Mood:  caffeinated

Unit 1 - Basic Political Theories

1.  List the four functions of all governments, and give an example of each (8).     
Maintaining social order: Laws, courts, and public agencies, government provides the means of resolving conflict without violence.
Providing for national security: Defending the people against the threat of attack by foreign enemies.
Providing public services: Transportation, consumer protection, and education are provided to the public.
Maintaining an economic system: Collect taxes and control the national currency.

2.  What is Direct Democracy?  Explain how it works in your own words: (2) A form of democracy in which political power is exercised by the citizens without representatives acting of their behalf.

3.  What is Indirect Democracy?  Explain how it works in your own words: (2) Indirect democracy is a governance by the people through elected representatives.

4.  Describe the characteristics of all democracies: (3) The characteristics of democracy emphasize the importance of the individual in the context of government and, today, are a major influence around the world. Some may be ruled by the people, while others are ruled by elected representatives.

Unit 2 - 200+ Years and Still Working: The United States Constitution

1.  What issues did Americans face after they declared their independence from Britain? The world viewed America as thirteen separate colonies rebelling against British rule and having no real central government at all. The United States of America wanted to function and be recognized as an independent and sovereign nation, they new a central government must be formed.

2.  List three ways in which the Articles of Confederation weakened the new national government. Congress could make decisions, but they did not have the power to enforce them. Congress had the power to declare war, but they had to ask the state legislatures to send troops and to provide pay and supplies for the troops. Congress could not establish a national currency, nor could it establish national courts.

3.  What caused American leaders to call for a revision of the Articles of Confederation?
The long years of war had led to an economic depression, and most of the states failed to give the central government financial support.

4.  Where did the Constitutional Convention take place?
Philadelphia

5.  Who was the president of the Constitutional Convention?
George Washington

6.  How did the delegates differ from typical Americans of their time?
All of the delegates were well to do white men. Most had experience in government. The men were very well educated.

7.  What people or groups did not participate in the convention?
Neither the middle class nor the lower class were represented at the convention.

8.  Who were some of the most important delegates at the convention?
James Madison, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin

Unit 3 - Freedoms, Rights and Responsibilities: U.S. Citizenship

2.  If you immigrated to the U.S. and wanted to become a citizen, when would your time as a permanent resident begin? Permanent Resident begins on the date they were granted permanent resident status. This date is on the Permanent Resident Card.

3.  Can a person give up their U.S. citizenship?  If so, how? A person wishing to renounce his or her U.S. citizenship must voluntarily and with intent to relinquish U.S. citizenship, appear in person before a U.S. consular or diplomatic officer, in a foreign country, and sign an oath of renunciation

4.  What rights and protections are given to immigrants to promote equity in United States society? (2) Gives immigrants a chance to live in the US, a right to counsel at immigration hearings, bring family members over, sent immigrants to the US.

5.  Does granting these rights and protections to immigrants result in United States citizens having to give up some of their rights and protections? Explain. (2) yes, they have to compete for jobs and housing.

Unit 4 - Understanding Parties, Campaigns, and Elections: Political Processes

4.  Why did political parties develop in the United States? So people could join a political party to support a set of ideas or canidates.

5.   What functions do political parties fulfill today? Recruit canidates, educate public, opperate the government, provide "loyal opposition", represent group interest, draft a platform.

7.  Even though third party candidates rarely win elections, they can still impact the outcome.  How?  By stealing votes, they focus on new ideas or deal with controversial issues.

8.  What is the difference between an open and closed primary? Closed doesn't allow independent voters, only democrat or republican.

9.  What is the difference between the primary and a general election? Primary narrows down to 1 canidate per party.

12.  What methods can constituents use to communicate with their elected officials? Write letter, email, call the office, attend meetings, petition, donate.

13.  Why is it important for constituents to communicate with their elected officials? It is their duty to let our leaders know when we agree or disagree.

