PLSC 2003 EXAM 1 Study Guide American Political Culture Chapter 1 1 Define the bold terms throughout the chapter government institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled public policy policies laws or regulatory actions by government to satisfy its people pluralism theory that all interests should be free to compete for influence in the government outcome compromise moderation political culture broadly shared values beliefs and attitudes about how government should function american values liberty equality democracy efficacy feeling that you can change the government that your actions matter apathy opposite feeling that your actions don t matter and that you cannot affect government oligarchy small group of elites in power 2 Know the trend in the level of trust in American government and what made it occur the trust is declining in American government Why Over the last decade trust is declining because A we were mislead about Iraq B people were not supportive of the bank or auto bailouts 3 Understand the different types of government Democratic restrained by the people Constitutional Government restrained by the constitution Authoritarian restrained by social institutions Totalitarian no restraints 4 Know the differences between a totalitarian and a democratic government Totalitarian vs Democracy free and fair elections diversity rights and freedoms open media congress or parliament state impartial servant not biased disputes settled in a way that is in everyone s interest not just one 5 Know the characteristics of pluralism Power is shared among a variety of groups of people these groups are autonomous same power between all groups no concentration of power consequence of being autonomous 6 Understand Easton s model of public policy social and economic conditions in the environment create conditions for us unemployment cost of gas etc we put demand government does something input or pressure to do something they produce laws or policies output does this solve the problem If not more pressure on government input The Constitution After reading this chapter and studying your notes you should be able to 1 Define the bold terms throughout the chapter bill of attainder protects you from being thrown in jail and forgotten about must be brought before a judge ex post facto no retroactively applying laws ex can t try you for a crime you committed last week if the law passed this week bicameralism 2 chamber congress made of senate house 2 Know what a constitution is constitution document outlining structure of government gives us the 3 Understand the catalyst to the Boston Tea Party Tea Act of 1773 grants East India trading rules of the game company a monopoly on the tea trade 4 Understand the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation provides a weak role for the federal government the federal government isn t able to deal with the economy or bankruptcy no means for resolving conflict 5 Know the key principles of the Constitutional Convention republicanism indirect representation for citizens bicameralism 2 chamber congress senate house separation of powers checks and balances prevent any one branch of government from getting too strong federalism multiple governments governing us 6 Know what the various plans for representation in the Congress New Jersey Plan backed by small states want equal representation Virginia Plan backed by large states want it done by population Connecticut or Great Compromise senate will do it equally house will do it by population 7 Know the major differences between the Federalists and Antifederalists They agree on the separation of government but disagree on others A scope of government or the size of government B human nature of man ordinary vs elite C role of the representatives elected official D purpose of government E how to maintain stability and adapt to change 8 Understand the checks and balances and separation of powers between the branches of government 2 charts in book be familiar with how the president checks congresses power congress passes bills president can sign or veto accordingly congress checks presidents power by having power to impeach president 9 Understand the Full Faith and Credit Clause the Privileges and Immunities Clause Supremacy Clause and Commerce Clause Full Faith and Credit Clause you must honor the contracts and acts of others states The Privileges and Immunities Clause must not treat non state citizens in a discriminatory way Supremacy Clause constitution federal government are supreme laws of the land Commerce Clause congress has right to regulate commercial activity aka commerce 10 Know the process for amending the Constitution to amend it must be passed in 2 3rds house and 2 3rds senate approve of the amendment then 3 4ths of states must approve it too by state convention or state legislature only once 21st to overturn 18th Federalism After reading this chapter and studying your notes you should be able to 1 Define the bold terms throughout the chapter Federalism multiple levels of government local state federal 2 Know the difference between a cooperative arrangement dual arrangement and a unitary arrangement Cooperative the governments are cooperating and working together the local or state can make decisions and have some power states work with federal government Dual states and federal governments are not working together federal does not get into state responsibility Unitary top down aka federal has all power and decision making capabilities regional governments do what federal governments say 3 Know the consequences of these court cases McCulloch v Maryland 1819 Gibbons v Ogden 1824 McCulloch v Maryland 1819 establishes necessary and proper clause congress can do what is necessary and proper to carry out its constitutional duties We tell congress its okay to print money so they have right to build national bank for it and states can t tax it Gibbons v Ogden 1824 establish supremacy clause and expand the commerce clause now we will include interstate commerce or commerce between the states 4 Know what the concurrent powers are Powers shared by federal and state governments power to tax and spend power to set up lower courts power to regulate commercial activity 5 Know what Reserved Powers of the Tenth Amendment is and some examples powers not given to the federal government nor denied to the states are reserved for the states morality policies education policies environment policies