American Government Systems Study Guide

American Government Study Guide

• Unitary System: Central government holds all power; may delegate some to smaller units, but retains final authority. Stronger than federal systems. Uniform policies.

• Confederal System (Confederation): Loose alliance of independent political units (like states). Central government has limited power, focusing on issues affecting all units. Unstable, as individual units have significant autonomy.

• Federal System: Power divided between central and smaller political units (like states). Central government handles national issues; local governments handle local ones. Balance of power favors local governments.

• Oligarchic System: Power concentrated in a small group of wealthy or influential individuals. Citizen participation often restricted to a select few.

• Autocratic System: Single leader holds absolute power. Citizens have no say in government operations.

• Democratic System: Power rests with the people. Citizens participate in government through elected representatives. Equal rights for all citizens to participate.

• Presidential Democracy: Citizens elect separate legislative and executive branches. No single person can hold both roles.

• Parliamentary Democracy: Citizens elect legislators who, in turn, choose the executive branch from among their members (often called Prime Minister).

• Magna Carta: Historic English document (1215) guaranteeing basic rights and limiting the power of the monarch, establishing a concept of limited government.

• Petition of Rights (1628): Complaint sent by English Parliament to King Charles I, demanding recognition of principles like no taxation without consent, no imprisonment without cause, and no quartering of soldiers on subjects. Showed effort to limit monarchical power.

• English Bill of Rights (1689): Guaranteed rights and liberties of the people, particularly pertaining to Parliament's power. Established William and Mary as rulers, and influenced later democratic principles.

• Constitutional Monarchy: System of government where a monarch acts as Head of State, but the ability to make and pass laws lies with an elected parliament. Limits the power of the monarch.

• Social Contract Theory:

  • Hypothetical or actual agreement between ruled and rulers. Defines rights and responsibilities. People empower government, in turn, government protects rights. Influenced American founding documents.

• Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan: Emphasized that life without government is "nasty, brutish, and short." Favored a strong, centralized government (monarchy).

• John Locke: Promoted natural rights of life, liberty, and property; governments should protect these. Advocated for limited, representative government, influenceing Jefferson's writing.

• Charles Montesquieu: Developed the theory of separation of powers, dividing government power among legislative, executive, and judicial branches for restraint.

• Declaration of Independence: Written mainly by Thomas Jefferson, declared American colonies independent from Great Britain. Primarily expressed social contract theory principles.

• U.S. Constitution: The framework and foundational document of the US federal government's structure. Outlines separation of powers and establishes government functions.

• Federalists: Promoted a stronger national government.

• Anti-Federalists: Preferred stronger state governments. Advocated for a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

• ###Debate over Ratification:

  -The debate over the U.S. Constitution's ratification was fierce, between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Compromises were necessary to secure passage, most notably the promise of a Bill of Rights.

• Federal System of Government: Power divided between national and state governments. National government has specific powers; state governments have others. The Supremacy Clause states that in cases of conflict, federal law is supreme.

• Legislative Branch: Makes laws.

  -Has powers relating to economic and defense matters. -Works through committees. -Leadership positions (Speaker of the House, Majority and Minority Leaders) direct floor activity.

• Executive Branch: Enforces laws.

  -President acts as Commander-in-Chief of military. -Appoints heads of federal agencies (often with Senate approval), including judges. -Cabinet members advise the President.

• Judicial Branch: Interprets laws.

  -Supreme Court exercises judicial review. -Established hierarchy of federal courts (Supreme Court, Circuit Courts of Appeal, and District Courts).

• Checks and Balances: System of internal controls preventing any one branch of government from overriding another branch.

• Bill of Rights: First ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution protecting fundamental rights. -Addresses freedoms such as religion, speech, assembly, press, right to bear arms, protection against unreasonable search and seizure, and others.

• Impeachment: Process for removing officials from office; initiated by the House and tried by the Senate, requiring 2/3 vote for conviction.

• Political Parties: Groups of people organizing to win elections, control government, and shape policies.

• Political Action Committees (PACs): Groups formed to raise and contribute money to political campaigns.

• Special Interest Groups: Organizations focused on specific policy issues and seeking to influence government action.

• Grass Roots Movements: Political movements starting at the local level, involving ordinary citizens.

• Amendments: Additions or corrections to the U.S. Constitution.

• Electoral College:

  • Electoral college system for electing the President of the United States.

• Duties of a Citizen:

  -Obey laws, pay taxes, serve on juries, participate in the political process, and perform public service.

• Other Important Points: 14th Amendment defines citizenship and civil rights. Social contract theory influenced founding documents, defining a shared power agreement between the government and citizens. Political parties are vital for citizen participation in democracy.