Federalism Flashcards
What is federalism?
System in which sovereignty is shared between a central government and individual states,with each having their own specific rights
Why has the power of the federal government increased?
-response to economic crisis
-increased demands for civil-rights protections
-greater provisions of social policy
What does it mean by the separation of powers?
-three key bodies of government-legislature,executive and judiciary
-each with their own powers,personnel and building
-ensures a checks and balances system
What are checks and balances?
-each branch has the ability to prevent action from another branch
What is Bipartisanship?
-compromise is inevitable if decisions are to be made
-constitution requires cross-party support for amendments
How is the executive able to check the legislative?
-president is the commander in chief
-can veto bills
-recommend legislation
-calling special sessions of congress
How can the legislature check the executive?
-can override presidents veto
-can ratify treaties
-can refuse presidential appointments
-can impeach and remove the president from office
How can the executive check the judiciary?
-May rule a presidential action as unconstitutional
-life tenure
How can the executive check the judiciary?
-president appoints judges
-president can grant reprieves and pardons
How can the judiciary check legislature?
-May interpret laws as unconstitutional
How does the legislature check the judiciary?
-can refuse judicial appointments
-has authority to impeach judges
-can create lower courts
What is Bipartisanship?
Attempts within the structure of the US congress to try ensure the 2 main parties work together
