American Government Today
Semester Final Review Sheet
Chapter 1
Public good
Machiavelli
Horse trading, civil disobedience
Chapter 2
Federal system vs parliamentary system
Types of economies—socialism, communism, market economy, command economy
Types of governments—republic, monarchy, democracy, dictatorship
Chapter 3
Popular sovereignty
James Madison—Constitution, Bill of Rights, Federalist Papers
Natural rights
Great Compromise
Views of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau
Chapter 4
Preamble
Separation of powers—why, what is it
Supremacy Clause
Chapter 5
Civil liberties
Civil rights
First Amendment—protections
Libel vs. Slander
5th Amendment protections
Chapter 6
Devolution
Gerrymandering
Block grants
Grants-in-aid
Unfunded mandates
Types of Federalism—cooperative, dual, regulated and new federalism
Types of local government—council-manager, elected commission
Chapter 8
Pluralism
PACs—what are they, main sponsors of them
Grassroots mobilization
Steps in policymaking
Chapter 10
Types of primaries—open, closed, blanket
Types of elections—primary, midterm, off-year, presidential
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Electoral College—what is it and criticisms
Reasons people/groups donate to candidates
Chapter 11
Constituents
Conference committee
Powers of the Senate
Chapter 12
Logrolling
Congressional page
Filibuster, cloture
How are committee chairs chosen?
Christmas tree bill
Chapter 13
“Mr. President”
lieutenant governor =?
Qualifications for President
Recall
Whistle-blower
Chapter 14
Federal discretionary spending—what is it, largest category
Entitlements
Federal fiscal year—what is it, when does it begin?
Regressive vs. progressive taxes
Chapter 15
Prosecuting attorney
Writ of certiorari
Burden of proof
Plaintiff vs defendant
How are appeals chosen by the Supreme Court?
Chapter 16
Bail
Felony vs misdemeanor
Grand jury