Constitution
Under Article 1, what are the requirements to be a house member?
25 years old
a citizen for 7 years
Describe key beliefs of the Libertarian Party.
Belief in a severely limited government.
Promotion of individual liberty in personal and economic affairs, avoidance of intervention in other nation's affairs, and free trade and migration
pro-drug legalization, pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, pro-home schooling, pro-gun rights
anti-welfare, anti-government regulation of business, anti-minimum wage, anti-income tax, pro-free trade
no abortion restrictions, no capital punish, no gun control, no immigration restrictions.
What are the three branches of government?
Executive, Legislative, Judicial
What is the difference between the separation of powers and checks and balances?
Checks and balances- the other branches have power over others.
Separation of power- power is divided between three branches.
Define Extradition
Legal process where an alleged criminal is surrendered by one state to another state in which the crime had been committed.
Under section 3 article 1 how long do senators serve in office?
6 years each
Explain the difference between how the Green Party views the government's role in our lives and how the Libertarian Party views the government's role in our lives.
The Green Party favors a strong federal government, while libertarians favor limited government intervention in personal, social, and economic issues.
What is the function of the Judicial branch?
interpret and apply laws (article 3 was short because they were familiar with the court system)
What is Judicial Review?
The supreme court's power to government does is constitutional
Define Concurrent powers
powers that the constitution gives to both the federal and state governments (taxes)
Explain the process of impeachment of the president as described in Article 1 section 3?
The Chief Justice presides when the president is tried. No person should be convicted without two-thirds of the members present.
What limits or barriers do 3rd party candidates face in our current political system?
single-member district plurality system (whoever gets the most votes wins; not majority, most votes; encourages major parties to absorb minor parties)
electoral college (must win the state in order to get the votes; getting rid of the electoral college does not help as long as we use the plurality system
Ballot access (two major parties automatically appear, third parties must satisfy each state's ballot access laws)
Campaign Finance Laws (limitations on how much a person can donate to a campaign; matching funds from the government are given if they receive 5% of popular vote but this money does not kick in until the next election)
third parties always suffer from a resource differential between themselves and the major parties
Broadcasters and publishers of not believe they warrant attention
What is the function of the Executive branch
enforce laws (article 2 was short because they didn’t want the president to have the powers of god)
How does the Judicial branch is checked by the other two branches?
Legislative- Pass an Amendment
Executive- Appoint Judges
Define Unfunded mandates
congressional orders to states that are not funded by the federal government
According to Article 2, what is the president's primary military power?
The president is the Commander-in-chief of the armed forces and of the National Guard of all the states. He also has the power to pardon any criminal.
Explain how ballot access laws in states hinder 3rd party candidates.
States require third-party candidates to present a petition signed by a certain number of registered voters in the state. While Tennessee requires only 25 signatures, in Montana the figure is 5% of all registered voters. This takes time and money.
What is the function of the Legislative branch?
Makes or creates laws (it was new to have elections and two branches that would decide things, the whole process was new. The part of democracy that we participate in it)
How does the Executive branch is checked by the other two branches?
Legislative- Pass a law that overrides the Executive order
Judicial- Judicial review, as soon as it is ruled constitutional is discontinued.
Define Supremacy Clause
states that the constitution and laws of the US shall be the supreme law of the land
Identify 3 powers that are denied to Congress in the Constitution.
cannot suspend habeas corpus
tax any state's exports to another
treat one state better than the other
How do the public debate rules hinder 3rd party candidates?
These parties usually lack media coverage, therefore, their debates aren’t aired on tv and no one gives them any attention.
What is the purpose of checks and balances?
Ensures no branch oversteps its bounds as all 3 branches overlook each other
How does the Legislative branch is checked by the other two branches?
Executive- The President can veto laws made by the legislative.
Judicial- Judicial review: rule the law unconstitutional
Define Commerce Clause
gives congress the power to “regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states and with the Indian tribes”