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Foundations of American Democracy
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1
Question
What functions do government institutions perform in society?
Answer
Make and enforce collective decisions, allocate authority
2
Question
How does representative democracy differ from direct democracy in decision-making?
Answer
Citizens elect officials for decisions versus citizens voting directly on laws
3
Question
Why does majority rule promote democratic legitimacy?
Answer
Reflects preferences of most people
4
Question
How do minority rights safeguard against majority dominance?
Answer
Protect individuals and groups from oppression
5
Question
What participatory methods enhance civic engagement in the U.S.?
Answer
Voting, protesting, petitioning, running for office, contacting representatives, donating, joining groups
6
Question
What dual aspects define citizenship in a political community?
Answer
Rights like voting and free speech; responsibilities like obeying laws and civic duty
7
Question
What demographic shifts characterize U.S. population changes over 50 years?
Answer
Increased diversity in race, ethnicity, religion, age; more immigration, aging, urbanization
8
Question
How do liberty, equality, and justice interconnect as founding principles?
Answer
Liberty as personal freedoms; equality as equal treatment under law; justice as fair rights protection
9
Question
What colonial grievances precipitated the Declaration of Independence?
Answer
Taxation without representation, British military presence, trade restrictions
10
Question
How did the Continental Congresses lead to American independence?
Answer
Addressed protests, culminating in break with Britain
11
Question
What core philosophical ideas underpin the Declaration of Independence?
Answer
Natural rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness), consent of governed, right to revolt against tyranny
12
Question
What structural weakness defined a confederation under the Articles?
Answer
Loose state association with weak central government
13
Question
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail to sustain the new nation?
Answer
No taxation power, no military, weak executive
14
Question
How did the Virginia Plan propose resolving representation disputes?
Answer
Representation based on population
15
Question
In what way did the New Jersey Plan advocate for state equality?
Answer
Equal representation for each state
16
Question
How did the Constitution accommodate slavery despite democratic ideals?
Answer
Three-fifths compromise, slave trade until 1808, fugitive slave return requirement
17
Question
What mechanisms enable checks and balances among government branches?
Answer
Veto power, judicial review, Senate confirmation
18
Question
How does separation of powers distribute governmental authority?
Answer
Legislative makes laws, executive enforces, judicial interprets
19
Question
What specific authorities constitute expressed powers for Congress?
Answer
Tax, regulate commerce, declare war, coin money
20
Question
How do expressed powers extend to the executive branch?
Answer
Commander-in-chief, veto laws, make treaties, appoint officials
21
Question
What judicial role involves expressed powers under the Constitution?
Answer
Interpret Constitution and laws
22
Question
How does the necessary and proper clause enhance congressional authority?
Answer
Allows laws to execute expressed powers effectively
23
Question
What interstate obligations arise from the full faith and credit clause?
Answer
States respect other states' public acts, records, judicial rulings
24
Question
Why does the supremacy clause prioritize federal over state law?
Answer
Federal law as supreme law of the land
25
Question
What contrasting views divided Federalists from Anti-Federalists?
Answer
Federalists favored strong national government; Anti-Federalists preferred state power and Bill of Rights
26
Question
What protections does the Bill of Rights primarily secure?
Answer
Civil liberties in first 10 amendments
27
Question
What power-sharing model exemplifies federalism?
Answer
Division between national and state governments
28
Question
Which policy areas typically fall under state authority?
Answer
Education, elections, public safety, family law, police powers
29
Question
How do expressed powers differ from implied powers?
Answer
Expressed listed in Constitution; implied from necessary and proper clause
30
Question
What guarantees reserved powers to the states?
Answer
10th Amendment