U.S. Government Exam Review

5 October 2022
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What is the purpose of government?
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Protect, maintain public order, resolve social conflicts, responsibility for a stable economy, and provide public services.
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Limited Government
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A system in which government's powers are restricted and individuals' rights are protected.
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Declaration of Independence
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Written by Thomas Jefferson, Declares Independence, List of complaints against Britain,expresses enduring beliefs of American society. Defines liberty, order, equality, democracy, and justice.
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John Locke
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Enlightenment philosopher who wrote the "Second Treasties of Government", greatly influenced the Declaration of Independence. Principles:Natural Rights and Consent of The Governed.
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Surpremacy Clause and changes
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Created to keep elastic clause from being stretched, and to restrict governmental powers. Overlooked during McCulloch VS. Maryland case. During the civil war, supremacy clause guaranteed that the union could not be dissolved.
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Unitary System
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A form of government in which all powers of the government are held by a single unit or agency.
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Federal System
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A form of government in which governmental powers are divided between a central authority and a number of regional political subdivisions.
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Confederacy
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A political system in which a weak central government has limited authority, and the states have all of the power.
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Socialism
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The economic system that advocates government ownership of the means of products.
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Capitalism
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An economic system characterized by open competition in a free market and based on private ownership.
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Communism
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A system of government in which the state controls the means of production.
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Parlimentary Government
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A form of government in which the executive leaders are chosen by and responsible to the legislature.
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Presidential Government
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A form of government in which the legeslative and executive brances are seperate and function independently.
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Democracy
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A sytem of government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.
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Direct Democracy
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A democratic system of government in which all citizens participate in politics and desicion-making.
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Representative Democracy
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A democratic system of government in which policies are made by officials accountable to the people who elected them.
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Dictatorship
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A form of government in which an absolute ruler controls the power, often through fear or force, and ignores the will of the people.
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Monarchy
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A government in which the ruler's power is hereditary.
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Popular Sovereignty
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The fundemental principle that the power to govern belongs to the people and that the government must be based on the consent of the governed.
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Second Treasties of Government
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Written by John Locke, and expresses enlightenment philosophy and the principles of the consent of the governed and natural rights.
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Checks and Balances
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A system in which the political power is divided among the three branches of government, each having some control over the others.
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Preamble
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Lists the six goals of government: form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic peace, provide for common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure liberty.
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First Amendment
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Freedom of speech and press including pure speech, speech plus, symbolic speech, and flag burning.
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Second Amendment
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Right to bear arms
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Tenth Amendment
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Powers of states and people
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Fourteenth Amendment
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Citizenship and Civil Rights
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Fifthteenth Amendment
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Right to Vote
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Seventeenth Amendment
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Direct election of senators
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Nineteenth Amendment
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Women's sufferage
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Twenty-First Amendment
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Repeal of prohibition
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Twenty-Fourth Amendment
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Abolition of poll taxes
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Twenty-Sixth Amendment
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18-year-old right to vote
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Original Method of Electing House Members
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Originally, members of the Senate were selected by the state legislatures for staggered 6 year terms, in accordance with Article 1, Section 3 of the Constitution.
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Reserved Powers
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The powers that the constitution sets aside for the state governments.
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Powers Denied to the States (Delegated powers)
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The powers, also called enumerated or expressed powers, that are specifically granted to the federal government by the constitution.
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Sovereignty
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The authority of a nation-state's right to rule itself.
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Federalists
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Supporters of a strong central government, as described in the constitution.
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Anti-Federalists
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Those who opposed the adoption of the constitution.
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Due Process
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The principle, guaranteed in the constitution, that the state and federal governments must not deprive an individual of life, liberty, or property by unfair or unreasonable actions.
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American Disabilities Act
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passed in 1990, extends many of the protections established for racial minorities and women to disabled persons. Disabled described as having a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more major activities of life.
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Bill of Rights (Limiting Government Power)
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Added to the constitution in 1791, this keeps the national government from limiting personal freedoms.
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Vietnam War (Influence on the Constitution)
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Recall
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The process by which voters can vote to remove the public official from office.
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Referendum
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The process by which a proposed public measure is voted upon.
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Initiative
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the process by which citizens can propose a law or state constitutional amendment to be voted upon in an election.
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Eminent Domain
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The governments right to take control of private property for public use.
