Government Types
This ancient Greek philosopher wrote about different types of "correct" and "corrupt" government after studying 158 constitutions.
Who is Aristotle?
The Preamble to the US Constitution opens with the following 3 words.
What are "We the people..."?
Consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the U.S. Congress is described by this word meaning it has two distinct legislative chambers.
What is bicameral?
The President holds this military title as the civilian leader of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
What is Commander-in-Chief?
Headed by the Supreme Court, this branch of the federal government is responsible for interpreting the laws and the Constitution.
What is the Judicial Branch?
The rule of one for the common good.
What is a monarchy?
The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution are also called this.
What is the Bill of Rights?
While members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms, elected members of the United States Senate serve terms of this length.
What is 2 years?
Directives issued by the President that direct executive officers and carry the full force of law without needing Congressional legislation are called this.
What are executive orders?
Supreme Court Justices and federal judges hold their appointments for this duration, provided they maintain "good behavior."
What is life (or life tenure)?
As outlined in Politics, this is the rule of many, serving self-interests.
What is democracy?
To prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful, the Constitution divides government responsibilities into three distinct branches—a principle known as this.
What is the separation of powers?
Article I of the Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse, meaning all bills designed to raise revenue must originate in this specific house.
What is the House of Representatives?
The President's advisory panel, currently composed of the heads of 15 executive departments and other key officials, is known by this term.
What is the Cabinet?
Our judicial system hears these two main types of legal cases?
What are civil and criminal?
This is the system of government that blends the three basic forms of rule to create a stable and balanced society.
What is a "mixed constitution"?
The presidential veto, congressional overrides, and the Senate’s power to confirm judges are all mechanisms within this constitutional system designed to keep power balanced.
What are checks and balances?
Article I, Section 8 contains this clause—also known as the "Elastic Clause"—granting Congress authority to pass any laws needed to execute its constitutional duties.
What is the "necessary and proper" clause?
While the President has the power to negotiate treaties with foreign nations, treaties only take effect after approval by a two-thirds vote of this body.
What is the Senate?
Article III of the Constitution explicitly names only this single court, leaving Congress with the power to create lower federal courts as needed.
What is the Supreme Court?
This fundamental principle divides political authority between the national federal government and individual state governments.
What is federalism?
Under the 10th Amendment, any powers not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited by it are reserved for these entities.
What are the states (or the people)?
If a President takes no action on a bill passed within 10 days of Congress adjourning, the bill dies without a formal veto—a maneuver known by this two-word name.
What is a pocket veto?
The President relies on this implied privilege to withhold sensitive internal communications or documents from legislative or judicial oversight.
What is executive privilege?
Chief Justice John Marshall established the Supreme Court's power of judicial review in this landmark 1803 court case.
What is Marbury v. Madison?