GOVERNMENT

                                                                             REVIEW FINAL

CHAPTER 1, 2, 3, 4

 

 

 1.    Compare and contrast Parliamentary and Presidential forms of govt.

 2.    Discuss and exemplify the Social Contract Theory as to the origin of the state.      

 3.    Define federation; incorporate the concept of Division of Powers as it exists within the U.S. with this idea.

 4.    Discuss and exemplify the various stages of evolution which led to the development of the modern nation-state.

 5.    Describe the relationship between Majority Rule and Minority Rights in a Democracy.

 6.    Write a paragraph explaining why compromise is essential in a democracy such as U.S.?

 7.    Discuss and exemplify why the American economic system is referred to as a mixed economic system.

 8.    Why was the Confederate type of government chosen as the initial government of the U.S.? Substantiate your answer with sufficient documentation.

 9.    Why do historians refer to the Government under the Articles of Confederation as a Paper Tiger? Exemplify.

10.   Discuss and exemplify the symbiotic relationship that exists between the National and State governments within our Federal system.

11.   Define strict constructionism and loose constructionism. Apply these positions to the arguments in McCullough v. Maryland . Explain the decision of the court in terms of these positions and with regard to the two constitutional questions highlighted by Chief Justice Marshall.

12.   Discuss and exemplify how powers are divided in a federal system.

13.   Discuss the rationale for the system of Checks and Balances. Exemplify in as much detail as possible how the system works at the national level.

14.   Discuss and exemplify the various ways in which our government has been informally amended.

15.   Discuss the several proposals as to the structure of the new government that were brought to the floor of the convention at    Philadelphia and the resultant compromises.

16.   Define Judicial Review. Discuss why Marshall felt that it should be a part of the powers of the Judiciary as opposed to the Legislative or Executive branches of government.

17.   Differentiate between a treaty and an Executive Agreement using examples where necessary,

18.   Define and exemplify the concept of Full Faith and Credit.

19.   Discuss why the newly independent colonies opted for a confederate government as opposed to a federal government when they secured their freedom from the crown.

20.   Discuss and exemplify the denial of powers to both state and national government within our federal system distinguishing between those that are denied exclusively and those that are denied concurrently.

21.   Discuss and give meaning to the Supremacy Clause and why it is referred to as the lynchpin of federalism.

22.   Define the concept of Full Faith and Credit. Give specific examples of its usage, and finally discuss its place within the concept of federalism.

 

CHAPTERS 10,11, 12

 

23.   Define Seniority; and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this system as it pertains to Congress.

24.   Compare and contrast the exclusive powers of the House and the Senate

25.   What happens if no candidate receives a majority of votes in the Electoral College? (be as specific as possible)

26.   Discuss the various theories that influence how an elected official might cast a vote in congress.

27.   Discuss in as much detail as possible the process of how a bill becomes a law.

28.   Discuss the Committee system of Congress. (Include in your discussion commentary dealing with the various types of committees; the functions of committees, how committee assignments are allocated, and how power is wielded within the committee).

29.   Discuss the Congressional war-making powers from 1945 to the present using as many examples as you deem necessary to document your answer.

30.   Discuss and exemplify the various functions as served by the Congressional power to tax.

31.   Discuss the several factors which give an incumbent a decided advantage over a challenger in a re-election bid.; then discuss some of the reasons for the anti-incumbent movement which is currently spreading among the American electorate.

32.   In your opinion, is the following statement a truism: "The power of congress has gone downhill in relation to the other branches of our National Government. Document your position with as many examples as you deem necessary

33.   Discuss how loose constructionism of the constitution has led to the growth of national power at the expense of the states through the interpretation of various clauses of the constitution.

 

CHAPTER 13 & 14

 

34.   Discuss the operation of the 25th amendment in the event of a presidential disability when a President voluntarily steps aside and when he is disabled and refuses to step aside.

35.   Discuss all the proposed changes for electing the President citing their advantages along with their disadvantages.

36.   In as much detail as possible describe what happens when a candidate fails to gain a majority of votes in the electoral college.

37.   Discuss the benefits of the primary process as it affects both candidate and voter.

38.   Discuss and exemplify in as much detail as possible the various dates on the Presidential Time Line.

39.   List the Emergency War Powers of the President. Give examples from history to illustrate their use.

40.   "The President in today's day and age is incapable of performing all the duties expected of him through the interpretation of this various roles". Take a position as to whether or not you agree with this statement. Document your position with sufficient documentation.

