Voting & Elections
How is the President elected?
Electoral College
What principle did we get from the Magna Carta?
Rule of law: No one is above the law.
What is separation or powers AND who gave us the idea?
Splitting governmental powers into 3 branches; Baron de Montesquieu
What are the first 3 articles of the Consitution about?
How is an oligarchy different from a dictartorship?
Oligarchy = small group has unlimited power. Dictatorship = one person has unlimited power.
How did the 12th amendment change how we pick the Vice President?
Before, the loser from the presidential race became the vice president. But the 12th amendment changed it to allow the presidential candidates to pick their own vice presidents.
What two principles did we get from John Locke AND what do they mean?
Natural rights/law: We have rights that were given by the Creator and can't be taken away.
Social Contract: We will follow the government's law as long as they are protecting us and our rights.
How does federalism limit the power of the government?
It allows different levels of government to control different aspects of the government. Each level has different powers. It protects us against authoritarianism.
Which articles are about Amending and Ratification? AND what do they mean?
LEJRASR: (A)mending=5. (R)atification=7. Amend means to change. Ratify means to approve.
Which ECONOMIC SYSTEM is also known as free market economy?
Capitalism
What is the difference between primary election and general election?
Primary election narrows down the candidates for the general election. The general election is when voters choose who they want to win.
Why is Thomas Paine write Common Sense?
He wanted to convince the American people that it was COMMON SENSE to fight for their independence against King George because he broke the social contract. He was no longer protecting the citizens.
What is checks and balances? AND give me an example of checks and balances.
It allows each branch to limit or check the power of the other two branches. Ex. President veto laws. Congress impeach a judge. The Supreme Court says a law is unconstitutional.
Which article has the Supremacy Clause? AND what does it mean?
LEJRASR: (S)upremacy = 6. The US Constitution is the Supreme (highest) law of the land.
How is a federal system of government different from a confederal system of government?
Federal = national and state governments share power. Confederal = when state governments have most of the power.
Where will you find an outline of requirements for federal office?
U.S. Constitution
What is self government AND which document influenced the US to use this idea?
Self government: governing yourself. This idea was written in the Mayflower Compact
What is due process? AND give me TWO examples of due process.
Going through the process of the law that is laid out in the constitution. This process MUST be done before the government can take away your freedom. EX. right to an attorney, reading the miranda rights, search warrant, etc.
Why did the Framers make it difficult to change the constitution? AND how many times has it been changed?
It's been changed 27 times. It difficult to change because it would affect the entire country. So it shouldn't be done without great need and want by all the American people
What type of government do we have in America, AND how does it protect us against authoritarianism?
Constitutional Republic; Our constitution protects us by limiting what the government can do AND We the People vote for what we want.
What are the requirements for running for election in Florida? (3 requirements)
Must be 21, live in Florida in the district, US Citizen.
Put these documents in order based on when they were written: Common Sense, Declaration of Independence, Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact.
Magna Carta (1215), Mayflower Compact (1620), Common Sense (Jan 1776), Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776)
Name 4 principles of the American Government.
Rule of law. Due process. Limited government. Judicial Review. Separation of powers. Checks and balances. Federalism.
How can the constitution be amended? (must include the steps AND the correct fractions.)
Step 1: Proposed by 2/3 of both Houses OR 2/3 of state legislatures.
Step 2: Ratified by 3/4 of state legislatures OR 3/4 of state legislatures or state conventions
How does the wealth of a communist country differ from the wealth of a capitalist country?
The government practicing communism controls their economy which allows them to control the distribution of wealth. With capitalism, wealth is easier to achieve because you can sell what you want at whatever price.