Principles of Government
What basic function do all governments share, whether democratic or authoritarian?
To make and enforce laws
How does a representative democracy differ from direct democracy?
Citizens elect officials to make laws on their behalf.
Why did the colonies object to British taxes after the French and Indian War?
They had no representation in Parliament.
Why did the Framers start the Constitution with “We the People”?
It expresses popular sovereignty
What issue did the Bill of Rights resolve for Anti-Federalists?
It addressed their fear that the new federal government would become too powerful and violate individual rights.
Which principle best prevents any one group from having unlimited power?
Separation of powers
How does the free enterprise system support the idea of limited government?
It protects individual choice and competition, not government control.
What idea from Locke most influenced Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence?
Natural rights—life, liberty, property
Why is amending the Constitution intentionally difficult?
To ensure lasting laws and broad agreement
What does the Tenth Amendment reveal about the Framers’ view of state power?
States retain powers not given to the federal government
How would a theocracy differ from a democracy in how laws are made and justified?
Laws come from religious authority vs. citizens’ consent
In what way does public debate and voting reflect the principles of popular sovereignty?
Power originates with the people
Why was Shays’ Rebellion a turning point for American leaders?
It exposed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation
How does judicial review serve as a check on other branches?
Courts can strike down unconstitutional laws
How can interstate compacts show cooperation under federalism?
States collaborate legally on shared problems, like water or transport
A country has a central government with strong local regions that act independently. What system is this, and what problem might it face?
Confederation; weak national unity
How do checks and balances protect democracy from tyranny?
Each branch limits the others to prevent abuse of power.
What did the Founders learn from the failures of the Articles of Confederation when creating the Constitution?
The need for a stronger central government with checks and balance
What is one way the Constitution limits the power of the federal government?
By dividing power among branches
If Congress creates a national education policy, what conflict of powers might arise?
Federal vs. state control over education
Why is legitimacy essential to a government’s stability, and what might cause it to lose legitimacy?
Citizens’ consent gives power meaning; abuse or corruption erodes it
What lesson did early democracies in Athens and Rome provide to modern governments?
Citizens must participate actively for democracy to work
If the colonies had remained under British rule, which Enlightenment idea would have been most violated?
Consent of the governed
Explain how limited government and federalism work together to protect individual freedom.
Both restrict government power—federalism divides it, limits define it
How does the amendment process reflect both federalism and democracy?
States and people both participate in changing the Constitution