POSC 1010 Midterm 1 Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of government? - ANS-To protect the rights of the people
What was the view of liberty to the framers and how important was it to them? -
ANS--Liberty is essentially the idea of having the ability to make your own choices
-"give me liberty or give me death"
What was the influence of Locke on the Framers? - ANS-- Government is for the
purpose of securing the rights of the people (Locke) seen in DOI
- Power derived from consent of governed (Locke) aka Popular Sovereignty
-Government's power should be limited and is by the Constitution
What was the influence of Rousseau on the Framers? - ANS-- Natural vs Civil
Freedom
- natural freedom consists of having the absolute freedom to do anything you are
physically or mentally able to do (winds up becoming a matter of brute strength
because people bigger will take what you have)
-Civil Freedom give up certain rights under natural freedom to enjoy everything
else (equality before the law stems from this, if someone is stronger they don't
have more rights than you)
Explain the Great Compromise (aka Connecticut Compromise) of the Constitutional
Convention - ANS--Big States vs Small States issue
-would have a bicameral legislature with upper and lower houses
-Upper house (senate, were appointed by state legislatures until 1913 bc of 17th
am) that has equal representation (2 per state)
-Lower House (HOR, popularly elected) would have proportional representation
Explain the 3/5ths Compromise of the Constitutional Convention - ANS--An
agreement reached that ensured that a slave would count as three-fifths of a
person for a state's representation and taxation.
-South wanted slaves to count as people to determine representation
-North wanted slaves to count as people for taxation purposes
-undone by the 14th amendment
Explain the Slave Trade Compromise of the Constitutional Convention - ANS--
Congress could not regulate or outlaw slavery or slave trade until 1808
Define the confederate form of government - ANS-A strong state governments vs a
weak central government
Define the federalist form of government - ANS-A strong central government, but
the states retain a form of independence aka dual-sovereignty (not exactly the
, opposite of a confederacy)
How is the judicial branch elected? - ANS--members are appointed by the President
and confirmed by the Senate
-are appointed for life
How is the executive branch elected? - ANS--four year term
-35 years old, natural-born citizen, living in U.S. at least 14 years
-electoral college
-electors according to total number of representatives for each state in Congress
(including House and Senate)
-"faithfully execute" the laws passed by Congress
-Chief diplomat
-removal from office (by impeachment process) in case of "treason, bribery, and
other high crimes and misdemeanors"
How is the legislative branch elected? - ANS-Congress-
HOR:
-elected every 2 years (popular)
-25 years old, have to be a citizen for 7 years, resident of state
-power of impeachment
Senate:
-2 per state, appointed by legislature
-staggered 6-year terms (1/3 elected every 2 years ...) creates institutional
memory
-30 years old, citizen for 9 years, resident of state
-Vice President is president of the Senate (only tie-breaking vote)
-conducts trials of officials impeached by House (2/3 majority to convict)
Which part of a branch of government is popularly elected? - ANS-House of
Representatives (Legislative Branch)
What are the powers of the executive branch? - ANS--President is the Commander
and Chief in regards to the military
-Has to sign a bill for it to become law and can veto it
What are the powers of the judicial branch? - ANS--the Supreme Court can review
laws and determine them unconstitutional and overturn them
What are the powers of the legislative branch? - ANS--has the sole authority to
make law (only Congress)
- Congress has the power to declare war
-Has the power to impeach
Review the checks and balances of the branches of government! - ANS--reflects
fear of too-powerful government
-certain powers of each branch intended to counterbalance those of other branches
What is the purpose of government? - ANS-To protect the rights of the people
What was the view of liberty to the framers and how important was it to them? -
ANS--Liberty is essentially the idea of having the ability to make your own choices
-"give me liberty or give me death"
What was the influence of Locke on the Framers? - ANS-- Government is for the
purpose of securing the rights of the people (Locke) seen in DOI
- Power derived from consent of governed (Locke) aka Popular Sovereignty
-Government's power should be limited and is by the Constitution
What was the influence of Rousseau on the Framers? - ANS-- Natural vs Civil
Freedom
- natural freedom consists of having the absolute freedom to do anything you are
physically or mentally able to do (winds up becoming a matter of brute strength
because people bigger will take what you have)
-Civil Freedom give up certain rights under natural freedom to enjoy everything
else (equality before the law stems from this, if someone is stronger they don't
have more rights than you)
Explain the Great Compromise (aka Connecticut Compromise) of the Constitutional
Convention - ANS--Big States vs Small States issue
-would have a bicameral legislature with upper and lower houses
-Upper house (senate, were appointed by state legislatures until 1913 bc of 17th
am) that has equal representation (2 per state)
-Lower House (HOR, popularly elected) would have proportional representation
Explain the 3/5ths Compromise of the Constitutional Convention - ANS--An
agreement reached that ensured that a slave would count as three-fifths of a
person for a state's representation and taxation.
-South wanted slaves to count as people to determine representation
-North wanted slaves to count as people for taxation purposes
-undone by the 14th amendment
Explain the Slave Trade Compromise of the Constitutional Convention - ANS--
Congress could not regulate or outlaw slavery or slave trade until 1808
Define the confederate form of government - ANS-A strong state governments vs a
weak central government
Define the federalist form of government - ANS-A strong central government, but
the states retain a form of independence aka dual-sovereignty (not exactly the
, opposite of a confederacy)
How is the judicial branch elected? - ANS--members are appointed by the President
and confirmed by the Senate
-are appointed for life
How is the executive branch elected? - ANS--four year term
-35 years old, natural-born citizen, living in U.S. at least 14 years
-electoral college
-electors according to total number of representatives for each state in Congress
(including House and Senate)
-"faithfully execute" the laws passed by Congress
-Chief diplomat
-removal from office (by impeachment process) in case of "treason, bribery, and
other high crimes and misdemeanors"
How is the legislative branch elected? - ANS-Congress-
HOR:
-elected every 2 years (popular)
-25 years old, have to be a citizen for 7 years, resident of state
-power of impeachment
Senate:
-2 per state, appointed by legislature
-staggered 6-year terms (1/3 elected every 2 years ...) creates institutional
memory
-30 years old, citizen for 9 years, resident of state
-Vice President is president of the Senate (only tie-breaking vote)
-conducts trials of officials impeached by House (2/3 majority to convict)
Which part of a branch of government is popularly elected? - ANS-House of
Representatives (Legislative Branch)
What are the powers of the executive branch? - ANS--President is the Commander
and Chief in regards to the military
-Has to sign a bill for it to become law and can veto it
What are the powers of the judicial branch? - ANS--the Supreme Court can review
laws and determine them unconstitutional and overturn them
What are the powers of the legislative branch? - ANS--has the sole authority to
make law (only Congress)
- Congress has the power to declare war
-Has the power to impeach
Review the checks and balances of the branches of government! - ANS--reflects
fear of too-powerful government
-certain powers of each branch intended to counterbalance those of other branches
