FBLA Public Policy & Advocacy Question and Answers

FBLA Public Policy & Advocacy Question and Answers Political Science the scientific study of politics Role and conflict of politics in government Involves decisions/policies that affect the nation. Conflicts arise when there are differing viewpoints on issues Democracy power is held by people, decisions are made by voting Capitalism economic system, private individuals and businesses control production and distribution of goods and services Constitutionalism belief in importance of having a constitution that limits power of government, ensures individual rights Types and sources of political power Legitimate power - person's position or authority Coercive - use of force Shifting power from majority to a few Concentration of power and an imbalance, does not full represent the people Relationship: political culture and public opinion culture - shared beliefs, values, norms of thinking, public opinion - attitudes and preferences of the general public on specific issues culture influences opinions Role of citizenship and civil society in a democracy citizenship involvings actively partaking in democratic processes (voting, etc.) society collective actions and organizations outside of gov political justice Fair and equal distribution of power in political system, involves equal rights and opportunities to people individual rights freedoms that everyone is entitled to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) A measurement of the total goods and services produced within a country, typically in a year difference between countries, nations, states, and governments Countries - geographic territory w defined borders nation - group of people w common culture, lang, or history state - defined territory and population Government - governing body has authority to make and enforce laws w/in a state history of political parties in the U.S *Founders were profoundly uncomfortable with them -Washington - "let me warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of partly generally" -Tocqueville - "parties are an evil inherent in free government" *corrupt, factional, smoke filled rooms, not independent *Political Scientists contrast -E.E. Schattschneider - "parties created Democracy" -in the case of two parties, solves the "paradox of voting" difference between the two-party and multi-party government systems A multi-party system prevents the leadership of a single party from controlling a single legislative chamber without challenge. A system where only two parties have the possibility of winning an election is called a two-party system. current political parties Democrats and Republicans role of minor political parties they force major parties to address new issues and can take away votes from the major political party relationship between political parties and special interest groups Both have a goal of influencing government decisions with their interests. special interest groups an organization of people with some common interest who try to influence government decisions difference between private and public special interest groups Public special interest groups aim to promote public, or collective goods (benefits that help most or all citizens) Private special interest groups seek benefits for a small portion of citizens how special interest groups (for example: Boston Tea Party) have influenced American politics Interest groups influenced American politics by swaying the publics opinion to influence government officials. Outline the history of Civil Liberties in the United States The first instance of Civil Liberties being incorporated into the United States was writing the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Many of the Civil Liberties that we have today appear. importance and limitations of freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly The importance of all of these allow Americans to have a more free society and express their own opinions and beliefs. Limitations of these are set for public order, safety and health. procedural rights for the accused The Sixth Amendment guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a public trial without unnecessary delay, the right to a lawyer, the right to an impartial jury, and the right to know who your accusers are and the nature of the charges and evidence against you. The right to privacy The right to a private personal life free from the intrusion of government. The Fourth Amendment is an example of this right as it protects Americans from unreasonable searches by the government. right to bear arms the idea in the Second Amendment that people have an individual right to own and carry weapons role of courts in deciding civil liberty cases Review legislation to ensure that our individual civil liberties are protected history of civil rights Many civil rights movements took place in the 1900's to gain rights of people of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. basic civil rights for all 1. The right to be free from discrimination 2. The freedom to worship as we choose 3. The right to vote for our elected representatives 4. The protections of due process 5. The right to privacy. equal protection under the 14th Amendment Originally only applied to freed slaves, expanded to apply directly to the states Civil Rights for Women and Americans with Disabilities The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination based on race, religion, color, or national origin in public places, schools, and employment. role and functions of government providing leadership, maintaining order, providing public services, providing national security, providing economic security, and providing economic assistance autocracy a system of government by one person with absolute power. totalitarianism A form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.) authoritarianism the enforcement or advocacy of strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom. transitional governments a temporary government formed to manage a period of transition, often following state collapse. powers and functions of legislatures authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country, nation or city. They are often contrasted with the executive and judicial powers of government. Differentiate between Congress and Parliament congress has two branches of legislature whereas Parliament does not, and Congress must agree in order for a law to pass while parliament cannot block bills except in very limited circumstances purpose of legislative committees Committees monitor on-going governmental operations, identify issues suitable for legislative review, gather and evaluate information, and recommend courses of action to the Senate. U.S. Electoral College system The Electoral College consists of 538 electors. A majority of 270 electoral votes is required to elect the President. Differentiate direct and indirect elections in a direct election, voters choose the candidate who wins. in an indirect election, voters choose one or more "electors" who then go on to choose the candidate. individual representation and the U.S. electoral systems Individual representation means that one person = one vote. The presidential electoral system has 538 electors but the people have individual representation in the popular vote. primary elections A preliminary election in which voters nominate party candidates for office. election runoffs and recalls An election recall is a way voters can remove people from office before their term. A runoff election occurs when there isn't a winner by majority, so they remove the candidates that had the fewest votes and leave only the top ones. This goes on until there is a winner by majority. role of Congress -Hold hearings, draft laws, declare war, fiscal policy -Eager to please the people electoral evolution of Congress a. PAST: The house at first was unstable and viewed as unimportant and having no power. More people quit than were defeated. The Senate was also unstable, more than 1/3 rd of senators failed to serve out their term. b. TODAY: Congress example of Professional legislature: legislature whose members serve full time and for long periods. c. Congress: from amateur institution to professional legislature rationale for reapportionment and redistributing congressional districts The purpose of congressional redistricting is to ensure that each person in a state is equally represented in the United States House of Representatives by the creation of congressional districts that are as equal in population as possible so as to achieve the principle of "one person - one vote." party nomination the official nomination of a candidate to run for office. This means that the party will fully support this candidate's campaign.