Government Structure and Functions Quiz
33 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following components is NOT part of the government structure?

  • Executive
  • Legislature
  • Judicial
  • Monarchy (correct)

Sovereignty refers to the ability of a state to make decisions without being subject to a higher authority.

True (A)

What is the primary function of the executive branch in government?

to execute, enforce, and administer laws

The theory that states developed naturally out of early family structures is known as the ______ theory.

<p>Evolutionary</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the theories of state origin with their descriptions:

<p>Force Theory = States born of force; control through submission Evolutionary Theory = Developed naturally from early family structures Divine Right of Kings Theory = Rulers have a divine right to govern as decreed by God Social Contract Theory = Humans live in freedom and need no authoritative protection</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of government allows citizens to elect representatives to express popular will?

<p>Indirect democracy (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a dictatorship, the people have representation in the government.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Preamble of the Constitution?

<p>To state the purpose of the Constitution</p> Signup and view all the answers

A legal system based on religious law is known as a ______.

<p>theocracy</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of government with their definitions:

<p>Democracy = Supreme authority rests with the people Autocracy = One person holds unlimited power Oligarchy = Small group holds power Theocracy = Government based on religious law</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a principle of American democracy?

<p>Representative government (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Virginia Plan proposed equal representation for all states in Congress.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the Supremacy Clause establish?

<p>The Constitution and federal laws take priority over conflicting state laws.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The division of power between national, state, and local governments is known as ______.

<p>federalism</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment process involves a proposal at the national level and approval at the state level?

<p>Amendment (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Checks and balances allow one branch of government to become too powerful.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the Federalists advocate for during the ratification battle?

<p>For the Constitution</p> Signup and view all the answers

Powers that are reserved only for the states are called ______ powers.

<p>reserved</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following articles of the Constitution with their descriptions:

<p>Article I = Legislative branch creation Article II = Executive branch creation Article III = Judicial branch creation Article IV = Relations among states</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which clause allows states to make reasonable distinctions between residents and nonresidents?

<p>Privileges and Immunities Clause (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Senate consists of 435 members.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of grants-in-aid provided to states?

<p>Block and Categorical grants</p> Signup and view all the answers

The power of __________ allows Congress to control different groups by withholding funding.

<p>the purse</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following leadership roles with their responsibilities:

<p>Speaker of the House = Leader of the majority party Senate Majority Leader = Manages the Senate floor Whip = Helps monitor votes President pro tempore = Presides over the Senate in absence of the Vice President</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a filibuster?

<p>A legislative tactic to delay a vote (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Every member of the House of Representatives serves a term of 4 years.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is gerrymandering?

<p>The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a specific party or group.</p> Signup and view all the answers

To be a senator, one must be at least ____ years old.

<p>30</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Appropriations Committee in the House?

<p>To allocate funding for federal government expenses (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Both the House and the Senate must approve a bill before it becomes law.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What power does Congress have in relation to high-level job appointments?

<p>To approve appointments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A __________ is a motion in the Senate to end a filibuster.

<p>cloture</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of powers with their definitions:

<p>Expressed Powers = Clearly stated powers in the Constitution Implied Powers = Powers understood but not explicitly mentioned Non-Legislative Powers = Actions taken by Congress not directly related to lawmaking Oversight = Investigating issues and managing legislative functions</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Government

The organized system of rules and procedures that govern a society. It carries out laws, enforces them and settles disputes.

State (in political science)

A politically organized body of people living in a defined territory, with the power to enforce laws and make decisions without outside interference.

Sovereignty

The supreme and absolute power of a state within its borders. It means a state can decide its own affairs, foreign and domestic, without outside control.

3 Branches of Govt

The legislative, executive, and judicial branches. These work together to create and enforce laws and settle disputes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Major Functions of Government

The key responsibilities of a government, including establishing justice, providing defense, promoting the well-being of citizens, and upholding liberty.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Direct Democracy

A form of democracy where the people directly create laws and policies.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Indirect Democracy

A form of democracy where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Unitary Government

A government where all power is held by a single, central agency.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Federal Government

A government where power is divided between a central and several local governments, like a central plus local.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Confederal Government

A government where independent states unite to form a weak national government. Strong regional powers.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Limited Government

A government with restricted powers, specifically outlined by the constitution.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the people are the ultimate source of political power.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Separation of Powers

Dividing governmental power among three independent branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches, ensuring balance of power.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Federalism

Division of powers between the national and state governments.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Expressed Powers

Powers of the national government explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Reserved Powers

Powers exclusively held by state governments.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the national and state governments.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Supremacy Clause

Federal laws and the Constitution take precedence over conflicting state laws.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to review laws and declare them unconstitutional.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Privileges and Immunities Clause

