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Do interest groups allow greater representation for citizens or do they inevitably allow small well organized groups to prosper at the expense of everyone who pays taxes?
- They allow greater representation for particular causes, not for citizens. And yes, they do often work with politicians to win favors at the expense of taxpayers.
5. Name two sources of interest group power and explain how an interest group lobbyist could use those powers to gain influence over government policymakers?
- Two of the biggest things that can sway a vote is money and power. Professional lobbyists represent companies and corporations that control a great deal of both. Senators and representatives always have pet projects that require a great deal of money and constantly need the power to get the votes needed to initiate and fund these projects. Our people in Congress are keenly aware they must be constantly vigilant in order to obtain funding and backing so as to make a good showing for the citizens in their voting districts.
6. Explain how & why presidents “go public”, giving at least one example of a president going public in pursuit of enacting their policy agenda. - Most importantly, presidents have the ability to "go public" in the words of to appeal to the public for support over the heads of other politicians. The rise of the electronic media, first radio and then television, has enabled presidents to establish a direct, almost personal relationship with voters that skilled presidents It is probably advisable for presidents to use this tactic on a limited number of important issues lest it lose its impact. If used wisely, it can be decisive. George Bush before he invaded Iraq. Sample Short-Answer Questions/Suggestions 1. Be able to define a congressional committee and explain what they do and why they're important in allowing Congress to complete its work. - is a legislative sub-organization in the United States Congress that handles a specific duty (rather than the general duties of Congress). Committee membership enables members to develop specialized knowledge of the matters under their jurisdiction. As "little legislatures," committees monitor on-going governmental operations, identify issues suitable for legislative review, gather and evaluate information, and recommend courses of action to their parent body. 2. Memorize the summaries of the important U.S. Supreme Court decisions listed on your handout. 3. Be sure that you understand what civil liberties are (specifically and generally), how they differ from civil rights, and be able to discuss policy issues, arising from civil liberties protections (e.g. eminent domain requirements, Miranda Rights and the Exclusionary Rule). 1.Civil rights are those that are granted by a government for the protection of its citizens in respect to guaranteeing fairness and checking discrimination. 2.Civil liberties are the basic rights guaranteed to all citizens in a country without any further speciality. 3.’Civil rights’ means an individual’s right to get equal treatment in cases of education, housing, employment, and a lot more. ‘Civil rights’ means ‘free from discrimination or unfair treatment.’ On the other hand, ‘civil liberties’ are broader rights guaranteed in the Constitution. 4.Unlike civil rights, civil liberties are protective in character. 5.Civil rights pertain to the concept of how an individual is treated by others. Civil liberties pertain to the actual freedoms that an individual enjoys under a Constitution 4. Understand and be able to explain the three theories of constitutional interpretation presented …show more content…
Federalism- A division of labor between central government and states
2. Lobbying- A group of persons engaged in trying to influence legislators or other public officials in favor of a specific cause
3. Proportional representation voting systems- A party wins seat depending on what percentage they win.
4. Single-member, simple plurality voting systems (or “Winner-takes- All” electoral systems)- Person with the most votes wins.
5. Political Action Committee (PACs)- is any organization in the United States that campaigns for or against a candidate, ballot initiatives or legislation.
6. Soft Money - Political donations made in such a way as to avoid federal regulations or limits, as by donating to a party organization rather than to a particular candidate or campaign.
7. Separation of Powers- Separation between, the executive, judicial, and legislative branch.
8. Prior Restraint Doctrine- is censorship imposed, usually by a government, on expression before the expression actually takes place. An alternative is to allow the expression to take place and to take appropriate action afterward, if the expression is found to violate the law, regulations, or other
- They allow greater representation for particular causes, not for citizens. And yes, they do often work with politicians to win favors at the expense of taxpayers.
5. Name two sources of interest group power and explain how an interest group lobbyist could use those powers to gain influence over government policymakers?
- Two of the biggest things that can sway a vote is money and power. Professional lobbyists represent companies and corporations that control a great deal of both. Senators and representatives always have pet projects that require a great deal of money and constantly need the power to get the votes needed to initiate and fund these projects. Our people in Congress are keenly aware they must be constantly vigilant in order to obtain funding and backing so as to make a good showing for the citizens in their voting districts.
6. Explain how & why presidents “go public”, giving at least one example of a president going public in pursuit of enacting their policy agenda. - Most importantly, presidents have the ability to "go public" in the words of to appeal to the public for support over the heads of other politicians. The rise of the electronic media, first radio and then television, has enabled presidents to establish a direct, almost personal relationship with voters that skilled presidents It is probably advisable for presidents to use this tactic on a limited number of important issues lest it lose its impact. If used wisely, it can be decisive. George Bush before he invaded Iraq. Sample Short-Answer Questions/Suggestions 1. Be able to define a congressional committee and explain what they do and why they're important in allowing Congress to complete its work. - is a legislative sub-organization in the United States Congress that handles a specific duty (rather than the general duties of Congress). Committee membership enables members to develop specialized knowledge of the matters under their jurisdiction. As "little legislatures," committees monitor on-going governmental operations, identify issues suitable for legislative review, gather and evaluate information, and recommend courses of action to their parent body. 2. Memorize the summaries of the important U.S. Supreme Court decisions listed on your handout. 3. Be sure that you understand what civil liberties are (specifically and generally), how they differ from civil rights, and be able to discuss policy issues, arising from civil liberties protections (e.g. eminent domain requirements, Miranda Rights and the Exclusionary Rule). 1.Civil rights are those that are granted by a government for the protection of its citizens in respect to guaranteeing fairness and checking discrimination. 2.Civil liberties are the basic rights guaranteed to all citizens in a country without any further speciality. 3.’Civil rights’ means an individual’s right to get equal treatment in cases of education, housing, employment, and a lot more. ‘Civil rights’ means ‘free from discrimination or unfair treatment.’ On the other hand, ‘civil liberties’ are broader rights guaranteed in the Constitution. 4.Unlike civil rights, civil liberties are protective in character. 5.Civil rights pertain to the concept of how an individual is treated by others. Civil liberties pertain to the actual freedoms that an individual enjoys under a Constitution 4. Understand and be able to explain the three theories of constitutional interpretation presented …show more content…
Federalism- A division of labor between central government and states
2. Lobbying- A group of persons engaged in trying to influence legislators or other public officials in favor of a specific cause
3. Proportional representation voting systems- A party wins seat depending on what percentage they win.
4. Single-member, simple plurality voting systems (or “Winner-takes- All” electoral systems)- Person with the most votes wins.
5. Political Action Committee (PACs)- is any organization in the United States that campaigns for or against a candidate, ballot initiatives or legislation.
6. Soft Money - Political donations made in such a way as to avoid federal regulations or limits, as by donating to a party organization rather than to a particular candidate or campaign.
7. Separation of Powers- Separation between, the executive, judicial, and legislative branch.
8. Prior Restraint Doctrine- is censorship imposed, usually by a government, on expression before the expression actually takes place. An alternative is to allow the expression to take place and to take appropriate action afterward, if the expression is found to violate the law, regulations, or other