Review for Test #2 (Gov. 2301)

Chapter 2

Power of the Purse p. 35

Doctrine of Natural Rights p. 38 What factors are associated with the doctrine?

The Articles of Confederation p. 37 The process of amending required a unanimous approval and lacked provisions for making a strong national. Reasons for this are given under the heading Articles of Confederation.

Representative democracy or republic p. 40 (Def)

Why did the framers of the Constitution believe a representative democracy would be a better political system? P. 40

May pick two of the following:

Habeas Corpus p. 41 (Def.) Government authorities either release a person held in custody or demonstrate that the person is detained in accordance with law.

Rule of Law Discretion of public officials in dealing with individuals is limited by law.

Due Process Government must follow fair and regular procedures in actions that could lead to an individual’s suffering loss of life, liberty, and property.

Bill of Attainder (declaring a person guilty and providing for punishment without benefit of a judicial proceeding)

Reason for the Federalist Papers (See Federalists on p. 42 in the middle of the page or page 43 about the 1787 Constitution.)

Selective incorporation of the Bill of Rights p. 43 Remember the Bill of Rights was to be applied to the National Government only but changed after the selective incorporation to include the state governments as well.

Why did Madison believe a representative democracy would succeed? P. 43 bottom two paragraphs

Method for ratifying the Constitution Amend by 2/3 of the House; 2/3 of the Senate, and ratify by ¾ of the states. P.49

Super majority is needed for certain types of legislation but not for the confirmation of judges. Only need 50% plus one.

The Constitution has been changed through three processes. See bottom of page 47, 48, and 49. Notice the American Constitution (only 27 times) has not been amended as much as the Texas Constitution.

Bicameralism (House and Senate) Federalism (dividing power between a central government and the state governments) and Separation of Powers with Checks and Balances (Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branch) all have the effect of fragmenting as well as controlling government. Read 43-46 to get a broad overview.

The difference between the United States Constitution and the state constitutions. P. 576 Look at these

The United States is based on a representative democracy where some states have elements for a direct democracy (petitions and then put on ballot. California has this but Texas doesn’t have this)

P.577

P. 583-585

Jacksonian democracy P/ 578 Long ballot and elections for nearly every political official. Reason why Texas has the plural executive.

Our current Texas Constitution was written during what period of time? Bottom of p. 582

What were the goals of the Grangers p. 580

What were some features included in the Texas Constitution? P. 580-581 Look at Plural Executive, how often legislature meets, and how judiciary is chosen.

How is the Texas Constitution amended? P. 584 Similar with 2/3 of the Texas House and 2/3 of the Senate but remember you don’t need ¾ of the states for the Texas Constitution. You need something else.

What are some of the amendments to the Texas Constitution? P.585/586

Look at the Budget Execution, economic development, branch banking, general obligation bonds, and the terms of office.

Chapter 3

Federal System Definition p. 62

Delegated Powers p. 62

Article 1, Section 8 of the United States declares the Congress has certain explicit powers. These are explicit powers.

Implied Powers are implied. They are not enumerated or stated in the Constitution (Those are the Delegated Powers) The implied powers are based on the delegated powers and the Necessary and Proper clause. P.62

What happens when a state law is in conflict with a law passed by the United States? P.63 Know the National Supremacy Law.

What can you say about the powers of the Congress? Do they have unlimited powers or are they limited? p 62-63

The reserved or residual powers of the state. P.65

The respective role of the state government. P.65

Full Faith and Credit Clause p. 63

McCulloch v Maryland Why did this lawsuit come about and look at the respective powers of the national/state government and the use of implied powers. P. 66

Authorization Process p. 69

Appropriations Process p.69 Know the elements of both of these so you can distinguish. Remember you can authorize until the cows come home but you won’t get a program until you appropriate monies.

Block Grant definition p. 71

Categorical grant p.71

Formula grant p.72

Federal mandate p.74

Programs that would fall under the matching funds requirements p.73/74

Chapter 21

The national government and state governments have different spheres of influence. Note that the states generally are involved in education, public safety transportation, and welfare. (Second paragraph p. 599) Notice that the state governments are not involved in defense.

The three cases p.601-603. Roe v Wade, Ruiz v. Estelle, and Brown v Board of Education. Know what these cases are about. For example, Roe v Wade discusses right to an abortion, Brown v Board of Education goes with school desegregation in Kansas, and Ruiz discusses prison living conditions in Texas Department of Corrections.

Figure 21.1 on p. 613 (Discussion in second paragraph on p. 612)

Chapter 4

Process of Socialization Process (Early 20’s, midway through p. 84) Family, School, Religious Institutions p.83-87

Media and political participation. Which factor is the most important as far as participation? P. 87

The best description between the media and the policy agenda? Also note what effect political leaders have on the media and the agenda. P.88

Universe p. 89

Sample p.89

Random sample number, usually 1000, that would produce a 95% confidence level within the three percentage points.

Example of prediction similar to the examples in class.

Biased Sample p.90

Random Sample p.91

Literacy Digest p.91

Accurate and inaccurate survey

Representative Sample (Needs to be random, everyone within the universe chosen, i.e. all college students, had an opportunity of being chosen.)

Definition of Political Efficacy p. 100

Opinion differences among groups.p.104-106 Social class, race and ethnicity, religion, region, generation, and gender gap. Pay particular attention to the gender gap p. 106

Zone of acquiesce p.108

Which media have suffered from a loss of viewers or readers? P.143

What is the definition of libel? P 146

The difference between ordinary citizens and celebrities. P 146

What is slander? P. 146

FCC oversees broadcasters like CBS and AM/FM radio and VHF and UHF television. What media does the FCC not cover? Top of p. 148

Equal-time rule. Definition p.147 Note: This rule applies to broadcasters only and the book notes exceptions. Ex. doesn’t apply to documentaries or newscasts or major newspapers. Etc.

Equal time does not apply to newspapers, newscast, interviews, documentaries, and not paid campaign advertisements as long as the media outlet is willing to sell advertising time to all qualified candidates for an office. P.147

Fairness Doctrine was repealed in 1987.

What is the shield law? P. 148 and how does the network news treat different candidates? P. 151

Two bonus questions What every student should know about the Bill of Rights and a question on the Bill of Rights.