Constitution Flashcards
Key features of the constitution (5)
- Limited Government
- Separation of Powers
- Checks and balances
- Bipartisanship
- Federalism
Where does the constitution refer to limited government (3)
- Separation of powers and checks and balances
- 10th Amendment giving state powers
- Bill of Rights protecting citizen’s rights
Where does the constitution refer to Separation of powers (2)
- Article 1,2,3 outline the individual powers of each branch
- the ‘ineligibility clause’ of Article 1
Where does the constitution refer to checks and balances (1)
Powers within Articles 1, 2,3 provide checks and balances
Where does the constitution refer to bipartisanship (2)
- Requirement of supermajorities in the amendment and impeachment process
- Staggered election cycle allows branches to be dominated by different parties
Where does the constitution refer to federalism (4)
- 10th Amendment protects state rights
- Role of the Supreme Court as the arbiter between federal and state gov.
- Need for state approval in amendment process
- Equal representation of the states in the Senate
Example of limited government working
2016- Texas V USA
-Executive Order by Obama regarding illegal immigrants was struck down by the SC because Congress failed to pass an immigration reform bill
Example of separation of powers working
Obama, Clinton and Biden had to leave their seats in the Senate to take up roles in the executive branch
Example of Checks and Balances working
2017- Trump tried to introduce his own healthcare bill but despite having a united government it failed to pass
Example of Bipartisanship working
“Gang of 8” in the Senate, worked to create Border Security and Economic Opportunity Act
-Group contained 4 democrats and 4 republicans
Example of federalism working
Marijuana is illegal federally BUT in 9 states it has been legalised for recreational use + 13 more states decriminalised
Example of limited government failing
Both Trump and Obama launched air strikes without Congressional support
Separation of powers failing
Obama negotiated the Iran nuclear deal without the US Senate, as it wasn’t a ‘treaty’
Example of Bipartisanship failing
Despite the bipartisanship Immigration Modernization Act passing in the Senate, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives refused to allow it to be debated in the house
Example of federalism failing
SC rulings are binding on states too
-Obergefell V Hodges legalized gay marriage including in the 13 states which had it illegal prior
