January 06, 2015

Political Concepts of the Constitution

Representative Democracy - government in which people elect leaders or officials to make decisions for them

Federalism - system of government in which power is distributed between NATIONAL and STATE governments

Bicameralism - Congress divided into two houses of the legislative branch of government (House of Representatives and Senate)

Checks and Balances - system set up in the Constitution where each branch of the government has some authority over the other

Separation of Powers - the division of the power among the LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE and JUDICIAL branches of government

January 06, 2015

Representative Democracy

1.Define representative democracy:

-government in which people elect leaders or officials to make decisions for them

2. How is this concept used in the government of the United States?

-provides for a Congress and a President/Vice-President

3. Why was the United States government based on this concept?

-the Framers worried that smaller, less powerful groups might suffer

January 06, 2015

Federalism1. Define federalism:

-system of government in which power is distributed between national and state governments

2. Why did the Constitution include this concept?

-The best way to prevent government from abusing its power was to divide it.

3. Define delegated powers:-powers assigned to the federal government

4. Define reserved powers:-powers saved for the states

5. Define concurrent powers:-powers shared by both the federal and state governments

January 06, 2015

Bicameralism1. Define bicameralism: Congress divided into two houses of the legislative branch of government (Senate and House of Representatives)

2. United States Congress chart

House of Representatives Senate

Number of Members 435 voting members 100 members

How Representation is Determined

State's population Two for each state

Length of term 2 year terms 6 year terms

Powers -power to impeach -power to hold impeachment trial

-can propose laws -can propose laws(all money bills start in House)

3. It was a result of the Great Compromise, combining the Virginia and New Jersey Plans.

January 06, 2015

Separation of Powers

1. Define separation of powers: the division of power among the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government

2. Chart of the three branches of government

Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch

Functionof Branch

makes the laws enforces the laws interprets the laws

PowersofBranch

-propose laws -approve or veto laws -can declare laws-declare war -make treaties unconstitutional-override a veto -nominate judges -can settle disputes

involving U.S. and states

3. Why did the United States include this concept in its Constitution?-to prevent the national government from abusing its powers, framers divided it among three branches

January 06, 2015

January 06, 2015