Ch 17 - Labor and The Federal Government

Define 'collective bargaining'.
Define 'right-to-work' laws.
Explain how the Wagner Act (National Labor Relations Act) and the Taft-Harley Act changed the role of the federal government concerning labor.

Ch 17 - Free Trade & Protectionism

What is 'free trade'?

What is ''protectionism'?

Which system, or mixture of systems, do you think is best for the economic well-being of the United States?

Ch 17 - Economic Theory

Define Keynesian economic theory.
Define supply-side economics.
Explain which 'theory'  you agree with more.

Ch 17 - Fiscal Policy

Define fiscal policy.

Ch 17 - The Federal Reserve System

What is the goal of  the federal reserve system, AKA, 'the Fed'?
What are the main ways the Fed can influence the American economy?

Ch 17 - Monetary Policy

What is a 'monetary policy'?

Ch 17 - Unemployment and Inflation

The federal government tries to keep both unemployment and inflation to a minimum.
Explain which should have a higher priority, keeping inflation at a low level or unemployment at a low level?

Ch 17 - The Minimum Wage

Should the United States have a 'minimum wage'?
If not, explain why not.
If so, explain why and who- the federal or state government- should set the minimum wage?

Ch 17 - Federal Government Regulation of the Economy

In what ways does the federal government regulate the economy?
Does the federal government regulate the economy too much? Too little? or about the right amount? Explain your answer.  

Ch 17 - The American Economy

Define 'capitalism'.
Define 'mixed economy'.
Decide and defend what type of economic system we have and should have.

Ch 16 - Length of a Judges Term

Explain why federal judges, including those on the Supreme Court, should or should not have lifetime tenure.

Ch 16 - Judicial Philosophy

What is judicial restraint?
What is Judicial activism?
Explain what philosophy do you think judges should follow?

Ch 16 - Original Intent

Should judges base their ruling on 'original intent'? Explain.

Ch 16 - Supreme Court Decisions

Identified and expand upon the different types of Supreme Court decisions & opinions?

Ch 16 - Selecting a Supreme Court Case

What is a 'writ of certiorari'?
What is the rule of four?
Is  it right that the Supreme Court can limit the cases it reviews?

Ch 16 - Senatorial Courtesy

What is 'senatorial courtesy'?
Explain why 'senatorial courtesy' plays an important role in the nomination and appointment of federal judges or why we should get rid of that practice?

Ch 16 - The U.S. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has original and appellate jurisdiction, which one is more common and why?
What types of cases does the USSC have original jurisdiction over?

Ch 16 Federal Courts of Appeal

What is the role of an appeal court?
How many federal courts of appeal are there?

Ch 16 - Federal District Courts

What is the jurisdiction of federal district courts?
Should their jurisdiction be increased or decreased? Explain.

Ch 16 - Jurisdiction

What is 'jurisdiction'?
Name three types of Jurisidiction.

Ch 16 - Amicus Curiae Briefs

What is a amicus curiae brief?
Should amicus curiae briefs be allowed? Explain why or why not.

Ch 16 - Litigants

What is 'plaintiff'?
What is a 'defendant'?
What name, title, or group  goes first in the lawsuit?
What does it mean to have 'standing to sue'?

Ch 15 - Iron Triangles & Issue Networks

What is an 'iron triangle'?
What is an 'issue network'?
Explain if these 'subgovernments' are  good or bad for the American political system?

Ch 15 - Deregulation

What are some reasons given for deregulation?

Explain whether you agree or disagree with the idea of deregulation.

Ch 15 - Privatization

Should the federal government 'privatize' some functions?
If yes, which ones and why.
If no, explain why not.

Ch 15 - Bureaucratic Problems

Identify and explain some of the problems bureaucracies have with implemented laws and programs.

Ch 15 - Independent Executive Agencies

What are Independent Executive Agencies?
Do we have too many Independent Executive Agencies? Too few Independent Executive Agencies? Or about the right amount of Independent Executive Agencies? Explain.

Ch 15 - Government Corporations

What are Government Corporations?
List two examples of Government Corporations.
Do we need to expand Government Corporations? Eliminate Government Corporations? Or keep the number and role of Government Corporations about the same?

