Study Guide for Unit 1:
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Chapter
1: Introducing Government in
Questions you should
be able to answer:
1.
Define
government and identify the functions that governments perform. What is the
role of politics in government?
2.
What
are the principle components of the policymaking system? Explain how a
political issue travels through the policymaking system by using an example.
3.
What
is the definition of democracy? What are the basic principles of traditional
democratic theory?
4.
Compare,
contrast, and critically evaluate the three theories of American democracy:
pluralist theory, elite & class theory, and hyperpluralism.
Terms you should be
able to identify & describe:
single-issue groups
policymaking system
linkage institutions
policy
agenda
policymaking institutions
public policy
popular sovereignty
direct
democracy
indirect democracy
majority
rule
minority rights
pluralist
theory
elite & class theory
hyperpluralism
policy gridlock
individualism
Chapter
2: The Constitution
Questions you should
be able to answer:
1.
In
what specific ways did the philosophy of John Locke influence the origins of
the American national government & the Declaration of Independence?
2.
What
philosophical views did the delegates to the Constitutional Convention share?
How did they influence the nature of the Constitution?
3.
How
did the colonial experience shape the policy agenda at the Constitutional
Convention? What issues comprised the agenda and how were they resolved?
4.
What
is the Madisonian model of government? How is it
reflected in the structure of American government? What issues or problems does
it raise?
5.
Explain
the process by which the Constitution was ratified. What were the major
arguments raised by the federalists in favor of the Constitution? What were the
major arguments raised by the anti-federalists in opposition to the
Constitution? How were some of these latter issues resolved?
6.
What
are the formal and informal processes by which the Constitution is changed? Be
able to give examples of formal amendments and informal amendments.
7.
In
what ways was the original Constitution both democratic and undemocratic? How
has the Constitution become democratized throughout American history?
Terms you should be
able to identify & describe:
natural rights
consent
of the governed
limited government
Articles
of Confederation
Shays’ Rebellion
factions
Connecticut Compromise
separation
of powers
Checks and balances
Federalist Papers
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Marbury v. Madison
judicial review
unicameral legislature
bicameral legislature
Chapter
3: Federalism
Questions you should
be able to answer:
1.
Define
federalism. How is federalism different from unitary governments and
confederations? Why is federalism important to understanding American
government?
2.
What
does the Constitution have to say about national versus state power? How was
the supremacy of the national government established in the American federal
system?
3.
Explain
the obligations that states have to each other. Give examples to illustrate
your answer.
4.
Why
does cooperative federalism, as compared to dual federalism, best describe the
American federal system today? Why is fiscal federalism important to
intergovernmental relations?
5.
Compare
& contrast the different types of federal aid and grants given to states
and cities. What is the nature of the competition for federal grants? Under
what conditions might states not want to receive federal aid?
6.
What
are the advantages and disadvantages of federalism for democracy? Give examples
to illustrate your answer.
7.
How
and why has federalism contributed to the growth of the national government?
Terms you should be able to identify & describe:
unitary government
confederation
federalism (federal system of government)
dual federalism
cooperative federalism
fiscal federalism
New Federalism
supremacy clause
McCulloch
v. Maryland
enumerated powers
implied powers
elastic clause
Gibbons v. Ogden
concurrent powers
inherent powers
reserved powers
categorical grants
block grants
formula grants
project grants
mandates