TERMS TO COME TO TERMS FOR THE FINAL
Delegate model of representation
Trustee model of representation
Political model of representation
Consicence model of representation
Bicameral legislature
Rotation
Elastic clause
At-large districts
Redistricting
Gerrymandering
Baker v. Carr
Reapportionment
Subcommittees
Conference committee
Markup
Oversight
Voting cues
Speaker of the House
Majority Leader
Whips
Minority leader
Flibuster
Cloture
Senority system
Logrolling
Earmarks/porkbarrel legislation
Watergate
Plumbers
Pentagon Papers
Executive privilege
Obstruction of justice
CATO
Alexander Hamilton
Whig Model
Stewardship Model
Cabinet
Kitchen cabinet
EOP
OMP
Institutional Presidency
Going public
Veto
Pocket veto
Executive agreement
War Powers Resolution
Iran-Contra
Executive Order
spoils system
merit system
patronage
whistleblower
adversarial legal system
dual court system
majority opinion
concurring opinion
dissenting opinion
writ of certiorari
judicial review
Marbury v. Madison
Judiciary Act of 1789
court-packing
test case
amicus brief
rational party model
responsible party model
platform
political parties
direct primary
closed primary
open primary
binding primary
nomination caucus
invisible primary
electoral college
FECA
Buckley v. Valeo
BCRA
soft money
Citizens United vs. FEC
SuperPACS
elitism
pluralism
vanishing marginals
hyperpluralism
political culture
political ideology
liberalism
conservatism
public opinion polls
political socialization
STUDY QUESTIONS FOR THE FINAL
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Describe the models of representation.
Explain the constitutional powers of congress.
Describe the committee system.
What is the role of political parties in legislating successfully?
Explain step by step how a bill becomes a law.
What is a bicameral system? Describe the main differences between the House and the
Senate?
7. What is the difference between apportionment and gerrymandering?
8. Describe the Texas redistricting battle.
9. What did the case Baker v. Carr entail and what precedence did it set?
10. Describe the organization of congress.
11. What is the difference between a filibuster and cloture?
12. What is the seniority system in congress?
13. What is an earmark? Give two examples from the current congress.
14. What is the difference between a veto and a pocket veto?
15. Describe the basics of Watergate.
16. Describe the basics of Iran/Contra.
17. What is the difference between the plumbers and the enterprise?
18. Why is the 1947 National Security Act a turning point in balance of power between the
Executive and the other two branches?
19. Describe the constitutional powers of the president.
20. Why did “Cato” oppose ratification of the constitution?
21. Describe the presidential models of leadership.
22. What is the difference between the cabinet and the kitchen cabinet? Which president is
responsible for the creation of the kitchen cabinet?
23. Describe the modern role of the Vice President in the executive branch.
24. What are the duties, responsibilities, and functions of the modern president?
25. Explain the difference between an executive order and an executive agreement.
26. Explain the War Powers Resolution of 1973.
27. Describe three of the key character traits of a successful president.
28. What is bureaucracy?
29. What is the difference between the spoils system and the merit system? Which president
started the spoils system?
30. What constitutional foundations allow citizens to petition their government?
31. Why are interest groups important to the democratic process?
32. Explain the concept of egalitarianism.
33. Describe the main functions of interest groups.
34. Describe three types of interest groups.
35. Describe two types of lobbying.
36. Describe the tactics of grassroots lobbying organizations.
37. What are the theoretical strengths and weaknesses of elections?
38. Explain step by step how the Electoral College works.
39. Why is Plato considered the first lobbyist?
40. Describe the difference between power and authority. What makes a system legitimate?
41. What is the difference between the 14th, 15th, and 19th Amendments?
42. What was the Voting Rights Act of 1965?
43. Explain the difference between a referendum, an initiative, and a recall.
44. Explain the Federal Election Campaign Act.
45. What did the case Buckley vs. Valeo entail and what precedence did it set?
46. What is the difference between hard money and soft money?
47. How has the Internet influenced elections?
48. How are political parties different than other political organizations, and what functions
do they serve in a democracy?
49. What does party identification imply and what bearing does this have on vote choice?
50. What role do third parties play in the political system?
51. What is the difference between hyperpluralism and vanishing marginals?
52. Describe the two models of political parties.
53. Describe three functions of political parties.
54. What is a split ticket or swing vote?
55. Describe one main difference between liberal and conservative.
56. What is the difference between a closed primary, an open primary and an invisible
primary?
57. Describe three main types of public policies.
58. Are all parts of the policy process equally open to political influence?
59. What are some of the numerous factors that shape foreign policy development in the
U.S.?
60. Describe two the steps of policy making.