Political Science 1100: American National Government

Exam 2 Study Guide

Instructions

Below you will find a list of questions. If you can answer these you should be well prepared for the

exam. Once the test window opens, use the password brutus (all lower case) to begin taking the

test. Remember, the timer will start ticking once you begin and will continue to count down even

if you close the window.

Study Questions

What are the differences between confederate, federal and unitary systems?

What are some examples of confederation countries? What are some examples of unitary

countries?

Is marijuana possession legal or illegal in Washington State? Does this mean people there are

exempt from federal drug laws?

What are some advantages to unitary systems? What are some advantages to federal systems?

What are “laboratories of democracy”?

What is an example of a state policy being expanded to the entire country?

What is the Supremacy Clause?

Which part of the Constitution contains the rules explaining the boundaries of federalism?

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What are enumerated powers? What are some examples of enumerated powers?

What are concurrent powers? What are some examples of concurrent powers?

What are implied powers? What are some examples of implied powers?

What is the difference between cooperative and dual federalism?

What is devolution? What is an example of devolution?

What are intergovernmental grants? What is an example of intergovernmental grants?

What is the Bill of Rights? Where can you find the Bill of Rights?

What is the difference between civil liberties and civil rights?

What are negative freedoms? How are they different from positive freedoms?

What are ex post facto laws? What are bills of attainder? What is the writ of habeas corpus?

Why did the Federalists oppose a Bill of Rights?

What is selective incorporation?

What is the establishment clause?

What is the Lemon Test?

There have been examples of laws restricting Americans’ free expression in the past? What law

did this in the 1790s?

What is civil disobedience? What is it used for?

What is the Voting Rights Act of 1965? What did it do?

What is de facto segregation? What is de jure segregation? What are some examples of each?

There have been multiple “waves” of feminism. How did each seek to advance the rights of

women?

What are some of the qualifications that a vulnerable populations might meet to be considered

for extra legal protections?

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What is affirmative action?

How effective was the Brown v. Board decision in the integration of schools following the ruling?

What is the difference between the right to believe and the right to act?

What are reserved powers? Where in the Bill of Rights are these powers found?

Did the original bill of rights apply to the state, federal or both the state and federal government?

How do Americans’ free speech rights compare to those in other democratic countries?