L 5,6,6 Constitutional republic

Question 1

Republic

Answer 1

rule by elected leaders – without a king or queen

Question 2

Constitution

Answer 2

A set of fundamental principles, laws, or precedents that represent how the state is governed and which are difficult to change. Usually, these are written down in a document that has “supreme authority”.

Question 3

Neutral judge

Answer 3

The concept of judicial neutrality is that is that judges are free from political bias. They apply and interpret the law in a neutral way and have no bias or interest in a particular outcome of any case.

Question 4

Separation of powers

Answer 4

a situation in which authority is distributed to several people or groups instead of being held by one

Question 5

Checks and balances

Answer 5

system in which parts of a government hold power equally so that they can monitor or “over-rule” the other parts to keep them from becoming too powerful or corrupt.

Question 6

Legitimacy

Answer 6

Conformity to the law or to rules

Question 7

Congress

Answer 7

the group of people who make or change laws (legislative) and decide what policies the country should follow. Exists in countries such as the US and is made up of two parts (House of Representatives and Senate)

Question 8

Parliament

Answer 8

the group of people who make or change its laws (legislative), and decide what policies the country should follow. Exists in countries such as Great Britain and is made up of two chambers (House of Lords and House of Commons)

Question 9

Executive

Answer 9

Enforces law

Question 10

Judicial

Answer 10

Interprets law

Question 11

Legislative

Answer 11

makes law

Question 12

Assumptions for a Constitutional Republic

Answer 12

inherent nature :1 reasonable (Willing to learn and not to act on emotions)
2.
Partial (Biased toward their own ideas and opinions)
3.
Equal (My idea is as good as yours)
4. Independent(You can’t tell me what to do)

Question 13

considerations for a constitutional republic

Question 14

when is the constitutional republic contract void?

Answer 14

When the government breaks the constitution, the judge is partial to one side , the people stop voting

Question 15

Strengths of a constitutional republic

Answer 15

Political process can be quicker and smoother than a direct democracy (more efficient)

More predictable or consistent at times than with a direct democracy

Representatives may not always do what citizens want.

Less time consuming and perhaps creates less individual conflict than direct democracy

Power is separate/divided which can protect from abuse of power or corruption (checks & balances)

Built on trust (citizens must trust the elected representatives)

Some elements of a direct democracy may remain – referendums, directly electing representatives

Question 16

weakness of a
constitutional republic

Answer 16

Does not require citizens to be educated about all issues – the representatives must be educated instead. less individual involvement compared to direct democracy

Leaves important decisions to representatives of the citizens – the politicians who are “experts” – they are educated about a large number of issues and have time to fully understand them

Politicians more powerful than citizens – could abuse that power – corruption, graft, etc.

Less direct citizen involvement compared to direct democracy

There can be tyranny in the majority as with direct democracy

Question 17

NYC Times VS USA

Answer 17

The NYC Times revealed information of some decisions during the veitnam war