Government

Final exam review

81 cards·by mtrr9669

governmenthigh school

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What are two characteristics of liberals?

Anti-war and Pro gay marriage

Where are most Americans on the political spectrum?

Moderates

Name two characteristics of conservatives.

Pro war and for Less Taxes

What is an institution through which a society makes & enforces its public policies?

Government

A form of government in which a single person holds unlimited political power is ??

Autocracy

List the different parts of the political spectrum (5)

Radical, Liberal, Moderate, Conservative, Reationary

Example of Radical government

Communist

Example of Liberal government

Democrat

Example of Moderate government

Middle

Example of Conservative government

Republican

Example of Reactionary government

Nazi !!

Declaration of Independence - When?, Where?, & Why created?

1776, Philadelphia, Using John Locke's ideas of unalienable rights

Name the 3 branches of governement

Executive, Legislative, Judicial

Describe the roles of the 3 branches of government

Executive - Enforces the laws; Legislative - Creates the laws; Judicial - Interpret the laws

What is Separation of Powers?

Powers of government are divided among 3 branches of government

Define Electorate - who are they?

the people who vote

A person who is willing to compromise and work w/BOTH PARTIES on issues is considered???

Bipartisan

How many Senate seats may each state have?

TWO

What is the age qualification for the House of Representatives?

25 years

What is the age qualification for the U.S. Senate?

30 years

List 2 differences between the U.S. House & U.S. Senate

Age requirements & Size of constituency

What is the length of terms for the Senate?

6 years

What is the length of terms for the House of Representatives?

2 years

What is the MAIN similarity between the TEXAS State Legislature and the U.S. Congress??

BIcameral legislature

Define AMNESTY

Pardon a GROUP of people

What is the Presidential salary?

$400,000

List two formal duties of the Vice President

1. Determine Presidential disability & 2. Preside over the Senate

What is the MAXIMUM number of years a President can serve?

10 years

List two examples of the President's role of Commander in Chief

1. Appoint military commanders & 2. Commit troops overseas

What is the length of Presidential terms?

4 years (8 if re-elected)

Define ELECTORAL College

People who ACTUALLY elect the president

How are the Electors (for the electoral college) determined in each state?

By the number of Congressmen in the state

List the ROLES of the President (4 of them)

Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, Chief Citizen, Chief Diplomat

As Chief Executive the President...?

Is Head of the Executive branch - executive power

As Commander in Chief the President...?

Controls the armed forces

As Chief Citizen the President...?

Acts as an EXAMPLE to the public

As Chief Diplomat the President...?

is the main architect of foreign policy/spokesperson to other countries

What is a common criticism of the electoral college?

A person can win the popular vote but lose the Electoral College vote

What is the minimum number of electoral votes needed to become president?

270

How are Supreme Court justices appointed?

President appoints; Senate approves/disapproves

What is the majority opinion of the Supreme Court?

It is the court's opinion that sets the model (precedent) for the other courts to follow!

How long are Supreme Court Justices' terms?

LIFE, unless impeached, retire, or DIE !!

What freedoms are protected by the 5th Amendment?

Person will not say anything to incriminate (cause to look guilty) himself

What is the difference between Civil LIBERTIES & Civil RIGHTS?

Civil RIGHTS-positive actions of government; Civil LIBERTIES - protections against the government

Define FREE EXERCISE Clause

You can be any religion you want

Define EXCLUSIONARY Rule

Evidence obtained ILLEGALLY Can't be used in court

Define Double Jeopardy

You can't be Tried for the SAME crime in the SAME court twice

List all the freedoms protected by the 1st Amendment

Speech, press, religion, assembly, petition

What is important about Gideon v Wainwright decision??

Everyone has the right to an attorney for any crime

Who uses the LEMON TEST and for what?

To Determine if you can use TAX dollars for church schools

Define TREASON

ONLY crime in the Constitution - Betrayal of one's Country !!

List the 4 characteristics of a state

Territory, Government, Population, Sovereignty

Define SUFFRAGE

the Right to Vote

What type of government does the US have?

Representative Democracy!

What is the Divine Right Theory?

Theory of government which holds that royal power comes from GOD

List 2 requirements to be President

35 years old; Natural Born Citizen

What is the main reason for the creation of the Congressional Committees??

To divide up the work load

WHY would a Congressman use a FILIBUSTER?

Delay action on a bill

List two powers of the Senate

Accept treaties; Approve presidential appointments

Define Dictatorship

A type of government in which rulers are not held responsible TO the people; leader has absolute power

Define Democracy

A type of government in which Supreme authority rests with the majority of the people

Define Parliamentary government

system of gov. where the executive must resign if defeated by the legislature on an important issue; prime minister & cabinet

Define Unitary government

Centralized gov. which all powers belong to a single, central agency

Define Political Action Committees (PACs)

The financial Arm of interest groups

Define PROPAGANDA

Media that is meant to influence the public

What is the process for a bill becoming law?

Introduced by a Congressman, debated, amended, voted on, sent to President for approval

What problems did the Connecticut (Great) Compromise solve?

Representation in Congress

What is the informal amendment process?

Changing MEANING of Constitution w/out changing the words

Define BI-cameral legislature

Two house legislature

Name an expressed power of the national government

Power to coin money $$$

When & Why were the Bill of Rights created?

Created AFTER the Constitution to protect individual freedoms

Who can vote in the U.S.?

Age 18+, non-felons, mentally sound

What are the roles of third parties?

Create ideas that are later adopted by the major parties

List three traits of Republicans

White, male, college educated

List three traits of Democrats

Urban, minorities, lower income

How has suffrage (the right to vote) expanded over time?

complete suffrage was a slow process accomplished by amendments and civil rights

Why do states require voter registration?

To prevent voter fraud

What is the MOST influential factor in political opinion?

YOUR FAMILY !!!

List three different types of propaganda

Glittering generalities, card stacking, Bandwagon

Define Interest Groups

People who work toward a specific political goal

Define Ballot

List of candidates you choose from