Foundations and Social Contract
These four elements are required for any country or state to officially exist
What are Population, Territory, Sovereignty, and Government
This principle dictates that all government authority originates directly from the consent of the people
What is Popular Sovereignty?
To serve in this congressional chamber, a candidate must be at least 25 years old and a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
What is the House of Representatives?
The three constitutional qualifications to hold the office of President of the United States
What are being a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a resident of the U.S. for 14 years?
The 1803 Supreme Court case that established Judicial Review and confirmed that unconstitutional laws passed by Congress cannot stand
What is Marbury v. Madison?
This Enlightenment philosopher believed human nature is cruel and wicked, necessitating an unbreakable social contract with a strong central authority
Who is Thomas Hobbes
This principle divides authority among three distinct branches of government to prevent power concentration
What is Separation of Powers
To serve in this congressional chamber, a candidate must be at least 30 years old and a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years
What is the Senate?
The official third position in the Presidential Line of Succession, following the Vice President and Speaker of the House
Who is the President Pro Tempore of the Senate?
The essay by Alexander Hamilton arguing that the judiciary is the "least dangerous branch" because it holds neither the power of the purse nor the sword
What is Federalist #78?
According to John Locke, government exists to protect these three natural rights
What are Life, Liberty, and Property
The structural system of sharing and dividing power between national and state governments
What is Federalism?
The procedure requiring a 60-vote supermajority in the Senate to end debate and bring a bill to a final vote
What is Cloture?
An indirect presidential veto occurring when Congress adjourns within 10 days of sending a bill and the President takes no action
What is a Pocket Veto?
An order issued by the Supreme Court instructing a lower court to send up case documents for review
What is a Writ of Certiorari?
Written by James Madison, this essay explains that the U.S. Constitution creates a republican government combining federal and national systems
What is Federalist #39
The system that empowers each branch of government to monitor, limit, and balance the actions of the other branches
What are Checks and Balances?
Found in Article I, Section 8, Clause 18, this provision grants Congress implied powers to execute its enumerated duties
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)
The presidential role that involves directing U.S. foreign policy and negotiating treaties with foreign nations
What is Chief Diplomat?
Article VI, Section 2 clause establishing that federal legislation and the U.S. Constitution supersede state laws
What is the Supremacy Clause?
The first constitutional framework of the United States, which was later replaced due to severe political weaknesses
What are the Articles of Confederation
A form of government in which citizens exercise power by electing representatives to make decisions on their behalf
What is Republicanism?
The joint committee step in the lawmaking process responsible for reconciling differences between House and Senate versions of a bill
What is a Conference Committee?
Outlined in Article II, Section 4, this legal mechanism allows Congress to remove federal officials for treason, bribery, or high crimes and misdemeanors
What is Impeachment?
The 14th Amendment clause that guarantees no state shall deny equal protection of the laws to any person within its jurisdiction
What is the Equal Protection Clause?