Summative Review Flashcards
Constitution
Plan for government
Social compact/ contract
An agreement among people to create a government which protects their natural rights/ they follow the laws
Natural rights
The initial rights every American has; life, liberty, and property
Republic (Republicanism)
The people have the power to elect their leaders who are responsible for their common welfare.
Separation of Powers (Checks and balances)
The distribution of power between the different branches to ensure that one branch can’t hold power over another
Purpose of government
A system to protect the natural rights of the people and make decisions which affect those people
Branches of government
Judicial, legislative, executive.
Purpose of judicial branch
Evaluates laws
Purpose of Legislative branch
Makes laws
Purpose of executive branch
Enforces laws
Civic virtue
That both citizens and their leaders should live modest lives
Proportional representation
Weight (or amount of people from one area) in court that is proportional to the population in that place/ area
Equal representation
When the amount of people from a given area, in court, is the same. Not regarding the population.
The great compromise
A compromise presented by Benjamin Franklin to have 2 houses, elections, and equal representation.
Bicameral
A branch of government having two bodies