1.2 Key Features of the US constitution Flashcards
What are the 5 key principles of the constitution?
-Federalism
-Checks and balances
-Limited government
-Bipartisanship
-Separation of government
Federalism definition
System in which sovereignty is shared between a central government and individual states
-Each have their own set of rights
Why has the power of the federal government hugely grown (3)
-In response to economic crisis
-increased demands for civil-rights protection
-greater provision of social policy (e.g Obamacare)
Example of States using the Supreme Court to maintain their power
Texas vs US (2016)
Principle of separation of powers
Ensures a system of checks and balances to stop too much power residing in one body
Checks and Balances principle
Each branch has a direct ability to prevent action from another branch
Bipartisanship principle
Try to ensure that the 2 parties work together in order to fulfil Congressional functions
Limited government principle
Role of gov. is limited through a system of checks and balances, and a separation of powers to stop corruption
Ways the executive can check the legislative branch (4)
-President is the ‘commander-in-chief’
-Veto bills
-Recommend legislation
-Call special sessions of Congress
Ways the executive can check the Supreme Court (2)
-Can appoint judges to fill vacancies
-President can grant and reprieve pardons
Ways the judiciary can check the executive (1)
-May rule a presidential action unconstitutional (e.g 2018 Trump travel ban)
Ways judiciary can check the legislative (1)
-Interpret laws and may declare laws unconstitutional
Ways the legislative can check the executive (6)
-Can override presidential vetoes
-Can control appropriations
-Ratify treaties
-declare war
-Refuse presidential appointments
-Can impeach and remove the president from office
Ways the legislative can check the judiciary (4)
-Can refuse judicial appointments
-authority to impeach judges
-Create lower courts
-Propose constitutional amendments to overrule SC decisions
