WGU C963 - Objective Assessment Superset

C963 - Objective Assessment Superset 4.7 (50 reviews) Students also studied Terms in this set (120) Western Governors UniversityC 963 Save Pre-Assessment WGU American Poli...60 terms Abby_Laing17 Preview American Politics and the US Consti...Teacher 548 terms Jean_Moore6Preview All Amendments 27 terms XbLCookiePreview WGU C 27 terms mar Major contributors to social contract theoryHobbes, Locke, Reasseau Social Contract TheoryWe need food, clothing and shelter to survive and nothing should interfere with our ability to obtain them. We may also choose to believe in a god. The belief gives definition to our existance. Therefore it is important we define ourselves as individuals.Enlightenment Influence on ConstitutionBill of Rights and the Second Amendment, Ninth Amendment Bill of Rights (Enlightenment)The first eight Bill of Rights Declaration of Independence (Enlightenment)people have rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness Articles of Confederation weaknessesNo executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade Articles of Confederation - StrengthsProvided direction for the Revolution, the ability to conduct diplomacy with Europe, and deal with territorial issues and Native American relations.New Jersey PlanThe proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population.Virginia PlanProposal to create a strong national government Constitutional ConventionA meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that produced a new constitution Three-Fifths compromiseAgreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes (negated by the 13th amendment). Bicameral congress.

Checks and BalancesA system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power Separation of PowersConstitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law FederalistsA term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures.Anti-FederalistsOpponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption.Ratifying the ConstitutionArticle VII, 9 out of 13 states had to agree, it was ratified at state conventions Federalist #10 (factions)Elites can never take over rule of the government due to too many factions.Federalist #51 (Madison)Separation of powers, checks and balances Separations of PowersThe division of the federal government into three branches each with its own powers Government BranchesThree sections of the US government: legislative, executive, and judicial. Each branch has powers that restrict the other branches powers.How are laws made and enforced using the separation of powers Congress originates laws Judicial branch reviews laws for constitutionality Executive branch enforces laws system of checks and balancesConstitutional system in which each branch of government places limits on the power of other branches Several checks the judicial branch has on the legislative and executive branches

Executive:

Can overturn actions of the president with judicial review if the actions violate the Constitution Serve during good behavior to maintain independence of judiciary

Legislative:

Can overturn acts of Congress as unconstitutional if they violate the law Can influence laws by interpretation Serve during good behavior to maintain independence of judiciary

Several checks the legislative branch has on the judicial and executive branches

Judicial:

Senate must approve judges and justices Controls jurisdiction of the courts Determines size of Supreme Court House can impeach judges and Senate can remove them by two-thirds vote

Executive:

Can override a presidential veto by a two-thirds vote in both chambers Must approve treaties by a two-thirds vote in the Senate Control of funding activities of the executive branch Presidential nominees must be approved by the Senate Only Congress can declare war House can impeach the president or vice president and the Senate can remove them by a two-thirds vote Several checks the executive branch has on the legislative and judicial branches

Legislative:

Can veto legislation Can use executive agreements Can use executive orders Negotiates treaties (not Congress)

Judicial:

Nominates judges Power of pardon

Several advantages and disadvantages of a federalist system

Advantages:

States can innovate when dealing with problems States better designed to deal with needs of citizens States can add to national programs Separation of powers and system of checks and balances Offers opportunity for individual to participate more in the political system.

Disadvantages:

Inefficient Difficulties when states have conflicts Duplication of effort costly Not all citizens are treated the same Define the three types of Congressional powers including implied, enumerated and inherent powers

Enumerated: Power stated in Constitution

Implied: Not stated in Constitution but inferred

Inherent: Assumed to exist as a result of the country's existance

Several powers held by the legislative branchTax citizens , Set the budget , Regulate commerce, Declare war, Provide advice and consent on appointments, Impeach individuals, Oversee the powers of the judicial and executive branches Congressional powers as either implied, enumerated or inherent Enumerated: Taxation, budget authority, power to regulate, power to declare war, checks on other branches including advice and consent and impeachment.

Implied: Power to oversee the other branches as well as reign in administrative

agencies.Examples of Congress exercising its power under the Commerce Clause Regulating trade between states, setting a federal minimum wage, prohibiting discrimination employment.