Theory behind US Gov’t.?

Social Contract

When People are the source of Power?

Popular Sovereignty

A Gov’t. based upon rule of law?

Limited Government

What keeps branches from becoming too

powerful?

Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances

Rule by the Many?

Democracy

Two Types of Democracy

DirectIndirect (representatives)

Rule by one or a Few?

Dictatorship

Essays written to encourage ratification

of the Const.

Federalist Papers

What part of the Constitution expresses popular

sovereignty?

Preamble

Protections under 1st Amendment

free speechfreedom of religionfreedom of pressfree to assemble and

petition

Elastic Clause

Necessary and Proper Clause that supports Implied Powers of our

government

Powers given only to Nat. Government

Exclusive Powers(coin money, declare war)

These powers create most conflict between St. and Nat.

Gov’t.

Implied Powers(not expressly written in

the Constitution)

Separation of Church and State

Establishment Clause

Formal Amendment Process

Proposal (by Congress)Ratification (by States)

How are most changes in our Gov’t. made?

Informally--by custom and tradition; political party practices; Supreme Ct. decisions and acts of

Congress and the President

Division of Gov’t. between State and

National Gov’t.?

Federal Government

Separation of Powers

LegislativeExecutiveJudicial

Three Branches of Gov’t.

Legislative (make)Executive (enforce)Judicial (interpret)

This means “two houses”

Bicameralism

Main Function of Congress?

Lawmaking

Which house is based on population?

House of Representatives

How many members are in the House of

Rep?

435

Minimum # or Reps. from each State?

One

What type of bill must start in the House of

Rep.?

Money Bills

Which house has the “power of the

purse”?

House of Representatives

Committee use to settle differences of the two

houses

Conference Committee

Taking care of constituents’ needs

Casework

Talking a Bill to Death

Filibuster

Congressional check on Pres.

override veto (2/3 vote)Senate refuses to ratify

an presidential nominee or a treaty

Pork Barrel Politics

When members of Congress get federal funds for projects in their own districts

Steps to become President

Primary/CaucusNational ConventionsGeneral ElectionElectoral Vote

Presidential Term

4years; can be elected 2xs--total

ten years

Electoral Votes Needed

270

When are electoral votes cast?

December of election year--counted in

January.

Total # of Electors?

538

Minimum from each State?

3

Party Election?

Primary

Purpose of Nat. Convention?

Nominate Pres./VP. Candidates

Choose Party Platform

SIMPLE MAJORITY?

50% + 1

PARTY MEETINGS ARE CALLED?

CAUCUSES

When the winner takes all the popular vote in a

state?

Winner-take-all

Who runs the campaign?

Candidate and his/her staff

What happens if noone wins enough electoral

votes?

House selects Pres.Senate selects VP.

T/F Popular vote winner can lose

election

Electoral Vote winner, wins election--candidates must win in states that have most electoral votes

Requirements in Texas

18 years old, US citizenregistered 30 days prior

to electionresident of state and

county

Number of Texas Electors

34

(2 Senators + 32 Representatives)

An example of a Presidential check on

Congress

VetoPocket Veto

Ultimate Umpire?

Supreme Court

Supreme Ct. check on Congress and President

Judicial Review

Case that ended Segregation

Brown vs Board of Education in Topeka,

Kansas

Term of a federal judge

Life

When illegal evidence is thrown out of court

Exclusionary Rule

Reading of your rights

Miranda Rights

The two Major Political Parties?

Democratic PartyRepublican Party

Roles of Minor Parties?

CriticsInnovatorsSpoilers

Role of Party “out of power”

Watchdog

What role does a Minor Party Play?

Spoiler

One Trend in Voting

Split Ticket Voting

Main Source of Information

Television

An Organization with a focused opinion on a

single topic

Special Interest Group

Special Interest Group that is opposed to gun

control.

NRA

Why do incumbents have an advantage?

more campaign moneybetter known

Political Arms of special interest groups used to raise

campaign money

PACs

A belief that women are more likely to favor Dem.

over Rep.

Gender Gap

This group favors extreme change

Radicals

This group believes gov’t. should be active

in change

Liberals

Motto of Liberals

Freedom over OrderEquality over Economic

Freedom

This groups favors “status quo”

Conservatives

Conservative Motto

Order over Freedom

Eco. Freedom over Equality

Drawing of district lines to favor the party or race in

power

Gerrymandering

To bring charges against

Impeach

Methods used to prevent African Americans from

voting

literacy testspoll taxesgrandfather clauseswhite primaries

Hierarchical arrangement of gov’t. doing specialized tasks

Bureaucracy