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Government and citizenship Flashcards

1
Q

Representative Democracy / Democratic Republic

A

A system of government in which all eligible citizens vote to elect representatives to act on their behalf

Example: The United States

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2
Q

Minority leader

A

The leader of the minority party in the House of Representatives

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3
Q

Great compromise/ connecticut compromise

A

An agreement between all states to use two different forms of representation for the two houses of Congress

Example: Texas has the same amount of senators as New Hampshire.

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4
Q

Electoral College

A

The system for electing the President by using electors from each state based on the number of Congressional representatives the state has

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5
Q

Implied powers

A

Powers not explicitly written in the Constitution that are allowed under the elastic clause

Example: The power to establish a Federal bank to manage taxes collected

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6
Q

Due Process Rights / Assurances

A

The legal obligation of the government to respect an individual’s legal rights, guaranteed by the 5th and 14th amendments.

Example: the rights of parents of students with disabilities to agree or disagree with student services, change of placement or behavior plans

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7
Q

Constitution: Article 4

A

The roles, rights, and privileges of the States and Their Citizens

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8
Q

7th amendment

A

Amendment to the US Constitution which protects the right to a jury trial in civil cases

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9
Q

9th amendment

A

Amendment to the US Constitution which protects the rights of the individuals not specifically listed (unenumerated rights)

Example: While the constitution doesn’t explicitly say that you have a right to travel between states, the courts have agreed that this is an unenumerated right.

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10
Q

Speaker of the house

A

The leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives, selected by the majority party members

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11
Q

Veto

A

Ability of the president to reject laws passed by Congress. Congress can overturn a veto with a 2/3 vote

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12
Q

Supreme Court

A

The highest court in the land, established by the Constitution. Justices to the Supreme Court are appointed by the President, approved by the Senate, and serve for life or until retirement.

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13
Q

Articles of confederation

A

The first written constitution in the colonies, ratified in 1781

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14
Q

26th amendment

A

lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, granting the right to vote to younger citizens; a response to the Vietnam War, where many argued that individuals old enough to be drafted should also have the right to vote

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15
Q

President Pro Tempore

A

The most senior member of the majority party who leads the Senate when the Vice President is absent

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16
Q

5th amendment

A

Amendment to the US Constitution which protects against unsupported accusations of wrongdoing, self-incrimination, and double jeopardy (being charged for the same crime twice)

Example: You can “plead the fifth” to avoid testifying in a case against yourself.

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17
Q

1st amendment

A

Amendment to the US Constitution which protects against restrictions on freedom of speech, religion, press, petition, and assembly

Example: Peaceful protests

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18
Q

Autocratic / Totalitarian Governments

A

Governments in which a single person or small group has ultimate control and the rights and freedoms of citizens are limited; often restrict the existence and participation of opposition voices and exercise a high level of control over all aspects of society

Example: North Korea’s government under Kim Jong Un

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19
Q

Social Contract

A

The idea that individuals covenant to create and follow a form of government

Example: Preamble to the US Constitution

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20
Q

Constitution: Article 6

A

Maintenance of Previous Debts, Supremacy of the Constitution, and Oaths of Office

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21
Q

Bill of rights

A

The first ten amendments to the Constitution which protected legal rights and civil rights of individuals. Created in 1791.

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22
Q

Republicanism

A

A form of government in which representatives—usually elected—determine the laws

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23
Q

Divine Right

A

Political doctrine that states that kings derive their power from God, not from their subjects; therefore kings are not subject to earthly authority. To question or rebel against their rule would be a sin

Example: King Louis XIV of France in 1600s

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24
Q

Preamble

A

an introductory statement in a document that explains the document’s purpose and underlying philosophy

Example: The Preamble states that the Constitution exists “to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, [and] promote the general Welfare.”

