How our Government is Set Up Flashcards
What is a Republic?
A system in which power is held by the people who are eligible to elect representatives to run the government for the common good
What influenced the founders about republics?
The Roman Republic greatly influenced the Founders (thought it was the best form of government)
Republican government is a type of government where citzens:
Citizens have the power to govern and delegate/entrust their powers to leaders they elect to represent them and serve their interest
Citizens and their representatives work together to promote the common good rather than their own interests
Advantages of Republican Government:
Representatives are elected to serve the common good, and they make the laws more efficient
The people have a say in their government, and the representatives are responsible to the people
Possible disadvanatges of a Republican government:
Works best in small communities, Founders feared the colonies were to large
Republic doesn’t allow for diversity, the colonies had many different religions and ways of life
People in a large and diverse republic divide into factions
How did Madison adapt republican government:
Representative democracy: the people choose leaders to make and administer laws for their county
* Representatives make it possible for those in government to administer to a much larger area than a direct democracy
* Members of government should be elected by a large number of people rather than by a small number or favored group
What is a pure/dirct democracy?
The people themselves control government and create the laws they need
What do democracy work best in?
Works best in small communities, in a big community is harder for people to make decisions for the common good
Problems with direct demcracy:
- Will always be controlled by the majority (tyranny of the majority)
- All Democracies in history ended violently
What is checks and balances?
The distribution and balancing of power among different branches of government so that no one branch is more powerful
How is checks and balances used in the branches?
Each branch has its own special powers, the powers are checked because some powers are shared with the other branches
* The executive and judicial branches can check the power of Congress by having the president veto a law and the Court can declare a law to violate the Consitution
How is checks and balances used in Congress?
Each house in Congress can check the power of the other by refusing to pass a law proposed by the other house
What is separation of powers?
The division of powers among the different branches of government
What ways is separation of powers used?
Colonial Government: controlled by the king (i.e. judges made sure colonial laws did not violate the British constitution, the king would appoint a governor or head of executive branch)
Constitution: a system of separation of powers was needed to prevent abuse of power
Federal and State Government: separation of powers between the federal and state governments was one way to protect the rights of the people
State Governments: states have separation of powers, they are divided into legislative, executive and judicial branches, did not just depend on separation of powers to protect people’s rights (had bill of rights)
How did the idea of separation of powers develop?
Baron de Montesquieu: theory that influenced the idea of separation of powers
Parliament: changes in English government led to the establishment of basic principles; separation of powers
What is the Legislative branch?
- Makes laws, the most powerful/important branch of government
- Consists of the Senate and House of Representatives to check and balance each other
- Senate is voted by equal representation, House is by proportional representation
What is the Executive branch?
Enforces laws, second most powerful branch of government
Consists of the presisdent, who is elected by the Electoral Colledge
What are the powers of the president?
Carry out and enforce laws
Make treaties with foreign nations
Appoint important government officials
Act as commander in chief of the armed forces
Veto laws passed by Congress
What is the Judical Branch?
Interprets laws, least powerful branch
Consists of supreme court
What ideas are in the Judicial branch?
- Judges are appointed not elected so they can do their job best without worrying about political pressures
- Judges keep their jobs for life and can only be impeached
- Single US Supreme court with 2 types of jurisdiction: original and appellate
