Crash Course GoPo #3 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the main job of the Legislative Branch?

The main job of the Legislative Branch is to make laws.

What is the main job of the Executive Branch?

The main job of the Executive Branch is to execute the law.

Where does one find the power of the President?

One finds the power of the President in the Oath of Office.

What is the main job of the Judicial Branch?

The main job of the Judicial Branch is to interpret the law. Signup and view all the answers

What is the point of the checks and balances system?

The point of checks and balances is to allow branches to check each other in order to ensure that one branch does not overpower another branch. Signup and view all the answers

What are the Legislative checks over the Executive and Judicial Branch?

The Legislative Branch checks the Executive Branch by being able to impeach the president and approving appointments from the president. Congress may also override veto (this needs ⅔ vote). Congress checks the Judicial Branch by having the power to impeach judges, and Congress may also remove some courts. Signup and view all the answers

What are the Executive checks over the Legislative and Judicial Branch?

The Executive Branch checks the Legislative Branch by being able to veto their laws. The Vice President may also break ties in the Senate. The President can appoint federal court judges, which is how the Executive Branch checks over the Judicial Branch. Signup and view all the answers

What are the Judicial checks over the Executive and Legislative Branch?

The Judicial Branch can check over the Legislative Branch by declaring the law unconstitutional and can check over the Executive Branch by declaring executive action unconstitutional. Signup and view all the answers

Which branch has the most checks?

The Legislative Branch has the most checks. Signup and view all the answers

Why do we have Checks and Balances to begin with?

Checks and Balances began with the fear of a tyranny that came from King George. Signup and view all the answers

What Federalist Paper refers to the Checks and Balances system?

The Federalist Papers refer to the Checks and Balances system to prevent one branch from being more powerful than the other. Signup and view all the answers

What is Madison's thought on human nature?

Madison's thoughts on human nature are that one branch will try to overpower the other. This is the reason for multiple branches to prevent a greed for power and to limit powers. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Legislative Branch

Main responsibility is to make laws.
Has the most checks over other branches, detailed in Article 1.

Executive Branch

Primary role is to execute and enforce laws.
Holds power through the Oath of Office.
Can veto legislation and appoint judicial judges.

Judicial Branch

Focused on interpreting laws within the legal framework.
Has the ability to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional.

Checks and Balances

Designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Encourages accountability among the branches.
Initiated due to historical fears of tyranny, particularly influenced by King George.

Legislative Checks

Can impeach the president and approve presidential appointments.
Has the authority to override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote.
May impeach judges and alter court structures.

Executive Checks

Can veto legislation passed by Congress.
The Vice President can break ties in the Senate.
President's power to appoint federal judges serves as a check on the Judicial Branch.

Judicial Checks

Can declare laws unconstitutional, limiting Legislative power.
Can rule executive actions unconstitutional, limiting Executive authority.

Historical Context

The concept of Checks and Balances stems from fears of concentrated power.
Federalist Papers advocate for these checks to sustain equality among branches.

Madison's Perspective

Believed in the inherent tendency of branches to seek power over one another.
Multiple branches were necessary to counterbalance human greed for power.

Description

Test your knowledge with these flashcards covering key concepts of the Legislative and Executive branches of government. This set focuses on important definitions, roles, and responsibilities outlined in the U.S. Constitution. Perfect for students studying government principles and structures.