Ch 15 - Independent Regulatory Commissions

What are Independent Regulatory Commissions?
Do Independent Regulatory Commissions have too much power?

Ch 15 - The Hatch Act

What is the Hatch Act?
Explain why you agree or disagree with the provision.

Ch 15 - Pendleton Act

What did the Pendleton Act do?
Was the Pendleton Act a mistake?
What system is better for a bureaucracy - the 'spoils' system' or the 'merit system'?

Ch 15 - Myths About Bureaucracy

What are some 'bureaucratic myths' listed in the book?
Do you agree or diagree that these 'myths' are just that, false beliefs about the bureaucracy or are they accurate?

Ch 14 - Reforming the Budget Process

What did the Congressional Budget & Impoundment Control Act of 1974 accomplish?
Were the changes for the better/ Defend your answer.

Ch 14 - The Budget Process

What groups are involved in the creation of the federal budget?
Which of these groups are most important?

Ch 14 - Medicare

What is Medicare?
Can we afford Medicare the way it is currently funded?
How should Medicare be changed?

Ch 14 - Social Security

Is Social Security, the way it is currently administered, sustainable? If so, explain. If not, what would you change?

Ch 14 - Social Spending

Do we spend too much on the social services? Too little? About the right amount? Justify your answer.

Ch 14 - Military Spending

Do we spend too much on the military? Too little? About the right amount? Justify your answer.

Ch 14 - Tax Reform

What type of 'tax reform', if any, do you support? Explain why.

Ch 14 - Tax Expenditures

Define Tax Expenditures.
Should we eliminate Tax Expenditures? Explain why or why not.

Ch 14 - Progressive or Regressive

What type of taxes are 'progressive'? 'Regressive'?
Explain if 'progressive' or 'regressive' taxes are fair?

Ch 14 - Federal Revenue

What are the major 'revenue streams' for the Federal Government?

Ch 14 - Deficit and Debt Difference

What is the difference between deficit and debt? Which one is a better measure of government budgeting?

Ch 13 - Presidential Checks

What are some of the checks on presidential power that the legislative and judicial branches have over the President?

Ch 13 - Presidential Terms

How long is the term for the President?
Which amendment limits to the President to two elected terms?
Do you think we should keep that amendment?

Ch 13 - Presidential Power

Is the President too powerful?
What formal and informal powers does the President have?
Which ones are most important?

Ch 13 - War Powers

Is the War Powers Act of 1973 constitutional? Explain your answer.

Ch 13 - Presidents and Mid-Term Elections

The political party of the president usually gains seats during presidential election years and they usually lose congressional seats during mid-term elections years, why do you think this happens?

Ch 13 - Presidential Coattails

Do you think that 'presidential coattails' are still in affect today?

Ch 13 - Presidential Roles

Identify and explain the major roles of the Presidency and explain which role or roles you think are most important.

Ch 13 - The Executive Office

Name the the different groups within The  Executive Office of the President? Explain which one is most important.

Ch 13 - The Cabinet

What is the role of the cabinet? Do we have too many cabinet-level positions?

Ch 13 - The Vice President

What are the formal and informal roles of the Vice-President? Do we need a vice-president in today's world?

Ch 13 - Expansion of Presidential Power

Why has the power of the Presidency increased since the writing of the Constitution?

Ch 13 - Impeachment

Should impeachment be used? Why or why not? Under what conditions?

Ch 13 - Presidential Prerequisites

What do you think is the best path to the Presidency- Congressional experience? Governorship? Military experience? Business experience? International diplomacy?

Ch 12 - Effectiveness of Congress

Is Congress an effective institution. Give specific examples comparing Congress to other aspects of American society while explaining your answer.

Ch 12 - Speaker of the House

What are the formal powers that make the Speaker of the House a powerful position?

Ch 12 - Political Parties & Congress

Do political parties play too large of a role in the organization and operation of Congress? Explain why or why not.

Ch 12 - Committees

Explain which committee do you think is more important the House Rules Committee (a standing committee) or a Conference Committee (a joint select committee)?

Ch 12 - Filibuster

Do you think that the filibuster is undemocratic?  Explain if the rule by continued or disallowed?

Ch 12 - Seniority System

Is the seniority system effective? Defend your position.

