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78 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What are the fundamental political principles that have shaped government in the United States?
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• Consent of the governed
• Limited government • Rule of law • Democracy • Representative government |
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• Representative government
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People are the source of any and all governmental power.
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• Limited government
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Government is not all-powerful and may do only those things people have given it the power to do.
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• Rule of law
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The government and those who govern are bound by the law.
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• Democracy
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In a democratic system of government the people rule.
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• Representative government
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In a representative system of government people elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct government on their behalf.
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• Charters of the Virginia Company of London
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Rights of Englishmen guaranteed to colonists
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• The Virginia Declaration of Rights
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Served as a model for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America
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• Declaration of Independence
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Stated grievances against the king of Great Britain
Declared the colonies’ independence from Great Britain Affirmed “certain unalienable rights” (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) Established the idea that all people are equal under the law |
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• Articles of Confederation
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Established the first form of national government for the independent states
Weakness of central government (e.g., no power to tax and enforce laws)—Led to the writing of the Constitution of the United States of America |
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• Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
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Freedom of religious beliefs and opinions
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• Constitution of the United States of America, including the Bill of Rights
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Establishes the structure of the United States government
Guarantees equality under the law with majority rule and the rights of the minority protected Affirms individual worth and dignity of all people Protects the fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition |
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The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America
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expresses the reasons the constitution was written.
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Purposes of U.S. government
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• To form a union
• To establish justice • To ensure domestic peace • To provide defense |
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begins, “We the people,” which establishes that the power of government comes from the people.
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The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America
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How does an individual become a citizen
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• Birth
• Naturalization |
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________ and_____________ , particularly in the twentieth century, have led to an increasingly diverse society
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immigration and naturalization
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To become a citizen through naturalization
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a person must demonstrate knowledge of American history and principles and the ability to speak and write English.
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A citizen
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is an individual with certain rights and duties under a government and who, by birth or by choice, owes allegiance to that government.
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Few rights
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if any, are considered absolute.
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First Amendment freedoms
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• Religion
• Speech • Press • Assembly • Petition |
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• Religion
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Government may not establish an official religion, nor endorse, or unduly interfere with the free exercise of religion.
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• Speech
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Individuals are free to express their opinions and beliefs.
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• Press
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The press has the right to gather and publish information, including that which criticizes the government.
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• Assembly
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Individuals may peacefully gather.
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• Petition
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Individuals have the right to make their views known to public officials.
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Fourteenth Amendment
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• Extends the due process protection to actions of the states
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For government to be effective, citizens must fulfill their civic _____.
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duties
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Duties of responsible citizens
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• Obey laws
• Pay taxes • Serve in the armed forces if called • Serve on a jury or as a witness in court |
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What happens to citizens who choose not to fulfill their civic duties?
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They face legal consequences.
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A basic responsibility of citizenship
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contribute to the common good.
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Civic responsibilities
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are voluntary.
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Responsibilities of citizens
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• Register and vote
• Hold elective office • Influence government by communicating with government officials • Serve in voluntary, appointed positions • Participate in political campaigns • Keep informed regarding current issues • Respect others' rights to an equal voice in government |
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A democratic society requires the of its citizens.
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active participation
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Ways for citizens to participate in community service
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• Volunteer to support democratic institutions (e.g., League of Women Voters).
• Express concern about the welfare of the community as a whole (e.g., environment, public health and safety, education). • Help to make the community a good place to work and live (e.g., by becoming involved with public service organizations, tutoring, volunteering in nursing homes). |
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Personal traits of good citizens
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• Trustworthiness and honesty
• Courtesy and respect for the rights of others • Responsibility, accountability, and self-reliance • Respect for the law • Patriotism |
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Functions of political parties
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• Recruiting and nominating candidates
• Educating the electorate about campaign issues • Helping candidates win elections • Monitoring actions of officeholders |
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A two-party system
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characterizes the American political process.
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Similarities between parties
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• Organize to win elections
• Influence public policies • Reflect both liberal and conservative views • Define themselves in a way that wins majority support by appealing to the political center |
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Differences between parties
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• Stated in a party's platform and reflected in campaigning
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Third parties
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• Introduce new ideas or press for a particular issue
• Often revolve around a political personality (e.g., Theodore Roosevelt) |
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to make reasoned choices among candidates.
