Founding Principles
What is limited government?
a ruling body whose powers are defined and restricted in law
What is a power the legislative branch has over the executive branch?
- overriding a veto
- impeaching/removing the President
- rejecting presidential appointments
- investigating a Presidents actions
- refusing to pass laws or provide funding
What does the Commerce Clause do?
give Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among states, and with Native American tribes
What are Civil Rights?
policies that protect people from discrimination by the government, businesses, or individuals
What is cloture?
a procedure that ends debate to vote
What are natural rights?
Rights you are inherently born with
What is a power the legislative branch has over the judicial branch?
- changing the size of the federal court system and number of Supreme Court Justices
- proposing Constitutional Amendments
- rejecting a Supreme Court nominee
- impeaching/ removing Judges
What does the Necessary and Proper Clause do?
gives Congress the power to make any law that is "necessary and proper", creating implied powers
What 1857 Court Case rules that slaves are property?
Dred Scott V. Sanford
What is bipartisanship?
agreement/cooperation between political parties that oppose each others policies
What are the 3 main types of democracy?
- Pluralist Democracy
- Elite Democracy
-Participatory Democracy
What is a power the executive branch has over the legislative branch?
- veto laws of Congress
- call Congress to a special session
- carry out or refuse to carry out laws passed by Congress
- The Vice President is the tie breaking vote in the Senate
What does the Supremacy Clause do?
establishes that the Constitution and Federal law is supreme and supersede state law
What Amendment abolishes slavery?
13th Amendment
What is a lame duck period?
When Congress meets after its successor is elected, but prior to their introduction to office
What is popular sovereignty?
the legitimacy of the government depending on the will of the people
- declaring laws unconstitutional (Judicial Review)
- The Chief Justice presides over the senate during Presidential impeachment hearings
What does the Full Faith and Credit Clause do?
require states to honor laws and rulings of other states
What precedent did Plessy V. Furguson (1896) create.
"Separate but Equal" (legalized segregation)
What is discretionary spending?
Spending implemented by an Appropriations Bill
What is Republicanism
The principle that government officials are elected by the people
What is a power the judicial branch has over the executive branch?
- declaring executive actions unconstitutional
- The Chief Justice presides of Presidential Impeachment hearings
What does the Privileges and Immunity Clause do?
requires that basic rights must be upheld in all states
What court case overruled Plessy V. Furguson (1896)?
Brown V. Board of Education
What is mandatory spending?
Spending controlled by laws or other than annual appropriations acts