Show:
1.1-1.4
1.5-2.1
2.2-2.5
3.1-3.2
3.3-3.4
100
What is sovereignty?
Refers to the right and power to rule being derived from the consent of the people
100
What is separation of powers and which "philsophe" most influenced our Founding Fathers regarding it?
Three branches of government... Montesquieu
100
Which philsophe believed in God-given natural rights? What about influenced our early courts?
Locke Blackstone
100
An attempt to destroy or rob another branch of its powers would disrupt which constitutional principle?
Checks and balances
100
What are concurrent powers? What is one example?
Powers that both the federal government and state governments share. Taxes
200
Which political theory is premised on the idea that citizens give up certain rights and submit to a government so that there will be order in society?
Social Contract Theory
200
Explain the difference between limited and unlimited government.
Limited: powers are written down in a constitution Unlimited: powers are not defined; government does whatever it wants
200
What courtroom right was first established by the Magna Carta and is now protected in the US Bill of Rights?
Trial by jury
200
Give three examples of agencies, cabinets, or departments that are part of the Federal bureaucracy.
DoJ DoD HHS FBI CIA EPA
200
What is the difference between expressed powers and implied powers?
Expressed: specifically written down in the Constitution Implied: not specifically stated, but reasonably understood through the Necessary and Proper Clause
300
What is the biggest danger in a democracy?
That the will of the majority will destroy the minority.
300
What THREE examples of political freedom that are protected in the Constitution?
Freedom of religion Freedom of speech Freedom to petition govt Freedom from cruel and unusual punishment Trial by jury No unreasonable searches
300
Contrast Federalists and Anti-Federalists with regards to interpretation of the Constitution.
Federalist: loose Anti-Federalist: strict
300
How does a case make it to the Supreme Court?
It issues a writ of certorari for a lower court to send a case up.
300
Explain the Supremacy Clause.
Federal law is the supreme law of the land. States cannot go around it or overturn it.
400
Explain the significance of Marbury v. Madison (1803) in relation to the power of the Judicial Branch.
The case established that the Supreme Court had the power of judicial review...the power to interpret federal law. The Constitution did not give many expressed powers to the Supreme Court. By asserting its power here, the Court secured one of the strongest implied powers in the Federal Government.
400
What is the main advantage to a unitary system of government?
Avoids gridlock and struggles for power between Fed govt and state governments
400
What issue was central to the VA and KY Resolutions and the Nullification Crisis?
Whether or not a state could determine the constitutionality of federal laws.
400
Explain the difference between original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction.
Original refers to the court [place] where case was initially heard. Appellate refers to the court of appeals that hears the case on appeal.
400
Explain the difference between a weak governor state and a strong governor state.
Weak: Legislative branch has majority of power Strong: Executive branch has majority of power
500
Explain why the federal bureaucracy is necessary.
The Federal Government has many many tasks that it must execute on a daily basis. While separation of powers ensures limited government, it does not adequately establish enough man power to execute day to day tasks. Thus, a complex network and system of agencies, departments and cabinets are needed to perform these tasks.
500
What are two examples from antiquity [long ago] that our Founding Fathers used as examples in outlining our current system of government?
Greek democracy Roman repulicanism
500
Explain the significance of McCulloch vs. Maryland in relation to federalism, expressed powers and implied powers.
First, a state tried to invalidate a federal action (2nd National Bank). Second, the Court ruled that the Constitution grants to Congress implied powers for implementing the Constitution's express powers, in order to create a functional national government. Third, the Court ruled that state action may not impede valid constitutional exercises of power by the Federal government.
500
Why does all "bills of Revenue" start in the House of Representatives?
At the time of its ratification, only the House of Representatives were directly elected by the people. Based experiences under the British crown, the Framers wanted to ensure that the people had a clear voice with regards to taxes.
500
Explain how citizens can work to change a state law.
Petition -> Initiative -> Referendum -> Vote