Principles of the Constitution Flashcards
(12 cards)
List the 5 principles of the Constitution
Republicanism, Federalism, Checks and Balances, Separation of Powers, Preservation of Individual Rights
What checks do the legislature have on the executive?
Congress have the power of the purse (all money needed by the President for his policies must be voted for by Congress)
They can declare war
They can impeach and remove presidents
They can ratify treaties (Senate has this power)
They can confirm executive appointments
What checks does the legislative have on the judiciary?
They can impeach any member of the judiciary
What checks does the President have on Congress?
They can recommend legislation to Congress
can veto bills passed by Congress
What checks does the President have on the judiciary?
The Power of Pardon (excusing things)
Nominates all federal judges
What checks does the judiciary have on both the executive and the legislature?
Judicial Review
What is the main problem with these checks and balances?
Gridlock (Difficulty passing laws that satisfy the needs of the people)
Gridlock occurs when the ratio of bills passed and the agenda of the legislature decreases.
What links are there between the UK and USA constitution?
The UK:
Have an uncodified constitution which is made from a variety of different sources
Have a fusion of powers
Have a unitary system of government (most governing power is with a centralised government)
What are the links between the U.K. and the USA Constitution?
The U.S.A:
Have a codified constitution - one written document
Have a separation of powers between the three branches of government. (Powers are shared through a series of checks and balances)
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first 10 amendments of the constitution
What is constitutional rights?
Rights guaranteed by the federal constitution but in other amendments beside the Bill of Rights.
Why is the Constitution so hard to amend?
The Founding Fathers created a deliberately difficult amendment process
Deliberately vague
The Supreme Court have the power of judicial Review (amendments not needed)
