Essays

PO: 106 US Politics

Unit 2 Exam Review

Covers Material From Chpts: 7, 9, 11, 12, 14

Key Terms for Multiple Choice Section

On the exam there will be 40 questions, each worth 2 pts

Political Participation

Who Participates/ Who does not

Differences in Race and participation

Differences in Men and Women’s Participation

Explanations for voting and nonvoting

Voting in US compared to other Countries

Free Rider Problem

Social Capital

Political parties

Whose interests are and are not represented (why) patronage (spoils system) political machine

Progressive era Duverger's Law

Single member district-plurality

Proportional electoral system Republican Party vs. Democratic Party

(groups of voters)

Roll of Political Parties (3)

Party realignment theory

Difficulties 3rd Parties face

elastic clause

coattail effect

reapportionment

redistricting

Baker v. Carr franking privilege

gerrymander

delegate/ trustee/  politico

Work of Congress

standing committees conference committees select committees

How a bill becomes a law

Senate vs. House of Representatives filibuster and cloture

Power of incumbency

House of Representatives powers

President’s options for bills

Qualifications of President

Presidential Powers 

Presidential Elections

Primary and General Election

Electoral College (Nebraska and Maine)

executive order

Pres.’s role Head of State vs. Head of Govt. 

Impeachment process

Impeached Presidents

Marbury v. Madison judicial review

precedent

standing

criminal law vs. civil law

majority opinion dissenting opinion concurring opinion

Supreme Court

amicus curiae

writ of certiorari

Essay: On the exam you will be given two of the questions to below, you will select one to answer. This section of the exam is worth 20pts. Make sure to answer your question in essay form complete with introduction and conclusion, also make sure to complete each part of the question, as each section is worth a particular amount of points. You may bring a 5x7 piece of paper with prepared outlines to the test.

1. What are the two main political parties in the United States? What do these two parties stand for (their ideology—see the chart)? Your would desperately like to see a 3rd party participate in elections in the US—explain to them why this is unlikely given our current electoral system (Duverger’s Law) and other difficulties third parties face.

2.  Explain the process by which legislation is drafted and put into effect—draw the path of a bill all the way from its initial introduction to the president’s desk and the president’s options for the bill. Why is the procedure so complicated? What are the drawbacks and advantages of this procedure? Should the legislative process be reformed to make it easier to pass legislation? 

3. Explain the process by which the American people select their presidents—Primary through General Election. What are the strengths and flaws of this process? Is the process appropriately democratic? Does it adequately ensure that the will of the American people will dominate? What changes might be adapted to improve the presidential electoral process?