Unit 1: Constitution/Federalism
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What was the Great Compromise
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An agreement by states in favor of a bicameral legislature.
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What are checks and balances
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Counterbalance influences by which an organization/system is regulated typically those ensuring that political power is not concentrated in the hands of individuals/groups
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What are the different checks and balances of the executive, legislature, and judiciary
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Executive branch can veto laws passed by the legislative branch. the legislative branch can impeach officials in executive branch. Chief of Justice sits on a president's impeachment
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What were the articles of confederation? Were they good or bad?
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Served as a written document that established the functions of the national government. Bad
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What were the shortcomings of the articles of confederation?
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Lack or power given to congress Congress had no power to enforce laws Congress had no power to levy taxes/regulate trade No court system or executive leader
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How did the constitution create a strong federal government
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Created a gov w/ enough power to act on national level Gov power was separated Informal powers-State Bicameral legislature
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How does the constitution limit majority rule
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electoral college veto judicial review impeachment
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How does the amendment process work
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1. Proposed 2. 2/3 in HR and Senate 3. 2/3 in state legislature
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What is a presidential recess appointment? Whose power is it really?
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An appointment made by the president under his constitution powers to fill vacancies when senate is not in session. Senate's powers
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How does the constitution adapt to a changing world
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Amendments can be added to enforce rules and can also be changed
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What is the general definition of federalsim
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power is distributed between a central gov and states and both gov exercise direct authority over individuals
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What CONSTITUTIONAL powers does the vice president have?
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He can cast a vote to break a tie in the senate and certify the official electoral vote count
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How were the senate, HR, and president elected from the ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION
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The state legislature voted on the those who would represent the senate, HR, and president
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What amendments changed federal elections and how
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17th amendment. Established popular election of senators by the people of the states
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What is the definition of Enumerated Powers
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Powers explicitly listed in the constitution
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What are the important powers given to congress in the Enumerated Powers?
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Lay/Collect Taxes Imposts/exercises Pay debts Provide for defense Provide for general welfare
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What are concurrent, reserved, delegated powers?
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Concurrent: powers in nations w/federal system of gov that are shared by fed gov and state Reserved: powers which are not written down Delegated: powers which are written in the constitution
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What are implied, inherent, formal, informal powers
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Implied: powers not named in the constitution Inherent: powers delegated to president/congress Formal: enumerated powers Informal: powers not written in constitution
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The constitution grants which level of government voting eligibility decisions?
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States
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What is the elastic clause?
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Grants congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers
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What is the supremacy clause
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Federal constitution and law generally take precedence over state laws and state constitution
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What are the Establishment and Free Exercise clauses
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Congress cannot make a law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
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What is the commerce clause
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Congress can regulate commerce w/foreign nations among several states and w/ Indian tribes
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What was is the Due Process Clause
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No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property w/o fair procedures
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What is the Equal Protection Clause
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No states shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction
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What are mandates
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An obligation handed down by an intergovernmental body
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What are grants
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A financial award given by the federal, state, local government to eligible grantee
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What are the different types of grants
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Project-most worthy receive money Categorical-federal aid to states for education or state/local spending Formula-No competition. Given to states Block-Fixed amount given to state to address certain areas
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What is devolution
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No one person/group can do something on their own. The branches check each other. Also, any powers not listed int he constitution go to the states
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How does the separation of powers work?
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No one person/group can do something on their own. The branches check each other. Also, any powers not listed in the constitution go to the states
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What is a guaranteed public trial? How does this right provided in the Bill of Rights limit the national government?
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You cannot be put into jail w/o the chance to hold a trial to prove your innocence. Gives powers/rights to the people and not the national gov
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Describe a federalist and anti federalist?
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Federalists liked the constitution, powerful central gov, and did not like the bill of rights Anti Federalists did not like the constitution, wanted a weaker federal gov w/ powerful states, in favor of Bill of Rights
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What effects do the separation of powers and checks and balances have on the legislative process?
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The legislature has to get the president's approval or they must get enough votes to override the veto
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What are natural/unalienable rights?
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Rights which cannot be denied/taken away. Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness
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Explain how the Constitution creates a representative republic
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Popular sovereignty, limited gov, separation of powers, checks and balances, and individual rights gives people power to elect officials to represent them
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What is dual federalsim
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Equal division of power between state and national gov
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What is cooperative federalism
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National, state, and local governments work together to solve problems
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What is fiscal federalism
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Division of jobs and allowance between levels of gov
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What is competitive federalism
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Regional/local governments compete with each other
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Which group is most directly accountable to the electorate in the federal gov and why?
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House of Representatives. We elect them directly and they have the shortest term (2 years) since we vote for the reps more often (based on pop), the number of electors for each state changes more often due to the change in the number of reps
