Three Branches
What are the THREE BRANCHES of the US federal government as established by the CONSTITUTION?
1.) Congress, 2.) President, 3.) Supreme Court
In a REPUBLIC, who holds the power to vote on laws and elect heads of state?
Representatives of the people
In a DEMOCRACY, who hold the power to vote on laws and elect the head of state?
The Citizens ("People")
The word legis means "laws" in Latin indicating that the LEGISLATIVE branch makes what?
The Legislative Branch makes the LAWS
The first REPUBLIC was established in which ancient civilization?
Ancient Rome
What is the FIRST BRANCH of the US government (also known as Congress)?
Legislative Branch
Is the United States technically a REPUBLIC?
Yes
Is the United States technically a DEMOCRACY?
No
The verb executere means "to carry out" in Latin indicating that the EXECUTIVE branch does what?
The Executive Branch CARRIES OUT the laws.
The first DEMOCRACY was established in which ancient civilization?
Ancient Greece (Athens)
What is the SECOND BRANCH of the US government (led by the President)?
Executive Branch
Because the United States is a founded on a CONSTITUTION rather than royal or spiritual authority, it is an example of what?
A constitutional republic.
If a country elects its leader DEMOCRATICALLY, how is the leader chosen?
By popular vote
The word judicium means "judgement" in Latin indicating that the JUDICIAL branch does what?
The Judicial Branch JUDGES (makes judgements on) the laws.
What was the first CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC?
United States
What is the THIRD BRANCH of the US government (also known as the Supreme Court)?
Judicial Branch
Because people vote in elections and DEMOCRATIC processes are part of the political system, the United States is considered what?
A democratic republic
What example of true DEMOCRACY exists today and has existed in New England since the United State's founding, where the people gather and vote on local laws and decisions?
New England Town Halls
What does democracy (Greek: demos+kratia) literally mean?
"People-power" meaning that the people hold the power.
What was the first DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC?
What are the TWO HOUSES of Congress?
The Senate & House of Representatives
Because the ELECTORAL COLLEGE represents the people in each state and citizens do not directly elect the president in the United States, is our election technically DEMOCRATIC?
No
How are INITIATIVES and REFERENDUMS examples of DEMOCRATIC reforms?
They both allow for the citizens ("people") to vote directly on laws.
What does republic (res publica) literally mean?
"Public-Thing" i.e. "Thing of the people"
What was the first CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY?
England