14.  Explain how each of the following factors influences politicians: (3 each)
· Public opinion polls - Shows attitude or ideas held by a significant number of people.
· Mass media - Shows problems in society that need to be brought to attention
· Special interest groups - Try to influence government, getting people elected that support a certain cause, organize activities to influence public opinion, sue business for action.

Unit 5 - Congress: The Structure, Powers, and Roles of the Legislative Branch

1.  Explain what an enumerated, or expressed, power is.
The very specific powers that congress carries out through legislation.

2.  Give five examples of an expressed power.
Collect taxes, borrow money, declare war, establish offices, decide punishment for federal crimes.

3.  Why is the Necessary and Proper Clause often called the “Elastic Clause?”
Because it sort of stretches the powers on congress.

4.  Explain what an implied power is.
Powers that help comgress carry out its expressed powers & other duties.

5.  Give two examples of implied powers.
Punish tax envaders, Limit immigration.

6.  What are three nonlegislative powers of Congress?
Power to investigate, power to propose amendments, power to impeach.

7.  Why do you think the Framers reserved some powers to the states?
To create checks & balances by seperating the power.

Unit 6 - Hail to the Chief: the Structure, Powers, and Roles of the Executive Branch

1. List and explain the three formal (constitutional) requirements to be President. (3)
Be at least 35 year old, Be a natural born citizen of the US, Have lived in the US for at least 14 years prior to election.

2. Discuss and analyze the methods for nominating a presidential candidate. Include primaries, caucuses, and national conventions. (6)
Candidates are formally nominated by delegates from each state at convention. The delegates who attend the convention are determined by results of presidential primaries or by a state caucus.

4. What is the term of office for the President? When and why was the 22nd amendment passed? (3)
4 years. In 1951 the 22nd ammendment said that no president may serve more than 2 terms. They created this b/c the president held enormous power.

8.  How many people currently make up the Cabinet?
The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments.

Unit 7 - And Justice For All: The Structure, Powers, and Roles of the Judicial Branch

1.  What type of cases are most commonly heard by the Supreme Court?
Those that come to the Court on appeal from a lower court

2.  What jurisdiction does the Supreme Court have in most of the cases it hears?
appellate jurisdiction

4.  What is a petition for certiorari?
A legal document written on behalf of one party to ask the Court to hear the case.

5.  What happens to a case if the Supreme Court declines to hear it?
Then the lower court ruling stands.

6.  What is a writ of certiorari?
An order from the Court to a lower court to send up the records on a case.

7.  What is the Rule of Four?
If at least four of the nine justices wish to grant certiorari and hear a case, then the Court will do so.

9.  Describe how a Supreme Court hearing is different from other hearings.
There are no witnesses, no cross-examination.

Unit 8 - Functions of Government in the U.S. : Domestic Policies and Funding

1.  Describe how tax rates are set under a progressive tax.
The United States has a progressive or graduated income tax schedule. This means that those with higher income pay higher rates of taxes.

2.  List two distinct reasons why the federal government imposes taxes. (2) To pay for Defense, To pay for Social Programs.

3.  What is one possible reason why the government asks employers to withhold tax money from each paycheck, instead of requiring taxpayers to pay a full year’s taxes all at once?
They collect the taxes gradually so that they have can money to spend during the year

4.  What is interest, in terms of borrowing money?
Interest is the fee paid to borrow money.

5.  What must a government do to have a budget surplus?
Raise taxes and lower government spending.

6.  Explain the difference between a budget deficit and the public debt. (2)
Budget deficit is the amount each year by which government spending is greater than government income. Public debt is incurred by the Treasury or the Federal Financing Bank by the sale of securities to the public or borrowings from a federal fund or account.

7.  Which amendment gave Congress the power to tax income?
16th amendment

8.  How have the sources of federal revenue changed over the past 150 years?
The United States has to borrow money in order to pay its bills. Borrowing makes up about 20 percent of federal revenues.

11.  How are entitlements different from other types of benefits?
Entitlements are programs whose eligibility requirements are written into law. Any individual or other entity that meets whose requirements is entitled to the money.

