John Gass
Comp Exam Documents
Part I
Chapter I questions:
The United States Constitution, unlike the British Constitution, is a physical written document.
How does this limit the powers of the legislative (in the US) and how is parliament in Britain
affected by the lack of a written document?
The Supremacy Clause establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land, it also allows
for judicial review. Aside from upholding the Constitution, why might the delegates at the
convention have allowed for judicial review?
Chapter II questions:
Both Federalists and Republicans agreed that the judiciary must be impartial. Many early
Americans feared faction/parties. Why was there such a stigma surrounding partisanship and
what economic and political factors created a partisan environment? How did partisanship effect
the judiciary?
On page 51, a quote by Alexander Addison explains the free press and its effect on the will of the
people. Considering common publications of the time, how did the press shape the will of the
people and how did it affect politics of the time (think partisanship)? How does this explain the
significance of the Sedition Act and its importance to both Republicans and Federalists?
Chapter III questions:
Leading figures such as Andrew Jackson were in favor of state’s rights, however, when South
Carolina tried to nullify the federal tariff law he changed his stance and supported the authority
of the Supreme Court. For what particular reason did he support the judiciary in this case and
why did it become an issue that would impact the United
States heavily throughout the next few decades?
Patrick Henry said, “The first thing I have at heart is American liberty, the second is American
Union.” (page 75). Why were Henry and other anti-federalists so opposed to the United States as
a union and supportive of it as a confederacy? (think of several reasons beyond state
prerogatives).
Chapter IV questions:
It is known that many abolitionists opposed slavery in part due to its abhorrent nature, what other
factors made the question of slavery such a significant issue in the United States?
How did the Kansas-Nebraska Act further plunge America into turmoil over the issue of slavery?
Chapter V questions:
How did the fourteenth amendment prevent the South from gaining power through
emancipation?
James Bryce said that public opinion was stronger in America than anywhere else. How do
Granger laws and the decision of Munn v. Illinois reflect the will of the people regarding the
judiciary’s decisions?
Chapter VI questions:
The early 1900s required the Supreme Court to play a prominent role in settling disputes in
America’s class war. The court often ruled in favor of businesses, how was the popular will of
the people reflected by court decisions at this time?
How did social inequalities bring the judiciary under attack? Why did the people lose faith in the
judiciary and how did they support their contentions?
Chapter VII questions:
What arguments did the Court use to defend its decision in the Schechter poultry case? What
arguments were used by the Court’s dissenters?
What was the intent of the Supreme Court when it made decisions like Schechter and the striking
down of AAA? How were these decisions received by the public?
Chapter VIII questions:
How did Justice Harlan Fiske Stone’s Footnote Four of the Carolene Products opinion help foster
the Warren Court’s transition toward supporting civil liberties?
The Supreme Court, during this era, often worked in favor of the people’s will. What are some
examples of how the Court shifted according to public opinion on Cold War security matters?
Can public opinion of the time be compared to public opinions on similar issues today?
Chapter IX questions:
Prior to the decision on Furman what evidence was there that popular opinion was falling out of
favor with capital punishment? How did popular opinion show that the Supreme Court’s
assumption was incorrect?
What are the drawbacks of strict originalism and how is the concept of the living constitution an
answer to interpreting the constitution?
Chapter X questions:
How is the Court’s decision in Adarand v. Pena an example of the Court working between the
delicate balance of respect for the majority and protection of the minority? How the Adarand
decision impact the republican party?
What are some examples of how the Rehnquist court acted in accordance with the will of the
people, what evidence is there that partisan activists were out of touch with popular opinion?
Part II Concentration: Hungary and Authoritarianism
By, J. R. (1999, Sep 07). Paradigm lost: How viktor orban, anticommunist icon, fell from a pedestal -- hungarian prime minister discovers the drawbacks of establishment politics --- three-piece suits and
shaves. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/308336059?accountid=37705
Orban has received mixed reviews in Hungary since coming into office, notably he has earned
himself some considerable criticism. How does Orban’s experience reflect that of many other
early leaders of former East-Bloc countries and how does it reflect Hungarian attitudes toward
authoritarian government?
Many argue that Viktor Orban has a somewhat authoritarian style, what are some examples of
this? How has Orban dealt with these criticisms to save face with his constituents?
Europe: Viktor orban, an assertive hungarian; charlemagne. (2002, Mar 02). The Economist, 362, 4652. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/224036132?accountid=37705
Orban favors protectionist policies that raise concern for many both in and out of Hungary, how does
Orban play on emotions of Hungarians to defend these policies?
