Chapter 1 - 3/6 - The key features of the US Constitution Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Chapter 1 - 3/6 - The key features of the US Constitution Deck (26)
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1
Q

What are the fundamental ideas of the Constitution?

A
  • Separation of powers
  • Checks and balances
  • Bipartisanship
  • Federalism
2
Q

What did the French philosopher Montesquieu argue for?

A

A separation of powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to avoid tyranny.

3
Q

What did Richard Neustadt say about the separation of powers in 1960?

A

‘[The Constitution] created a government of separated institutions sharing powers.’

4
Q

What did Cronin and Genovese say about political power in 1998?

A

‘Leadership is difficult precisely because the Framers of the Constitution wanted it to be so’.

5
Q

What are the executive checks on the judiciary?

A
  • Appoint federal judges.

- Grant pardons.

6
Q

Executive checks on the legislature?

A
  • Propose legislation.
  • Veto legislation.
  • Make appointments to federal posts.
  • Negotiate treaties.
7
Q

Judicial checks on the executive?

A
  • Declare actions unconstitutional.
8
Q

Judicial checks on the legislature?

A
  • Declare Acts of Congress unconstitutional.
9
Q

Legislative checks on the judiciary?

A
  • Impeach and remove judges.
  • Amend the Constitution.
  • Approves appointments of federal judges.
10
Q

Legislative checks on the executive?

A
  • Override a veto.
  • Confirms executive appointments.
  • Ratifies treaties.
  • Impeach and remove a president.
11
Q

Why did Trump fail to repeal Obamacare?

A

Congress blocked him despite there being a united government.

12
Q

What is needed to override a presidential veto?

A

2/3 majority in each chamber.

13
Q

What veto by Obama did Congress manage to overturn?

A

Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act September 2016.

14
Q

Why was there a government shutdown for 35 days in December 2018?

A

Congress rejected Trump’s budget and his provisions to build a wall with Mexico.

15
Q

What did the War Powers Act do?

A

Gave Congress the power to withdraw troops after 60 days if Congress had not voted to approve.

16
Q

When was Clinton forced to withdraw troops from Somalia due to the War Powers Act?

A

1994

17
Q

What treaty did the Senate reject in 1999?

A

Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

18
Q

Was the JCPOA a treaty or EA?

A

Executive agreement

19
Q

When did the Supreme Court find its power of judicial review?

A

Marbury v Madison 1803

20
Q

What did the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act do?

A

Gave $2.2 trillion of stimulus to help the economy due to COVID.

21
Q

Why does the Constitution still work?

A
  • The entrenched nature of it means frequent and ill-conceived proposals do not pass.
  • Judicial review means the text can be updated.
22
Q

Why doesn’t the Constitution still work?

A
  • It is too hard to pass amendments.

- Judicial review grants too much power to an unelected body.

23
Q

What are the enumerated federal powers?

A
  • Armed forces.
  • Conduct foreign relations.
  • Declare war.
  • Make national laws.
24
Q

What are the powers of the state governments?

A
  • Regulate their own elections.
  • Maintain a militia.
  • Anything not in the Constitution.
25
Q

What are the concurrent powers?

A
  • Amend the Constitution.
  • Levy taxes.
  • Make and enforce laws.
26
Q

Who said that ‘Leadership is difficult precisely because the Framers of the Constitution wanted it to be so’ and when?

A

Cronin and Genovese, 1998