflict about an issue -lobby other groups and try to form alliances tactics: direct contact, direct mail, and media advertisements | 95 | |
| 13678607492 | Electioneering | -efforts to help candidates financially -efforts to help candidates gain voter support | 96 | |
| 13678607493 | Litigation | testifying to influence public policy | 97 | |
| 13678607494 | Types of Interest Groups | -economic interests -environmental interests -equality interests -consumer and other public interest lobbies | 98 | |
| 13678607495 | Economic Interests | trade associations; - organized commercial groups, farm organizations - corporations; form own interest groups, hire lobbyists - labor unions, professional associations | 99 | |
| 13678607496 | Environmental Interests | - sprang up since 1970 - profound policy impact bc of numbers, not money | 100 | |
| 13678607497 | PAC | Political Action Committees; raise and spend money to influence electoral outcomes | 101 | |
| 13678607498 | Equality Interests | 14th Amendment guarantees equality Minorities and Equality - social welfare policies Women | 102 | |
| 13678607499 | Consumer and Other Public Interest Lobbies | Represent broad classes of people or the public as a whole -consumer, voters, reformers, etc Public Interest Groups -policies that are in the public's interest Think tanks -conduct research -advocate a strong ideological viewpoint | 103 | |
| 13678607500 | How do interest groups shape public policy? | lobbying, electioneering, litigation, going public | 104 | |
| 13678607501 | Law making process | http://integrationsolutions.westlaw.com/gov/leghist/images/cap.gif | 105 | |
| 13678607502 | Presidential Roles | Chief of State - the ceremonial head of the government of the United States Chief Executive - given this title by the Constitution Chief Administrator - carry out the laws, head of the federal bureaucracy Chief Diplomat - main architect of America's foreign policy Commander in Chief - head of the nation's armed forces Chief Legislator - can push for laws to be passed Chief of Party - Leader of their political party | 106 | |
| 13678607503 | Presidential Qualifications | Must be a natural born citizen Be at least 35 years old Have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years | 107 | |
| 13678607504 | Who takes over if pres. cannot | Vice President Speaker of the House President pro tempore Secretary of State | 108 | |
| 13678607505 | 22nd Amendment | set 2 term limit on | 109 | |
| 13678607506 | Presidential pay | $400,000 a year and $50,000 expense account | 110 | |
| 13678607507 | Presidential Benefits | Live in the White House (132 Rooms) Yacht, Automobiles, Air Force One Lifetime pension of $143,800 a year Camp David - Resort in Maryland | 111 | |
| 13678607508 | Presidential power | Power to appoint cabinet members, diplomats and ambassadors, judges Power to make treaties - formal agreement between two or more sovereign state Executive Agreement - pacts between the President and the heads of foreign states Recognition - President can acknowledge the legal existence of a country and its government | 112 | |
| 13678607509 | Presidential Legislative power | Recommend Legislation Veto Bills Can call for a special session of Congress | 113 | |
| 13678607510 | Presidential Judicial power | Reprieve - postponement of the execution of a sentence Pardon - legal forgiveness of a crime (only involving a federal offense) Commutation - reduce the length of a sentence or a fine Amnesty - a general pardon offered to a group of violators 1977 - Pardon to Vietnam War draft evaders | 114 | |
| 13678607511 | Main jobs of House and Senate | Make Laws Declare War Represent their Constituents | 115 | |
| 13678607512 | House Membership | 435 members (each state's delegation is determined by its population) | 116 | |
| 13678607513 | Senate Membership | 100 members (two per state) | 117 | |
| 13678607514 | House Qualifications | 25 years old U.S Citizens for 7 years Resident of State they're representing | 118 | |
| 13678607515 | Senate Qualifications | 30 years old U.S citizens for 9 years Resident of State they're representing | 119 | |
| 13678607516 | Terms limit for House | 2 years entire house elected every two years | 120 | |
| 13678607517 | Terms limit for Senate | 1/3 of Senate 2 years | 121 | |
| 13678607518 | "Leader" of House | Speaker of the House | 122 | |
| 13678607519 | "Leader" of Senate | Vice President | 123 | |
| 13678607520 | How House is elected | Directly voted by voter per district | 124 | |
| 13678607521 | How Senate is elected | Directly by the voters of a state | 125 | |
| 13678607522 | Reapportionment | Applies only to HOUSE redistribution of seats every 10 years states gain or lose seats based on their population growing or shrinking | 126 | |
| 13678607523 | Thomas Paine | Author of book "Common Sense" | 127 | |
| 13678607524 | Gerrymandering | an attempt by politicians to create unbalanced districts for their party's political gain | 128 | |
| 13678607525 | Special Powers of House | Brings impeachment charges May choose the President if there is no majority in the electoral system Must start all revenue bills | 129 | |
| 13678607526 | Special Powers of Senate | Acts as jury in impeachment trials (2/3 vote needed) May choose the Vice President if there is no majority in the electoral system Must ratify treaties with foreign nations by 2/3 vote Must approves Presidential appointments (majority needed) | 130 | |
| 13678607527 | What makes an interest group successful? | access, info, leadership skills, numerical strength, group unity, money | 131 | |
| 13678607528 | CBO | - strengthen Congress' role in the budgeting process | 132 | |