What concerns do Orban’s proposed status law raise for many Hungarians as well as Hungary’s
neighbors? How can the status law be seen as authoritarian?
Goode, S. (2002, Apr 07). Orban seeks second term as hungary's premier ; faces socialist in first
round of lively campaign.Washington Times. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/409860860?accountid=37705
In the 2002 election, how did Orban use notions of patriotism and Hungarian identity in an attempt to
turn favor away from his political rivals? How does this relate to Hungarian resistance against perceived
authoritarianism?
Though having some valid criticisms of Orban and the Fidesz party, what struggles did the left face to
gain support from Hungarian voters?
Viktor orban interview: 'patriotism is a good thing'. (2013, Oct 15). Telegraph.Co.Uk. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1442049990?accountid=37705
Why is Orban skeptical of the European Union, how does it relate to the common Hungarian ideal of
resisting authoritarianism?
How does Orban justify his political positions? How does he explain his conservative ideology as one of
preserving the Hungarian right’s idea of freedom?
Part III
PO 111 Politics and Popular Culture
Explain the dichotomy of realism and idealism.
PO 110 Political Violence
What factors contributed to the spread of the Arab Spring throughout the Middle East and North
Africa?
What sort of a role did military forces play in countries such as Tunisia and Egypt during the
Arab Spring?
PO 206 Comparative Politics
What are similarities and differences between France’s system of government and that of the
United States?
PO 314 Democracy and Dictatorship
In the case of a conflict such as that in Syria, what factors can make or break a military’s loyalty
to a repressive regime?
PO 205 Contemporary World Affairs
What is Policy Bias and what is a strong example of it in modern institutions?
PO 201 US Government
What is the significance of the enumerated powers mentioned in the Federalist Papers?
PO 362 Weapons of Mass Destruction
Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) is often cited as a reason that countries are not inclined to
use nuclear arms against one another. Despite the low likelihood of the use of WMD, why is it of
major concern that states such as North Korea and Iran are trying to acquire such weapons, what
are likely incentives for them to do so?
PO 344 Environmental Politics
How do Cap-and-Trade (CAT) systems work? What are examples of their successes and
shortcomings?
Bianca Acebron Peco
November 8, 2013
Competency Exam
Part I. The Will of the People- Barry Friedman
Chapter I- Conception
Q. House had to decide whether the President should have to obtain the senate’s approval before
removing cabinet officials. Should the President have to obtain the Senate’s approval before
removing its cabinet officials?
Q. Why do you think England’s constitution could be taken seriously if it wasn’t even written
down?
Chapter II- Independence
Q. Which two positions did John Marshall hold in 1801?
Q. What is electioneering men? Also, what was the Republican view on Judicial Review?
Chapter III- Defiance
Q. On major decisions, how many states had to concur to get anything done?
Q. What was the reasoning behind anti-federalists opposing the ratification of the constitution?
Chapter IV- Control
Q. What was the largest sectional issue between Douglas’s Democratic Party and Lincoln’s
Republic Party?
Q. The Whig Party self-destructed by 1860. What was the reason for its disappearance, and what
was its significance? Use what you know about Dred Scott to explain your reasoning.
Chapter V- Constituency
Q. Due to the Supreme Court abandoning blacks, and embracing corporations instead, they
finally understood the importance of having constituencies, due to backlash. Why in this case,
were constituents important?
Q. The 14th amendment helped fix some problems with the 13th amendment. However, what was
the final reconstruction measure during the 1870’s and what did it do?
Chapter VI- Law v. Will
Q. Supreme Court judges can count on what main instrument to protect the rights of property?
This document is also referenced many times during a case.
Q. Bailey v. Drexel Furniture (1922), what was its significance and outcome?
Chapter VII- Acceptance
Q. Did both Federal and State Governments have sufficient power under the constitution to deal
with Roosevelt’s, “modern social and economic conditions”?
Q. What was the Schechter decision and what was its significance?
Chapter VIII- Limitations
Q. Children of the Jehovah Witnesses faith refused to salute the flag in school, forbidden by
scripture in their belief. Did the court make the right decision in Mihersville School District v.
Gobitis (1940), using what was known about the constitution?
Q. What was the longest filibuster in Senate History, and how long did it last?
Chapter IX- Interpretation
Q. Why was President Nixon’s claim denied to replace Justice Fortas?
Q. The Supreme Court’s decisions of Roe v. Wade followed social trends. Did medical and legal
professionals agree with the court’s decision as well?
