2014-2015 U.S. Government & Economics MIDTERM REVIEW GUIDE
Exam Date: Thursday Jan 22, 2014
Review the following terms, going beyond simple definitions. Examine and study the meaning of, the
background of, the implications of, the causes and effects of, the purposes of and the examples of these
terms, where relevant, as well as the connections among these many aspects of Government and
Economics.
Inherent Powers
What is Government?
Preamble to the Constitution- purpose of
Delegated powers
government
Concurrent Powers
Executive, Judicial, Legislative Powers of
Exclusive Powers
government
Powers denied to the National government
Indirect democracy
Powers denied to the States
Representative democracy
Necessary and Proper Clause
Limited government
Elastic Clause
Dictatorship
Full Faith and Credit Clause
Social contract theory
Privileges and Immunities Clause
Characteristics of a State
Supremacy Clause
Factors needed for democracy to succeed
Reserved powers
Why do nation-states fail?
Separation of powers
Free enterprise system
Division of Powers
Declaration of Independence
Interstate Commerce
Articles of Confederation
Treaty power
Role of government in capitalism
Liberal vs. Conservative- Political Spectrum
The Legislative Branch
Implied powers
Elastic clause/Necessary and Proper clause
The Constitution
Limited government
Commerce power
Popular sovereignty
Taxing power
Rule of law
War powers
Constitutionalism
War Powers Resolution
Declaration of Independence: structure, content
Impeachment
Articles of Confederation: structure,
At-large election
strengths/weaknesses, outcome
Off year election
Constitutional Convention
Incumbent
Three-Fifths Compromise
Census
Articles of the Constitution
Reapportion
Powers of the executive branch
Gerrymandering
Powers of the legislative branch
Representation in the HR (number per state)
Powers of the judicial branch
Representation in the Senate (number per state)
Amending the Constitution
Formal qualifications for both HR and Senate
Judicial review
Size of HR and Senate
Marbury v Madison
Term of office for HR and Senate
Cabinet
Standing committee
Bill of Rights Amendments
Conference committee
The “Later” Amendments
Subcommittee
Federalism (def, purpose)
Legislative Process (overall process, differences
Checks and balances (def, examples)
between the HR and Senate)
Expressed Powers
Public vs. private bill
Implied Powers
Filibuster
Pigeonholed
Cloture
Rules Committee
Veto
Pocket veto
Overriding veto
Committee chairmen
Majority/minority floor leaders
Majority/minority whips
Speaker of the House
President of the Senate
President pro tempore
Elections
Political Party, Major parties
Single-member districts
Bipartisan
Consensus
Coalition
Parties- Single-Issue, Ideological
Protest and Splinter parties
Functions of parties
Caucus
Direct primary
Open and Closed primary
Voting rights and voting trends
PAC
Soft and Hard money
Subsidy
Winner-take-all vs. Proportional representation
National convention
Primary v. caucus
District plan
Proportional plan
Direct popular election
National popular vote plan
Off-year election
Electoral College
Electors
Campaign spending
Two-party system
Campaign
Candidate
Multi-party system
Public Opinion Etc.
Factors that influence voter behavior
Mandate
Interest group
Public opinion polls
Straw votes
Random sampling
Scientific Poll
Criticisms of polling
Media
The Executive Branch
Chief Legislator
Chief of State
Chief Executive
Chief Administrator
Commander in Chief
Chief of Party
Chief Citizen
Power to grant pardons
Appointment power
Ordinance power
Treaty
Executive agreements
Executive privilege
State of the Union address
War Powers Resolution
President’s term of office
Term limit
22nd Amendment
Formal qualifications for President
Impeachment process
Bill Clinton- impeachment charges
Presidential Succession Act of 1947
Checks on President