APGov Summer Assignment

Which methods does Madison suggest to check the powers of government?

The legislative, executive, and judicial branches should be made as separate powers, so no one branch becomes too powerful.

Which branch appears as an exception to the separation of powers norm? Why is this exception not dangerous?

The judicial branch , since they have a life term.

The greatest security against concentrating power is found in what?

Two of the branches can check the other. 

How is the separation of powers between the three branches assured?

The administrators of each branch are able to use constitutional means/personal motive to check other branches.

Which branch of government did Madison think would be the strongest?

Legislative

What are the two great advantages of federalism, according to Madison?

Smaller states are protected against larger states. Part of society is protected against injustice from the other.

What is the "end" (supreme goal) of government, according to Madison?

Justice

What is Madison's view of human nature and how does it affect a republic?

That humans are selfish and pursue their own interests rather than the common good

How often are representatives in the House elected?

Every 2 years

What are the 3 requirements to be a representative?

25+ y/o, 7+ years a U.S. citizen, be a resident of their state when elected

How are the number of representatives in each state decided?

First 50 are set per each state, then the rest are divided proportional to each states population.

The House alone has what power?

Impeachment

What is the term of the Senate?

6 years

How is the Senate chosen?

By legislature

How are vacancies in the House filled?

The Executive Authority issues ‘Writs of Election’

How are vacancies in the Senate filled?

Executive makes temporary appointments, then filled by legislature

What are the 3 requirements for being a Senator?

30+ y/o, 9+ years a U.S. citizen, be a habitant of their state when elected

Who is the president of the Senate?  What power do they have?

Vice President of the U.S. -has the power to make a vote, only when there is a tie.

What sole power does the Senate have during impeachment?  What vote is required to convict?

The sole power to try all impeachments. A vote of ⅔ majority

Who is responsible for running elections?

Legislature

When is the first meeting of Congress?

1st Monday of December

Where must bills raising revenue (taxes) originate?

House of Representatives

What fraction of both houses of Congress is required to pass a law after presidential veto?

2/3

What is a pocket veto?

The president can make a veto by not responding to congress’s bill within 10 days.

Define: Habeas corpus

The right for people detained by the government to question the legality of their imprisonment.

Define: Bill of attainder

A law that declares a person/group guilty of a crime, and punishes them without a court trial. 

Define: Ex Post Facto Law

A rule that punishes people for things they did before the rule existed.

What are factions, according to Madison?

A group of citizens with the same interests and a desire to dominate the government and impose their own interests on the whole society.

What are the causes of faction?

According to Madison, the causes of factions is sown into human nature and is built on differing opinions within people.

What is the most common and durable source of factions?

The unequal distribution of property and wealth.

 What are the 2 cures for the "mischiefs of faction," according to Madison?

One way is to remove their causes (destroying their liberty); another is to limit their effects (giving them the same opinion). 

Why are the remedies to the “mischiefs of fractions” worse than the disease?

These remedies are worse than the disease because destroying liberty is worse than destroying factions, and giving them the same opinion is impossible.

What is Madison's solution for controlling the effects of factions?

Through a Republician style of government.

What is a republic?

a form of government where power is held by the people but is exercised through representatives selected by the people. 

What is a pure democracy?

A pure democracy is where everyone can vote on everything, like laws and policies.

How does a republic and pure democracy differ from one another?

They mainly differ in the fact that a republic can implement checks and balances, which benefits the majority and minority. Whereas a pure democracy can outcast the minorities. 

How does a republic inhibit the effects of factions, according to Madison?

 It will cause more factions to form, which will dilute the power each faction has, or the factions will be forced to make a compromise.

How long is a presidential term?

4 years

What are the requirements for running for president?

Must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, lived in the USA for at least 14 years

Who are the first three in line of succession to the presidency?

Vice President, Speaker of the House, President pro tempore of the Senate

What is the president’s role regarding military power?

Shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States

What is the president’s role regarding treaties? Ambassadors? Supreme Court Justices?

Shall have power and with Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties. Shall appoint Ambassadors and Judges of the Supreme Court.

What types of messages are required by the president to give?

Give updates about the country to Congress

For what reasons might a president be impeached?

Conviction of Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

What does “judicial power” mean?

Judicial Power shall be used in all cases, in Law and Equity, upholding the Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or shall be made, under their authority.

What is the difference between original and appellate jurisdiction?

Original jurisdiction is a court in which a case is first heard while appellate jurisdiction is a court in which a case is heard on appeal from a lower court. 

What does section 2 say about jury trials?

Trials of all Crimes, except cases of impeachment, shall be by a Jury and be held in the State where the crimes have been committed.

What does this article say about treason?

Treason against the United States shall impose war against them, or adhering to their enemies. No one shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two witnesses to the same act, or confession in court. Congress shall have power to declare punishment of Treason.