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Double Jeopardy
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The act of bringing a person to trial a second time for the same crime.
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Total Number of Amendments
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27
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Representative Government
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A system in which policies are made by officials accountable to the people who elected them.
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Concurrent Powers
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The powers that both national and state governments have.
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Great Compromise
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Congress is bicameral, there are two senators per state and representatives by population in the House of representatives.
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Republic
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A democracy in which the Supreme power lies with the citizens to vote for officials and representatives responsible to them.
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Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
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The balance between liberty and order tilted too far to the side of Liberty and as a result the country sink into turmoil and chaos.
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State Constitution
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Organize a militia in a time of need, elections of all public officials, set up voting procedures and polling places.
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Property Taxes
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A tax on land and buildings, usually levied by local government.
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State Taxes
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Taxes set by local and state governments on purchased items, annual income, and licenses.
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Jim Crow Laws
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Stat and local laws that discriminated against African-Americans and supported segregation.
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Privatization
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Weak Mayor Council Plan
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Few budgetary, veto, or appointment powers. Mayor must often share executive authority with boards and commission. Little influence on city council.
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Strong of Mayor Council Plan
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Mayor has the power to propose the city budget and to veto ordinances passed by council. Has the authority to appoint and remove heads of city departments.
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Council-Manager Plan
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Voters elect the city council who passes ordinances, and appoints department heads and city managers. City managers oversee the departments
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Commission Plan
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Voters elect commissioners that serve as department heads, and also pass ordinances.
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Voter Behavior
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Voters will join a political party, the most common are Democratic, Republican, and Independent. Voters are allowed to and will change their political party at anytime. Those whom support a party may donate money, encourage others to join, and attend party meeting.
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Political Ideology
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Political attitudes influenced by family, gender, religion, race or ethnicity, education, and region.
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Differences between Democrats and Republicans
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Democrats work to create equality, want social security, are considered liberals, are more humanitarian, levy higher taxes, are for government regulations and are pro-choice. Republicans dont want guns, believe you earn what you work for, don't support welfare, don't force integration, are considered to be conservatives, want traditional values, only assist countries of NATO and the UN, and are for the death penalty.
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Primaries
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A nominating election held in the spring in which all party members may vote to choose the party's candidate for the general election.
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Open Primaries
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A type of direct primary in which voters may choose on election day the party primary they want to vote in.
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Closed Primaries
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A type of direct primary in which only registered party members may vote.
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Voter Regulations
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A person must have at least three months of U.S. citizenship, must be at least 18-years-old, state citizenship of at least 10 days, and must register to vote.
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National Conventions (Political Parties)
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A group of people organized to influence government throughout winning elections and setting public policy.
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Split Ticket Voting
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A vote for candidates of more than one party in the same election.
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Political Participation (Examples)
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Watching the campaign on tv, voting in the campaign, reading magazines about the campaign,influence the vote of others, wearing a campaign button or sticker, give money, attend a meeting, or work for a party or candidate.
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Campaign Costs and Candidate Spending
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National campaigns are more expensive than local campaigns. Most candidates spend their money on mass media.
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Political Party
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A group of people with similar believes and ideas, who try to influence the government through multiple political ways.
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Citizenship Requirements
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There are three ways to become a U.S. citizen: natural born, naturalization, being born and traveling abroad.
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Mass Media and Candidates Usage
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Candidates use mass media to influence the voters through newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and the internet.
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General Elction
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A regularly scheduled election in which all voters vote for the winners for each office.
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Liberal
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A person expressing political views or policies favor the use of governmental power to promote individual liberties and social progress.
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Conservative
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A person expressing political views that generally favor traditional values, the status quo, and the idea that government should stay out of the affairs of private citizens.
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Moderate
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A person opposed to extreme views whose political attitudes are between conservative and liberal.
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Interest Groups and their Impact on Government
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First, they buy broadcast time on radio or television, and newspaper and magazine adds. Secondly, they publish results on research studies that they sponseor, in order to influence public opinion. Lastly, they work closely with media to stage events to draw the public's attention.
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Sufferage Over Time
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Early attitudes and the sufferage movement (1840-1920), discrimination and growing concerns (1920-1970), Court decisions (1970-1976), and recent issues (1976-present)
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Political Efficacy
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Influence in political activities; the sense that one can make a difference through political participation.
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Gridlock
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A conflict between the legislative and exacutive branches that usually results in inaction.
