Review+for+GOVT+2301+Final+Exam

Review for spring 2012 GOVT 2301 Final Exam

As mentioned in several places, the final exam is comprehensive and will be composed of 100 multiple choice questions. Lecture students must come to class with a scantron and a #2 pencil.

We will lecture in class over how these topics fit together, but focus your studying on the following:

issues related to “keeping the republic”

why you have to take two government classes to get a degree in the state

definitions of “government” and politics”

a precise definition of tyranny

the impact of the Magna Carta

the impact of the British Bill of Rights

John Locke and Thomas Hobbes contribution to political theory

ideology

the principle differences between liberalism and conservatism

sovereignty

autocracy, oligarchy, democracy

constitutionalism

the definition of “constitution”

the argument in the Declaration of Independence

the consent of the governed

the factors leading to the Constitutional Convention

the content of the U.S. Constitution including key components

the functions of the three branches of government

be able to define what the subject of each of the articles is

the debate over the Bill of Rights

the content of the first ten amendments

substantive liberties

procedural liberties

the Anti-Federalists’ concern over the design of the Constitution

the main points made in Federalists #10 and #51

how human nature is accounted for in the design of the Constitution

the purpose of the separated powers

how powers are separated, elections specifically

the compromises which led to the dual sovereignty

delegated, reserved and implied powers

the conflict over the meaning of the commerce clause

strict and loose readings of the Constitution

the 14th Amendment

the equal protection clause

strict scrutiny, intermediate review, rational basis review

the purpose and types of elections

voter turnout – who votes – who doesn’t

direct and indirect democracy

the amendments that expanded suffrage

the argument over expanding suffrage

gerrymandering: types, consequences

the apportionment process, redistricting, Baker v Carr

the management of elections

primary and general elections

party activists, party identifiers, the party base

who identifies with each party

the impact of elections on representation

winner take all elections v proportional representation

the origins and purposes of political parties

third parties

party factions, party coalitions

George Washington on parties

sedition

the freedom of speech and conscience

the marketplace of ideas

limits on substantive liberties

fundamental American values, agreement and disagreement

how public opinion polls work

the role of a free press in a democratic republic

the media

propaganda

copyright

protections for journalists

freedom of assembly and petition

lobbying – definition, impact

interest groups – definition, impact

the free rider problem

agency capture

iron triangles

the revolving door