American Government Chapter 3-4 Study Guide

Name the Six Basic Principles

Popular Sovereignty

Limited Government

Separation of Powers

Checks & Balances

Judicial Review

Federalism

Popular Sovereignty

The people are sovereign and the source for governmental power.

Limited Government

Government may only do things that people have given it the power to do

Separation of Powers

3 basic powers are distributed into independent branches of government

Checks and Balances

Each branch is subject to constitutional checks by other branches

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to determine whether what the government does is in accord with what the constitution provides

Federalism

The division of power among a central government and several regional government (National Gov & States)

How Many Amendments are there?

27

What is the Bill of Rights?

The First 10 Amendments in the Constitution

Processes of Formally Amending

1. Congress proposes (2/3 vote), then State legislatures ratify (3/4 vote). 38 state legislatures must approve amendment for it to become part of the constitution

2. Congress proposes/Conventions ratify

Processes of Informal Amending

Does not alter the Constitutions words

1. Congress passing laws

2. President making executive agreements (bypasses congress and senate)

3. Courts decide if government actions are constitutional

4. Political parties can informally shape what the government does

5. Customs develop that are not mentioned in the constitution

Division of Powers

Between the National Government and the States

Reserved Powers

Power reserved specifically for the states

ex. establishing public schools, police power, marriage age

Expressed powers

Powers that are expressly stated in the constitution (obvious powers)

ex. lay + collect taxes, declaring war, coin money

Inherent powers

Powers that belong to the National Government because it’s a sovereign state

ex. regulate immigration, acquire territory, protect government from being overthrown

Implied powers

Powers suggested by the constitution, but not listed. If something is necessary to the U.S. to keep it running, it should be granted

ex. building a highway system, punishing crimes, prohibiting racial discrimination

Concurrent Powers

Powers that are possessed by both the National Government and State Governments

ex. levy & collect taxes, define crimes & set punishment, maintain courts, borrow money, build roads

Exclusive Powers

Powers granted only to a single level/branch of government

Process of admitting new state

1. Asking congress for admission

2. Framing a state constitution

3. Popular vote

4. If congress agrees it passes an act of admission

5. President signs

(A new state cannot take territory from an existing state w/o permission)

Grants-in-aid

Federal money granted to the states or local governments to help them perform everyday functions

ex. state universities built with public lands given to states

(Critics think it gives too much power to federal government)

Necessary & Proper clause (“Elastic Clause”)

“Gives congress power to pass any laws needed to carry out its official duties”

Revenue Sharing

? (but its not on the test dw)

Categorical Grant

“Categorical grants are funds the federal government gives to state and local governments to spend on specific activities within specific programs”

Project Grant

“Project grants are temporary funds that are provided for a particular purpose or project.”

must be applied for.

Full Faith & Credit Clause

States must honor each others laws and court decisions, and one state may not enforce another state’s criminal laws.

Privileges & Immunities Clause

No state can discriminate against someone from another state

ex. can charge high college tuition, but cannot give preference to local residents for jobs

Extradition

The legal process by which a fugitive from justice in one state can be returned to that state

Interstate compacts

States may enter into agreements among themselves

ex. states can share law enforcement data, coordinate development of conservation resources.