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25
3rd amendment
Amendment to the US Constitution which protects against the quartering of troops in homes
26
Natural rights
The rights possessed by an individual with no requirement Example: Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness
27
autocracy
government ruled by one Example: monarchy, dictatorship
28
4th amendment
Amendment to the US Constitution which protects against unlawful searches and seizures Example: A police officer would need a warrant or your explicit permission to search your home.
29
2nd amendment
Amendment to the US Constitution which protects against restrictions of the right to bear arms
30
Theocracy
a government run by religious officials who enforce religious principles Example: The Massachusetts Bay Colony was run by a system resembling a representative theocracy.
31
Dred Scott v. Sanford
Supreme Court case ruled that Black Americans were not citizens and had no right to sue in court or protection under the law, regardless of slavery status; overturned by the 13th and 14th Amendments after the Civil War
32
Constitution: Article 1
The Powers, Eligibility Requirements and Limitations of the Legislative Branch
33
Bicameral
The split of the legislative branch into two houses, each with a different set-up and focus
34
Natural law
Laws universally recognized by the virtue of human reason or human nature Example: Murder is wrong
35
Constitution: Article 3
The Powers, Eligibility Requirements and Limitations of the Judicial Branch
35
8th amendment
Amendment to the US Constitution which protects against cruel and unusual punishment
36
21st amendment
Repealed the Eighteenth Amendment in 1933 by ending prohibition (Remember with: you need to be 21 to Drink)
37
18th amendment
Ratified in 1917 and established the prohibition of alcohol. (Remember with: you can't drink at 18) Was repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933
38
6th amendment
Amendment to the US Constitution which protects the right to a fair, speedy, and public trial; the right to a lawyer, the right to confront accusers, and the right to an impartial jury Example: You can't be stuck in jail for years while awaiting a trial.
39
Federalism
The system of shared power between the national government and the state and local governments
40
Brown v. Board of Education
1954: The Supreme Court ruled in this case that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional; this overturned the finding in Plessy v. Ferguson
40
Constitution: Article 7
The Ratification Process
41
Marbury v. Madison
1803: Established Judicial Review, which allows the Supreme Court to rule a law unconstitutional and void the law
42
15th amendment
Gave the right to vote to every male citizen regardless of race, color, or previous servitude.
43
Proportional Representation
a model in which parties gain seats based on the proportion of the vote received
44
Checks and Balances
Each branch has the power to limit the power of the other two branches
45
Senate
One house of Congress with equal representation for all states
46
10th amendment
limits the power of the federal government and protects the rights of the states and the people by reserving powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or to the people Example: Congress has used the "necessary and proper" clause to pass legislation requiring states to pass certain laws or enact certain policies, and the Supreme Court has overturned these laws on the grounds of violation of the 10th Amendment.
47
House of representatives
One house of Congress with proportional representation
48
Commerce Clause
A key clause of the Constitution. Regulates interstate commerce. This power has been used to justify the expansion of the legislature over nationwide issues, since they could impact interstate commerce.
49
Anarchy
Absence of government authority and law, and absolute freedom of the individual Example: Somalia in the early 2000s
50
Oligarchy
government ruled by few
51
Presumption of Innocence
A legal right of the accused in a criminal trial. the legal burden of proof is thus on the prosecution, which must collect and present compelling evidence against the accused. Sometimes known as "innocent until proven guilty."
52
Democracy
A system of government in which all members of society have a share in decision making
53
Miranda Rights
a legal requirement for arresting officers to inform a suspect of their legal rights
54
14th Amendment
Declared that all persons born or naturalized in the US would be US citizens and citizens in the state in which they live. Gave all citizens due process.
55
Inalienable Rights
Rights held by all individuals that are seen as natural to every person and outside the jurisdiction of the government
56
Common Law
Laws created and developed through judicial decision Example: Case law
57
16th Amendment
Allows the government to collect taxes on income
57
Republic
form of democracy in which representatives make laws and run the government
58
Judicial Review
The responsibility of the Supreme Court and the rest of the federal judiciary to determine if a law is constitutional
59
Separation of Powers
Division of power into three branches of government to prevent corruption or concentration of power; executive, judicial, legislative
60
Constitution: Article 2
The Powers, Eligibility Requirements and Limitations of the Executive Branch
61
monarchy
single person serves as head of state; often granted the position through heredity
62
Constitution: Article 5
The Amendment Process
63
17th Amendment
Allows the direct election of senators by the citizens of the state
64
Electors
members of the national electoral college who actually vote for the president
65
government
Institution to provide citizens with basic services Example: The United States government
66
Dictatorship
one person holds absolute power without constitutional limitations
67
Primary Races
an election in in which candidates from the same party run for their party's nomination
68
13th Amendment
Made slavery illegal in the United States.
69
Aristocracy
form of oligarchy in which the nobility have power and control
70
Plessy v. Ferguson
1896: the Supreme Court ruled in this case that racial segregation for public facilities was constitutional, as long as they were "separate but equal."
71
19th amendment
Ratified in 1920, it gave women the right to vote (known as women's suffrage).
72
us constitution
Document which lays the foundation for the US government and provides a blueprint of democracy for the rest of the world
73
Popular Sovereignty
The idea that all powers of government ultimately rest in the people
74
The idea that all powers of government ultimately rest in the people
A system of government in which all eligible citizens can vote on every issue Example: Ancient Greeks
75
Declaration of Independence
Document adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. Signed by representatives from all 13 colonies. The document outlined the complaints the colonists had about Great Britain and officially declared the US free from British rule
76
confederation
an alliance of states in which each member state retains significant autonomy. During the American Revolution, the Articles of Confederation organized the US as a confederation.
77
governor
The head of the executive branch in each state. Example: The governor of Texas.
78
Jury Trial
Enshrined in the the 6th Amendment of the Constitution, Jury Trial is a right of American citizens.

FTCE social science (8 decks)

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