Constitutional Democracy
What is the difference between representative and direct democracy?
Representative democracy is a form of democracy in which people vote for representatives who then vote on policy initiatives; as opposed to direct democracy, a form of democracy in which people vote on policy initiatives directly.
How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
Twenty-Seven
What is the name for powers specifically given to one of the branches of government?
Delegated (sometimes called enumerated or expressed) powers
Requirements that direct states and local governments to provide additional services under the threat of penalties or as a condition of the receipt of federal money is a...
Mandate
What is Executive Privilege?
The Right to keep executive communications confidential
What governing document was replaced by the US Constitution in 1789?
The Articles of Confederation
What do we call it when the presidency is controlled by one party and the legislature by another?
Divided Government
List an example of a program funded by a categorical formula grant.
Some options: Medicaid, food stamps, and Head Start
Grant favored by Republicans
Block Grant
What is Eminent Domain?
The power of the government to take private property for public use; the U.S. Constitution gives national and state governments this power and requires them to provide just compensation for property so taken.
What state was the compromise that led to a bicameral legislature named after?
The Virginia Plan
Name two checks the legislature has over the executive branch?
Power to approve Presidential nominations, Control the budget, Impeach the President and remove him or her from office.
What precedent did McCulloch v. Maryland set?
Established, that when state and federal laws are in conflict, the federal law always wins.
What is revenue sharing?
When the government had money not being used it would give out extra money as grants.
What is Double Jeopardy?
Trial or punishment for the same crime by the same government; forbidden.
What compromise accommodated concerns over how to count slaves for apportionment?
Three-fifths compromise
What was the precedent set in Marbury v. Madison?
Judicial Review
What do we call powers that are shared by both state and federal government?
Concurrent powers
What is the most common/popular type of grant?
Categorical
What is Extradition?
Process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one state to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed.
In the battle over Constitutional ratification, what group argued for the inclusion of the Bill of Rights?
Anti-Federalists
What portion of the states does it take to ratify an amendment to the Constitution?
Three-fourths of the State legislatures, or three-fourths of conventions called in each State
Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 gives the Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations. What is it’s name?
Commerce clause
What is an example of a federal mandate.
Americans with disabilities act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Medicaid, 1984 National Minimum Drinking Age Act
What is Federalism?
Distribution of power in an organization between a central authority and the constituent units.