Principles of Government Flashcards
What are the 5 Historical Documents that form the foundation of our current form of government?
- Magna Carta (1215)
- English Bill of Rights (1640)
- Articlles of Confederation (1781)
- US Constitution (1787)
- Bill of Rights (1791)
Why is the Magna Carta significant to the our current form of government?
It was the first time limits were placed on government in writing. This lead to the principle of limited government.
What are the 12 Principles of Government
- Limited Government
- Rule of Law
- Consent of the Governed
- Majority Rule / Minority Rights
- Judical Review
- Popular Sovereignty
- Separation of Powers
- Federalism
- Checks and Balances
What is Federalism
It is a system of government where power is shared between national government and state/local government
What is Checks and Balances
Powers / responsibilities goven to the branches of government to ensure that one branch of government doess not become more powerful than the others
What is meant by Separation of Powers
The 3 branchs of government are separate for each other and each is a co-equal with the other branches
What does Popular Sovereignty mean?
It means that the state receives it’s authority/powers from / consent of the people
What is the principle of Rule of Law
Law should govern the nation and not arbitrary decisions made by the government.
What is Judicial Review
The courts’ power to review a law or legislative act to determine if it is constitutional
What is Majorit Rule / Minority Rights
Decisions are made through consent of the majority. But, the minority have protected and guraranteed rights to keep them safe.
What is the principle or Limited Government
It is the principle of restricting power of government through law. It also states citizens rights can not be taken away by the government.
What does a Federalist believe
A Federalist is someone who advocates for unifying states under a strong central government
What does an Anti-Federalist believe
An Anti-Federalist believes that states should not support states unifying under a central government.
What are the Articles of Conderation
It was the first constituion of the United States giving power to the States and a weak Federal/Central government. The government could not make laws
What is the US Constitution
It is the document that forms our current form of government. It provides for the powers and responsibilities of the three branches of government
