Government

Question 1

Six major principles of government as outlined in the US constitution.

Answer 1

1. Federalism - power of the government does not belong entirely to the national government but divided between federal and state governments.
2. Popular sovereignty - the government is determined by the people and gains its authority and power from the people.
3. Separation of powers - the government is divided into three powers (executive, legislative and judicial) with each having its own set of powers.
4. Judicial Review - courts at all levels of government can declare laws invalid if the contradict the constitutions of individual states, or the US constitution, with the supreme court acting as the final judicial authority.
5. Checks and Balances - no single branch of government can act without input from another, and each branch as the power to check one another as well as balance another branches powers.
6. Limited Government - governmental powers are limited and certain individual rights are defined as inviolable by the government

Question 2

Powers Delegated to the Federal Government

Answer 2

1. Expressed Powers - powers directly defined in the Constitution, including power to declare war, regulate commerce, make money, and collect taxes.
2. Implied Powers - powers the National government must have in order to carry out the expressed powers.
3. Inherent powers - powers inherent to any government, not expressly defined in the constitution