Questions and Answers
On what three bases do we classify governments?
- Classification based on who can participate, 2) The geographical distribution of government power, 3) The relationship between legislative and executive branches of government.
Which government classification do we place democracies and dictatorships?
These are classified based on who can participate.
Explain what a democracy is. From where does the term 'democracy' come?
In democracy, the government is conducted with consent of the people. The term comes from the Greek word 'demos' meaning people and 'kratia' meaning rule.
Where does power/authority reside in a democracy according to Abraham Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address?
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Describe 'direct democracy.'
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What is the Landsgemeinde?
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Describe 'indirect democracy.'
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Describe a dictatorship. How do dictators maintain control?
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Name and describe the three forms of government based on the geographic distribution of power.
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Name and describe the two forms of government based on the relationship between legislative and executive branches.
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What does the Supremacy Clause mean?
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Explain how divided government works.
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What are federalism's major strengths?
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Define delegated power.
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Define expressed power.
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Define implied power.
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Name 3 powers delegated to the National Government.
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Name 3 powers reserved for State Government.
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Name 2 powers not granted to either the state or federal government.
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Name 2 powers not granted to the federal government.
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Name 2 powers not granted to state governments.
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Define the term 'reserved' powers.
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In which Amendment are all powers that are not granted to the federal government reserved to the states?
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What are 'concurrent powers'?
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Name 2 concurrent powers.
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What are exclusive powers?
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Define federalism.
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McCulloch v Maryland (Case): Who were the parties?
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McCulloch v Maryland (case): Maryland created a state tax that was not illegal, but what did it do to the bank?
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McCulloch v Maryland (case): What was significant about the case?
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McCulloch v Maryland (Case): Which party won in Maryland state courts?
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McCulloch v Maryland (appeal): Who presided in Supreme Court and how did he rule?
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Study Notes
Government Classification
- Governments are classified on three bases: who can participate, geographical power distribution, and legislative-executive relationships.
- Democracies and dictatorships are categorized primarily based on participation.
Democracy
- In a democracy, the government operates with the consent of the people.
- The term "democracy" originates from Greek, combining "demos" (people) and "kratia" (rule).
- According to Abraham Lincoln, democracy means a "government of the people, by the people, for the people".
Types of Democracy
- Direct democracy (pure democracy) allows people to directly influence laws in small communities; not feasible at the national level.
- The Landsgemeinde represents a historic form of direct democracy in Swiss towns.
- Indirect democracy involves elected representatives making decisions on behalf of the populace, allowing for voter approval or disapproval at elections.
Dictatorship
- A dictatorship features a ruler who is not accountable to the public, representing the most common and oldest government form worldwide.
- Dictators maintain control through power and authority over the citizens.
Geographic Distribution of Power
- Three government forms based on geographic power distribution:
- Unitary: Centralized governance with all powers held by one government.
- Federal: Dual government structure, sharing powers between central and local governments.
- Confederate: Alliance of independent states with limited central government powers.
Legislative and Executive Relationships
- Two forms of government classification exist in terms of legislative-executive relationships:
- Presidential: Clear separation of powers between legislative and executive branches.
- Parliamentary: Combined executive and legislative branches, featuring an executive and cabinet.
Powers in Federalism
- Supremacy Clause integrates federal and state governments into a unified federal system.
- Divided government theory allocates powers to the national government while reserving others for the states.
- Federalism promotes local action in local matters and national action in larger issues, especially during crises.
Types of Powers
- Delegated power: Authority granted by the Constitution.
- Expressed power: Specifically outlined in the Constitution (also known as numbered powers).
- Implied power: Reasonably suggested by the Constitution, termed as practical or useful.
Governmental Powers
- Exclusive powers of the national government include maintaining the military, declaring war, and regulating interstate trade.
- Reserved powers of the states involve establishing public schools, regulating intrastate trade, and ensuring public safety.
- Concurrent powers shared by both levels of government include collecting taxes and law enforcement.
Limitations on Powers
- Neither level may take property without compensation, conduct illegal searches, or deny trial rights.
- The federal government cannot establish a national education system or govern marriage and divorce laws.
- State governments cannot tax federal entities or enter into alliances with other states.
Reserved Powers and Concurrent Powers
- Reserved powers are those not granted to the federal government but are not explicitly denied to states, outlined in the 10th Amendment.
- Concurrent powers can be exercised by both levels of government.
McCulloch v. Maryland Case
- Parties involved: Maryland (legislative) vs. McCulloch Bank (judicial).
- Maryland's state tax was deemed crippling for the bank, impeding its operations.
- The case was significant as it was the first to test "implied power," confirming states cannot tax the national government.
- Maryland initially won in state courts, but the Supreme Court ruling by John Marshall reversed this, reinforcing supremacy of federal law.
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Test your knowledge on the classification of governments with these flashcards. Explore the bases for classifying governments, including participation, power distribution, and the relationship between branches. Perfect for students studying political science.