Gov benchmark Flashcards
What is a claim?
A statement that determines your opinion
what are the four main purposes of government?
to maintain social order, to provide public services, to protect national security, to make economies decisions
maintaining social order
the government create and enforce laws on local, state, and national levels
providing public services
our government will provide us with important services we are not skilled to do ourselves
protecting our national security
our government will raise and uphold our military to keep our borders safe: army, navy, Air Force, marines, coast guard, national guard, etc.
making economic decisions
raising / lowering taxes, creating a budget, controlling inflation, helping businesses grow
what is a system of government ?
it defines how power/control/authority is distributed in a country
delegated powers (national government)
powers given to the national government
expressed powers (national government)
written in the constitution (congress can lay and collect taxes, congress can declare war)
implied powers (national government)
not written in the constitution
elastic clause (national government)
congress has the authority to create any law ‘necessary and proper to carry our delegated powers’
reserved powers (state government)
powers given to the state government (education)
local government
local government structure is determined by the state government, local laws only apply to the people who live in that town/city/country
concurrent powers (all gov)
powers that is granted to all levels of government
supremacy clause (all gov)
any disagreement between the national and state government is automatically won by the national government.
unitary system
all powers are given to the national or central government
confederacy
all power is given to the states (there would be no central government and even if there was it would be weak)
federal system
power is divided between national, state, and local governments (USA’s system of government)
citizen
member of a political society
consent of the governed
being a citizen is an agreement between you and your government
civil liberties
your rights provided by the constitution. These are provided to anyone who is a citizen. (But not for free😉)
naturalization
process of becoming a citizen
constitution
rules for government, rights for citizens
Declaration of Independence
in exchange for citizenship, every person has rights, requirements and responsibilities
rights for citizens
life, liberty, happiness ‼️‼️
requirements for citizens
obey the law, pay taxes, be loyal to our government
responsibilities of citizens
be informed, vote, respect rights of other citizens, be a good citizen
how many parts does our constitution consist of?
3 parts; the preamble, articles, and amendments.
preamble (pt 1 of our constitution)
lists the goals ideals
articles (pt 2 of our constitution)
provides framework/ structure. explains how the goals are accomplished
amendments
changes to our constitution
6th amendment
right to a trial that’s speedy and public
bill of rights
the first 10 amendments (based on the English document ‘the Magna Carta’
civil liberties
freedoms of rights granted to all citizens by the constitution
5th amendment
protects your due process, innocent until proven guilty
8th amendment
prevents you from cruel or unusual punishment
role in government
written plan or ‘rule book for government’, sets limits on our governments power
limited government
the government is restricted from infringing on the rights of citizens
living document
our constitution can be changed/amended
1st amendment
freedom of speech, religion, assembly, press, petition
4th amendment
protects your privacy, prevents illegal search and seizure
oligarchy
small group in control
14th amendment
equal protection for all, incorporation of states
dictatorship
power gained by force
autocracy
one person in control
democracy
people who vote to have control
monarchy
power inherited (king or queen)
popular sovereignty (democracy)
people are the source of control in the government citizens have control because they can vote (issues, representatives)
direct democracy
citizens vote directly on the issues
representative democracy
citizens vote for people/representatives to make laws or policies for us
3 branches of gov
Legislature, executive, judicial
separation of powers
each branch has their own responsibitlity
checks and balances
each branch has some power over the other 2 branches
bicameral legislature
2 bodies of government
(House of reps + senate)
judicial review
Supreme Court cam declare actions or legislation of congress or president unconstitutional
executive branch
President, VP, cabinet, agencies. Main job is to enforce laws, they can veto congress and appoint judges
Legislative branch
house of reps + senate (congress). Main responsibility is to create laws. Can override presidents veto, and impeach judges.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court. main responsibility is to interpret law, is in charge of judicial review
executive agencies
Protects safety and fairness for all citizens. Enforce regulation form the governemnt
Census
Population count of the US (completed every 10 years)
Senate
100 members, each state gets 2 senators so its equal representation
(Serves a 6 year ter,. Must be 30 years old, a citizen for 9+ years, and a resident of that state)
Gerrymandering
Process that occurs when district lines are redrawn to sway(change) outcome of elections
House of Representatives
435 members, representation based on population, re apportioned when the census comes out (serves a 2 years term, must be 25 years old, a citizen for at least 7 years, a resident of that state)
Political party
A group of people who raise money and elect candidates to win elections
Platform
Members of the same party agree on issues as a group
Representative democracy
Citizens vote to elect people to be in charge
Suffrage
The right to vote
Primary elections
Both the republicans and the democrats have their own mini election called the primary, this determines who will represent their party as the presidential candidate
popular vote
The citizens vote
Electoral volte
The popular vote for each state determines the electoral vote for that state
Voters apathy
Not voting because you think your vote wont matter
Republicans
(Grand old party, GOP)
Conservatives, (ex. Donald trump, George bush)
Favor state governments
Democrats
Liberals
(Ex. Joe Biden, barrack Obama)
Third party
any political party other than the two major ones, issue oriented
Electoral votes
270 electoral votes to win the election
How to determine the amount of electoral votes in a state..
of seats in house of reps + # of seats in senate
(Md has 10)
Media influence
Referred to as the 4th branch of government
