Questions and Answers
What term refers to the restriction of government authority, requiring it to obey the law of the land?
What is the definition of popular sovereignty?
People are the source of government power.
What does separation of powers mean?
Power is divided among the three branches of government.
What principle allows each branch of government to have power over the others?
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What is the role of judicial review?
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What is federalism?
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What is the legislative branch?
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What is the primary function of the judicial branch?
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What does the executive branch do?
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Study Notes
Limited Government
- Limits the authority of government, ensuring it follows the law of the land.
- Key statutes include the Constitution, elections, the Bill of Rights, and the First Amendment.
Popular Sovereignty
- Asserts that the power of government derives from the people.
- Manifested through elections and voting, exemplified in the Preamble's phrase "We the People."
Separation of Powers
- Divides government authority among three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
- Ensures that no single branch becomes too powerful.
Checks and Balances
- Provides each branch with the ability to limit the powers of the others.
- Congress can create laws, the judicial branch interprets them, and the president has the power to veto legislation.
Judicial Review
- Enables courts to assess the constitutionality of laws and government actions.
- Landmark cases include Roe v. Wade (abortion rights) and Brown v. Board of Education (desegregation of schools).
Federalism
- Distributes power between federal (national) and state governments.
- Federal responsibilities include minting currency and regulating commerce, while states manage education funding.
- Both levels share responsibilities such as taxation and law enforcement.
Legislative Branch
- Comprises Congress, which is responsible for creating laws.
Judicial Branch
- Consists of judges who evaluate court cases using the Constitution as their guiding document.
Executive Branch
- Headed by the President, this branch implements laws and makes decisions grounded in constitutional principles.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the principles of limited government with these flashcards. Learn key concepts like popular sovereignty and separation of powers, which form the foundation of democratic governance. Perfect for students studying political science or civics.