12.  What is most of the federal budget spent on?
Most of the annual federal budget goes to fund various social welfare programs.

13.  How did President Clinton change welfare?
He signed a bill that provided that people on welfare would have to find jobs within two years or lose all their benefits. In addition, a lifetime total of five years on welfare was the maximum allowed.

14.  What is a “means-tested” program?  Provide an example.
A program where social welfare benefits are provided strictly on the basis of financial need, and the recipients must meet specific eligibility criteria.

15.  What is an “entitlement” program?  Provide an example.
A program where social welfare benefits are provided regardless of the financial need of the recipient. Once a person achieves a certain status, he/she is entitled to the benefit.

16.  The President and Congress generally view this as the most important domestic issue, next to the budget. Reducing dependence on foreign oil, developing alternate sources of energy, fuel conservation, and the impact of industrialization on the environment.

17.  The Clean Air Act requires the Department of Transportation to regulate what?
This law required the Department of Transportation to implement measures to reduce automobile emissions.

18.  What does the Superfund pay for?
The money in the Superfund is used to restore lands spoiled by the dumping of toxic waste.

19.  Establishing and maintaining public schools are the responsibility of _____.
The states, and local school districts, usually with elected governing boards, administer the public schools.

20.  Establishes guidelines for nuclear power production? U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

21.  Protects workplace safety and health? OSHA

22.  Responsible for safety of civil aviation? FAA

23.  Protects human health and the environment? EPA

24.  Enforces federal campaign finance laws? FEC

25.  Regulates production of food, drugs, medical devices, etc? FDA

26.  Regulates interstate and international communication? FCCses

27. What is the difference between the federal deficit and the national debt?
Federal deficit is the amount that a year's spending exceeded revenue. National debt is the accumulated amount borrowed over the years.

Unit 9 - A Global Agenda: World Governments and United States Foreign Policy
1.  What major change took place in the United States’ relationship with the rest of the world after World War II? United States became a major player in the foreign policy game.

2.  What is foreign policy? A policy governing international relations.

3.  What is the main function of the State Department? Represent the United States government and to assist American citizens abroad.

4.  Who are the chief military aides to the secretary of defense? Commanding officers.

5.  What are the three military departments? The National Security Council, Department of Defense, Central Intelligence Agency.

6.  What are the three goals of U.S. foreign policy? To protect national security, To help protect the physical security of allies, To extend influence in the world.

7.  Explain the difference between moral idealism and political realism. Political realism is a contradicting philosophy, describing the world as a dangerous place, as all nations strive for survival and promotion of their own interests. According to the philosophy of moral idealism, the world is a fundamentally benign place and other nations are, for the most part, willing to cooperate for the good of all and for peace in the world.

8.  What role does economics play in foreign policy? You could manipulate exports in order to get what you want out of foreign policy.

11.  Explain how a protectorate is alike and different from one of the 50 states. Protectorate is a state partly controlled by a stronger state but autonomous in internal affairs; protectorates are established by treaty.

Unit 10 - Arizona State and Local Government

1. What circumstances would prevent an Arizona resident from being able to vote?
A voter cannot be a convicted felon, and people who have been adjudicated mentally incompetent by the courts may not vote.

3.  What are the qualifications must a person meet to run for the state legislature? (4)
    *  a citizen of the United States,
    * 25 years old,
    * a resident of Arizona for at least three years prior to the election, and
    * a resident of the county from which he/she is elected for at least one year prior to the election.

4.  Explain the impeachment process in Arizona.
All impeachments are tried by the Arizona Senate, with the chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court presiding. A two-thirds majority vote of the Senate is required for a conviction.

8.  What is meant by the term “plural executive?”
The major officials in the state executive branch, unlike those in the national executive branch, are all elected by the people.

9.  What are the qualifications to run for any executive office? (3)
    *  at least 25 years old,
    * a citizen of the United States for at least ten years prior to the election, and
    * a resident of Arizona for at least five years prior to the election.