Constitution

Question 1

‘The strengths of the US constitution outweigh its weaknesses’ HFDYA?

Answer 1

-Strengths vs weaknesses: checks
-Strengths vs weaknesses: rights

Question 2

Evidence of strong protection of 1st amendment rights?

Answer 2

Texas v Johnson- flag burning

Question 3

Evidence of strong protection of 2nd amendment rights?

Answer 3

DC v Heller
Garland v Cargill

Question 4

Evidence of strong protection of 5th amendment rights?

Answer 4

Hamdi v Rumsfeld

Question 5

What is needed to amend the constitution?

Answer 5

2/3 of congress, 3/4 of states.

Question 6

Evidence of protection of rights leading to discrimination?

Answer 6

303 Creative v Elenis (LGBT)
Dobbs vs Jackson (women)
Shelby county v Holder (minority voting rights)

Question 7

Evidence of protection of rights leading to plutocracy?

Answer 7

Citizens united v FEC

Question 8

Why does the protection of rights in the US undermine democracy?

Answer 8

Marbury v Maddison gives SC power of judicial review. Means unelected body able to undermine congressional law.

Question 9

Evidence of SC striking down elected mandate?

Answer 9

Strikes down abortion laws in Idaho.

Question 10

‘Increased partisanship undermines the effective workings of constitutional democracy in the US’ HFDYA?

Answer 10

-Checks and balances undermined by partisanship vs. not
-Strong protection of rights effective vs impossible to change

Question 11

‘The constitution continues to work effectively in limiting the power of the three branches in government’ HFDYA?

Answer 11

-Executive: yes/no
-Congress: yes/no
-Judiciary: yes/no

Question 12

How does the constitution limit congress’ power?

Answer 12

Frequent election; continually accountable to voters.
Accountable to other branches

Question 13

How does the president limit congress?

Answer 13

Presidential veto

Question 14

How many vetos did Trump use against congress? How many were overridden?

Answer 14

10, 1.

Question 15

How many vetos did Biden use against congress? How many were overridden?

Answer 15

13, 0

Question 16

How many vetos did Obama use against congress? How many were overridden?

Answer 16

12, 1.

Question 17

Evidence of constitution not effectively limiting congress?

Answer 17

Too obstructive?

Question 18

What is the SC unable to do?

Answer 18

Initiate (but cases covering most issues are available to them so not particularly effective).

Question 19

When did Trump ignore the SC?

Answer 19

April- ruled 9-0 it needed to ‘facilitate’ the return of a man from Maryland wrongly deported in March; returned in June.

Question 20

What suggests the constitution doesn’t effectively limit the SC?

Answer 20

Politicised and expanding scope.