Part A-
1. What is political efficacy? Why is its loss "bad news for American democracy"?
2. Categorize governments according to the number of people who rule. Briefly explain each.
3. Explain the difference between equality of opportunity and equality of results.
4. Define popular sovereignty? Why is it an important concept?
5. How is the power of the majority checked in the Constitution?
6. How did the ancient Greeks define citizenship? How do we define it today? What obligations are imposed by citizenship?
Part B-
1. Describe the Articles of Confederation. What did it say about the relationship between the national, state, and local governments? Why did the Articles fail?
2. Define the following key terms: bicameralism, checks and balances, indirect election, and federalism. How are they related?
3. What branch of the national government was designed to be the most democratic and responsive to the people? How so? How were the other branches less democratic and responsive?
4. Describe the methods of amending the Constitution. How many total amendments have been added to the Constitution since the Bill of Rights? What do they have in common?
5. How did the Constitution differ from the Articles of Confederation? How did the Constitution create a "second Founding?"
6. Discuss the significance of the following three clauses found in the Constitution: the Commerce Clause, the Elastic Clause, and the Supremacy Clause.
Part C-
1. Compare dual federalism with cooperative federalism. Why was dual federalism replaced by cooperative federalism?
2. Define the necessary and proper clause. Why is it so important to the understanding of federalism?
3. Compare categorical grants with block grants and revenue sharing. If you were a governor, which grant would you prefer? Why? Which do you think Congress prefers to give? Why?
4. Why did the Antifederalists support the Tenth Amendment?
5. Compare the relationship between the federal government and the states with that of the states and local government.
6. Explain preemption and unfunded mandates. Are these unconstitutional power grabs by Congress or legitimate policies necessary for governing the entire nation fairly?
Part D-
1. What are the three core values developed throughout this
2. Discuss the Bill of Rights. Note when it was adopted and how it relates to each of the three branches of government.
3. Discuss and differentiate the "Full Faith and Credit" and "Privileges and Immunities" clauses.