USA1

Question 1

What is the 1st comparative theory with the key word ‘selfish’?
meaning a outcome has come from?

Answer 1

Rational

Self-interest, best for them

Question 2

What is the 2nd comparative theory with the key phrase ‘group and shared ideology’
e.g.?

Answer 2

cultural

UK governed culturally by conventions USA by sovereign entrenched constitution

Question 3

What is the 3rd comparative theory with the key phrase ‘institutions and processes’
e.g. ?

Answer 3

structural

party loyalty structure strong in the UK weak in USA

Question 4

Constitution was written? ratified?
Has vague language because?
5 features?

Answer 4

1887, 1789
avoid outdated can be interpreted/adapted
-codified
-sovereign
-entrenched
-judicable
-federal

Question 5

What are the 3 branches

What does the constitution give each set of branches?

Answer 5

-executive -president
-legislative- congress
-judicial- supreme court
enumerated powers

Question 6

executive branch 5 enumerated powers?

Answer 6

• negotiates treaties
• reprieves and pardons
• veto legislation
• nominates federal justices
• commander-in-chief

Question 7

legislative branch 5 enumerated powers?

judicial branch?

Answer 7

• collects taxes
• borrows money
• declares war
• regulates trade
• ratifies treaties/appointments

-judicial review

Question 8

What is highlighted by the constitutional framework? (2)

Answer 8

• separation of powers

- checks and balances

Question 9

where is the amendment process formally laid out?

what is the typical time limit to ratify? to avoid?

Answer 9

article V, entrenchment

7 years, 27th amendment 202 years

Question 10

What is the amendment process?

1) proposal national level
2) ratification at state level

Answer 10

-2/3 both houses then 3/4 state legislature then 3/4 state constitutional conventions

Question 11

Amendment process advantages? (4)

Answer 11

• works (27 amendments)
• endured time, protected principles
• bipartisanship, protect tyranny
• protects federalism

Question 12

Amendment process disadvantages? (5)

Answer 12

• need super-majorities too difficult
• unelected supreme court gain to much
• allow tyranny of minority
• can’t incorporate new ideas (out of date)
• bad amendments e.g. 18th repealed 14yr later

Question 13

What are the 5 key principles of the constitution?

Answer 13

• separation of powers
• checks and balances
• bipartisanship
• limited government
• federalism (shared sovereignty)

Question 14

what amendment protects the states?
states can control?(3)

what are the 4 factors affecting federal-state relationship?

Answer 14

10th amendment

• election practices
• local law
• regulate lives e.g. age of consent
• ‘necessary proper’ federal growth 15 dep
• globalisation, terrorism/natural disasters federal has money
• state/federal law conflict federal wins
• ‘commerce’ clause allows federal to regulate interstate commerce e.g.Obamacare

Question 15

Strengths of the constitution? (6)

Answer 15

• vague, flexible for 21st centaury
• supreme court allows non-partisan interpretation
• amendment process significant change
• states largely independent
• federal gov protected against unquestioned power
• rights mainly protected

Question 16

Weaknesses of the constitution? (5)

Answer 16

• interpretive amendments trample on state rights
• supreme court power unaccountable and unelected
• amendment prohibited necessary change
• federal gov wide unchecked power e.g. Obama Iran deal
• rights of citizens often conflict

Question 17

Which features of the constitution shows… representative democracy ? (1)

liberal? (2)

pluralist ? (3)

Answer 17

-federalism (gov close)

• checks and balances (limited gov)
• bill of rights (protect minority)
• checks and balances ( bipartisanship)
• federalism (local beliefs into law)
• bill of rights (protect minority)

Question 18

The US is federal ? (5)

Answer 18

• state decide/enforce laws
• supreme court rules in favour of states
• electoral practices vary and are developing
• appealing to supreme court not a right so state courts remain important
• political parties remain ‘broad churches’

Question 19

The US not federal? (4)

Answer 19

• growth of federal gov encroach on states
• electoral college big importance few states
• federal gov resources globalisation
• supreme court rules for federal gov

Question 20

Principles
similarities (3)

differences (3)

Answer 20

• separation of powers (reforms 2005)
• divided gov (house of lords growth)
• checks and balances, supreme court
• c/b limited in UK due to fused exec and leg strong in US
• bipartisanship enforced in US, unnecessary in UK due to majority
• US gov limited separation of powers, UK ‘elected dictatorship’

Question 21

Federalism and devolution

similarities (3)

Answer 21

• reliant on grants from central gov
• national gov supremacy
• states/devolved notable diff in legislation
• law in US diff, UK centralised similar
• USA states sovereignty protected, UK rely on parliament
• UK limited supreme court resource, US challenge regularly.