Key Principles of the US Constitution

Question 1

What are the key principles of the US Constitution?

Answer 1

• federalism
• checks and balances
• separation of powers
• bipartisanship
• limited government

Question 2

What does Federalism mean?

Answer 2

• the separation of powers between federal government and state governments
• some policies are made at a state level and others on a federal level by president and congress

Question 3

Describe the structure federalism

Answer 3

each state is like a smaller version of the US with its own constitution, head of executive branch (governor), legislature (state congress) and supreme court

Question 4

How has federalism changed?

Answer 4

power of the federal government has grown hugely

Question 5

What has the growing federal power been a response to?

Answer 5

• economic crisis
• increased demands for civil rights protection
• greater provision of social policy

Question 6

What does the separation of powers mean?

Answer 6

a complete division into three branches: executive, legislative, judiciary

Question 7

What is the separation of powers based on?

Answer 7

a desire to share power and to prevent any one institution or politician from dominating the political system

Question 8

How is the separation of powers ensured?

Answer 8

no one can belong to more than one of these branches at the same time

Question 9

How are checks and balances carried out?

Answer 9

each branch has exclusive powers which limits the ability for any to operate in an unrestricted manner

Question 10

How does the legislative branch carry out checks and balances?

Answer 10

• can override a presidential veto
• can impeach and remove the president
• ratifies presidential appointments
• authorises / appropriates funds for legislation
• checks on the judiciary
• can impeach / remove judges
• confirms federal judges

Question 11

How does executive branch carry out checks and balances?

Answer 11

• proposes legislation
• vetoes legislation
• makes treaties with foreign countries
• checks on the judiciary
• enforces court decisions

Question 12

How does judicial branch carry out checks and balances?

Answer 12

• reviews executive decisions
• checks on congress
• reviews congressional laws
• judicial review
• supreme court justices appointed for life

Question 13

What is meant by ‘bipartisanship’ ?

Answer 13

• inevitable need for compromise if decisions are to be made
• parties need to cooperate to govern the country

Question 14

How is bipartisanship upheld by the constitution?

Answer 14

the constitution requires cross party support through the need for super majorities for amendments and for senate to ratify treaties

Question 15

What is meant by limited government?

Answer 15

checks and balances and the separation of powers means the government cannot simply impose its will on citizens

Question 16

What is ‘limited government’ critical of?

Answer 16

‘big government’
the tendency of federal government expanding its power in the area of economic and social policy e.g. obamacare

Question 17

How does the Constitution uphold democracy?

Answer 17

• elections
• checks and balances
• right protection

Question 18

How do elections uphold democracy within the constitution?

Answer 18

• upholds fundamental principles of a representative democracy
• free and fair elections held regularly

Question 19

Describe the nature of elections in the US Constitution

Answer 19

• short two year terms for House of Representatives
• sep of powers and federalism has led to huge number of elections (US citizens vote more often than any other country)

Question 20

What is a criticism of the nature of elections in the US Constitution?

Answer 20

• outdated electoral college system
• it is based on a reluctance to give power to give power to the people
• many aspects, therefore, offend fundamental principles of a representative democracy

Question 21

How does checks and balances ensure democracy?

Answer 21

• prevents government from becoming too tyrannical
• makes sure no branch has more power than the other branches

Question 22

How are checks and balances sometimes ineffective?

Answer 22

political differences often get in the way e.g. appointment of new SC justices, Obama’s attempts at immigration reform, lack of restraint of Congress

Question 23

How does right protection in the US ensure democracy?

Answer 23

• powerful SC is able and willing to promote liberties as outlined in constitution
• bill of rights
• rights allow people to have power, give them individual freedom, free from excessive government control

Question 24

What are the positives of the US Constitution?

Answer 24

• frequent elections
• checks and balances
• powerful supreme court
• amendment process
• vagueness allows necessary change
• states are well protected

Question 25

What are the negatives of the US Constitution?

Answer 25

• electoral college
• policy making can be difficult
• supreme court can make policy
• amendment process can be too difficult
• vagueness creates loopholes
• federal government can still dominate