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Politics of the United States
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- While [opponents of the Constitution] admit that the government of the United States is destitute of energy, they contend against conferring upon it those powers which are requisite to supply that energy. They seem still to aim at things repugnant and irreconcilable; at an augmentation of federal authority, without a diminution of State authority; at sovereignty in the Union, and complete independence in the members. . . . This [requires that] a full display of the principal defects of the Confederation [is] necessary, in order to show that the evils we experience do not proceed from minute or partial imperfections, but from fundamental errors in the structure of the building, which cannot be amended otherwise than by an alteration in the first principles and main pillars of the fabric. . . . [T]he United States has an indefinite discretion to [plead for] for men and money; but they have no authority to raise either, by regulations extending to the individual citizens of America. The consequence of this is, that though in theory their resolutions concerning those objects are laws, constitutionally binding on the members of the Union, yet in practice they are mere recommendations which the States observe or disregard at their option.Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist 15Which of the following experiences most likely influenced the perspective conveyed in the passage?A. The increased centralization of power in the national legislature under the Articles of ConfederationB. The debt crisis of the 1780s which the national government was unable to address due to lack of authorityC. The tension between states relying on commerce and those relying on agricultureD. Passage of the Stamp Act and other taxes during the revolutionary period
- "In every free government, the people must give their assent to the laws by which they are governed. This is the true criterion between a free government and an arbitrary one. The former are ruled by the will of the whole, expressed in any manner they may agree upon; the latter by the will of one, or a few. If the people are to give their assent to the laws, by persons chosen and appointed by them, the manner of the choice and the number chosen, must be such, as to possess, be disposed, and consequently qualified to declare the sentiments of the people; for if they do not know, or are not disposed to speak the sentiments of the people, the people do not govern, but the sovereignty is in a few. Now, in a large extended country, it is impossible to have a representation, possessing the sentiments, and of integrity, to declare the minds of the people, without having it so numerous and unwieldy, as to be subject in great measure to the inconveniency of a democratic government...."Brutus 1Which of the following statements would the author of the passage most likely agree with?A. Average citizens cannot be trusted to vote because of low levels of education.B. Nations with extended territory cannot fairly represent their citizens in a republican form of government.C. The federal government should have greater authority than state legislatures.D. A small federal legislature is the best way to represent the will of the people in a large country.
- Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
- What does the chief executive do? (presidential role)
- A ____ is a previous case that gives guidance to other judges hearing similar cases.A. Rule of lawB. PrecedentC. BriefD. Docket
- To send a case back to a lower court to be tried again
- An ____ offers a detailed explanation of the legal thinking behind a court's decusion.A. InferenceB. ObfuscationC. ObservationD. Opinion
- What is the term for the geographic area covered by an appeals court?A. JurisditionB. AppellateC. CircuitD. Judiciary zone
- A court order requiring someone to appear in court
- What jurisdiction allows a court to hear appeals from a lower court?A. ConcurrentB. IncrementalC. AppellateD. Exclusive
- The job of the ____ courts is to review decisions made in the lower district courts.A. AppealsB. SupremeC. ConcurrentD. Exclusive
- An appeals court can ____ a case, that is, send it back to the lower court for retrial.A. ReverseB. RemandC. RemitD. Precede
- A ____ is a court order requiring someone to appear in court.A. SubpeonaB. WritC. WarrantD. Docket
- Authority of a court to hear a case appealed from a lower court
- Which federal courts are the places where trials are held and lawsuits are begun?A. District courtsB. Appellate courtsC. Circuit courtsD. Appeals courts
- District courts have ____ jurisdiction, or the authority to hear federal cases first.A. MandatoryB. OriginalC. ExecutiveD. Exclusive
- Making arrests, collecting fines, and protecting jurors are some jobs of U.S. A. AttorneysB. MagistratesC. MarshalsD. Judges
- Which of the following is NOT another name for a U.S. court of appeals?A. Federal appeals courtB. Circuit court of appealsC. Appellate courtD. District court
- Which court officials take care of much of a judge's routine work, such as issuing court orders and hearing preliminary evidence in a case?A. MagistratesB. ClerksC. Court reportersD. Marshals
- Which of the following terms refers to a model upon which other judges can base their own decisions in similar cases?A. OpinionB. PrecedentC. WarrantD. Appeal