Final Exam-Political Science

The Final Exam will cover ALL of the topics we discussed in class. You
should have a working
knowledge of all of the main elements of each topic. I have provided a list
of these topics below,
with some specifics that you should pay special attention to.
In addition to this you should focus on how these individual topics relate t
o each other, and how
they work together to create the whole experience of American Governme
nt
-FOUNDATIONS OF DEMOCRACY :
The Concept of Democracy
Democracy= system of government that is the rule of the common people,
government must serve all its people and people themselves relied on to
know and act in accordance with their interests. DD= all citizens meet
together regularly to debate and decide the issues of the day. RD: the people
rule through elected respresentatives.
Athens and America: Democracy based on ancient greek words Demos= the
common people, Kratein= rule or strength and power. City of Athens= first
democratic government, rule of the common people was rule of citizen- male
landowners born from Athenian parents. Citizens voted on all items of
interest. Athenian democracy= everyone has a bigger say, ensures your
voice is heard, but have to take time to do It and only works for small places..
America= founder referred to Athenian democracy and used modified system
aka representatitve democracy. More efficient, puts people in charge who
know what they are doing, you have less of a say, have to live w/ your
representation.
-C ONSTITUTION :
The Declaration of Independence:
Jeffersons ideas were that a legitimate government could only be
established by the people, and created to protect inalienable rights and can
only govern w/ consent of the people.
DOI= human beings possess rights that legitimately cannot be taken away or
given away; inalienable rights
People can withraw their consent from government, form a new one,
vodiding the social contract only if government fails to protect peoples rights
or itself becomes a threat
Avoided slavery= contradiction between institution of slavery and
unalienable individual rights, and equality in DOI
Silent on political satet of women, native americans, and African amer.
The Ratification
@ constitutional convention. Proposed Virginia Plane= by James Madison
featuring strong central government, with a single executive and controlled
by most populous states. NJ Plan= legislative seats distributed equally,
proposed by small states with a multi-person executive. Connectictu

compromise- single executive with an electoral college that would select

president, two house system with one on pop and other equally,
Added bill of rights at the behest of the anti-federalists following the
ratification

The Legacy of the Constitution

Federalism= system of gov, powers dvidided between central government
and states and some shared
Antimajoritarian= checks on majority rule. House of reps elected, pres
elected thru electoral college, senate by state legislatures, judges appointed
by president and senate.
Separation of powers= distributed government legislative, executive, judicial
powers to separate branches of gov.
Checks and balances= each separate branches of gov has power to hinder
unilateral actions of other branches as a way to restrain an overreaching
government and prevent tyranny.
Go over chapter 2 and see what else I missed out.
-FEDERALISM: FOUND IN LARGE AND DIVERSE NATIONS
States Rights
Have indepenednet powers; 10th amendment= powers not delegated to
central gov. reserved for states.
Concurrent powers= powers given to both state and natl government
constitution
The Relationship Between the levels of Government
states in control of ratifying and amending the constitution, control their own
boundaries, decided districts for House of Reps, used to choose senators,
electoiral college.
Shared powers, divided powers as well.
Supremacy clause= constitution, laws, and treaties supreme law of the land.
States cant contradict national gov.
Consisten increase in national power= economic crises, warfare spurs
national action, and political problems requiring effective national action.
Chapter 3
Constitution specifices powers of the national government and reserves all
others to the states.
-C ONGRESS: GO OVER CONGRESS POWERS, MAINLY IN CHAPTERS BEFORE UNDER
NATIONAL GOV . POWERS
The Role of Congress
Founders made congress center of lawmaking and main bearer of
governmental power.
o Bicameral body-two houses, created to limit congressional power,
prevent tyranny
o Elastic clause= congress has power to pass any laws it deems
necessary to carry out its powes.
Committees= details of legislation sorted through and oversight of executive
branches takes place. Helps process hugeflow of business that comes before
it.

Oversight=key responsibility of congress- keeping an eye on how executive

branch carries out provisions of the law congress has passed and any abuses
of power.
The House of Representatives and the Senate
Senate= term 6 years, 100 total, advice and consent for judicial and
executive-level appointees, trail of impeachment cases and give advice and
consent for treaties.
HOR= 2 year term, 435 total members based on population, origination of
revenue bills and bring upon impeachment charges.
-P RESIDENCY:
The Role of the President
Chief of State
Domestic Policy Leader
Chief Executive
Foreign Policy and Military Leader
Commander-in-Chief
The President and Congress
Congress and president often at odds- deliberate moves through checks and
balances system
Have shared powers- congress and pres intertwined when doing business.
Divided government= when pres. And congress controlled by different parties
o Very difficult for things to get done
Separate elections
o Power can shift in the middle of a presidents term
Midterm elections
Leads to gridlock where nothing gets done and no compromising
by either party.
Only way pres can get along with congress is if party controls both houses of
congress aka unified gov.= work together and tend to have same ideals
o Only needs a small majority in house and 60 in senate
Foreign policy
o Presidents do better/work better with congress on foreign policy issues
than domestic= americans want to appear united when dealing with
other countries
Veto
o Pres likely to prevail, very hard to override a veto
Popularity
o If president is popular, he does better with congress.
How the President interacts with the other branches

