POLS 1100 (Government)- Exam #1 Study Guide

the ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political developments

the recognized right of governments and officials to exercise power

the government has the right to rule as recognized by those being governed

the governing body of a nation, state, or community, institutes laws, rules, and regulations

the process through which a society settles its conflicts; the struggle for power

the careful gathering and sifting of information in the process of forming a knowledgeable view about political issues

Political theory/Political philosophy (questioning government)

Governmental Studies (study of gov. at American, state/local, and regional levels)

Comparative Politics (comparing gov. systems),

International Relations (politics about state/federal level)

Political Economics (economics with politics)

sociology, criminology, law, economics, civics, geography, philosophy, regional studies, cultural/religious studies

Who has power?

What power does this person/organization/group have?

When was this power obtained?

Where does this power come from?

How does this person have power?

Why does this person have power?

taxes, regulations, safety & security, economics, laws, religion & culture (in some countries)

determining what can reasonably be believed and then using the information to reach a thoughtful conclusion

our tendency to interpret information in ways that reinforce what we already believe

the widely shared and deep-seated beliefs of a country’s people about politics

Liberty, Individualism, Equality, and Self-Government

the principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose as long as they don’t infringe unreasonably on the freedoms of other individuals

the belief that people are free to pursue their interests and should be self-sufficient

the ideal that all individuals are equal in worth in society and are treated equally under the law

the principle that people are the ultimate source of government power and should have a voice in their governing.

a way of governing that values order and control over personal freedom

an economic system based on the idea that government should interfere with economic transactions as little as possible giving as much liberty as possible (capitalism)

the idea that the majority prevails not only in elections, but in setting public policy

the idea that public policy is set by competing groups in society (special interests)

limiting government power to protect citizens’ liberties (written rules)

the idea that wealthy and well-connected individuals exercise the most power in setting public policy

government power concentrated among a few such as business, military, etc. (small group)

a government that is subject to strict legal limits on uses of power

a government in which the people govern through the selection of representatives

was a philosopher in the 1600s with many ideas, most of them pertaining to human rights. He believed the government was founded on social contract and that people living in a state of nature should be able to enjoy inalienable rights

citizens are willing to give up some of their autonomy for protection, in return government must secure protection of society and uphold our natural rights. If these are not met, it shall be the right of the citizens to change or abolish the government and form a new government.

life, liberty, and property

Adopted during the Revolutionary War, Not a constitution: a fundamental law that defines how a government will legitimately operate, Created a weak national government, Prohibited Congress from interfering in states’ commerce policies, Prohibited Congress from taxation, States retained “sovereignty, freedom, and independence”, Unanimous consent needed to approve amendments (1st government tried in the US)

to prevent foreclosures a group of farmers led by daniel shay created an armed rebellion, congress were unable to send an army to deal with the issue and this was worrisome because of the weakness of our government, largely convinced the people that our national government was too weak and we needed to strengthen it.

representation based on state population, more power to large states

each state has one vote, equal power to large and small states

(bicameral congress), house of representatives, lower chamber: proportional representation, senate, upper chamber: equal representation

three-fifths of the enslaved population counted for appointment of taxes and political representation

the action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid.

supporters of the constitution, led by Alexander Hamilton, supporters of a stronger national government

those who were against a strong central government, worried it was too powerful, most were in the south, led by Thomas Jefferson, more in favor of states

powers divided among separate branches rather than investing them entirely in a single individual or institution

the power of the judiciary to decide whether a government official or institution has acted within the limits of the constitution and, if not to declare its action null and void

Marbury wanted his appointment from John Adams who had sent them out before leaving the office and went down known for the ‘Midnight Judges’. Madison denied his appointment to be a judge which angered Marbury so he took it to court. It was ruled that Adams's actions were unconstitutional so Marbury didn’t receive his appointment. This case applies to the creation of judicial review.

First 10 amendments to the constitution

government where the people govern directly or indirectly through elected representatives, the word democracy derives from “demos” - the people rule together.

the idea that the group with the most members has the most political power in a country and can make binding decisions

protected rights that are enjoyed by everyone, even those not considered part of the majority, means the majority can trample on a minorities natural rights

the people acting as an irrational mob that tramples on the rights of the minority

an unofficial term that refers to the electors who cast the state's electoral votes

everybody in the government votes on every decision or dispute that occurs

the people select certain representatives to represent them and vote on issues that arise

divided sovereignty between the national government and the state’s government

supreme and final governing authority

one central government that works as one and makes all decisions

a system that has one main government but is broken down into multiple smaller sub-branches

multiple independent states but will work together

power expressly written and granted to the national government in the constitution

powers not expressly written but related to those that are

national laws were the supreme law of the land

the states’ powers under the constitution

Maryland legislatures tried to tax the 2nd bank of the US and when they did McCulloch a cashier refused to pay the tax. The state sued him and then they went to court. The ruling was that the states had no power to tax under the supremacy clause. This case applies to both the necessary and proper clause and implied powers through the constitution. In favor of the national government and the supremacy clause.

Dred Scott escaped from his owner and traveled north. He was then caught and arrested in the north, however, he believed he had freedom because he had been found in a state where slavery was illegal. In a decision that later was nullified by the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments, the Supreme Court held that former slaves did not have standing in federal courts because they lacked U.S. citizenship, even after they were freed. In favor of the states creating their own laws. (gave more power to the states)

Plessy v. Ferguson was a landmark 1896 U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the “separate but equal” doctrine. The case stemmed from an 1892 incident in which African American train passenger Homer Plessy refused to sit in a car for Black people. This applies to the creation of segregation and upheld the Jim Crow Laws.

precise separation of national and state authority

shared policy responsibilities (working together)

the power to make laws in support of expressed powers (in support of implied powers)