Unit 1: Intro
type of government characterized by free and fair elections, civil liberties, and political pluralism
Democracy
Part of Congress based on population of the state
House of Representatives
1. VP
2. Speaker of the House
3. President pro tempore
What is the job of the judicial branch?
To interpret the laws
government authority derives from the consent of the governed, emphasizing the importance of voter participation in a democratic system.
Popular Sovereignty
government with concentrate power in a single authority, limiting political freedoms.
Authoritarian
This power allows the President to reject legislation passed by Congress, serving as a check on legislative power
Veto Power
Directives issued by the President to manage the operations of the federal government, allowing for swift action without the need for congressional approval.
Executive Orders
How long are Supreme Court Justices nominated for?
Life
mechanism established by the Constitution for electing the President, which has faced criticism for potentially misrepresenting the popular vote.
Electoral College
This government level's responsibilities include national defense, foreign affairs, and regulating interstate commerce
Differences between House and Senate versions of a bill are typically resolved in this type of committee which reconciles the two versions before sending it back for approval.
Conference Committee
group of advisors to assist the President in decision-making
President's cabinet
Protect individuals in custody from self-incrimination by ensuring they are informed of their rights to remain silent and to have legal counsel during interrogations.
5th Ammendment/Miranda Rights
influence public policy by lobbying government officials and advocating for specific budget allocations that align with their interests.
Interest groups
allows Congress to make laws that are necessary to carry out its enumerated powers, providing flexibility in legislative authority.
Elastic clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)
Act that involves manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one political party over another, often leading to uncompetitive elections and underrepresentation of certain groups.
Gerrymandering
the process by which a sitting President can be charged with misconduct, requiring a majority vote in the House and a two-thirds vote in the Senate for removal
Impeachment
Aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting, significantly increasing voter registration and participation among minority groups, and was a key achievement of the Civil Rights Movement.
Voting Rights Act
can impact elections by drawing votes away from major party candidates, potentially altering the outcome and raising awareness of specific issues.
3rd Party Candidates
Established a weak federal government that lacked the power to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce laws, leading to its eventual replacement by the Constitution.
Articles of Confederation
Allows specialization in specific areas of legislation, allowing for more efficient review, debate, and amendment of bills, as well as oversight of executive actions.
Congressional Committees
Amendment that addresses presidential succession and incapacity.
The 25th amendment
established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to invalidate laws and actions that are deemed unconstitutional.
Marbury V. Madison
elections allow voters to remove elected officials from office and this allows citizens to propose legislation directly
Recall, initiative