Chapter X- Activism
Q. By 1986 social trends had changed drastically, did the idea of “judicial supremacy” change?
Q. Using what you know about Politics in Popular Culture, how did the Economist’s head line,
“Up in smoke; State’s rights” impact people’s popular opinions on the courts?
Part II- Area of Concentration- Weapons of Mass Destruction
Source #1: Blast Seen as major setback for Iranian Missiles
Citation: Sanger, D. E., & Broad, W. J. (2011, Dec 06). Blast seen as major setback for iranian
missiles. International Herald Tribune. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/908315367?accountid=37705
Q: Iran has had setbacks with its major missile-testing site near Tehran, due to an explosion. Its
most advanced long-range missile program resides there. What countries would benefit the most
from these setbacks, and which countries would be impacted negatively by the explosion, and
why (not including Iran of course)?
Q: When the Iranians can advance their solid-fuel missile technology and have intercontinental
access how will the United States Government handle the situation, knowing what you know?
Source #2- Deterrence in the Israeli- Iranian strategic standoff
Citation: Terrill, W. A. (2009). Deterrence in the israeli-iranian strategic standoff. Parameters,
39(1), 81-94. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/198051762?accountid=37705
Q: Will Israel be able to come up with a deterrence, so Iran cannot target Israel, by the time it has
nuclear capabilities? Why or why not? Which key allies would be brought into this situation?
Q: Will Iran be able to eliminate the “satanic powers”, Israel and the United States, when it
cannot even provide for its own country, and continues to experience high inflation rates, along
with unemployment rates?
Source #3- The Race Against the Arms Race
Citation: Katz, Y., & HENDEL, Y. (2012, Jun 08). The race against the arms race. Jerusalem
Post. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1020181009?accountid=37705
Q: Would a Syrian nuclear program be just as threatening to the NSA over an Iranian one, or
would one be more devastating over the other?
Q: Due to Syria’s close proximity to Israel, how would Iran’s funding of Syrian reactor sights,
influence the United States to intervene with a nuclear arms war?
Source #4- THE NIGHTMARE THIS TIME ; A NUCLEAR SHOWDOWN WITH IRAN
COULD BE THIS GENERATION'S CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS. HERE ARE THE
REASONS WE MUST NOT LET IT COME TO THAT.: [THIRD Edition]
Citation: Graham, A. (2006, Mar 12). THE NIGHTMARE THIS TIME ; A NUCLEAR
SHOWDOWN WITH IRAN COULD BE THIS GENERATION'S CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS.
HERE ARE THE REASONS WE MUST NOT LET IT COME TO THAT. Boston Globe.
Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/405023521?accountid=37705
Q: According to a Gallup poll, Americans view Iran as our country’s largest national enemy. Do
you believe that a military strike for Iranian nuclear prevention is ideal?
Q: According to Allison, the NPT has stopped the spread of nuclear weapons, excluding India
and Pakistan. Is the Non-proliferation Treaty really doing its job?
Part III.- Political Science Courses Taken
PO 111 (01) - Politics in Popular Culture
Q. Is the idea of Politics negatively affected, due to violence experienced while playing video
games that involve war?
PO 201 (01) – U.S. Government
Q. What is the significance of Marbury v. Madison?
Q. What is the constitutional difference between the British and American Systems that prolongs
the process of addressing budget deficits and national debt in the United States?
PO 205 (01) – Contemporary World Affairs
Q. What forces propel China to rise in its balance of power with the U.S. but also act to retard its
ascendancy in world politics?
Q. Compare and contrast the domestic cause of war with those associated with more systematic
causes.
PO 206 (01)- Comparative Politics
Q. Sovieticus, effected the entire country of Russia, after the fall of the USSR. How would this
stubbornness of mindset effect a Middle Eastern country?
Q. Describe both cultural and political factors that have done surprisingly little to slow recent
fertility rate trends in Latin America.
PO 351 (01)- American Presidency
PO 344 (01)- Environmental Politics
Q. How did the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), signed by President Richard Nixon,
begin and what was its importance?
PO 362 (01) - Weapons of Mass Destruction
Q. What is the difference between chemical and nuclear weapons and what are there severity of
use?
Q. What are the negative effects of proliferation, and why is the stop to it so crucial to the United
States and its allies?
Q. How can nations defend themselves against cyber-attacks and what are the limits of forming
such defenses?