States cannot discriminate unreasonably against residents of other states. They can make reasonable distinctions between residents and nonresidents (like higher tuition for out-of-state students).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Grants-in-Aid

Federal government gives money to states for specific purposes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Block Grant

Federal money given to states with general purpose, allowing states more freedom in how they spend it.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Categorical Grant

Federal money given to states with specific instructions on how to use it.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Federal Mandates

Requirements imposed on states by the federal government, often paired with funding.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Expressed Powers of Congress

Powers specifically stated in the Constitution for Congress, like declaring war or coining money.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Implied Powers of Congress

Powers not stated directly in the Constitution, but assumed to be necessary for Congress to carry out its expressed powers.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Veto

The president's ability to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Power of the Purse

The ability of one group to control another by withholding funding or setting conditions for its use.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Oversight

Congress's ability to investigate and monitor other branches of government.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Gridlock

A situation where no action can be taken due to a lack of agreement or consensus.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Reapportionment

Redistributing seats in the House of Representatives based on population changes after each census.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Government Structure and Functions

  • Government is composed of three branches: the legislative (makes laws), executive (enforces laws), and judicial (interprets laws).
  • A state is a body of people, living in a defined territory, with an organized government, and the power to make and enforce laws without higher authority.
  • Key characteristics of a state include population, territory, and sovereignty (supreme power within its boundaries).

Major Functions of Government

  • Establishing justice and ensuring domestic tranquility (maintaining peace).
  • Providing for the common defense and promoting the general welfare (e.g., public goods).
  • Securing the blessings of liberty (protecting freedoms).

Origins of the State

  • Force Theory: States emerge from forceful control by a person or group.
  • Evolutionary Theory: States naturally develop from families and groups.
  • Divine Right Theory: Rulers are chosen by God. (historical perspective, challenged by social contract theory).
  • Social Contract Theory: People voluntarily give up some freedoms to be governed, forming a society.

Types of Government

  • Democracy: Supreme authority resides with the people.
    • Direct Democracy: Citizens directly make laws.
    • Indirect Democracy: Citizens elect representatives.
  • Dictatorship: Absolute authority, no representation.
    • Autocracy: One person holds unlimited power.
    • Oligarchy: Small group holds power.
    • Theocracy: Legal system based on religious law.

Organizing National Power

  • Unitary: Centralized government holds all power.
  • Federal: Power divided between central and local governments.
  • Confederal: Alliance of independent states with weak national government.

American Democracy Principles

  • Ordered government: Government maintains order.
  • Limited government: Government power is restricted.
  • Representative government: Citizens elect representatives.

Beginnings of American Government

  • Initial intent was to revise the Articles of Confederation, ending up with a new Constitution.
  • Virginia Plan: Representation based on population.
  • New Jersey Plan: Each state receives equal representation.
  • Connecticut Compromise: Bicameral legislature; one house based on population (House), the other with equal representation (Senate).
  • Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists: Debate over the Constitution's ratification.

The Constitution and Federalism

The Constitution

  • Structure of the Constitution: Preamble, seven articles, amendments.
  • Core Principles: Popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism.
  • Three Branches: Legislative (Congress), Executive (President), Judicial (Supreme Court).
  • Checks and Balances: Systems that prevent any branch from becoming too powerful.
  • Marbury v. Madison: Established judicial review.

Federalism

  • National Powers (expressed, implied, inherent): Powers explicitly granted, implied by expressed powers, and inherent powers of a sovereign nation.
  • State Powers (reserved): Powers not explicitly given to national government but reserved for the states.
  • Shared Powers (concurrent): Powers exercised by both national and state governments. (e.g., taxation, lawmaking).
  • Relationship between States: Full faith and credit, privileges and immunities, supremacy clause.

The Legislative Branch

  • Powers of Congress: Expressed (stated) and implied powers.
  • Limits on Congress: Checks and balances, Constitution limits on powers
  • Power of the Purse: Congress' control over finances.
  • Oversight: Investigation and monitoring of government actions.
  • Gridlock: Inability to reach agreement in Congress.
  • Non-Legislative Powers: Approving appointments, ratifying treaties, impeachment.
  • House of Representatives: Representation based on population, two-year terms, special rules for debate. Speaker of the House.
  • Senate: Equal representation per state, six-year terms, continuous body, filibuster, cloture.. President of the Senate.

Legislative Process

  • Bills are introduced, debated and amended, voted on in both Chambers, and if approved, are signed into law by the President.
  • Different paths for bills to take.
  • Conference Committees: reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of bills.

The President

The Judicial Branch

Amendments and the Process

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Description

Test your knowledge on the basic structure and functions of government. This quiz covers the three branches of government, the characteristics of a state, and the origins of political authority. Understanding these concepts is essential for grasping the foundations of political science.

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser