Political Science

Question 1

definition of politics

Answer 1

the process of resolving societal conflicts

Question 2

definition of government

Answer 2

branches created to manage territories

Question 3

how does the declining belief in political efficacy result in a self-perpetuating cycle?

Answer 3

less participation results in less representation
people feel more powerless less likely to vote

Question 4

in what important way is the authors definition of citizenship different from the more conventional (legal) definition of citizenship employed by most Americans?

Answer 4

the authors were seeking to promote active participation in the country by naturalized citizenship and the populations duties to the republic. This is in contrast to the passive participation with birthright citizenship

Question 5

what are the two basic criteria used to distinguish between types of government in the world?

Answer 5

who holds the power and how much power do they hold.

Question 6

what are three examples of demographic trends in the 21st century in America?

Answer 6

More Americans are over 65,
increase in multiracial populations
wage gap = less homeownership

Question 7

what are two core values in America, and what is one way in which these values might come into conflict?

Answer 7

individualism
equality
economic policy - bodily autonomy / healthcare

Question 8

what are two specific problems with widespread public ignorance about the U.S constitution?

Answer 8

Easier government overreach - if you dont know your rights youre less likely to resist
Weaker democracy - if you dont know the system you cant participate EFFECTIVELY

Question 9

what is the fundamental purpose of a constitution?

Answer 9

establish framework for government
defines how power is structured
limits government authority
protects individual rights.

Question 10

what is the basic logic behind John Locke’s principle of “liberty under law”?

Answer 10

true freedom happens under fair laws that protect rights

Question 11

what are two examples of how we see the influence of Locke’s ideas in the declaration of Independence?

Answer 11

unalienable rights to “life, liberty, and property
if a government fails to protect citizens’ rights, it can be overthrown.

Question 12

How and why did English political philosophers John Locke and Thomas Hobbes paint a very different picture of the “state of nature”?

Answer 12

Locke advocated for a government that protects rights, while Hobbes argued for an absolute ruler to maintain order.

Question 13

How did the great war of empire set the state for the conflict between the colonies and Britian

Answer 13

Britian was experiencing financial hardship due to the wars and in return opted to increase taxes on the colonies which contributed to the conflict.

Question 14

how did parliamentary actions prompt increased cooperation among the colonies in the 1760’s and 1770’s?

Answer 14

harsh and restrictive laws
united the colonies in resistance to violations of their rights, things like the stamp act.

Question 15

How can the articles of confederation between 1781 and 1787 be understood using Locke’s “liberty under law” principle?

Answer 15

maximize states rights
national government very weak

Locke “true liberty needs a strong government to protect rights and maintain order.”

Question 16

what are two reasons why Dahl believes Americans have good cause to think critically about the provisions of the U.S constitution?

Answer 16

It wasn’t fully democratic.
It reflects compromises, not perfect principles

Question 17

According to Dahl, what were four important limits on the framers when they were designing our new government?

Answer 17

restricted to democratic republic
balance competing states and regional interests
compromise a lot
shaped by their own beliefs

Question 18

what was the principal conflict between he small and large states during the constitutional convention, and how was it resolved with the Great Compromise?

Answer 18

Large states favored representation by population
small states favored representation equally.
The Great Connecticut Compromise split the difference resulting in the house of reps and senate.

Question 19

What are three big compromises in the original constitution relating to slavery?

Answer 19

the fugitive slave rule, the 3/5th rule, and the transatlantic slave trade.

Question 20

how did the slavery compromise set the stage for choice of the Electoral College mechanism for selecting the president?

Answer 20

southern states wanted more influence in choosing the president
3/5 compromise giving some population count credit from slaves
More population = more electoral votes, giving Southern states extra power in the Electoral College

Question 21

what is the “separation of powers” doctrine, and upon what basic principle is this based?

Answer 21

government power is divided among three branches so that no one branch becomes too powerful. creating a system of checks and balances.

Question 22

what is the basic relationship between the constitution and the three branches of government established by the constitution?

Answer 22

each branch has specific responsibilities to create a checks and balance system.
Legislative branch creates laws
judicial branch interprets laws
executive branch enforces laws.

Question 23

during ratification debates of 1787-1788, what are two ways in which federalists had the upper hand?

Answer 23

George Washington with strong support from the population.
better organized and had a clear plan.

Question 24

how/why did the bill of rights make it into the constitution?

Answer 24

Anti-Federalists demanded stronger protections for individual rights

Question 25

what is the "formal" process of constitutional change and what is an example?

Answer 25

the amendment process which consists of a proposal and ratification. 19th amendment gave women the right to vote.

Question 26

what is the informal process of constitutional change and what is an example?

Answer 26

changes in the interpretation of the Constitution without formal amendments. Marbury v. Madison - established the principle of judicial review

Question 27

what does it mean that our constitution must allow for both change and continuity?

Answer 27

It means the Constitution must be flexible enough to adapt to new situations and problems (change), while still protecting its core principles (continuity)

Question 28

what is the principle of federalism and what is the central debate surrounding its application?

Answer 28

power divided between state and fed govt. how to balance power.

Question 29

what is the basic difference between legal and political perspective of federalism?

Answer 29

the basic difference is the legality. should you do it vs can you do it

Question 29

how is federalism different from unitary and confederate forms of government?

Answer 29

federalism - power is shared between a national government and state governments. unitary system - all power is held by the national government, and local governments only get power if the national government allows it. confederate - independent states come together to form a loose alliance or union

Question 30

what is one advantage and one disadvantage of federalism?

Answer 30

allows for states to make some of their own laws can lead to unequal treatment

Question 31

what is "fair-weather" federalism and what is one example?

Answer 31

Works in peace → Cracks in crises. articles of confederation worked during peace but lacked power in the central govt during crisis

Question 32

what does the supremacy clause require and what is the big and important question it leaves unanswered?

Answer 32

federal law is the supreme law of the land. Who decides when a conflict happens and how to enforce it

Question 33

what does the tenth amendment require and what is the big important question it leaves unanswered?

Answer 33

powers not given to the fed is reserved for the state but it doesnt speicy what power

Question 34

what is the necessary and proper clause?

Answer 34

It gives Congress the power to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" for carrying out its specific powers listed in the Constitution

Question 35

what is the commerce "trade" clause and why has it been a particularly potent tool for the expansion of national power?

Answer 35

congress regulate trade ("commerce") between states federal government has used it to justify regulating lots of activities

Question 36

In gonzales v raich (2005), how did the majority use the commerce clause to rule in favor of congress's authority to regulate marijuana?

Answer 36

If economic activity can impact the national market, Congress could step in

Question 37

what is basic objective of the Full Faith and Credit Clause?

Answer 37

reciprocal recognition across state lines

Question 38

Under the Full Faith & Credit Clause, when is the principle of reciprocity strongest and weakest?

Answer 38

strongest with legal judgments weakest with public policies

Question 39

what is the privileges and immunities clause and what is the basic principle used to determine when a state may restrict the rights of non-residents?

Answer 39

ensures that people traveling or doing business in other states are treated fairly. they can restrict rights but discrimination must serve state interest think college tuition

Question 40

what are two characteristics of "dual federalism" prior to 1937?

Answer 40

Clear Separation of Powers Limited National Government

Question 41

Why did the great depression put the traditional system of Dual Federalism under considerable strain?

Answer 41

economic crisis required national intervention in areas that had previously been under state control

Question 42

how did the courts view of federalism change, starting in 1937, resulting in the 60 year "rubber stamp" era?

Answer 42

it moved away from prioritizing states rights toward supporting federal power

Question 43

what is "fiscal federalism" and how does this relationship shift the balance of power between national and state governments?

Answer 43

financial relationship between the national & state govt's national provides funding to states through grants, taxes, etc. which can influence state policies and priorities.

Question 44

what is the distinction between categorical and block grants?

Answer 44

Categorical grants for specific programs like education. Block grants general category of services, public health, giving states more flexibility in how they use the funds

Question 45

what is an unfunded mandate?

Answer 45

a requirement that states comply with federal law without any funding in return

Question 46

why did the court finally say "no" to congress in the US v Lopez decision of 1995?

Answer 46

carrying a gun was not economic activity that affected interstate commerce "trade"