PO 200 (01)- Research Methods in Political Science
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Shannon Dacey
Competency Exam in Political Science
Professor Cohen, Professor Marra
10 November 2013
Competency Exam Preparation
The Will of the People:
Chapter 1 – Conception:
1. Describe how judicial review contributes to reducing violations of fundamental liberties.
2. How does the public respond to judicial review?
Chapter 2 – Independence:
1. How does partisanship affect the court; in particular judicial independence?
2. What is the significance of Marbury v. Madison in this chapter?
Chapter 3 – Defiance:
1. How did McCulloch v. Maryland provoke outrage for states?
2. How does the nullification process contribute to checks and balances between the three
branches of government?
Chapter 4 – Control:
1. How does the Dread Scott case implement judicial supremacy?
2. In what ways does the Dread Scott case and Ex Parte Milligan give a sense of power
back to the people?
Chapter 5 – Constituency:
1. After the abolition of slavery, what kind of reconstruction does the Constitution take part
in? How does this impact the people?
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2. How did the Supreme Court react to the people’s requirement of having equal protected
rights?
Chapter 6 – Law v. Will:
1. Do media outlets such as The New York Times positively or negatively shape the people’s
opinion of the Supreme Court? How?
2. What about the Lochner case makes lawyers attack judicial decision and review?
Chapter 7 – Acceptance:
1. What did the National Industrial Recovery act implement?
2. What are some of the concerns with the Supreme Court and minority groups?
Chapter 8 – Limitations:
1. How does public opinion shape the decision of Brown v. Board of Education and
ultimately highlight the Supreme Court’s attempt to protect individual rights?
2. What are Bickel’s criticisms of judicial review and the Supreme Court?
Chapter 9 – Interpretation:
1. How did the Burger Court change the idea of the Supreme Court to the public?
2. Was the decision of Roe v. Wade shaped by the public? How?
Chapter 10 – Activism:
1. Explain why there were changes within the Rehnquist court during his legacy. What kind
of change was implemented?
2. How is the judiciary influenced by public opinion or support? Explain.
Area of concentration: Democracy and Dictatorship – Singapore – New Sources
I. Low, Linda. “Ensuring a Moral and Social Economy in Singapore.” International Journal of
Social Economics. 26.7 (1999): 1078-1093. Print.
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1. What is the Central Provident Fund (CPF) and how does it contribute to Singapore’s
development?
2. What are some specific issues with the CPF?
II. Anwar, Sajid, Bob Catley and Mingli Zheng. “Government Policies and the Growth of the
Manufacturing Sector in Singapore.” Journal of Business and Management. 9.4 (2004):
373-388. Print.
1. What do the authors mean about Singapore being a miracle economy? In what ways does
Singapore develop this growth?
2. What kinds of investments were made that helped boost Singapore’s economic growth?
III. Phelps, Nicholas A. “Gaining from Globalization? State Extraterritoriality and Domestic
Economic Impacts – The Case of Singapore.” Economic Geography. 83.4 (2007): 371393. Print.
1. What are the cost and benefits of Singapore’s extraterritoriality and it’s influences on
their economy?
2. What are some other statistical indicators of Singapore’s domestic economy has
emerged?
IV. Vu, Khuong M. “Sources of Singapore’s Economic Growth, 1965-2008: Trends, Patterns
and Policy Implications.” ASEAN Economic Bulletin. 28.3 (2011): 315-336. Print.
1. Explain some of the growth patterns within Singapore’s economy.
2. What factors implement growth within countries such as Singapore?
Potpourri:
US Government
1. What is the difference between a presidential and a parliamentary system?
Dacey 4
2. How does the three branches of government support checks and balances throughout the
system?
Comparative Politics
1. What is a common, statistical indicator of economic development?
2. How does the public and private sphere impact political decisions?
Research Methods in Political Science
1. What are the different levels of measurement that help support a particular hypothesis?
2. Describe the measures of central tendency. What is the best choice of measurement?
American Presidency
1. Explain why judicial review is considered dangerous.
2. What are the president’s formal powers and informal powers?
Political Violence
Democracy and Dictatorship
Contemporary World Affairs
Environmental Politics
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Political Theory
Current Course as of November 10th 2013:
Constitutional Law
Future Course:
Research Seminar in Political Science
Iole Heikkinen
Competency Exam for Political Science Questions
Part 1
Chapter 1: Conception
•
Discuss what led to the formation of the judicial review and the public’s response to it.