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Voters evaluate information presented in political campaigns
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The an important role in the political process.
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media plays
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Strategies for evaluating campaign speeches, literature, and advertisements for accuracy
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• Separating fact from opinion
• Detecting bias • Evaluating sources • Identifying propaganda |
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Mass media roles in elections Identifying candidates
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• Writing editorials, creating political cartoons, publishing op-ed pieces
• Broadcasting different points of view |
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Running for is expensive.
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political office
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Rising campaign costs
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• Require candidates to conduct extensive fund-raising activities
• Limit opportunities to run for public office • Give an advantage to wealthy individuals who run for office • Encourage the development of political action committees (PACs) • Give issue-oriented special interest groups increased influence |
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Campaign finance reform
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• Rising campaign costs have led to efforts to reform campaign finance laws.
• Limits exist on the amount individuals may contribute to political candidates and campaigns |
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What are the requirements for voter registration in Virginia?
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• Citizen of the United States
• Resident of Virginia and precinct • 18 years of age by day of general election |
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How to register in Virginia
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• In person at the registrar's office, at the Division of Motor Vehicles, or at other designated sites
• By mail application |
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Registration is closed before elections.
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29 days
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Factors in predicting which citizens will vote
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• Education
• Age • Income |
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Why citizens fail to vote
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• Lack of interest
• Failure to register |
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The percentage of voters who participate in presidential elections is usually________ than the percentage of voters who participate in state and local elections.
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greater
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The electoral college process
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is used to select the President and Vice President of the United States.
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Electoral college process
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• The slate of electors for each state is chosen by popular vote.
• The electors meet to vote for President and Vice President. • The winner-take-all system leads to the targeting of large states for campaigning, although candidates must pay attention to small states whose electoral votes may make the difference in tight elections. |
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The number of electors of each state is based on the
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state’s Congressional representation.
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The requirements for a majority vote to win in the electoral college
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favors a two-party system.
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Legislative, executive, and judicial powers are separated at___ the___ and levels of government.
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state,national
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The powers and responsibilities of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches at both the national and state levels are
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limited.
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All powers of local government in Virginia are created and controlled by
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the state.
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local government-legislative
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Makes ordinances for community; approves annual budget; limits power to that delegated by the state
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Virginia
Government legislative |
Makes laws for Virginia; approves biennial (two-year) budget; exercises power under the 10th amendment
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National Government-legislative
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Makes laws for nation; approves annual budget; approves presidential appointments
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local government-executive
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Elected or appointed by the Board of Supervisors or City Council; city or county managers hired by local legislatures
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Virginia Government-executive
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Executes laws of Virginia; prepares biennial budget for General Assembly; appoints cabinet officers and boards; administers state bureaucracy; grants pardons
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National Government-executive
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Executes law of the land; prepares annual budget for congressional action; appoints cabinet officers, ambassadors, and federal judges; administers federal bureaucracy
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Local
Government-judicial |
Local courts—Hear cases under the authority provided by state legislation
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Virginia Government-judicial
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Supreme Court—Has power of judicial review over state laws
Circuit courts—Try civil and criminal cases |
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National Government-judicial
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Supreme Court—Has power of judicial review
Federal courts—Try cases involving federal law and U.S. Constitutional questions |
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Separating power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches helps prevent
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any one branch from abusing its power.
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gives each of the three branches of government ways to limit the powers of the other branches
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A system of checks and balances
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Legislative powers over
• The executive branch |
Overrides vetoes
Impeaches a President • The judicial branch Approves federal judges Impeaches federal judges |
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Executive powers over
• The legislative branch |
Vetoes acts of Congress
Calls Congress into special session • The judicial branch Appoints federal judges |
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Judicial powers over
• The legislative branch |
Declares laws unconstitutional
• The executive branch Declares executive acts unconstitutional |
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The Constitution of the United States of America defines
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the process by which formal changes are made to the document.
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Process for amending the Constitution of the United States of America
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• Action by Congress or convention
• Ratification by the states |
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The amendment process is complex; to date, amendments have been added.
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only 27
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