41.   Discuss the various options available to a President when legislation reaches his desk from Congress.

42.   "The President should be allowed to have line-item veto on appropriations bills". Do you agree or disagree with the above statement. Document your position.

 

CHAPTER 18

 

43.   Discuss the process of nomination/ratification of a Supreme Court Justice in its present day context. Include its short comings together with suggestions for improvement in the process.

44.   Discuss the rationale behind the Founding Fathers' decision to make federal judgeships appointive positions. Support your answer with sufficient documentation.

45.   Define Jurisdiction. Discuss Original and Appellate Jurisdiction from the perspective of the Supreme Court.

46.   Define Judicial Review. Discuss the historical setting that existed at the time of its enunciation by John Marshall. Discuss the lasting impact upon Separation of Powers and the concept of Checks and Balances within the Federal structure.

 

CHAPTERS 19, 20, 21

 

47.   Discuss and exemplify the various types of speech not afforded protection by the 1st amendment because of "content".

48.   Relate bail to Due Process. Discuss those factors which affect setting of bail and the dollar amount of bail.

49    Discuss the process of impaneling a jury. Give examples of the various types of challenges which can be claimed by either attorney.

50.   Discuss the various ways in which the police can conduct a valid search.

51.   Discuss and exemplify the Miranda Rule as it pertains to the arrest procedure.

52.   Explain the phrase "First Amendment rights are not absolute"; then discuss its implications within society.

53.   Discuss and exemplify why it is so important to protect the utterances of the unpopular speaker?

54.   Briefly discuss and exemplify the concept of competing rights within our American system of jurisprudence.

55.   Define Due Process. Where are these guarantees found? Discuss and       exemplify the two different types of Due Process.

56.   Define De Jure And De Facto Discrimination. Cite examples from both the past and the present illustrating their            existence in  American society and culture.

57.   Identify the litmus tests that are utilized by government to rationalize official discrimination. Discuss the types of discrimination  allowed under each and finally cite a specific example of each.

 

VOCABULARY

 

Absolute Veto

Elastic Clause

Logrolling

Slander

Affirmative Action

Electoral College

Loose Constructionism

Social Contract

Amnesty

Eminent Domain

Martial Law

Sovereignty

Anarchy

Enumerated Power

Nation

Speaker

Bail

Equal Protection Clause

Naturalization

Standard Bearers

Bicameral

Espionage

Obscenity

Stare Decisis

Bill of Attainder

Ex Post Facto Law

Open Primary

Strict Constructionism

Boycott

Executive Agreement

Pardon

Summitry

Capitalism

Expatriation

Parliamentary  Govt.

Supremacy Clause

Caucus

Extradition

Parole

Tariff

Checks and Balances

Federation

Patent

Treason

Civilian Supremacy

Filibuster

Petite Jury

Treaty

Closed Primary

Franchise

Pigeonhole

Unicameral

Cloture

Franking Privilege

Platform

Unit Rule

Committee of the Whole

Full Faith and Credit

Pocket Veto

Viva Voce

Commutation

Gerrymandering

Poll Tax

Winner Take All

Concurrent Power  

Grand Jury

Popular Sovereignty

Writ of Certiorari

Confederation

Grass Roots Democracy

Pork Barrel Legislation

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Conference Committee

Impeachment

President Elect

Accusatorial Law

Congressional Whip

Incumbent

President Pro Temporary

Inquisitorial Law

Copyright

Indictment

Presidential Government

Continuance

Coup D'etat

Inherent Power

Quorum

Indigent

Deficit Spending

Item Veto

Reapportionment

Public Defender

Delegated Power

Judicial Review

Redistricting

Plaintiff

Democracy

Judicial Self Restraint

Reprieve

Hung Jury

Deportation

Junket

Republic

Natural Born

Dialectic

Jurisdiction

Reserved Power

Native Born

Dictatorship

Jus Sanguines

Reverse Discrimination

Naturalization

Discharge Petition

Jus Soli

Rider

Creationism

Diverse Citizenship

Laissez Faire

Sedition

Scientific Evolution

Divine Right

Lame Duck

Seniority

Prior Restraint

Double Jeopardy

Libel

Separation of Powers

Change of Venue

Dual Citizenship

 

 

Statute of Limitation