PSC 101 Midterm Exam Questions and Answers 100% Pass

PSC 101 Midterm Exam Questions and Answers 100% Pass Political Efficacy the ability to influence government and politics Political Apathy Lack of interest in political participation Democracy political system that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process Government formal institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled Authoritarian Government government recognizes no formal limit but may nevertheless be restrained by the power of other social institutions Totalitarian Government government recognizes no formal limits on its power and seeks to absorb or eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it Constitutional Government a system of rule in which formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of government The Bourgeoisie "freeman of the city" - Social class that was the key force behind the imposition of limits on government power Federalism a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between the central government and regional governments Direct Democracy a system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies Representative Democracy (republic) a system of government in which the populace selects representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decision making Politics refers to the conflicts and struggles over the leadership, structure, and policies of governments Women's Suffrage the right of women to vote Naturalization A legal process to obtain citizenship 1929 Stock Market Crash Another leading component to the start of the Great Depression. The stock became very popular in the 1920's, then in 1929 in took a steep downturn and many lost their money and hope they had put in to the stock. Trust in Government Your level of confidence in what the government is doing Popular Sovereignty a principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people Equality of Opportunity all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential Voter Turnout the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election Liberty freedom from governmental control Declaration of Independence the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain Constitution A document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and the fundamental laws that govern a society Political Equality the right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of "one person, one vote" Equality the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. American Political Culture A set of basic, foundational values and beliefs about government that is shared by most citizens. Key elements: democracy, equality before the law, limited government, capitalism & private property Economic Freedom The freedom to own property, to make a profit, and to make choices about what to produce, buy, and sell Bill of Rights The first ten amendments to the Constitution Laissez-Faire Capitalism allowed very little room for the national government to regulate trade or restrict the use of private property, even in the public interest Majority Rule the democratic principle that a government follows the preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests of the minority The Stamp Act law that taxed printed goods, including: playing cards, documents, newspapers, etc. The Sugar Act 1764 - tax on sugar, molasses, and other commodities Confederation a system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government Articles of Confederation The United States' first written Constitution Boston Massacre The first bloodshed of the American Revolution (1770), as British guards at the Boston Customs House opened fire on a crowd killing five Americans Boston Tea Party A 1773 protest against British taxes in which Boston colonists disguised as Mohawks dumped valuable tea into Boston Harbor Three-Fifths Compromise Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes (negated by the 13th amendment) Annapolis Convention A convention held in September 1786 to consider problems of trade and navigation, attended by five states and important because it issued the call to Congress and the states for what became the Constitutional Convention Philadelphia Convention Beginning on May 25, 1787, the convention recommended by the Annapolis Convention was held in Philadelphia. All of the states except Rhode Island sent delegates, and George Washington served as president of the convention. The convention lasted 16 weeks, and on September 17, 1787, produced the present Constitution of the United States, which was drafted largely by James Madison. The Virginia Plan Provided for a system of representation in the national legislature based upon the population of each state or the proportion of each state's revenue contribution to the national government or both The New Jersey Plan called for equal representation in the national legislature regardless of population Shay's Rebellion Rebellion of farmers led by Daniel Shay against the government of Massachusetts, which had levied heavy taxes against them Bicameralism having a legislature assembly composed of two chambers or houses Separation of Powers the division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision making Check and Balances mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches The Electoral College the electors from each state who meet after the popular election to cast ballots for president and vice president Branches of Government Legislative, Executive, Judicial Executive Branch Enforces laws Legislative Branch Makes laws Judicial Branch Interprets the laws Expressed Powers