Ch 12 - Committee Chairs

Do committee chairs have too much power? Not enough power? Or about the right amount of power?

Ch 12 - The Committee System

What are the different types of committees? Identify three committees in the House and in the Senate.

Ch 12 - Congressional Leadership

What are the major leadership position in Congress? Identify and explain which one do you think is most important.

Ch 12 - House and Senate Differences

Identify four differences bewteen the House and Senate. What difference do you think is most important and why?

Ch 12 - Bicameralism

What is bicameralism? Why did the United States select this type of organization? Would it be better for the United States if we did away with our bicameral system?

Ch 12 - Term Limits

What are some arguements for and against 'term limits'? What do you think?

Ch 12 - Relection

What incumbent 'advantage' do you think is most important?

Ch 12 - Incumbents

Why do incumbents win elections so often? Is this a good or bad thing for American democracy?

Ch 12 - Congressional Demographics

As far as gender, race, religion, education, and occupation is congress 'representative'? Does it matter?

Ch 12 - Congressional Pay

What is the salary and benefits (perks) for members of Congress? Is it too much? too little? Or about right? Explain.

Ch 11 - Lobbyists

What are some of the 'services' provided by lobbyists to government officials.

Ch 11 - Union Shops

Explain whether you think 'union shop' rules should be allowed to be written into contracts or should 'right-to-work' laws be enacted.

Ch 11 - Types of Interest Groups

Identify and explain the four major types of interest groups.

Ch 11 - The Efforts of Interest Group

What are the four major ways interest groups try to influence public policy in the American political system?
Which method is most effective?

Ch 11 - Problems Within Interest Groups

Do you agree or disagree with Olson's 'law of large groups'? Explain.
Do you think the 'free-rider problem' is really a problem for interest groups?

Ch 11 - Sucessful Groups

Name a characteristic that can make an interest group sucessful.

Ch 11 - Linking Institutions

What are the differences between interest groups and political parties?

Ch 11 - Interest Group Theory

There are three major theories about interest groups- pluralist, elite, and hyperpluralist. Select one theory and explain why you agree or disagree with that theory.

Ch 11 - Interest Group Definitions

Define one of the following:
Interest Group
Pluralist Theory of Interest Groups
Elite Theory of Interest Groups
Hyperpluralist Theory of Interest Groups

Ch 9 - The Permanent Campaign

Explain whether you agree or disagree you agree with Sideny Blumenthal's 'permanent campiagn' thesis.

Ch 9 -Frontloading

Is 'frontloading' a problem in the presidential primary system?

Ch 9 - Being First

What state holds the first Caucus? What state holds the first primary? Explain if you believe these events important or overstated?

Ch 9 - Campaign Financing Groups

What are 527 groups? PACs? and SuperPACs? When funding campaigns explain if you think their role is too small, too large or just right? Explain.

Ch 9 - Campaign Financing

Is campaign finance reform needed? Explain?

Ch 9 - Media & Nominations

Which type of media - TV, Radio, Internet, or Direct Mailings - is most beneficial to candidates?

Ch 9 - Alternative Presidential Primary Systems

If you were given a choice of a national primary or a series of regional primaries, which would you choose and why?

Ch 9 - Presidential Primary System

Is the current presidential primary system effective? Explain you answer.

Ch 9 - Caucuses & Primaries

Explain which nomination system you prefer- caucus or primary.

Ch 8 - Third Parties

Does the American political system need a viable 'third' party? Explain.

Ch 8 - Winner Take All System

Is it time to get rid of the American 'winner-take-all' system?

Ch 8 - Critical Elections

Do you think there will be a 'critical election' that will cause 'party realignment' in 2016? Explain your answer.

Ch 8 - Primaries

What kind of primary do you think is best - closed? open? or blanket?

Ch 8 - What is ticket splitting? What role does it play in American politics?

Ch 8 - Rational-Choice Theory

Explain why you accept or reject the 'rational-choice theory.

Ch 8 - Tasks of a Political Party

Which role of a political party is most important?

Ch 8 - Types of Linkage Institutions

Which of the four types of 'linkage institutions' do you think is most important? Which one is least important?

Ch 8 - Linkage Institutions

What are 'linkage institutions'?

Ch 8 - Party Competition

What is 'party competition'? What role does in play in American politics?