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Political Action Committees
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(PAC)A political arm of an interest group set up to contribute to political campaigns.
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Influence on Partisan Votes
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Created by labor unions, professional organizations, and corporations in order to influence government.
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Law Making Process
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A proposed law is presented to a committee in a hearing. After the hearing, then must go through the house rules committee, is then brought into a debate during floor action, then must be voted upon. If passed by both houses, the bill must be signed by the president
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Overriding a Presidential Veto
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A 2/3 vote from the members of both houses is needed to override a veto the president put on a congressionally passed bill.
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Committee Process
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Types of committees: standing, select, joint, and conference. The best committees of each house are given assignments.
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Cloture
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The decision of three fifths of senate to limit or end debate on an issue and call for a vote.
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Malapportionment
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Distribution of representatives among congressional districts in unequal proportion the their population.
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Powers of Congress
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Delegated powers of congress are to borrow money, levy taxes, regulate trade with foreign countries, create a national currency, establish bankruptcy laws, declare war, and issue copyrights and patents. Nonlegislative powers are impeachment, review executive policies, approval of agencies, and make appropriations.
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Impeachment
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The formal procedure by which a president or any federal official is removed for misconduct from office.
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Bicameralism
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Having or consisting of two legislative houses or chambers.
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Filibuster
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A tactic, often a lengthy speech or debate, designed in order to delay the Senate's vote on a bill.
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Public Policy
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All of government's actions and programs that address issues and problems in society, or work toward a national goal.
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Electoral College and its Role
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People selected in each state who gather to formally cast their ballots for the president and vice president.
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Executive Powers
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The president has the executive powers to appoint officers and justices to the Supreme Court, remove individuals at will, grant pardons and grant amnesty.
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Qualifications of the Executive Branch
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Natural-born citizenship, residency of at least fourteen years, and must be at least thirty-five years of age.
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State of the Union Address
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Required by the constitution, and usually after an election, the president calls together both houses to give an address, and gain legislative support for his mentioned ideas.
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Inagural Address
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A lengthy speech given by the newly elected president, during which he expresses national goals and plans for his term.
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Presidential Election
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First a candidate makes their announcement explaining their decision to run. next, the candidate works to win enough delegates in order to be nominated to a party. Thirdly, a convention is held in which party leaders nominate a candidate. Lastly, a general election is held.
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Impact of Crisis on the Presidential Office
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The power of economic planning, the power of executive privelege, the power of impoundment, and the power of persuasion.
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Veto Power
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The president may veto a bill by refusing to sign it and sending along a message to congress withing ten days.
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War Powers Act
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Restricts the president's power during wars. Requires to report in writing to congress withing 48 hours after placing troops in trouble spots. Congress must then authorize the action withing 60 days, or the president must withdrawl the troops.
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Term of Presidential Office
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...One term is four years.
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Presidential Succession
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The specified procedure by which a vacancy in the presidency is filled.
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Treaty Making Powers
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The president is the chief navigator with foreign nations, but senate must confirm all treaties by a two-thirds agreement vote.
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Executive Agreement
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A presidential agreement, not requiring the Senate's approval, with another head of state.
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Executive Order
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A presidential directive to an agency that defines new policies or carries out existing laws.
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Civil Service
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The name given to federal government employees who are hired and promoted based on merit.
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President's Constitutional Powers
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Military powers, diplomatic powers, executive powers, and legislative powers.
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Surpreme Court
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Nine justices who decide which cases to hear, explaining the court's opinion, requesting special legal actions, and taking on occassional additional duties such as serving on commissions.
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Marbury VS. Madison Court Case (1803)
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Established the power of the supreme court to declare an act of congress or the executive branch unconstitutional
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McCullough VS. Maryland Court Case (1819)
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Expanded congress' ability to use its implied powers.
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Plessy VS. Furgeson Court Case (1896)
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Ruled that seperate but equal facilities for african americans are constitutional.
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Dred Scott Court Case (1857)
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Ruled that African American citizens can not be U.S. citizens and that congress has no power to forbid slavery in U.S. territories.
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Roe VS. Wade Court Case (1973)
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Established a woman's rights to have an abortion under certain circumstances.
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Miranda Rights Court Case (1966)
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Declaired that if accused persons have not been informed of their rights to remain silent, then any statements they make may not be used as evidence against them.