| 13678607529 | Pluralist Theory | - groups link ppl and govt - competition between interest groups is a central part of American democracy - different groups have strengths in different areas | 133 | |
| 13678607530 | Types of Committees | Standing committees - handle bills in different policy areas Select - may be temporary and permanent and usually have focused responsibility Joint Committees - draw their membership from both the Senate and the House Conference Committees - are formed when Senate and the house pass different versions of the same bill | 134 | |
| 13678607531 | Elite Theory | - reject the pluralists' assertion that competing groups balance power - believe unequal distribution of power in society ensures that interests of some groups will dominate others | 135 | |
| 13678607532 | Hyperpluralist Theory | - argue that pluralism in the US is out of control -results in govt that is very subservient to interest groups and tries to appease them all | 136 | |
| 13678607533 | 4 Models of Representations | delegate model - assumes that a representative's job is to convey the will of the majority of their constituents to the legislature trustee model - should take the majority view into account but use his or best judgment when voting or acting on behalf of constituents politico model -middle path between trustees and delegate model conscience model - should generally follow what the follow what the public says unless it goes against their deepest values | 137 | |
| 13678607534 | Agenda setting | bringing issues to the public's attention and placing them on the national agenda | 138 | |
| 13678607535 | GAO | Government Accountability Office - broad authority to oversee the operations and finances of executive agencies | 139 | |
| 13678607536 | GPOthec | Government Printing Office - distributes over 200,000 govt publications in U.S. govt bookstores throughout the nation | 140 | |
| 13678607537 | Types of gerrymandering | Partisan gerrymandering - drawing a district to favor one political party over others Incumbent gerrymandering - a state legislature is so closely divided that neither political party has an advantage Racial gerrymandering - drawing a district to favor one racial group over others Affirmative racial gerrymandering - creation of predominately African American and minority districts whenever possible | 141 | |
| 13678607538 | Free rider problem | barrier to collective action bc ppl can reap the benefits of group efforts without participating | 142 | |
| 13678607539 | Single-issue groups | groups that have a narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics | 143 | |
| 13678607540 | CRS | Congressional Research Service - works for the U.S. Congress and provides nonpartisan an policy and research analysis to committees and members of both houses | 144 | |
| 13678607541 | Edmund Burke | contrasts with the idea of representatives as delegated who feel obligated to vote according to the views of the "folks back home" regardless of their own personal viewpoint | 145 | |
| 13678607542 | Caucus | a group of members of Congress sharing some interest or characteristic | 146 | |
| 13678607543 | House Rules Committee | the committee in the House of Representatives that reviews most bills coming from a House committee before they go to the full House | 147 | |
| 13678607544 | Companion legislation | similar or identical legislation which is introduced in Senate and House | 148 | |
| 13678607545 | Omnibus legislation | large bills that often cover several topics and may contain extraneous, or pork-barrel projects | 149 | |
| 13678607546 | Who runs for congress? | People involved: Law Business Public service | 150 | |
| 13678607547 | legislative oversight | congress' monitoring of the bureaucracy and its administration of policy, performed mainly through hearings | 151 | |
| 13678607548 | power of the purse | congressional exclusive power to authorize expenditures by all avenues of the federal govt | 152 | |
| 13678607549 | advice and consent | advice and consent and confirmation of presidential appointments and treaties | 153 | |
| 13678607550 | Seniority system | governs most committee assignments and movement into committee leadership positions | 154 | |
| 13678607551 | Pork barrel | federal projects, grants, and contracts available to state and local govts, businesses, colleges, and other institutions | 155 | |
| 13678607552 | congressional casework | activities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals, particularly by cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get ppl what they think they have a right to get | 156 | |
| 13678607553 | partisan polarization | a vote in which a majority of democratic legislators oppose a majority of republican legislators | 157 | |
| 13678607554 | incumbent advantages | advertising - gather info through technological sources-thus having the incumbents' personal interests credit claiming - enhancing their standing w constituents through service to individuals and the district weak opponents -no name recognition campaign spending - the candidate who spends the most money tends to win misinformed voters | 158 | |
| 13678607555 | federalist | a person who advocates or supports a system of government in which several states unite under a central authority | 159 | |
| 13678607556 | anti-federalist | somebody who opposed the U.S. Constitution when it was being drawn up | 160 | |
| 13678607557 | filibuster | any member can speak for as long as he or she wants on any given use | 161 | |
| 13678607558 | Amendment 1 freedoms | Freedom of Religion, freedom of speech, Freedom of expression, Freedom of the Press, and Freedom of Assembly. | 162 | |
| 13678607559 | bill of rights | the first ten amendments to the US Constitution | 163 |
