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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of the Supremacy Clause?
What is the primary purpose of the Supremacy Clause?
What is the term for the process of officially confirming a proposed law?
What is the term for the process of officially confirming a proposed law?
What system of government is characterized by power shared between entities such as states and a national government?
What system of government is characterized by power shared between entities such as states and a national government?
What is the name of the original constitution of the US, ratified in 1781?
What is the name of the original constitution of the US, ratified in 1781?
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What are powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments?
What are powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments?
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What is the term for a committed member of a political party or army?
What is the term for a committed member of a political party or army?
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What is the body of electors established by the US Constitution to elect the president and vice president?
What is the body of electors established by the US Constitution to elect the president and vice president?
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What are powers that are not written down or assigned, typically lying with state governments?
What are powers that are not written down or assigned, typically lying with state governments?
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Which of the following is NOT a core principle of a democratic system?
Which of the following is NOT a core principle of a democratic system?
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What is the primary role of the legislative branch in a government?
What is the primary role of the legislative branch in a government?
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Which principle of governance ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful?
Which principle of governance ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful?
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What is the primary function of the judiciary in a government?
What is the primary function of the judiciary in a government?
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Which of the following is an example of a 'check' that the legislative branch has on the executive branch?
Which of the following is an example of a 'check' that the legislative branch has on the executive branch?
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What is the primary purpose of a constitution?
What is the primary purpose of a constitution?
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What is the significance of the Bill of Rights in the US Constitution?
What is the significance of the Bill of Rights in the US Constitution?
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What is the primary function of a political party?
What is the primary function of a political party?
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Study Notes
Key Political Concepts
- Politics: Encompasses governance, policy-making, and power/resource distribution in society.
- Government: A system or group governing an organized community, typically a state.
Forms of Government
- Democracy: Citizens exercise power primarily through voting.
- Republic: Power is held by elected representatives and leaders govern according to the rule of law.
Political Structures
- Political Parties: Organized groups aiming to influence public policy and gain electoral success.
- Constitution: Fundamental principles governing a state or organization.
Branches of Government
- Legislature: Responsible for law-making.
- Executive: Implements and enforces laws, led by the president or prime minister.
- Judiciary: Interprets law and administers justice through courts.
Governance Models
- Separation of Powers: Divides state powers among branches to prevent excessive power concentration.
- Checks and Balances: Each branch can amend or veto the actions of another to maintain equilibrium.
Government Entities
- Executive Branch: Implements laws; led by the executive leader (president/prime minister).
- Legislative Branch: Creates laws through a legislature or parliament.
- Judicial Branch: Interprets law and ensures justice is administered.
Constitutional Provisions
- Amendment: Changes or additions to legal documents, notably the US Constitution.
- Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments ensuring certain rights for American citizens.
Federalism and Power Distribution
- Federalism: Power-sharing between national and subnational entities (states/provinces).
- Ratification: The process of confirming a proposed law by vote.
- Preamble: Introductory statement outlining a document’s purpose and philosophy.
Historical Context
- Articles of Confederation: The US's initial constitution ratified in 1781, replaced by the current Constitution in 1789.
- Federal Powers: Powers expressly granted to the federal government by the Constitution.
- State Powers: Powers reserved for states under the Tenth Amendment.
Interaction of Powers
- Concurrent Powers: Shared powers between federal and state governments.
- Supremacy Clause: Federal laws take precedence over conflicting state laws.
- Reserved Powers: Unspecified powers typically belong to state governments.
Electoral Processes
- Two-Party System: Dominance of two major political parties in governance.
- Electoral College: A body formed every four years to elect the president and vice president.
- Primary Election: Determines candidates for an upcoming office.
- General Election: Regular elections for officeholders distinct from primaries.
Political Engagement
- Campaign: A coordinated effort to sway decision-making within a group.
- Incumbent: An individual currently holding an official position.
- Partisan: A devoted member of a political party or armed group.
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Description
Understand the basics of government, politics, and democracy. Learn about different forms of government, including republics and the role of political parties.
