Government Review - Unit 1 - Government Basics & Principles

Government

• the central government weilds all the power; state or local governments excersize the power given to them by central government.
• the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies. Government is made up of those people who exercise its powers, all those who have authority and control over people.
• powers the Constitution denies to the national government
• A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.

Legislative Power

• Powers specifically given to the federal government by the US Constitution, for example, the authority to print money.
• The power to make laws and frame public policy
• Powers given to the state government alone
• Modify, Improve, Correct

Executive Power

• The power to execute, enforce and administer laws
• -Power of governments to condemn private property for public purpos
• First constitution of the United States, 1781. Created a weak national government, replaced in 1789 by the Constitution of the United States
• A formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority

Judicial Power

• The power to execute, enforce and administer laws
• Supreme Court of the United States
• the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies. Government is made up of those people who exercise its powers, all those who have authority and control over people.
• The power to interpret laws, to determine their meaning and to settle disputes that arise within society

State

• The idea that no individual or group may receive special privileges from nor be unjustly discriminated against by the law.
• A body of people, living in a defined territory, organized politically (into a government) and with the power to enforce law without the consent of a higher authority
• The power to execute, enforce and administer laws
• A principle of democracy which asserts that the greater number of citizens in any political unit should select officials and determine policies.

Common law

• A document written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, in which the thirteen colonies stated their reasons for freeing themselves from British rule.
• Idea that legal decisions should be based on similar decisions made in the past.
• A form of political organization in which the sovereign states combine for specified purposes such as defense.
• A change in, or addition to, a constitution or law.

Citizen

• Law passed by the U.S. Congress or state legislatures
• Put forward (an idea or plan) or consideration or discussion by others.
• A system in which each branch of government is able to check, or restrain, the power of the others.
• A person who holds both rights and responsibilities in a state.

Rule of Law

• principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern
• A legal document issued by a judge
• Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people
• Powers held jointly by the national and state governments.

Federalism

• Supporters of a stronger central government who advocated ratification of the Constitution
• Put forward (an idea or plan) or consideration or discussion by others.
• A form of government in which powers are divided between a central government and several local governments.
• A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Reserved powers

• highest law, can override statue law & common law, laws come from the charter of rights and freedoms
• A body of people, living in a defined territory, organized politically (into a government) and with the power to enforce law without the consent of a higher authority
• A principle of democracy which asserts that the greater number of citizens in any political unit should select officials and determine policies.
• Powers given to the state government alone