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39 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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what are the five major institutional changes since the constitution?
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-power shifted from congress to president
-bureaucracy has grown - supreme court is the final arbiter of constitutionality - govt is more involved in economy and society - fed govt has grown in relation to the states |
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how do political parties matter in congress?
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- majority party in House selects Speaker and Majority leader
- majority party in Senate selects Speaker and presidential protem - congressional leaders control flow of business - majority party pick commitees and sub commitees. |
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what role do committees play in Congress?
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it is where Congress does work.
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why do Congressional incumbents usually win?
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- can raise more money
- enjoys benefits of the office - faces weak challengers - does a majority of their constituents want them to do - name recognition |
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what do congressional critics say that are the institution's faults?
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-too narrow minded and fragmented to make a coherent national policy
- bought off by the special interests - avoids hard choices |
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which demographic groups are overrepresented/underrepresented in the Congress?
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over:
- male, business, lawyers, white under: - women, asian, latino, black |
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when are elected reps most liekly to vote in line with their constituents' views?
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- because the senate's terms only last 2 years, most of them act as delegates, rep the view of the people
- teh house of reps will usually reflect the views of the wealtheir people |
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what role did teh framer's think the president would play in the American political system?
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- represent the views of the citizens
- define the challenges that faced the nation - create political coalitions large enough to overcome congressional and special interest opposition to change - mobilize electorate to pressure the political establishment |
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why did presidential power grow so important in the 20th century
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- world war 2
- great depression - structural changes allowed president expansion possible and necessary - rise of u.s. as world power - regulation of economy |
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do presidents really represent the people?
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no:
- his power to lead public opinion is his power to manipulate - can push his own agenda when there is little support - responds to the special interest groups, party activists, and his contributors yes - presidents are aware of their public opinion status and try to stay within the boundaries - only remain powerful when they are popular. |
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what is the rule of law? why is it so important/
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the rule of law states the govt must abide by certain laws, rules, and regulations. it is accountable for its actions, and individuals have rights.
it is important so that govt does not go power hungry and infringe on the citizens' rights |
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what are the 3 sources of law in our political system?
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- constitution is the fundamental law, dictates how to make laws and what laws can and cannot do
- judges interpret the law - legislature provide more speicfic rules regarding citizen rights and govt power |
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what is the definition of civil liberties
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liberties for the citizens that are protected by certain laws, regulations, and rules from certain types of govt interference
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why are civil liberties necessary for popular sovereignty?
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in order for the population to have the right to speak their minds about politics, and express their opiniions they need to have their civil liberties. for people to vote, they need civil liberties.
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what are the five basic freedoms mentioned in the first amendment?
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- freedom of speech
- freedom of press - freedom of assembly - freedom of religion - established religion is illegal |
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3 legal justifications for limiting free speech?
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- clear and present danger
- obscenity - slander |
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what is "prior restraint"?
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it is the act of the government to restrict a type of communication from reaching the public
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what is the difference between "free exercise of religion" and the "establishment of religion"?
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- free exercise refers the individual's freedom to choose and worship in any religion of his choosing
- establishment refers to the state actually making a mandatory religion |
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why, according to the Supreme Court, doesn't the first amendment protect the right of the Native Americans to use peyote in religious cermonies?
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religion doesn't give you an excuse to commit a crime.
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what right is the foundation of the Supreme Court decision in Roe V Wade? Where is it found in the Constitution?
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- right of privacy, it is found no where
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Miranda warnings have been required by the Court to protect what right?
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5th
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what is federal "jurisdiction"?
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the territory that the government has been given where they can assert their authority to adminster justice.
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What is libel, what is slander?
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Libel = written deflamation of character
slander = oral defamation |
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how is the structure of California's governmentla institutions similar to that of the national govt.
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Similar:
Seperation of pwoers Lobbying of groups Expensive political campaigns Decentralization of leglisature dissimilar Direct democracy Gerrymandering of districts Rules that allow a small minority to block |
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what is the initiative?
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voters can put issues on ballots with enough signatures
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referendum?
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voters can revoke laws passed by legislature, have to vote for another law
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what is recall?
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voters can kick an elected official out of office
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why have their been so many inititatives in california in recent years?
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-easy to do, legislature doesn't always act
-to pass, a petition needs: a. signatures equal to 8 percent number of votes b. simple majority of votes |
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what is the single largest category of state spending?
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education
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what is meant by fiscal crisis?
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state spends more than it can make
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why does california have a fiscal crisis?
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ca spends more than it takes in taxes
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what is the single largest source of state revenue?
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income tax (40 percent)
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how would democrats balance the budget?
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raise tax rate
increase corporate tax close tax loopholes expand tax base |
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how would republicans balance the budget?
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-limit budget growth to population growth
-cut corporate taxes -charge students the true cost of education -limit spending on health and human services to the very poor |
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why are the republicans able to block the democratic solution/
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- republican govenor
- very conservative republican party, opposed to tax increase - republican minority able to block with 2/3 veto |
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rule of law
def, significance, example |
definition: govt must follow certain rules, regulations and laws. they are responsible for their actions and individuals have rights.
significance: this makes govt accountible to the people and gives citizens rights. govt cannot push people with unlimited power example: miranda rights. a suspect must be read his miranda rights, otherwise anything self-incriminating cannot be used against him in a Court |
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Freedom of Religion
def, significance, example |
def: the principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community to manifest religion, unless you commit a crime
significance: religion is an extremely personal attribute. for a government to tell you cant practice your religion can be equated with "you cant be yourself" example:the case of the Santeria in south florida, where the city ruled that the religious practices (which involved killing chickens) were unconstitutional and outlawed animal sacrifice. The state court ouverturned the conviction and threw out the law because the law was less about protecting chickens (who were going to be eaten anyway) and more about taking away the religious freedom of these people. |
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judicial review
def, significance, example |
def = “the power of the Supreme Court to declare state and federal laws and actions null and void when they conflict with the Constitution.”
Significance = it involves the right of a body that is shielded from direct accountability to the people (as federal judges are appointed and serve for life) to review and judge the actions of government bodies whose members are elected. Should they be given this power as the people have no say in picking them or whether or how they should do govt? Example = brown v board of education. States had laws which established “separate but equal” public schools. These were segregated schools and were not equal. The court overturned the decision allow state sponsored segregation and ruled that it was a violation of the equal protection cause of the 14th amendment. |
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direct democracy in california
def, significance, example |
- Definition
- A system in California in which a Californian citizen can create an initiative, in other words a future law that can be passed, a referendum where voters can pass or refute a law, or a recall, where voters can take a government official out of office. - Significance - This system is significant because it provides Californians much political power. Not only this, but it has provided much room for debate because at times, it is much easier to amend the Constitution than to repeal an amendment made. - Example - the election of arnold Schwarzenegger as our govenor. california voters recalled gray davis, and elected Arnold as the govenor. |
