12 Questions
What are the two general ways in which modern democracies divide governmental power?
Among three branches of government and federalism
What are the three branches of government that share power in the first mechanism?
Legislature, executive, and judiciary
In the United States, what does the term 'federal government' refer to?
Government at the national level
What does federalism do in terms of governmental power?
Apportions power between national and subnational levels
What are five common structural characteristics of federal systems?
Two levels of government, both elected by the people, each level assigned different functions, national government responsible for matters affecting the whole country, and levels with authority from the national constitution
What are some responsibilities of the national government in a federal system?
Defending the nation against foreign threats and promoting national economic prosperity
What are the main responsibilities of state governments in the U.S. federal system?
Administering education, health care, public safety, and other public services
How do the federal and state governments cooperate in a federal system?
By forming an interacting network and ensuring some degree of autonomy from each other
What is the process to change the U.S. Constitution in terms of amendments?
Approval by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and three-fourths of the states
Why have some national amendment initiatives like the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) failed in the U.S.?
Because they cannot garner sufficient consent among members of Congress or the states
How are legislative, judicial, and executive authorities allocated in the U.S. federal system?
To the federal and state governments to ensure each level some degree of autonomy
How does the cooperation between federal and state governments impact the achievement of their objectives?
It often depends on the cooperation of the other level of government
Explore the division of governmental power in modern democracies, including the separation of power among the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches, as well as the concept of federalism dividing power between national and subnational levels.
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