GOVT. 1: Essentials of Government
Fall 2007
Final Exam Study Guide
Sections
Multiple-Choice (50) – To be chosen from the multiple-choice questions given in the
weekly quizzes throughout the semester.
Vocabulary (25) – To be taken from the terms listed below.
Short Essay (5 questions) - Write one paragraph and include as much substance as
necessary to impart your full knowledge of the concepts and issues surrounding the
question.
Essay Examples
- Describe democracy in America and the American political culture.
(List and describe key elements of democracy in America such as individual freedom,
liberty, majority rule, protection of minority rights, limited government, separation of powers,
checks and balances, Bill of Rights, due process of law, habeas corpus, etc.)
- What are some of the factors that might help to determine whether democratic politics can take
root in a country that has not previously experienced democracy? Is it appropriate for America
to try to shape the governments and political arrangements of other countries?
- Describe the essential elements of Federalism in American and reference the US Constitution
as the legal “blueprint” for our federal form of government. From Article I of the Constitution,
describe the structure and power of Congress as delegated and implied. Also, include a
description of the power of the states as “denied” and “reserved”.
- Describe the role of the US Supreme Court in our federal system of government with respect to
separation of powers, jurisdiction, federal law, state law, etc. Also, describe the essence and
importance of the landmark Supreme Court case, Marbury v Madison.
- How do we elect a president in the United States? More specifically, describe process of a
presidential election beginning with the campaign, primary, general election, and the final
selection by the Electoral College.
- Who participates in our political system, and how do “they” (people and groups) participate?
Also, discuss the several factors that explain political participation considering political parties,
interest groups, and social movements.
- Discuss the California Initiative Process in terms of its history and effect. Also, consider the
process itself in terms of the qualifying requirements as well as the benefits and flaws of the
initiative process in California today. Is the initiative process an essential part of American
Democracy?
- Imagine yourself as wrongly accused of a crime. What rights and legal protections would you
expect and demand as a person accused of a crime? Why are these legal protections necessary if
you are innocent of a particular crime? Why is the 14th Amendment important to a person
accused of committing a crime in a particular state?
- Discuss the issue of immigration in California and the United States. From articles you have
read in the Sacramento Bee or from other mainstream media sources, focus on the central issues
and suggested political solutions.
- Compare and contrast the California State Legislature and Congress in terms of their source of
Constitutional power, makeup of legislators (numbers by chamber, terms, term limits,
partisanship, etc.)
- What do we mean when we say “the United States is a Federal Democratic Republic”?
Vocabulary
1. apportionment
2. “clear and present danger” test
3. “separate but equal” rule
4. 1st Amendment
5. 10th Amendment
6. 14th Amendment
7. affirmative action
8. appropriations
9. authoritarian government
10. autocracy
11. bicameral
12. Bill of Rights
13. Brown v. Board of Education
14. capitalism
15. checks and balances
16. civil liberties
17. civil rights
18. Commander-in-Chief
19. commerce clause
20. concurrent powers
21. conservative
22. constituent
23. criminal law
24. de jure
25. delegate
26. Democrat
27. discrimination
28. double jeopardy
29. due process of law
30. egalitarian
31. electoral college
32. eminent domain
33. equal protection clause
34. exclusionary rule
35. fascism
36. line-item veto
37. executive order
38. federalism
39. Federalist Papers
40. “fighting words”
41. freedom
42. gender gap
43. gerrymandering
44. grand jury
45. guest worker program
46. habeas corpus
47. impeachment
48. implied powers
49. incumbent
50. initiative (CA)
51. Judiciary Act of 1789
52. judicial review
53. laissez-faire
54. liberal
55. liberty
56. limited government
57. line item veto
58. litigation
59. lobbying
60. majority rule
61. majority leader
62. Marbury v Madison
63. Marxism
64. Miranda rule
65. New Deal
66. opinion
67. original jurisdiction
68. oversight
69. platform
70. political action committee
71. political participation
72. poll tax
73. pork barrel
74. primary election
75. prior restraint
76. progressive/regressive taxation
77. protection of minority rights
78. recall
79. redistricting
80. republic
81. Republican
82. Roe v. Wade
83. due process of law
84. limited government
85. reserved powers
86. segregation
87. selective incorporation
88. separation of powers
89. single-member district
90. socialism
91. soft money
92. stare decisis
93. suffrage
94. socialism
95. socioeconomic status
96. secular
97. sectarian
98. term limits
99. unitary
100.
War Powers Resolution