US Constitution and federalism

Question 1

What is article 1

Answer 1

the legislative powers that sit with Congress

Question 2

What is article 2

Answer 2

executive powers

Question 3

What is article 3

Answer 3

judicial powers

Question 4

What is article 4

Answer 4

federal-state relationship

Question 5

What is article 5

Answer 5

amendment process

Question 6

What is article 6

Answer 6

miscellaneous provisions, inc. supremacy clause

Question 7

What is article 7

Answer 7

ratification process

Question 8

what are implied powers

Answer 8

powers that federal govt. has by inference but are not explicitly mentioned in the constitution

Question 9

what are reserved powers

Answer 9

powers reserved for the states and the people

Question 10

what are concurrent powers

Answer 10

powers held by the federal govt. and states at the same time

Question 11

what are advantages of the amendment process (3)

Answer 11

1. super-majorities mean that an amendment needs overwhelming support
2. lengthy and complicated so unlikely to be used over short-term issues
3. both federal and state govt need to be in favour

Question 12

what are disadvantages of the amendments process (4)

Answer 12

1. overly complex to change which means it is difficult to change obsolete laws
2. doesn’t always stop short-term changes (1918 prohibition)
3. difficult amendment process means that SC has excessive interpretation powers
4. small states are overrepresented in the process (Alaska has the same say as California)

Question 13

what checks does the president have

Answer 13

1. check on congress: veto bills
2. check on SC: nominates judges, issues pardons

Question 14

what checks does Congress have

Answer 14

1. check on the president: amend/delay proposals, overriding their veto, power of the purse, approves treaties, impeachment
2. check on SC: approves appointments to SC

Question 15

what checks does the SC have

Answer 15

1. check on congress: can declare laws unconstitutional
2. check on president: ruling their actions unconstitutional

Question 16

powers that the federal govt. has

Answer 16

1. coining money
2. negotiating treaties
3. maintaining troops
4. taxing imports

Question 17

what is the ‘elastic clause’

Answer 17

federal authorities have the ability to ‘make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution foregoing powers’

Question 18

what is the separation of powers

Answer 18

the theory of government whereby political power is distributed among 3 branches of government: the legislature, the executive and the judiciary

Question 19

what is bipartisanship

Answer 19

(in the context of a 2-party system) a political situation in which opposing political parties find common ground through compromise