Government Test 1 Study Guide (CH 13-15), Block, 10/12-13 (100 Points)
Tests are 20 questions: 15 questions from class notes and 5 questions from in-class readings, videos, and work sections.
Try using the class ning for study help. Unexcused make up tests also include 4 additional essay questions.
Concepts to Know (further definition in parenthesis) [tips are in brackets]
Fundamental Role of Gov
Anarchy (State of Nature)
Social Contract
Rule of Law
Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development
Why rule of law so high in America?
What influences your political ideology?
Liberal
Conservative
Democratic Party
Republican Party
Libertarian Party
America is more conservative or liberal, more and
Democratic or Republican?
Roots of Partisanship: Divided news (CNN/Fox/Web)
religious involvement in politics, candidate rhetoric
Tea Party
What is the impact of factions (like the Tea Party) on
bigger political parties?
Role of states on America's history with government?
Federalism
History of the power balance in America's federal
system?
Constitutional Government
3) US Constitution Characteristics:
a) Republican democ (representative)
b) Separation of Powers (legis, exec, jud)
c) Federalism (national/state share power)
d) Rule of Law (but NASCAR style)
Constitutional Structure and Amendment:
Article 1: Congress/Legislature (House + Senate)
Article 2: President/Executive (President + Implied
Bureaucracy)
Article 3: Federal Courts/Judiciary (US Courts)
Article 4: State Limits
Article 5: Amendment Process:
2/3 of Congress > 3/4 States
2/3 of States > 3/4 States (never used)
Article 6: National Supremacy (when in Art 1, Sec 8)
Article 7: Ratification Process
Amendments: 1-10 (Bill of Rights) 27 Amendments Total
Article 1: Congress/Legislature (House + Senate)
Creates the laws
Article 2: President/Executive (President + Implied
Bureaucracy)Executes the laws
Article 3: Federal Courts/Judiciary (US Courts)
Interprets the laws (resolves conflicts)
Different limits placed on federal gov and state gov by
the Constitution (parent analogy)
How to pass amendments to the Constitution?
Difference/similarities between a US law (US Code)
and the US Constitution
Congress's Constitutional powers founder where?
Article Section 8, Clause 1: Tax and Spend
Article Section 8, Clause 3: Interstate Commerce
Role of the Judiciary Branch
Judicial Review
Strict Interpretation
Loose Interpretation
Judicial Activism
Judicial Restraint
Hammer v. Dagenhart
Heart of Atlanta Hotel v. US
US v. Lopez
US v. Morrison
3 Levels of the Federal Courts: Supreme, Circuit,
District
9th Circuit
Does the 9th Circuit have to hear an appeal?
Appellant/Petitioner
Respondent
How to become a federal judge/justice
How many justices on Supreme Court?
How many justices for the Supreme Court to accept a
case?
How many justices for the Supreme Court to decide a
case?
Name of the 9 Justices (Three Kinky Southern Girls
Bring Rapper Kanye Scandals Aplenty)
How many justices are conservative?
Who is the Chief Justice and who is the swing vote?
Precedent/ Stare Decisis
Strict Scrutiny
How Can You Sue:
a) Criminal: Gov (ppl) sue you!
Decision by: 100% of jury believed beyond reasonable
doubt (98%)
Outcome: action by accused, fine, jail, death
b) Constitutional: You sue gov to enforce or change
interpretation of the Constitution
Decision by: judge
Outcome: gov action (can bring 1983 civil case)
c) Civil: You sue gov or people to get something for
yourself. (Being harmed is called a “tort”)
Decision by: 75% of jury believes probably (50%)
Outcome: action by accused, award money
42 U.S.C. 1983
Difference between Mock Trial and Moot Court
1st Amendment
Tinker v DesMoines
Bethel School v. Fraser
Hill v. Colorado
4th Amendment
New Jersey v. TLO
Broard of Ed (Pottawatomie) v. Earls
Kyllo v. US
Who decides what is a crime, who catches who breaks
the law, who decides if the person is charged with the
crime, who decides what the law is, who decides what
really happened, and who decides the penalty?
Difference between judge and juries role in a trial?
Impact of Crime (economic, security, cultural)
Recidivism Rate
Prevent Crime (economic, security, cultural)
Million Dollar Blocks
Case Study 1: LA Riots
Case Study 2: Newark, NJ