American Government
FINAL EXAM WORD LIST
Direct democracy (pure)
Popular sovereignty
Social contract theory
Federalist Papers
Totalitarian
4 requirements for a country
Father of the Constitution
Bill of Rights
Separation of powers
Limited government
Articles of Confederation
Declaration of Independence
Mayflower Compact (majority rule)
Majority rule/ minority rights
Checks and balances
Federal system
Necessary and proper clause
Elastic clause
Implied powers
Formal amendment (2/3 Congress ¾ St.)
Veto power
Supremacy clause (Fed. law supreme)
Preamble to Constitution
Miranda Rights
Override a veto (2/3 Congress)
First Amendment freedoms
Speech; Press;
Religion (exercise, establishment)
Petition; Assembly
Grand jury
Petit jury
Double jeopardy
Voter requirements
Jus soli / jus sanguinus
The exclusionary rule
Writ of habeas corpus
Slander / libel
Probable cause / search warrant (4th)
8th Amendment: cruel / unusual punishment
15th Amend. rts. of minorities to vote
19th Amend. rts. of women to vote
24th No poll tax – poor people
26th 18 year olds can vote
Functions of political parties
inform
watchdog
governmental
bonding agent – linkage
First political parties
Interest groups/ function
Platform
Responsibilities of Congress?
Standing committees (H-19: S-16)
Reapportionment (census-10 yrs)
Senate: 100 members, 6 yr terms
Qualifications: 30 YO, citizen 9 yrs
House: 435 members, 2 yr terms
Qualifications 25 YO, citizen 7 yrs
Electoral votes H+S= electors (TX=34)
Gerrymandering
Speaker of the House
President pro Tempore
At-large
Conference committee
Filibuster / cloture (60)
22nd Amend – Pres. Serve 2 terms
(Max 10 yrs)
Federal Election Day:
1st Tues after 1st Mon-Nov; even yrs
Cabinet
Presidential Succession Act 1947
War Powers Resolution 1973
Approval power – Senate
President – (total 44) 35YO, natural born
Pocket veto, automatic pass
US Supreme Court – 9 Justices
Chief Justice – John Roberts
Duel court system – States and Federal
Reserved powers – State Powers
Burden of proof
5th Amend. – Right to remain silent, due process
Affirmative Action – race quotas
Primary / closed primary
Lobbying
PACs
Constitutional Courts – judges serve for life
Article 1 – Legislative Branch
Article 2 – Executive Branch
Article 3 – Judicial Branch
Constitution 7 Articles
27 Amendments
2nd Amendment Rts.
3rd Amendment
4th Amendment
5th Amendment
6th Amendment
Federal District Courts = 94 (Texas 4)
50 States / 50 Stars
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