United States Government Flashcards
What are the major responsibilities of Congress (5)?
1) make federal laws and amendments
2) raise an army and declare war
3) coin/print money and levy taxes & tariffs
4) approve the national budget (spending & borrowing)
5) impeach the president for misconduct
What are the major responsibilities of the president (6)?
1) commander in chief
2) represent the country in international affairs
3) sign treaties with the approval of Congress
4) make executive orders and veto laws
5) appoint judges and other high-office persons with the approval of the Senate.
6) enforce the law made by Congress (enforce thru cabinets and agencies)
What are the major responsibilities of the Supreme court (4)?
1) settle interstate disputes
2) try ambassadors and other high persons
3) interpret the constitutionality of laws and executive orders
4) handle appeals involving federal laws/the constitution
What are the major responsibilities of state government (8)?
1) maintain state highways
2) regulate intra-state commerce
3) handle education, public health, & social welfare/benefits
4) create local governments
5) conduct elections
6) ratify constitutional amendments
7) issue licenses, certificates, registrations
8) make laws (that are not counter to federal laws)
What powers are shared between the federal government and state government (5)?
1) levying taxes
2) making highways
3) creating courts
4) spending and borrowing money
5) make laws within their enumerated powers
What is the relationship between state governments and the federal government?
The two’s relationship is addressed in Article 10. The article states that whatever power is not given to the federal government and is not prohibited to the states is the states’ domain.
The sharing of power is done to prevent the federal government from becoming tyrannical (i.e. abusing or neglecting the people).
What is the Commerce Clause?
This clause gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among states, between states and the Indian tribes, and between the U.S. and international parties.
What is the basic principle of tribal sovereignty?
The concept that the U.S. recognizes Native American tribes as self-governing (i.e. they are nations within the U.S.). These tribes have legislative, executive, and judicial powers within their territories.
The U.S. Federal government continue to provide necessary aids to ensure the survival of native tribes. Interestingly, Congress can revoke or expand native tribes’ powers.
What are the major responsibilities of the local government (4)?
The local government include county and municipal authorities e.g. mayor, city council, and municipal courts
1) oversees public works (sewer, trash, water, streets, etc.)
2) maintains parks and recreation
3) delivery of public services (e.g. library, police, fire, school, etc.)
4) runs municipal/county courts
What is the purpose of the system of checks and balances the United States government?
The purpose is to prevent anyone branch of government from being too powerful (i.e. to prevent the abuse of power)
What are some examples of checks and balances (3)?
1) Congress makes laws, but the president can veto them
2) the president appoints judges and cabinet members, but Congress has to confirm them
3) the supreme court can declare laws and executive orders as unconstitutional
What is the historical importance of the Mayflower Compact?
It introduces the concept of self-governance/democracy in the Americas.
BTW, self governance means that the people have a say in how they are governed.
What is the historical importance of the Magna Carter?
It introduces the following concepts: rule of law, due process, and citizens’ rights.
What is the historical importance of the Declaration of Independence?
It introduces the concept social contract/self governance, equality, and inherent human rights.
Differentiate between direct democracy, representative democracy, & republic.
In direct democracy, people directly make the laws that govern them (think town-hall style), whereas in representative democracy, people elect officials to make and execute the laws. With both types of democracy, the majority rules to the extent that minority needs can be ignore/usurped.
Consequently, in contrast to the previous two, a republic is a representative democracy with a constitution that checks the rule of the majority. Basically, the people elect officials that then govern based on the constitution, not based on the whims of the people. In fact, officials will overturn laws that are unconstitutional even if the laws are popular.