•
Discuss the ratification of the Constitution with regard to judicial review, including
arguments made against judicial review.
Chapter 2: Independence
•
Describe the struggle that occurred due to the creation of political parties.
•
What was the Circuit Judges Act, and why was it repealed?
Chapter 3: Defiance
•
Describe the reasons for tension between state government and national government.
•
What was the Cherokee controversy, and how did public opinion seem to play a role?
Chapter 4: Control
•
Discuss the Dred Scott decision; be sure to include what the case was about as well as the
reactions to the decision.
•
Discuss the McCardle case and its impact on the Court.
Chapter 5: Constituency
•
Describe the amendments made to the Constitution during the Congressional
Reconstruction.
•
In what ways, around the time of Congressional Reconstruction, was industrial growth
inhibited? Be sure to include specific examples.
Chapter 6: Law v. Will
•
Describe the Pollock case and its importance.
•
Discuss the various criticisms of the judges which led to the development of legal
realism; be sure to include what legal realism is.
Chapter 7: Acceptance
•
Discuss how Roosevelt’s mandate challenge Hoover’s approach and the challenges his
mandate faced with the Supreme Court.
•
Describe the reactions in response to FDR’s proposed plan to reorganize the federal
judiciary.
Chapter 8: Limitations
•
Discuss the criticism of the Warren Court and its change in direction.
•
Discuss the events that led to the Brown decision and the reaction to the decision.
Chapter 9: Interpretation
•
Describe the events involving the Court that led to gender equality.
•
Describe the issues associated with the interpretation of the Constitution, and in what
ways did Conservatives at the time use, and justify the use, of original intent for their
benefit?
Chapter 10: Activism
•
Discuss the 2000 Presidential election and the controversy involved; be sure to include
the Court’s involvement.
•
Discuss the Court and its decisions in relation to public opinion, paying close attention to
decisions made by the Rehnquist Court.
Part 2
Cerezales, Diego Palacios. “Fascist Lackeys? Dealing with the Police's Past during Portugal's
Transition to Democracy (19741980).” Portuguese Journal of Social Science 6.3 (2007):
155-169. Academic Search Premier. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.
•
In what ways were the police in Portugal affected by the transition to democracy?
•
How does Portugal serve as an example in handling the issue of police when trying to
create a strong democratic regime?
Ezrow, Natasha M., and Erica Frantz. “State Institutions and the Survival of Dictatorships.”
Journal of International Affairs 65.1 (2011): 1-13. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1
Nov. 2013.
•
Discuss the impact of the presence of political parties, or lack thereof, on the life of an
authoritarian regime.
•
How can leadership transitions be a means of taking down an authoritarian regime?
Hall, Michael. “The Transition from Dictatorship to Democracy in the Dominican Republic.”
Journal of Third World Studies 23.1 (2006): 13-16. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 Nov.
2013.
•
What impact did Trujillo’s rule have on the Dominican Republic?
•
What can be learned from the failed attempts of implementing democracy in the
Dominican Republic?
Pelham, Nicolas. “A War of Bees That Sting.” New Statesman 140.5072 (2011): 60-65.
Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 Nov. 2013.
•
Discuss how foreign assistance, or lack thereof, in a transition to a more democratic
government impacts how the citizens behave once the dictatorship appears overthrown,
using the examples of Iraq and Libya.
•
Despite the fall of Gaddafi, what concerns are still present amongst Libyans and
possibilities for the future?
Part 3
PO 201
•
U.S. Government
Why did the framers of the Constitution choose a republican form of government, rather
than a direct democracy?
•
What is a divided government, and how does it impact the confidence placed in the
government by its citizens?
PO 314 Democracy and Dictatorship
•
What is the difference between a constituent assembly and a parliamentary assembly?
•
Freedom House’s “Freedom in the World” index measures how free a nation is. Name
the two components that are used in the analysis and give a brief description of each.
PO 351 American Presidency
•
Of the three branches of government, which does the president seem to have more
obstacles and less influence with? Explain.
•
How has the use of media made an impact, or lack thereof, on presidential elections?
PO 344 Environmental Politics
•
Discuss the cap-and-trade agreement and its strengths/weaknesses.
•
How are demographic pressures an area of concern, and what are some means to address
these concerns?
PO 362 Weapons of Mass Destruction
PO 111 Politics in Pop Culture
PO 205 Contemporary World Affairs
PO 206 Comparative Politics
PO 210 Political Theory
PO 200 Research Methods (in progress)
SO 350 Law and Society (in progress)