american politics quiz 1

The federal government only has the authority allowed by:

the constitution

the responsibility of the government is to:

protect territory and provide national defense, preserve order and stability, establish and maintain a legal system, and provide services

how does the government establish a legal system?

enacting and enforcing laws that restrict or ban behaviors, provide means to implement laws. Administer justice and impose penalties

A gov. where the governor is a single royal family member; born into the role

Monarchy

a gov. where the governor is a dictator; supported by a small group (ex: political party, military)

oligarchy

a gov. where the governor is a government with complete control over every aspect of the people’s lives; based on religion etc.

totalitarianism

a gov. where the governor is a government with complete control over every aspect of the people’s lives; checked by military, Constitution, etc.

authoritarianism

a gov. where the governor is made up of its’ citizens; citizens vote on every law

democracy

a gov. where the governor is a document; citizens pledge allegiance to the document.

constitutionalism

what event happened that inspired the founding fathers to question authority?

Protestant reformation

what rights did the founding fathers believe “all” men had?

natural rights from God.

the idea of “popular sovereignty” came from who?

John Joche Rossou

what ideas from Thomas Hobbs were the founding fathers rejecting?

absolute monarchy and divine right of kings were necessary to avoid mob rule.

means of production is not owned or controlled by the government

Capitalism

minimal to no government intervention in the market, allowing businesses and individuals to operate with little to no regulation; ex: industrial revolution

Laissez-faire capitalism

goal of gov: equality. role of gov: strong control of economy

socialism

goal of gov: equality of opportunity, protection of fundamental liberties. role of gov: promote opportunity

liberalism

goal of gov: nondiscrimination in opportunity, some economic freedoms, stability. role of gov: balance the wants of workers vs. businesses. Stability

middle of road/moderate

goal of gov: promote traditional values, stability, economic freedom. role of gov: protect capitalist system, low limitations on fundamental rights

conservatism

goal of gov: absolute economic and social freedom. role of gov: no regulation of economy, no limitation of fundamental rights (gov has zero involvement/power)

libertarianism

a political liberal prefers:

more government influence (to “help” people), while paying higher taxes

a political conservative prefers:

less government influence (less “helping” people), while paying lower taxes

a political “progressive” wants:

the government to provide for everything, like pre-k, childcare, health care, clean energy

popular sovereignty means:

the people are governed only by their consent

Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” said:

war was inevitable

the “Declaration of Independence” was the first mention of independence from Britain, and said:

all men are equal, men have natural rights, government must be based on the consent of the people, if a government is not protecting the rights of the people they have the duty to abolish it

The last predecesor to the Constitution, was the first complaint to the king, and created a confederation appointing George Washington.

The “Articles of Confederation:”

a union of independent states where each state has ultimate power to govern itself

confederation

what did the founding fathers debate on?

state rights vs government rights, what individual rights/liberties each state should have

all federal government powers are listed (Constitution + Bill of Rights), all other powers are given to the states to decide

federalism

passage of federal legislation (laws), establisment of federal courts lower than Supreme Court

legislative branch

resolution of conflicts over the laws, interpretation of the Constitution and federal laws

judicial branch

making foreign treaties, enforcement of federal laws and court orders

executive branch

the idea that representation in the House of Representatives is based on state population; representation in the Senate is always two persons per state came from:

the great compromise

What is “the law of the land” and takes supremacy?

all federal laws, the Constitution + amendments, treaties

What type of gov. is the US?

an indirect/representative democracy

the power of a court to examine the actions of the legislative, executive, and administrative branches of government and to declare those actions unconstitutional and therefore null and void

judicial review

where does the idea of separation of power come from?

articles 1-3 of the Constitution

Article VI, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution, establishes that the federal Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the "supreme Law of the Land."

supremacy clause

powers of a federal state that are shared by both the federal government and each constituent political unit, such as a state.

concurrent powers