-C OURTS:
- FINAL SAYING IN THE INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION
- MAKES FINAL DECISION CONCERNING LAWS
The Role of the Courts- what they do, why they do it, how they do it-constitution and
all

Judicial Review= supreme court has power to declare actions of the other
brances unconstitutional
Only court in the constitution= supreme court
Federal courts=justices serve during good behavior. Serve until retire or die.
Independence of judges- not responsible to any other branches and wages
cannot be lowered.
Deal w/ specific subject matter= constitution issues, maritime issues,
controversies w/ u.s. gov., disputes between states, citzens & states, states &
foreign citizens.
National policymaker
o Settles disputes involving contentious public issues and fundamental
questions about the meaning of our constitutional rules
o Supreme court=
Courts= claimed right to rule on constitutnality of state and federal
legislation
The Importance of the Courts
Unelected, irremovable group deciding what the democratic government can
and cannot do
Relate to presidents legacy=
o Since serve till retire or die, justices have long-lasting impact on
government
The Court and the Other Branches-sublevels
U.s supreme court-courts of appeal aka circuit courts ( hear appeals from
lower courts)-district courts( original jurisdiction=where cases first heard, use
juries). Legislative courts= highly specialized courts crated by congress.
Supreme court= interpret laws, final judge on all law
o Court of original jurisdiction and appellate court.
o Justices appointed by president.
o Cases w/ constitutional question, interpretation of statutes and
regulations
Brown vs board of education= read about it!
-SOCIAL MOVEMENTS:
The Role of Social Movements in Democracy
Features of Social Movements
-INTEREST GROUPS:
What Interest Groups Do
The Problem with Interest Group
P OLITICAL PARTIES:
The Structure of Modern Political Parties
The Role of Political Parties in Government
ELECTIONS:
Features of American Elections
Problems with Elections
Types of Voting
The Electoral College

Dont forget to go over- last three days of notes and chapters/topics!

Essay Question:
3) How has America changed since the founding? Use specific examples and touch
on subjects
we have learned about in class including the role of the federal government, the thr
ee branches
and other ways that individuals interact with the government.
Since the Declaration of Independence was written, America has evolved and
changed over the course of its young history. The Articles of Confederation, the first
constitution in US history, failed miserably and was supplanted by the Constitution
which has instituted federalism as a system of government while establishing and
constraining government branches and powers. From the separation of powers to
the incorporation of checks and balances, the Constitution has been the mechanism
through which we run the country. A fundamental feature present throughout the
Constitution is the vague and nonspecific descriptions of responsibilities and
restrictions have led to an ever-changing and evolving government. America has
changed greatly since the founding of the country and the birth of the Constitution
due to a larger expanse of federal government power, an increasing influence of the
president, and a greater interaction between individuals and the government
political parties, interest groups,
The Role of the Federal Government=
The United States has changed since its founding through shifts in power between
the states and national government that has ultimately resulted in the federal
government gaining ground in terms of responsibilities and a greater influence due
to economic crises, and societal issues that have emerged.
Page 67.
Ex: the great depression= franklin Roosevelts new deal in 1930s created many new
regulatory agencies, national gov spending on welfare and relief, and established
social security
Great recession managing of the economy, 700 billion rescue package for financial
institutions, gave treasury secretary broad powers to rescue banks and firms. Fed
also undertook reorganization and rescue efforts.
Contrary to the ideologies of the Founders, the role and position of the President
within the government has evolved and changed in America especially in regards to
the relationship with the people. P.g. 405, 385
Early years during the beginnings of the United states, weak presidency in use due
to smaller naton, didnt dominate politicallife. Early presidents saw their
responsibility as only executing policies decided by congress. Now, with a
super/world power, with vast expanse of military diplomatic and economic activities
and involvement, presidency much stronger and powerful.
Example: franklin Roosevelt, during his presidency, pushed laws for economic reliefs
and programs benefiting the people; farm-credit, business loans, and relief
payments. Also incorporated independent commissions to regulate business

-9/11 terrorist attacks= bush expanded presidential powers most in American

history, to protect u.s from terrorit attacks. Felt necessary and constitutional bush
advised armed forced and cia to ignore Geneva convention on treatment of
detainees in the war on terrorism. Claimed right to keep detainees indefinitely
without trial,authorized warrantless surveillance of American citizens by nsa
Founders thought of president as elite leader, distant from the people= seldom
made speeches + early years not directly elected by voters but by electors chosen
by state legislaures. However it has evolved into one where people play a direct
part.
Teddy Roosevelt= speech tour to win passage of regulation of railroads. President
try to shape and respond public opinion.Bill Clinton appeared onradio and tv talk
shows, Obama speeches town hall-style meetings and internet
Congress- senate.
The rise of political parties and interest groups represent another great change in
America since the founding, where these individual groups were considered to be
factions as said by James Madison.
Interest groups