US Government Final Review Flashcard

Front

The "tendency to revisit and potentially overturn previously-set judicial precedents" rather than to leave them as they are is best described as...

Back

Judicial Activism

Answer explanation

Judicial Activism: The key here is seeking to overturn past decisions rather than to accept precedents as they are

Front

The "tendency to accept previously-set precedents as they are without seeking to overturn them" is best described as

Back

Judicial Restraint

Answer explanation

Judicial Restraint: Accepting precedent as previously-set.

Front

Branches of US government placing limits on one another to prevent one from overpowering the others is known as:

Back

Checks and Balances

Answer explanation

Checks and Balances: Think of it as the branches of government keeping each other in check.

- No single branch can overpower another, they work in unison.

Front

In this type of government, the people elect members of the Legislature, but the majority party in the Legislature appoint the head of government.

Back

Parliamentary Democracy

Answer explanation

Parliamentary Democracy: Election is considered democratic, but it can not be a presidential democracy as the people do not elect the head of state.

- The United Kingdom is an example of a parliamentary democracy. They enjoy the same aspects of a democracy we do, the main difference is the way by which they select their head of state.

Front

Which of the following is an example of a Presidential Democracy? United Kingdom, Russia, United States, China

Back

United States

Answer explanation

Presidential Democracy: Form of government in which the head of state is elected by the people; The President is not a member of the legislature.

Front

What is a Standing Committee?

Back

A permanent committee in Congress to which reps are assigned.

Answer explanation

Example of standing committee:

Appropriations Committee: recommends legislation to provide budget authority for federal agencies and programs.

Front

Which of the following is an example of a Select Committee?
Options:
Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities (The Senate Watergate Committee),
The Veterans' Affairs Committee,
The Senate Rules Committee,
The Joint Budget Committee

Back

Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities (The Senate Watergate Committee)

Answer explanation

Select Committee: Temporary committee brought together for a special purpose that is not renewed following the conclusion of specialized duties.

Front

What is the role of the President's Cabinet?

Back

Advising the President in areas that he may not be overly-specialized

Answer explanation

Think of the Executive Branch as a business: While the President serves as the CEO, his group of advisors, or his Cabinet, keeps him informed in all areas.

Front

Deciding how much of your freedoms you are willing to give up in exchange for government protection best describes. . .

Back

The Social Contract (Rousseau)

Answer explanation

Social Contract: an implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, for example by sacrificing some individual freedom for state protection.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Front

If we were to elect a President of our class who would go on to make decisions on our behalf, preventing us from needing to vote often, which type of democracy would this best represent?

Back

Representative Democracy

Answer explanation

Representative / Republic / Rome: We elect officials to make decisions on our behalf. We elect out Representatives, Senators by popular vote, and then they vote on legislation for us.