Foundations of Government Flashcards
John Locke
a 17th century Englishman who redefined [changed the meaning of] what it meant to be a government
Legitimate
acceptable; reasonable; official
Natural Rights
Rights that everyone has just because they are human beings. NOT written down. (life, liberty, property)
State of Nature
A place where there is no civilization and no government. No rules and laws
Consent
approval ; permission
Popular Sovereignty
the people decide what kind of government or laws they should have
Ex: voting
Judicial Review
executive or legislative actions are subject to review by the judiciary.
Limited Government
The government being limited to its power through delegated and enumerated authorities
Checks and Balances
power divided; allows each branch of government to check each other to prevent having too much power
Separation of Powers
state government being divided into branches each with their own power, and responsibilities
Federalism
power shared between national and state governments
Natural Rights
rights that everyone has just because they are human beings. NOT written down. (life, liberty, property)
Declaration of Independence
mission statements for the US, not laws ; it means the public act of by which the Second Continental Congress, on July 4, 1776, declared the Colonies to be free and independent of England
Articles of Confederation
the written document that established the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain
Shay’s Rebellion
response to a debt crisis among the citizenry and in opposition to the state government’s increased efforts to collect taxes both on individuals and their trades; doesn’t succeed and showed weakness of the articles
Revolutionary War
initiated by the thirteen original colonies in Congress against Great Britain over their objection to Parliament’s direct taxation and its lack of colonial representation.
Congress/ Legislative Branch
makes laws, power to declare war, may override president’s veto (⅔ vote), may approve/reject treaties and appointments, may impeach president, can impeach judges, senate approves appointments of federal judges
President/ Executive Branch
enforces laws, may veto laws, can suggest new bills, appoint judges, pardon prisoners or shorten sentence
Courts/ Judicial Branch
interprets laws, can declare executive actions and laws unconstitutional
The Articles of Constitution
I. sets up Legislative Branch / Congress
II. sets up Executive Branch (president)
III. sets up Judicial Branch of gov.
IV. tells how the states relate to each other and to the federal government
V. tells how the Constitution may be amended (changed)
VI. says the constitution is the supreme law of the land (No national or state law can go against the constitution!)
VII.says the constitution will be the law if 9 states ratify (accept) it
How Branches CHECK each other
-Legislative/Congress - makes the laws May override president’s veto (⅔ vote) May approve/reject treaties (⅔ vote) May impeach president May approve/reject appointments (⅔ vote) -Executive - enforces the laws May veto laws Can suggest new bills ->Executive - enforces the laws Appoints judges Can pardon prisoners or reduce sentence ->Judicial - interprets laws Can declare executive actions unconstitutional \+Legislative/ Congress - drafts laws Can impeach judges Senate approves appointments of federal judges \+Judicial - interprets laws Can declare laws unconstitutional
“The Supreme Law of Land”
The Constitution
Concurrent Powers
Powers that are shared by both the federal and state / local government EX: collect taxes, Define crime and punishment, eminent domain (take private property for public use)
Reserved Powers
powers which are neither prohibited or explicitly given by law to any organ of government; most of what government does in this country today is done by the states and their local governments EX: schools, licensing, gun laws, alcohol, driving
Enumerated/ Expressed Powers
Powers given to the federal government in the Constitution EX: declare war, coin money, regulate interstate and foreign trade
Wolves of Yellowstone *South Dakota vs. Dole
The national government “encourages” the states to raise their drinking age to 21… by threatening to take away money for their highways if they do no ; Dole wins supreme court case because they can do what they want with the money they provide to others