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Gibbons VS. Ogden Court Case (1824)
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Broadened the defenition of commerce and established that a state cannot interfere with congress's right to regulate interstate commerce.
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Brown VS. Board of Education Court Case (1954)
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Ruled that the seperation of races in public schools is unconstitutional.
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Judicial Review
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The power of the courts to establish the constitutionality of national, state, or local acts of government.
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Majority Opinion
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The view of the supreme court justices who agree with a particular ruling.
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Dissenting Opinion
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The supreme court opinion by one or more justices in the minority who oppose the majority ruling.
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Concurring Opinion
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A supreme court opinion by one or more justices who agree with the majority's conclusion, but wish to offer different reasonings.
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Seperation of Church and State
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No national religion may be established and, the government has no involvment with religion at all.
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Fourteenth Amendment: Due Process/Equal Rights
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Protects against civil liberty violations:Federal and state government must not deprive an individual of life, liberty, or property by unfair or unreasonable actions.
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Probable Cause
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The reasonable belief that a search of property will provide evidence for criminal cases.
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Civil Rights Act of 1964
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Makes discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin illegal in public places. Also forbids employers with more than fifteen employees to deny a person employment based on religion, race, color, or national origin.
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Term in Office of a Federal Judge
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No limit of terms.
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Jurisdiction
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The right to interpret and apply the law; a court's range of authority.
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Precedent and its Importance
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A judicial decision that is used as a standard in later similar cases.
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Original Jurisdiction
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The court's authority to hear and decide a case for the first time.
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Civil Rights
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Rights belonging to a citizen or member of society, regardless of race, sex, or national origin, to recieve equal treatment under the law.
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Appellate Court/Court of Appeals
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For the federal circuit, hears cases from all across the nation from legislative and district courts, such as patents, trademarks, or copyrights.
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District Court
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Primary trial courts with origional jurisdiction only, and regularly use grand juries.
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Civil Liberties
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Constitutionally based freedoms guaranteed to individuals.
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Civil Disobedence of First Amendment
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Freedom of speech and flag desecration.
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U.S. Taxes
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Sales tax:A tax on purchased items, income tax: a tax on annual income, property tax: a tax on land and building, inheritance, estate, and business taxes.
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Changes on Foreign Policy (9-11 and Cold War)
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The actions, decisions, and principles that guide the U.S. government's relationship with other nations. The cold war replaced the soviet unions with new individual republics.
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Isolationism
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A national policy of abstaining from political or economic relations with other countries.
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Internationalism
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A policy or practice of cooperation among nations, especially in politics and economic matters.
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Uses of Foreign Aid
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A government's financial assistance to other countries including military weapons, mediacal care, loans, and food to achieve better relationships with other countries.
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Authoritarian System
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They do not value democracy and insividual expression. They depend on the authority of one figure. There are five important measures:citizens as subjects, restrictions of communications and speech, narrow recruitment of political leaders, rues of individuals not law, and no competitive elections.
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United Nations and its Purposes
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The world's best known international peace-keeping organization. Consists of the U.S., Britain, France, China, and Russia whom create policies for the U.S. and other countries and sponsor international programs focused on economic development, health, education, and wlfare concerns.
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Social Security and Welfare
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Social security is a program created to help elderly, ill, and unemployed citizens, and is funded by personal contributions and available to those who have paid into them. Welfare is aid given by the government or private agencies to the needy or disabled.
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Federal Spending
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One way of spending is entitlements,a payment required by lawgiven to people meeting particularly eligible requirements.National defense is another way money is spent, in which a large amount of the budget is sent to military defense. Lastly, money is spent paying off the national debt.
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National Debt
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The sum of money borrowed by the federal government but, not yet repaid.
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Mixed Economy
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An economy which is not wholly capitalistic or socialistic but, is mixed with some characteristics of both.
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Federal Deficit
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An economic condition in which the goverment's spending exceeds its revenues.
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Imperialism
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The policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial conquering or by the establishment of economic and political control over other nations.
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UN Security Council
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Maintains international peace, investigate international disputes or situations, recommend ways of fixing disputes, regulate armaments, take military action, and to accept members.
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Powers of Foreign Policy (Executive+Congressional)
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Preserve national security by promoting a safe and secure global enviroment, promote world peace, balance powers, work with allies to solve international problems, promote democratic values and human rights, and further trade with foreign nations.