Civics Flashcards
What is a constitution?
A constitution can take many forms. The term can also be applied to more than nation states. Nongovernmental organizations and other branches of civic society create and operate according to their own constitutions. In all cases, the intention of the constitution is to define a set of rules to govern by. That doesn’t mean it’s fair or reasonable– it just means that you have been told.
Who was George Washington?
Principally George Washington was the political and military leader who laid the foundations for the extraordinary development of the United States of America. He failed to prevent the development of party politics and the entanglement of the country with European quarrels. However, he succeeded in establishing the principles and practices that have made the office of president revered.
Where is the world’s oldest capital city?
The world’s oldest capital city is Damascus, located in modern-day Syria. Over the years it ha formed an important par of many states and empires, and its location means that it continues to play a crucial role in the politics of the Middle East.
When was the united nations formed?
The united nations does have a definite birthday, but when it was formed is more debatable. This is because it didn’t spring out of thin air. Rather, it was the product of a long development. In this sense, you could be right if you said that the united nations as a concept was formed long before its official establishment in 1945.
Why did Karl Marx write Des Kapital?
If Marx hoped that Des Kapital would be the spark for a revolutionary explosion in his lifetime, he was disappointed. He wanted the volumes to be the intellectual cornerstone of communism, illustrating the “laws of motion” in capitalism so that it could be understood and attacked. In this he was successful. Des Kapital has acted as the rationale for an interpretation of history and for analysis of economics. Most of all, though, it went on to inspire movements in Russia, South America, Southeast Asia, and China that helped to shape the 20th century.
Why do we vote?
In broad terms, there are three reasons why we vote. First, we vote for practical reasons (it gives us a share in power). Second, we vote for ethical reasons (it is the right thing to do). Third, we vote because we have to. Not all of these reasons apply in every country, but, in one combination or another, they do explain why we vote.
Where do laws come from?
Laws come from several places. They all serve the purpose of governing society, but their origins can be quite different. In a constitutional document they can be set as the overarching principles for the rights and responsibilities of a state and its citizens. Parliamentary laws deal with the ever-changing demands of society, and can empower governmental agencies to create specific secondary regulations. All laws, whatever their origins, have to be judged in a court of law, where precedent establishes a fourth place from which laws come from.
What is the separation of powers?
The separation of powers divides the three branches of government. The best practice is for the separation to be absolute so that each branch of government acts as a check against the others. In this way, power remains balanced, however, the separation of powers can be less clear-cut, or even a complete fiction. When this happens, it is ordinary people who ultimately pay the price.
Who is Nelson Mandela?
In short, Nelson Mandela is an inspirational leader. He led south Africa through its transition to a multicultural democracy, eventually becoming its first black president. He remains a global symbol symbol of triumph against oppression.
When was the Age of Revolution?
Lasting from the mid 18th century, the Age of Revolution was not a period of steady transformation. It was a series of explosive changes, sometimes secured and sometimes lost, that cumulatively created the global commerce and industry that we accept as inevitable. It also established the modern concepts of human rights and democracy that are cherished to this day.
