Gov. Documents
Current most important government document, defines American government structure, ratified in 1788
The Constitution
An economy that is completely controlled by the government
Command economy
The idea that the law applies equally to everyone, regardless of power, for example the president is supposed to be punished for commiting crimes just as civilians are
Rule of Law
Principle of democracy that pertains to the three branches of government that divide the power of the government
Separation of Powers
Powers that the government (state or federal) specifically does not have as outlined in the constitution
For example: state governments cannot create their own kind of money (no Maryland dollars allowed!)
Denied Powers
Amendments made to the constitution, solidifies citizen's individual rights and civil liberties
Bill of Rights
An economy where the government has no say and is completely controlled by supply and demand
Market Economy
The core ideas of a democracy
The Principles of Democracy
Similar to consent of the government, but focuses more on the power of the government being derived from the people
Popular Sovereignty
Powers kept by the states or by the people, not the federal government
ex. The ability to create public schools
Reserved powers
The original governing document of America, it made it too difficult for the states to work together and for the federal government to govern the states, was replaced by the constitution
Articles of Confederation
An economy that is partially based on supply and demand but is also regulated by the government, the United States has this kind of economy
Mixed Economy
Political system where the power of the government is limited by a written document, usually a constitution
Limited Government
Rights that people are inherently born with, for example, life and liberty
Natural rights
ex. Declaring war (states cannot do this!)
Delegated Powers
A change, correction, or addition to the constitution
Amendment
Two words
Producers creating products and giving them to the market to sell ; the amount of people who are interested in purchase the item
Supply and Demand
The idea of people agreeing to follow laws in exchange for protection and resources
Consent of the Governed
An official group of people given the legal power to make, change, and remove laws for a state, country, or city
Legislature
Powers shared by both the federal government and the state government
Concurrent Powers
Formal written request asking a government official or legislature body to take specific action
Petition
The value of the next-best alternative you give up when making a choice. For example: in order to study for three more hours at night, you are giving up three hours of sleep
Opportunity Cost
In America there is the idea of freedom to but also freedom from. ___ are freedoms from overstepping by the government.
Individual rights
A system of goverment where power is shared between an overall central government and specific regional governments
ex. United States Government and Maryland government share power to govern all of Maryland
Federalism
A system of government where people do not vote directly on laws by instead vote for government officials to create and vote on laws for their communities/country
Ex. Voting for a Maryland senator who would then make laws in the senate
Representative Democracy