Key Principals of the Government and Constitution

Limited Government

A political principle that restricts the powers of government to protect individual rights.

Social Contract

The theory that individuals consent to being governed in return for protection from the government (like the protection of their inalienable rights)

Democracy

A system of government where power is entrusted to the people, who exercise it directly or through elected representatives.

Republicanism

A political ideology centered on the concept of a republic, which emphasizes the role of citizens in electing representatives.

Federalism

A system of governance where power is divided between a national government and a state government

Popular Sovereignty

the political idea that the people are the source of a government's power and authority. It means that the government is created by the people and is subject to their will.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from overpowering the others.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by giving each branch the ability to limit the powers of the others.

Judicial Review

Judges/determines if a law is constitutional--interpret the law.

Important Ideas from the Declaration of Independence

Concepts such as natural (inalienable) rights, the right to alter or abolish government, and the idea that all men are created equal.

Problems with the Articles of Confederation

Issues included a weak central government, inability to tax, lack of a strong executive, and difficulty in enforcing laws.

Purpose of the Preamble

To outline the goals and purposes of the Constitution, stating the reasons for its establishment.

Part of Government Defined in Article 1

Article 1 defines the Legislative Branch of government.

Three Branches of Government

Legislative (makes laws), Executive (enforces laws), Judicial (interprets laws).

Why Legislative Branch is the People's Branch

It is directly elected by the people and is responsible for representing their interests. -- also known as congress, compromised by the senate and house of representatives.

Members in the Senate vs. House of Representatives

The Senate has 100 members; the House has 435 members.

Representatives Numbers

Senate: Each state has two senators

House of Rep: the number of representatives varies based on the state's population.

Requirements for a Senator

Must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least nine years, and a resident of the state represented.

Requirements for a Member of the House

Must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state represented.

Leader of the Senate vs. Leader of the House

The Vice President is the Senate leader; the Speaker of the House is elected by House members.

Why the Senate is Considered the Upper House

It has longer terms, fewer members, and is seen as a more deliberative body.

House Revenue Bills Originate From

Revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives.

Gerrymandering

The practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another.

Process for a Bill to Become a Law

1. A bill is proposed

2. It is introduced in either the House or Senate

3. Committees review and may amend the bill

4. The bill is debated and voted on

5. If passed, it goes to the other chamber to repeat the process

6. Both chambers must agree on the final version

7. The President can sign the bill into law or veto it.

Filibuster

A tactic to delay or prevent a vote on a bill by extending debate. -- continuously talking

Cloture

A procedure to end a filibuster, requiring a supermajority vote. - 2/3rds (60)

Congress's Response to a Presidential Veto

Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate.

Expressed Powers of Congress (Article 1)

Found primarily in Section 8, these include the powers to tax, regulate commerce, and declare war.

Section of Article 1 Presenting What Congress Cannot Do

Section 9 outlines limitations on Congress's powers.

Habeas Corpus

The right to appear before a court to contest unlawful detention.

Bill of Attainder

A legislative act that singles out an individual or group for punishment without a trial. Bills of attainder are prohibited by the Constitution because they violate the rights to due process.

Ex Post Facto Law

A law that makes an act illegal retroactively, meaning it criminalizes actions that were legal at the time they were committed. The Constitution prohibits ex post facto laws to protect individuals from being prosecuted for actions that were not illegal when they were performed.