Principles of Govt.
What is limited government?
Give an example
The idea that there are things that the government cannot do.
Describe two principles of Democratic government.
Free elections (No fear of punishment and multiple candidates)
Peaceful exchange of power
Peoples rights are mostly respected
Power comes from the people.
Describe Federalism
The power of government is divided between three levels (vertically); National, State, Local.
What are the three branches of government and what is each branch responsible for ?
Judicial (Interpret the laws)
Executive (Enforce laws)
Legislative (create laws)
What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
Describe Separation of Powers.
The powers of government are divided between three different branches to prevent one branch from becoming too powerful.
Describe two characteristics of an authoritarian governmet.
1.) Power taken by force
2.) Individual rights are restricted
3.) Limitless power of govt.
What is the supremacy clause.
Federal government > state government > local government.
What are the two chambers of Congress?
How do we determine how many representatives each gets in both.
Senate/ House of Representatives
Senate (100) 2 per state
HoR (435) Based on State Population
State legislators passed a law that Muslim students couldn’t wear head coverings in school. How is this an example of the dangers of majority rule?
The rights of minorities may not be considered.
The majority of people may not agree with the law.
Minority groups have an equal right to vote just like other groups.
Majority rule prevents minority groups from voicing their opinion.
The rights of minorities may not be considered.
Explain the process of Judicial Review. Which branch of government has this power?
The Judicial branch's ability to declare laws unconstitutional or constitutional.
What is Rule of Law? Under which government system (Authoritarian or Democratic) is this rule better upheld.
RoL is the idea that all people are supposed to be held accountable under the law no matter who they are.
- EX: Presidential veto and corruption; Hunter Biden and George Santos
- Democratic
The power to raise an army is what type of power
(Delegated, Reserved, Concurrent, Denied)
Delegated power.
What is the difference between an open and closed primary.
A primary election is the Pre-Election where both major political parties attempt to narrow down everyone who wants to be the party nominee to one person.
Closed primary: You can only vote in the primary of the party you're affiliated with.
Open Primary--> you can vote in either election, regardless of political affiliation.
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail and what was it replaced with?
The states were so powerful that the Country served more like a collection of independent states than a unified country.
Federal Gov couldn't raise an army, couldn't force states to pay taxes negotiate treaties with foreign countries, etc....
Explain Popular Sovereignty?
What is the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy.
Bonus 100, give me an example of each.
Direct Democracy; everyone within a particular community votes on every decision.
Representative Democracy; members of a community elect people to make decisions on their behalf.
Denied powers are an example of what principle of government?
Limited government.
What is the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
the US colonies declared their independence from the British. Formally separating.
Who has the power to impeach the President?
The House of Representative
(The Senate then decides whether the president is guilty or not).
Describe one check each branch of government can use to limit the other branches
Executive
- Executive orders
- Veto
- Appoint supSupreme Ct justices
Judicial
- Judicial Review
Legislative
- Overrule Veto
- Approve appointments
- Impeachments
Who can overrule a presidential veto? What is necessary.
Both house and senate must voted on the vetoed bill and have it pass with 2/3rds majority in both chambers.
Provide two examples of reserved powers.
Establishing schools
Running elections
Granting licenses
Regulating police forces
Describe what an executive order is; who can make it and who it applies to.
An executive order is a directive from the president to other departments within the executive branch on how to enforce laws. It can only apply to federal departments, not directly to citizens.
Who is the Montgomery County County Executive ?
Marc Elrich