Review Sheet #2
American Government
Fall 2021
Questions:
What part of our electoral process helps explain why we have a two party system?
How does our system of representation limit the influence of third parties (compared to a system
of proportional representation)?
What is voter turnout in the United States and what could be done to increase it?
What role does the media pay in our governing system? What problems might exist with the way
that the media currently functions?
What types of interest groups exist? What are the benefits of joining an interest group? Why
don’t more people join interest groups?
What is a collective action problem and how does it relate to interest groups?
What is the difference between an interest group and a political party?
What is the iron triangle and how does it explain the relationship between government and
citizens? Give an example of how the iron triangle operates
Describe the process of how a bill becomes a law.
What is the purpose and function of the committee system?
What is a filibuster and how can a filibuster be broken up?
How is the process for passing a spending or taxation bill different from other types of bills?
How does the way that bills are considered differ between the House and the Senate?
What power does the president have? What is the president’s most important power?
What is the nuclear option?
What option does the president have when a bill is approved by Congress?
What powers does the president have with regard to the military? What powers are reserved for
the Congress?
Describe a few ways that an elected official might attempt to block a bill from becoming a law.
What is the function of the bureaucracy?
How might we balance the federal budget? Do you think it’s possible?
How are Supreme Court justices chosen?
How are decisions made by the Supreme Court?
What is the significance of judicial review?
How is the court system organized in the US?
What is the difference between civil and criminal cases?
What are the main philosophies used by Supreme Court justices that help them make decisions
on cases?
What is an echo chamber? What does it tell us about politics in the US?
