US Government & Politics: Key Concepts and History
1. Introduction to US Government
1.1 Public Goods
What goods are available to all without direct payment? Public goods
1.2 Forms of Government
In which form of government does a small group of elite people hold political power? Monarchy
1.3 Elite vs. Pluralist Theory
The elite theory of government maintains that wealthy, politically powerful people control government, and government has no interest in meeting the needs of ordinary people.
According to the pluralist theory of government, government policy is formed as a result of the competition between groups with different goals and interests.
1.4 Tradeoffs and Partisanship
Which of the following is a good example of a tradeoff? The government pleases environmental activists by preserving public lands but also pleases ranchers by allowing them to rent public lands for grazing purposes.
Supporting the actions of the Democratic Party simply because one identifies oneself as a member of that party is an example of partisanship.
1.5 Latent Preferences
When a person is asked a question about a political issue that he or she has little interest in and has not thought much about, that person’s answer will likely reflect latent preferences.
1.6 American Democracy
American democracy is characterized by majority rule and protections for minority rights.
2. Historical Influences and the Constitution
2.1 Influence of John Locke
British colonists in North America in the late seventeenth century were greatly influenced by the political thought of John Locke.
2.2 Branches of Government
Which of the following is not one of the three branches of the federal government? The military
2.3 The Social Contract
The agreement that citizens will consent to be governed so long as government protects their natural rights is called the social contract.
2.4 Articles of Confederation
What important power did the national government lack under the Articles of Confederation? It could not impose taxes.
2.5 Slavery and the Constitution
How did the delegates to the Constitutional Convention resolve their disagreement regarding slavery? It was agreed that 60 percent of a state’s slave population would be counted for purposes of both representation and taxation.
2.6 The Federalist Papers
Why were The Federalist Papers written? To encourage New York to ratify the Constitution.
2.7 Alexander Hamilton’s Arguments
What argument did Alexander Hamilton use to convince people that it was not dangerous to place power in the hands of one man?
- One man could respond to crises more quickly than a group of men like Congress.
- It was easier to control the actions of one man than the actions of a group.
2.8 Ratifying Amendments
How many states must ratify an amendment before it becomes law? Three-fourths
2.9 The Bill of Rights
What is the Bill of Rights? The first ten amendments to the Constitution that protect individual freedoms.
2.10 Influences on the Declaration of Independence
Which of the following influenced Thomas Jefferson when creating the Declaration of Independence?
- The Enlightenment belief in natural born human rights
- The writings of John Locke
- The violation of civil liberties under the British Monarchy
3. Federalism
3.1 Federal vs. Unitary Systems
Which statement about federal and unitary systems is most accurate? In a federal system, the constitution allocates powers between states and federal government; in a unitary system, powers are lodged in the national government.
3.2 State and Local Revenue
Which statement is most accurate about the sources of revenue for local and state governments? Between 30 and 40 percent of the revenue for local and state governments comes from grant money.
3.3 McCulloch v. Maryland
In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court invoked which provisions of the constitution? Necessary and proper clause and supremacy clause
3.4 New Federalism
Which statement about new federalism is not true? President Reagan was able to promote new federalism consistently throughout his administration.
Which is not a merit of cooperative federalism? Cooperative federalism respects the traditional jurisdictional boundaries between states and federal government.
3.5 Federal Grants
Which statement about federal grants in recent decades is most accurate? The amount of federal grant money going to states has steadily increased since the 1960s.
3.6 Unfunded Mandates
Which statement about unfunded mandates is false? New federalism does not promote the use of unfunded mandates.
7. Which statement about immigration federalism is false? a. The Arizona v. United States decision struck down all Arizona’s most restrictive provisions on illegal immigration 8. Which statement about the evolution of same-sex marriage is false? United States v. Windsor legalized same-sex marriage in the United States 10. Which of the following is not a benefit of federalism? Federalism encourages economic equality across the country 11. Which of the following influenced Thomas Jefferson when creating the Declaration of Independence? a. The Enlightenment belief in natural born human rights b. the writings of John Locke c. the violation of civil liberties under the British Monarchy 12. The limited role that the federal government had with the states was ended by?Franklin Roosevelt and his “New Deal”