US Government Final Review Quiz

The "tendency to revisit and potentially overturn previously-set judicial precedents" rather than to leave them as they are is best described as...

• Judicial Activism

• Judicial Restraint

• Checks and Balances

• Judicial Review

Answer explanation

Judicial Activism: The key here is seeking to overturn past decisions rather than to accept precedents as they are

The "tendency to accept previously-set precedents as they are without seeking to overturn them" is best described as

• Judicial Activism

• Judicial Restraint

• Checks and Balances

• Judicial Review

Answer explanation

Judicial Restraint: Accepting precedent as previously-set.

Branches of US government placing limits on one another to prevent one from overpowering the others is known as:

• Judicial Activism

• Judicial Restraint

• Checks and Balances

• Judicial Review

Answer explanation

Checks and Balances: Think of it as the branches of government keeping each other in check.

- No single branch can overpower another, they work in unison.

In this type of government, the people elect members of the Legislature, but the majority party in the Legislature appoint the head of government.

• Presidential Democracy

• Direct Democracy

• Indirect Democracy

• Parliamentary Democracy

Answer explanation

Parliamentary Democracy: Election is considered democratic, but it can not be a presidential democracy as the people do not elect the head of state.

- The United Kingdom is an example of a parliamentary democracy. They enjoy the same aspects of a democracy we do, the main difference is the way by which they select their head of state.

Which of the following is an example of a Presidential Democracy?

• United Kingdom

• Russia

• United States

• China

Answer explanation

Presidential Democracy: Form of government in which the head of state is elected by the people; The President is not a member of the legislature.

What is a Standing Committee?

• Committee which includes membership from both houses of Congress: The House and the Senate

• A permanent committee in Congress to which reps are assigned.

• Created by a resolution to conduct investigations or consider measures, usually on a specific topic, and are not renewed on a permanent basis

• A temporary panel composed of House and Senate members formed to reconcile differences in legislation that has passed both chambers.

Answer explanation

Example of standing committee:

Appropriations Committee: recommends legislation to provide budget authority for federal agencies and programs.

Members from which chambers serve in Joint Committees? Select ALL that apply.

• The House of Representatives

• The Supreme Court

• The President's Cabinet

• The US Senate

Answer explanation

Joint Committee: a committee whose members are from both chambers of a bicameral legislative body (such as the US Congress).

Which of the following is an example of a Select Committee?

• Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities (The Senate Watergate Committee)

• The Veterans' Affairs Committee

• The Senate Rules Committee

• The Joint Budget Committee

Answer explanation

Select Committee: Temporary committee brought together for a special purpose that is not renewed following the conclusion of specialized duties.

What is the role of the President's Cabinet?

• Appointing Supreme Court justices

• Advising the President in areas that he may not be overly-specialized

• Briefing the House and the US Senate on policy ideas

• Campaigning for re-election

Answer explanation

Think of the Executive Branch as a business: While the President serves as the CEO, his group of advisors, or his Cabinet, keeps him informed in all areas.

Which of the following are types of Dictatorships? Select ALL that apply.

• Constitutional Republic

• Autocracy

• Oligarchy

• Direct Democracy

Answer explanation

Dictatorship: Form of government in which an individual or small group holds all control, citizens do not have a say, and there is little protection of civil liberties.

Autocracy: An individual dictator

Oligarchy: a small group of elites