U.S. Government Principles and Articles

Questions and Answers

The debate about the role of the federal government in _____________________________________________________.

Public School Education

What is meant by Separation of Powers?

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

What is the purpose of Checks and Balances?

To allow each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches.

Federalist No. 51 explains how constitutional provisions of separation of powers and checks and balances control ___________________________.

abuses by majorities Signup and view all the answers

Who are considered stakeholders?

Any persons or groups who will be affected by an action. Signup and view all the answers

Public policy is a choice that government makes in response to a political issue. A policy is a ____________________ taken with regard to some problem.

course of action Signup and view all the answers

What does impeachment involve?

Charges against a President approved by a majority of the House of Representatives, then later tried in the Senate. Signup and view all the answers

Impeachment, removal, and other legal actions taken against ___________________________________________ deemed to have abused their power reflect the purpose of checks and balances.

public officials Signup and view all the answers

What are exclusive powers?

Those powers that can be exercised by the national government alone. Signup and view all the answers

What are concurrent powers?

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments. Signup and view all the answers

The exclusive and concurrent powers of the national and state governments help explain the negotiations over the __________________________________________ between the two levels.

balance of power Signup and view all the answers

What are grants?

A sum of money given by a certain organization, especially the government, for a certain reason or cause. Signup and view all the answers

What are incentives?

An action or reward that motivates one to act a certain way. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of aid programs?

Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) Program, Head Start, Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, Workfare (TANF). Signup and view all the answers

What is federal revenue sharing?

The practice of sharing federal income tax revenue with state and local governments. Signup and view all the answers

What are mandates?

Terms set by the national government that states must meet whether or not they accept federal grants. Signup and view all the answers

What principle describes a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution?

Limited Government Signup and view all the answers

What are campaign contributions donated directly to candidates and limited by the regulations of the FEC?

Hard money Signup and view all the answers

What does the Preamble to the Constitution establish?

Goals and purposes of government Signup and view all the answers

List the principles of the Constitution.

Popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial review, federalism Signup and view all the answers

What were some weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

No executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade Signup and view all the answers

Tasks performed by departments, agencies, commissions, and government corporations are represented by writing and enforcing ___________________.

regulations Signup and view all the answers

Tasks performed by departments, agencies, commissions, and government corporations are represented by issuing __________________.

fines Signup and view all the answers

Tasks performed by departments, agencies, commissions, and government corporations are represented by___________________________ before Congress.

testifying Signup and view all the answers

Article VI of the Constitution declares that 'The Constitution, and the Laws of the United States...shall be the ___________________.'

supreme law of the land Signup and view all the answers

What does Federalist No. 51 argue for?

A republican government with a system of checks and balances and separation of powers Signup and view all the answers

Federalist No. 70 argues that a strong executive is essential in the new government, opposing a _______________________ type of leadership.

executive committee Signup and view all the answers

What does the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment forbid?

Any state to deny equal protection or due process of the laws Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase describes the right to LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PROPERTY?

Natural Rights Signup and view all the answers

What is the Electoral College?

A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'factions' refer to in Federalist No. 10?

Interest groups or possibly parties Signup and view all the answers

What was Shay's Rebellion?

An armed uprising of western Massachusetts debtors seeking lower taxes and an end to property foreclosures Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform?

To investigate and review the actions of the executive branch Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Limited Government and Constitutional Principles

Limited government is a constitutional principle ensuring powers are restricted by the Constitution.
The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution outlines the government's objectives.
Core principles include popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial review, and federalism.

Articles of Confederation Weaknesses

The Articles lacked an executive branch, judicial branch, authority to tax, and power to regulate trade, which hindered effective governance.
Shays' Rebellion highlighted deficiencies in the Articles, illustrating weak military and tax enforcement capabilities.

Federalist Papers

Federalist No. 51 emphasizes checks and balances and separation of powers to prevent concentration of power and tyranny.
Federalist No. 70 advocates for a strong single executive for efficient governance.
Madison's Federalist No. 10 argues that a large republic safeguards liberty by diluting majority factions.

Judicial Powers and Legislative Oversight

The Federal Judiciary Act of 1789 established a federal court system.
Congress has oversight authority to conduct hearings, investigations, and budget reviews related to the executive branch.

Congressional Powers and Political Action

Congress holds powers such as taxation, war declaration, and commerce regulation.
Political Action Committees (PACs) and SuperPACs raise campaign funds, often operating under different regulatory frameworks.

Constitutional Clauses and Civic Rights

The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits state discrimination, extending similar protections to federal actions.
The Full Faith and Credit Clause ensures legal decisions and contracts from one state are recognized in others.

Electoral Systems and Representation

The U.S. employs a winner-takes-all system for electoral votes, except in Maine and Nebraska.
The Electoral College is tasked with officially selecting the President and Vice President, following state legislative nominations.

Amendments and Constitutional Ratification

Article V outlines the amendment process, requiring supermajority approval from Congress and states.
Ratification of the Constitution demanded approval from nine out of thirteen states according to Article VII.

Compromises and Structure of Government

The Great Compromise established a bicameral legislature with equal representation in one house and population-based representation in the other.
The Three-Fifths Compromise counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

Governance Models and Democratic Theories

Distinct democratic theories include participatory democracy emphasizing broad engagement, pluralist democracy recognizing group activism, and elite democracy limiting citizen roles to selecting leaders.
Anti-Federalist perspectives, expressed in Brutus No. 1, champion smaller decentralized republics for better protection of liberties.

Public Policy and Governance Issues

Supreme authority rests with the Constitution as affirmed by the Supremacy Clause, which positions national laws above state regulations.
The Government's response to issues such as school education and civil liberties continues to evolve, influenced by historical events like the 9/11 attacks.

Responsibilities of Political Entities

Congressional committees, such as the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, investigate executive actions for accountability.
Impeachment serves as a mechanism for holding public officials accountable for abuses of power, initiated by the House and concluding in the Senate.

Rights and Legal Protections

The Hatch Act restricts partisan activities by government employees to maintain political neutrality.
Rights to counsel in criminal cases derive from the Gideon v. Wainwright ruling, ensuring legal representation for individuals unable to afford it.

Federalism and Shared Powers

The Constitution delineates exclusive powers for the national government, while concurrent powers are shared between national and state governments, promoting a balance between local and federal control.### Balance of Power
Exclusive and concurrent powers of national and state governments illustrate negotiations between these levels of governance.

Grants

A financial sum provided by an organization, particularly the government, designated for specific purposes or causes.

Incentives

Actions or rewards designed to motivate behavior; federal government offers incentives to states to ensure compliance with policies.

Aid Programs

Notable programs include:
- Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) Program focusing on nutrition assistance.
- Head Start, which provides early childhood education.
- Medicaid, offering health care for low-income individuals.
- Medicare, providing health coverage for the elderly.
- Food stamps assisting low-income families with food purchases.
- Workfare (TANF) aimed at supporting families in need through work-oriented assistance.

The distribution of federal income tax revenue to state and local governments, allowing for collaborative funding initiatives.

Mandates

Requirements established by the national government that states must fulfill, irrespective of their acceptance of federal grants.

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Description

Explore the key principles of limited government and constitutional frameworks, including insights from the Articles of Confederation and Federalist Papers. This quiz highlights the importance of checks and balances, separation of powers, and the challenges faced under early governance in the United States.