Unit 3 Vocab

Question 1

Limited Government

Answer 1

One that is subject to strict legal limits on the uses of power, so that it would not threaten the people’s liberty.

Government can only do the things that the people give it the authority to do

Question 2

Representative Government

Answer 2

One in which the people would govern through the selection of their representatives

Question 3

Constitution

Answer 3

Is the fundamental law (superior to statutory law) that defines how a government will legitimately operate

Question 4

What document was the first government of the United States founded on?

Answer 4

Articles of Confederation

Question 5

Virginia Plan (Large state plan)

Answer 5

A proposal during the 1787 Constitutional Convention for a strong Congress with two chambers with states having votes based on population, thus granting more power to the larger states

Question 6

New Jersey Plan (Small state plan)

Answer 6

A proposal during the 1787 Constitutional Convention to strengthen Congress with each state having a single vote, thus granting a small state the same legislative power as a large state

Question 7

Great Compromise

Answer 7

The 1787 Constitutional Convention agreement to create a two-chamber Congress with the House apportioned by population and the Senate apportioned equally by state

Question 8

Anti-Federalists

Answer 8

Opponents of the U.S. Constitution during the ratification debate in 1788

Question 9

Federalists

Answer 9

Proponents of the U.S. Constitution during the ratification debate in 1788.

Question 10

liberty

Answer 10

The principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose provided they do not infringe unreasonably on the freedom and well-being of others

Question 11

grants of power

Answer 11

limiting government power by confining its authority to those powers expressly granted in a constitution

Question 12

denials of power

Answer 12

a constitutional means of limiting government by listing those powers that government is expressly prohibited from using

Question 13

separation of powers

Answer 13

the division of government power among separate branches so there is not a concentration of power in any one individual or institution

Question 14

checks and balances

Answer 14

divided and overlapping political power to help protect against abuse of government power

Question 15

What is Judicial Review?

Answer 15

The power of courts to declare government action null and void when it violates the constitution. (Unconstitutional)

Question 16

Tyranny of the majority

Answer 16

The people acting as an irrational mob that tramples on the rights of the minority

Question 17

democracy

Answer 17

a government in which the power of the majority is unlimited, whether exercised directly or through a representative body

Question 18

republic

Answer 18

government where citizens’ representatives decide policy through institutions structured in ways that foster deliberation, slow the progress of decision making, filter the passions of the majority and operate within restraints that protect individual liberty and minority rights

Question 19

How does the Electoral College work?

Answer 19

Each state would have the same number of electoral votes as it had members in congress and could select its electors by a method of its choosing.

Question 20

How do federal judges gain power?

Answer 20

They are nominated by the President and approved by the Senate

Question 21

What branch of the government is Congress? What other powers keep this branch in check?

Answer 21

The Legislative Branch

The president (executive) can veto acts of congress, recommend legislation, and call special sessions of congress. The president also has the power to execute-and thereby interpret- the laws congress makes.

The supreme court (Judicial) has the power to interpret acts of congress that are disputed in legal cases. The courts also have the power of Judicial Review: It can declare acts of congress void when it finds that they are not in accord with the constitution.

Within congress there is a further check on legislative power: For legislation to be passed, a majority in each chamber of Congress is required. Thus, the Senate and the House of Representatives can block each other from acting.

Question 22

What Branch of government is vested in the President? What other powers keep this in check?

Answer 22

Executive power is vested in The President

The President’s power to make treaties and appoint high-ranking officials is subject to Senate approval. Congress also has the power to impeach and remove the president from office. The executive branch cannot act without laws that authorize its activities or without the money that pays for these activities.

The Judiciary’s major check on the presidency is its power to declare an action unlawful because it is not authorized by the laws that the Executive claims to be implementing.

Question 23

What branch of Government is the Supreme Court? What other powers keep this in check?

Answer 23

The Supreme Court is the Judicial Branch

Congress is empowered to establish the size of the federal court system, to restrict the Supreme Court’s appellate jurisdiction in some circumstances, and to impeach and remove federal judges from office. More importantly, Congress can rewrite legislation that the courts have misinterpreted and can initiate amendments when it disagrees with court rulings on Constitutional issues.

The President has the power to appoint federal judges with the consent of the Senate and to pardon persons convicted in the court. The president also is responsible for executing court decisions, a function that provides opportunities to influence the way rulings are carried out.

Question 24

Constitutional democratic republic

Answer 24

A political system that restrains government power, protects minority rights, is democratic in its provisions for majority influence through elections and is a republic with representative political institutions that check and balance each other

Question 25

Delegate

Answer 25

Elected representatives whose obligation is to act in accordance with the expressed wishes of the people (constituents) they represent

Question 26

Self-government

Answer 26

The principle that the people collectively are the ultimate source of political power and should have their views taken into consideration by the government

Question 27

Trustees

Answer 27

Elected representatives whose obligation is to act in accordance with their own consciences as to what policies are in the best interests of the public

Question 28

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 28

Ensures that all power ultimately rests in the hands of the people

Question 29

Federalism

Answer 29

Divides power between national governments, and state or regional governments

Question 30

Social contract

Answer 30

A voluntary agreement among individuals to form a government in order protect their natural rights

Question 31

natural rights

Answer 31

Rights (e.g. life, liberty, property) individuals have in the “state of nature” that cannot be taken away by government without consent