Carnival Game: The Madisonian Model
Directions: Answer the multiple choice questions.
Questions
1. In Madison's original plan, voters only directly elected
the president
the Supreme Court justices
Senators
Representatives
2. Which of the following is a check by the president on the power of the Congress?
vetoing bills passed by Congress
nominating judges to serve on federal courts
delivering the State of the Union Address
declare war
3. Which of the following statements does NOT support the Madisonian Model?
place power of the government beyond the direct control of the majority
separate the powers of different institutions
divide powers absolutely among different branches of government
construct a system of checks and balances
4. The Constitution insulates officials from public opinion by setting different terms in office and election
schedules. Which of these is correct?
Judges are appointed for a six-year term.
Only one-third of the Senate is up for re-election every two years.
All members of the House of Representatives are elected every four years.
Senators are limited in the number of terms they can serve.
5. Which of the following is a check on the power of the president by Congress?
impeaching the president and removing him from office
declaring presidential actions unconstitutional
overriding a presidential veto with a simple majority
nominating judges to serve on federal courts
6. Which of the following is part of the judicial branch?
Executive Office
House of Representatives
Senate
Supreme Court
7. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
Each of the branches of government is independent of the others.
The branches of government share powers with each other.
The House of Representatives is the only body directly elected by the majority.
Gridlock in government is a result of the checks and balances in the system.
8. According to James Madison, which of the following is the primary source of political conflict?
differing political ideologies
differing religious views
the distribution of wealth
self-interested human nature
9. The system of governance set up in the Constitutional Republic tends to
favor the status quo as opposed to political change
be rather efficient in producing political results
encourage direct democracy
centralize power
10. Which of the following changes to the Constitution made it more democratic?
the courts can rule laws unconstitutional
direct election of Senators
term limits on the presidency
freezing the number of representatives in the House
Hints
1. Hint: These elected officials represent the fewest people.
2. Hint: Congress passes laws. How can the president check the power?
3. Hint: Consider that Congress alone does not make the laws.
4. Hint: Which of these insulates officials from public opinion?
5. Hint: What can Congress do if the president breaks the law?
6. Hint: The judicial branch can declare acts unconstitutional.
7. Hint: The Constitution is more democratic now because of changes.
8. Hint: Which of these involves money?
9. Hint: What is our government like because of the Madisonian Model?
10. Hint: Which of these gives more power to the majority?
Answers
1. Representatives
Correct Feedback: The direct election of Senators required a change to the Constitution.
Incorrect Feedback: Originally Senators were elected by state legislatures.
2. vetoing bills passed by Congress
Correct Feedback: Congress can override the veto with a 2/3 majority.
Incorrect Feedback: This power keeps Congress from having too much authority.
3. divide powers absolutely among different branches of government
Correct Feedback: The Constitution divides powers so that the branches share power.
Incorrect Feedback: Madison sought to prevent tyranny by the majority.
4. Only one-third of the Senate is up for re-election every two years.
Correct Feedback: Madison saw the Senate as more likely to represent the minority.
Incorrect Feedback: The Senate tends to be more conservative than the House.
5. impeaching the president and removing him from office
Correct Feedback: The House impeaches the president and the Senate votes to remove him.
Incorrect Feedback: This power keeps the president from having too much power.
6. Supreme Court
Correct Feedback: The district courts and courts of appeals also make up the judiciary.
Incorrect Feedback: The judicial branch is made up of courts.
7. The House of Representatives is the only body directly elected by the majority.
Correct Feedback: Originally the House was the only body elected by the majority.
Incorrect Feedback: The Senate is now elected by the majority as well as the House.
8. the distribution of wealth
Correct Feedback: Madison was most concerned about "mob rule" by the poor in society.
Incorrect Feedback: The minority for Madison was the wealthy elite.
9. favor the status quo as opposed to political change
Correct Feedback: Enacting legislation requires agreement between majority and minority.
Incorrect Feedback: The Madison Model makes change difficult.
10. direct election of Senators
Correct Feedback: The 17th Amendment established direct election of senators.
Incorrect Feedback: Senators originally were elected by state legislatures.