Understanding Government and Politics: A Comprehensive Guide
1. Why was the Declaration of Independence written? Explain how the Social Contract was violated and what happened
To break apart from Great Britain
Revolt-Start a New Government
2. According to the Declaration of Independence, what is the main purpose of government and what should the people do if government fails that objective?
Protect your natural rights (life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness)
Revolt
3. Explain why the Articles of Confederation failed
4. Explain how each form of government works and what are their advantages and disadvantages:
Direct Democracy
Citizens Vote on everything
Adv- Everyone has a say
Dis- Slow
Representative Democracy
Elect someone to represent you
Adv- You have a say
Dis- Elected person does not have to do what you want
Presidential Democracy
Elect the Executive Branch
Adv- Elect the head of government
Dis- Legislative and Executives blame each other
Parliamentary Democracy
Vote for one person who then votes for the head of government
Adv- Someone to blame
Dis- You do not vote for the head of government
Absolute Monarchy
King/Queen with no rules
Adv- Decisions are made fast
Dis- Possible Incompetence, Abuse of Power
Constitutional Monarchy
King/Queen with rules
Adv- Unifies a country
Dis- No/limited power
Dictatorship
Ruler who takes over with force
Adv- Decisions made quick
Dis- Constant warfare
Single Party State
A single party that controls a country
Adv- Decisions are made fast
Dis- Abuse of Power
Theocracy
A government based on Religion
Adv- Unifies government
Dis- Abuse of minority
4. Briefly describe each of the following economic systems:
Free Market:
People choose what is produced
Command Economy:
Government Chooses what is produced
Traditional Economy:
The individual chooses what is produced
Mixed Economy
A Combination between government and the people about what is produced
5. Explain what John Locke and Thomas Hobbes wrote about the social contract
John Locke- unalienable Rights are the purpose of government. Right to revolt
Hobbes- people give up some of their freedoms for protections
6.What are the Bill of Rights and why were they needed?
Compromise between Federalist and Anti federalist for the Constitution
Limit the power of federal government
8. Explain what Political Socialization is
How people determine their political beliefs
9. What are Interest Groups and how do they influence government?
Organisations that try to influence government
13. What are the beliefs of the following groups and describe where they are on the political spectrum both fiscal and social.
Conservatives
Social- Based on culture and tradition (Christianity)
Fiscal- Small/limited government
Liberals
Social- Based on freedom
b. Fiscal- Big Government that does things for its people
Libertarians
Social- Absolute Freedom
b. Fiscal- Very Small government
Socialists
Social- Equality
b. Fiscal- Government makes all decisions
Moderate
Social- Bot Conservatives and Liberal views
b. Fiscal- Depends on the issue
Communist
Social- Everyone is equal
Fiscal- No money or private property
14. What is the name of the system used to elect the President?
Electoral College
15. What is the formula used to determine the number of electors each state gets in the Electoral College?
Number of Representatives in Congress plus Senators
16. Explain the controversy caused by the Electoral College
You can win the popular vote and lose the presidency
17. Explain what gerrymandering and why is it so controversial?
Create congressional/state district for political gain
18. What are Super PAC’s and what do they do?
Organization the funnel money to campaigns
Why are they so controversial?
No limits. No name
Explain your position on Citizen United vs Federal Election Commision
Bribes/ Freedom of expression
19. Explain how the following elections work
Primary
Vote for the person who will represent the party
Open Primary
Choose whatever party you want to vote for
Closed Primary
Only party members can vote
Caucus
Meeting place where candidates try to convince people to support them
Blanket Primary
Vote for both parties
Run-Off Elections
Tournament style election. Top two candidates make it to the next round
General Elections
Vote for the position
20. Explain what is done in committees and what the following committees do
Standing Committees
Permanent
Select Committees (Sometimes called Special)
Form to solve/investigate a problem
Joint Committees
Form over issues that affect both houses
Conference Committees
Form to make one bills pass both houses
21. Briefly describe the steps a Bill must take to become law
Introduction, committee, vote on both houses, President signature
22. Explain the different types of veto each has and what it takes to override them:
President Vetoes:
2/3rds Vote of both
Governor’s Vetoes:
⅗ of the vote in both
23. List the duties and responsibilities of the President has
Commander and Chief
Chief Legislator
Chief Executive
Head of State
Budget
Pardons
Foreign Affairs Chief Diplomat
State of the Union
24. Explain what each of the following Cabinet position does and who is the active secretary
Secretary of State
Foreign Affairs
Secretary of Treasury
Nations Finance
Secretary of Defence
Military
Attorney General
Topp Lawyer
f. White House Chief of Staff
President’s Right hand man
25. Explain the federal court system, how many courts in each, and their jurisdiction
Supreme Court
1- Final authority on Constitution
Court of Appeals
13- Only hears appeals
District Courts
94- Basic court of Government
26. What is Judicial Review and how does it protect the minority opinion from the majority?
Courts review laws passed by Congress to make sure they do not violate your rights
27. Explain the what Establishment clause is and what does it restrict the federal government from doing?
1st Amendment rights Can not form national government
28. LegislativeRole: Make Laws Check: Impeach Veto | 29. ExecutiveRole: Enforce laws Check: Approves Judges Veto | 30. JudicialRole: Interpret laws Check: Judicial Review |
31. What are the propaganda techniques and how do the work?
1. Labeling, 2. Glittering Generality, 3. Card Stacking, 4. Transfer, 5. Plain Folks, 6. Testimonial
7. Bandwagon
32. What is the Supremacy Clause and what does it do?
Constitution supreme law of land
33. How is the Federal Constitution Amended? How does the Federal Amendment get ratified in Illinois?
⅔ of Congress or the States to propose
¾ of the States for approval
34. How is the Illinois Constitution Amended? How does it ratified?
⅔ of the General Assembly to propose
⅗ of the people of Illinois
35. Explain the government’s you live under and what they do:
Streamwood Village- Police/Firer
Hanover Township- Services/Asses Property Taxes
Cook County- Determine tax rates
Illinois- Laws
Federal- Foreign Affairs
36. List all of your Federally elected representatives and their positions and terms
President Trump 4
Vice- Pence 4
Senior Senator Durbin 6
Junior Senators Duckworth 6
37. Name the leadership positions and the person who holds the position in each branch of government
President: Trump
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan
President of the Senate Pence
Senate Pro Tempore Hatch
Senate Majority Leader McConnell
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Roberts
38. List all of your Illinois representatives and their positions and terms
44th District- Crespo
22nd Senator
Castro
Speaker of the House Mike Madigan
President of the Senate John Cullerton
Governor JB Pritzker
Lt. Governor Stratton
Attorney General Raul
Treasurer Friechrich
Comptroller Mendoza
Secretary of State White
Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court Karmani
Vocabulary: Explain the following terms.
Political Parties–
People who share like minded ideas on government
Democratic Party- Liberal
Republican Party Conservatives
3rd Parties- Parties that do not follow main
Home Rule (Illinois): 25K for gov
Soft Money
Money without no name
Hard Money
Money with a Name
PAC’s – Organization that funnels money to candidates