National Government Midterm Flashcards
(48 cards)
What is the Purpose of the Government?
- social institution that
controls the behavior of people - It manages conflicts, establishes
order, and devises rules and
regulations - It has the authority to make decisions
for you and all those who live in a
society
Democracy (Principles of Democracy)
a system of government in which political
power is exercised by the people
Direct Democracy (Principles of Democracy)
a democracy in which the people are
able to participate directly in decision making
Indirect (or Representative) Democracy
(Principles of Democracy)
-people do not
participate in decision making and instead elect
individual to represent their interests
Constitution (Principles of Democracy)
a set of formal written rules and principles
governing a state
Constitutional democracy (Principles of Democracy)
a government that derives
its authority from a constitution
What are the functions of the government?
Provision of security by maintaining armed forces to protect from an attack
- Provide for the public good, a policy or action that benefits society
- Responsibility to address issues and problems that impact the well-being of society through laws and regulations
What are some examples of Security?
Protection from unfair business practices, discrimination, and denial of rights
What are Federal Powers?
Express powers
Implied powers
Inherent powers
Express powers
powers listed (enumerated) in the
constitution for the Federal government: go to war, raise an army, regulate interstate and foreign commerce, establish post offices
Implied powers
Based on necessary and proper
clause (elastic clause) – gives congress flexibility to make laws necessary and proper for carrying out express powers
Inherent powers
Powers dealing with foreign policy
not in the constitution, but given to federal
government
What are the Bill of Rights?
First 10 amendments to the Constitution that guarantees individual and
states’ rights.
Amendment 1 – freedom of speech, assembly, petition, religion, press
* Amendment 2 – right to bear arms
* Amendment 3 – housing of soldiers
* Amendment 4 – no unreasonable searches and seizures
* Amendment 5 – right to a trial, no double jeopardy, individuals are not
required to testify against themselves
* Amendment 6 – right to a speedy, public, and impartial trial with lawyer
* Amendment 7 – jury trials
* Amendment 8 – no excessive bails or fines, no cruel and unusual
policies
* Amendment 9 – rights retained by the people
* Amendment 10 – powers not given to the federal government or denied
of the states are reserved to the states (states rights)
What is the legislative process?
Congress has two bodies, the House and the Senate, in order for a bill to pass it must be passed by both houses
* After a congressmen proposes a bill, the Speaker (in the
house) or the Majority leader (Senate) gives that bill to a committee, which gives it to a subcommittee
* Congress holds hearings to oversee the executive
Congress has the power to..
Create executive agencies (for example
the Department of Homeland Security)
* Authorizes and appropriates money
* Approves the budget
Senate is considered the
“upper house”
equal representation
Each state has two senators
Senators serve
six year terms
Tries impeached members of executive and judicial branches
The senate has the responsibility
of confirming presidential
appointments and nominees, ratifying treaties, and confirming the
budget
True or false : There is no rules committee, debate is always unlimited
True
Because debate is unlimited, the minority party can filibuster
kill a bill by continuing to talk
To end debate and a filibuster,
cloture (a vote by 3/5 of the senate) is
required
Senate can also add riders to bills
irrelevant amendments
The house is regarded as the
“lower house”
