Power is divided between a central government and local governments
How is power divided in a federal government?
Sovereignty
What basic characteristic of a state do the individual 50 States lack?
Population, territory, sovereignty, government
What are the characteristics of a state?
the minority
The will of the majority cannot be used to deprive whose rights?
unitary
What form of government concentrates all political powers at the central level?
popular sovereignty
With the words, "We the People", the Constitution establishes its authority based on what?
Government must operate within certain boundaries set by the people
Describe the concept of limited government.
Bill of Rights
Where were the basic constitutional rights of people first set out?
checks and balances
The President's power to veto an act of Congress is an example of what?
power is distributed among three independent branches of government
What is meant by separation of powers?
powers exercised simultaneously by the national and state governments (ex. collecting taxes)
What are concurrent powers?
prepare a Constitution
What does an enabling act direct an area desiring Statehood to do?
Full Faith and Credit Clause
What clause says that States must honor the legality of one another's civil laws?
expressed power
The power of the National Government to coin money is what kind of power?
few restrictions of how money could be spent
What advantage did revenue sharing have over federal grants-in-aid programs?
25 years old, citizen for 7 years, live in State they represent
What are the Constitutional requirements for a member of the House of Representatives?
session
The regular period of time during which Congress conducts its business is called a what?
one
Each state is represented by at least how many members in the House of Representatives?
Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year
When must congressional elections be held?
6 years
How long is the term of a Senator?
traffic cop
The duties of the House Rules Committee can best be described as those of a what?
divide the workload
What is the main reason that Congress creates committees?
on the basis of seniority
How are committee chairpersons usually chosen? (on what basis?)
invoking Cloture
What is the main way to end a filibuster?
given a number and a title
What happens to a bill when it is first introduced in the House?
35 years
According to the Constitution, the President must be at least how old?
10 years
A president can serve no more than how many years in office? (Hint: not 8)
three
What is the least number of presidential electors a State can have?
Presidential Succession Act
After the Vice President, what act determines the order of succession to the presidency?
The winner of the popular vote is not guaranteed the presidency
What is one of the major flaws in the electoral college system?
Supreme Court
Which federal court exercises both original and appellate jurisdiction?
It is the last court in which federal questions can be decided.
What is the most important reason the Supreme Court is called the High Court?
established judicial review
What did the Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison establish?
believe whatever they choose to believe in matters of religion
What does the Free Exercise Clause give people the right to do?
clear and present danger" rule
What rule has the Supreme Court developed in deciding cases involving laws against sedition?
original jurisdiction
The court that first hears a case is said to have what kind of jurisdiction?
docket
What is the list of cases to be heard by a court called?
affirmative action
With _________ the Federal Government hopes to overcome effects of past discrimination.
right to own property, educational opportunities, voting
In the past, what rights were women denied?
laws or other government actions
De jure segregation was the result of what?