POL S 202: Intro to American Politics
“Review for Final Exam” Week 10: December 6, 2007
POLS 202 – Final Exam
• • • • • Wednesday, December 12th 10:30 am – 12:20 pm Smith Hall 120 Same format as Midterm No phones, laptops, notebooks, etc.
Exam Structure
• • • • • • • • Multiple choice 150 + questions 15% pre-midterm 85% post-midterm Readings from Schmidt + online Current events from all weeks fair game PowerPoint slides are starting point Review online readings carefully
The Many Roles of the President
o chief of state – the role of the president as the ceremonial head of government o chief executive -- the role of the president as the head of the executive branch of the government o commander in chief of the armed forces -- the role of the president as the supreme commander of military forces of the U.S. (60 day limit) o chief diplomat -- the role of the president in recognizing federal governments, making treaties, and making executive agreements o chief legislator -- the role of the president in influencing the making of laws
The Vice President
• Only formal duty is to preside over Senate • Presidential candidate usually picks a VP to balance the ticket and help win election • VP often attends events on behalf of Prez • Most important role of VP is to succeed the President in case of death or resignation • If VP becomes vacant, President nominates new VP and both houses of Congress must confirm
Electing the Congress
• Congress, or legislative branch consists of two branches (bi-cameral)
– Senate / 100 seats / Upper House – House of Representatives / 435 seats / Lower
• House – 435 seats up for re-election every two years – can change rapidly • Senate – 1/3 of the seats up for reelection every two years – changes slowly
Controlling the Congress
• Why is control of the Congress important?
– Provides symbolic power – Majority party names committee chairs – Majority party has majority on committees – Set legislative agenda – Set rules on debate / amendments – Pass laws (which benefit their constituents) – Much easier to win re-election
Sources of American Law
• Federal and State Constitutions
– U.S. Constitution is supreme law of the land; while State Constitution is supreme law of state; Constitution always has the final say – Defines the political playing field for state/federal power
• Statutes passed by Legislative bodies
– Laws passed by Congress, State Legislature, City Councils – May relate to taxation, criminal codes, commerce, zoning
• Administrative law
– Rules and regulations handed down by administrative agencies (EPA)
• Case law
– Judicial interpretations of common law principles and doctrines, as well as interpretations of constitutional law, statutory law, administrative law
Types of Federal Courts
• U.S. District Courts (or specialized courts)
– Trial courts in which trials are held and testimony is taken and decided by judge and jury
• Intermediate U.S. Courts of Appeals
– 13 courts, referred to as “circuit courts” and defined by geographic areas of the country
• U.S. Supreme Court
– Most of the work is based on appeal from lower courts or state supreme courts
U.S. Supreme Court
• Attorneys present oral arguments to the SC and justices may interrupt to ask questions
• After case is over, justices meet in conference to discuss case and vote
• Court issues a written decision that explains how and why it made its decision.
– – – – Unanimous decision Majority opinion Concurring opinion Dissenting opinion
U.S. Foreign Policy
• Diplomacy: The process by which states carry on political relations with each other; settling conflicts among nations by peaceful means • Economic aid: Assistance to other nations in the form of grants, loans or credits to buy the assisting nation’s products • Technical assistance: The practice of sending experts or technology in such areas as agriculture, engineering, or business as aid • Military intervention: The deployment of the armed forces inside the border of another nation
Congress and Foreign Policy
• Role of Congress increased during the Vietnam War (1964-1975) • 1973, War Powers Resolution, limits president’s use of military troops and requires approval of Congress • Congress may pass legislation that institutes sanctions, mandates economic aid, or allows for military intervention • Congress controls DoS, DoD, DHS budget
Iraq War – Important dates
• Aug. 2, 1990- Iraq invades Kuwait • Jan. 16, 1991- US leads Operation Desert Storm with air strikes against Iraqi army in Kuwait • Jan. 29, 2002- State of the Union speech, Bush identifies Iraq (along with Iran and North Korea) as an “axis of evil.” • Oct. 10, 2002- Congress adopts resolution authorizing use of force against Iraq • Feb. 5, 2003- Powell speech to UN Security Council • Mar. 19, 2003- Invasion of Iraq begins when the United States launches Operation Iraqi Freedom. • May 1, 2003- The United States declares an end to major combat operations. To this point, 115 U.S. combat deaths • Oct 15, 2005- Iraqi people vote in support of constitution, failed by more than 2/3 among Sunni provinces