The Best 2 page HSA LSN Government review sheet period.
Principles of American Government
Federalism: Powers are divided and shared between State and National government
Reserved Powers (just for states)—Establish Schools, Elections, Marriage laws.
Delegated Powers (Just for national gov)—Coin Money, Army, foreign treaties
Concurrent (both state and national)-Tax, build roads, establish courts.
Separation of Powers-Three branches all meant to be equal with separate functions:
Executive Branch (president and cabinet)—carries out/enforces laws.
Legislative Branch (Congress Senate and House)-makes the laws.
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court and other courts) interprets the laws.
Checks and Balances-Each branch can “check” the other to remain balance. Examples include—Presidential veto,
Congress override of a veto, Judicial review.
Limited Government—Government is limited by Constitution-specifically by the Bill of Rights
Popular Sovereignty—People vote in elections and are the source of government power.
Due Process—Everyone is to be treated fairly by the Justice System. I.e., no withholding of evidence, right to remain
silent, right to a jury trial, right to have a lawyer Rule of law—The law applies to everyone no matter who you are
Example “Governor impeached for wrongdoing.”
writ of habeas corpus: Fundamental right of our Justice System that you have the right to know what crimes you are
being charged with and/or why you are being detained.
Terms to know about our system. Subpoena-Order you to be present in court.
Civil Rights violation: When a particular group of society (race, religion, age, sex, disability) is being treated unfairly or
singled.
Interest groups; Not political parties. Examples are NRA, AARP. They try to influence legislators to supports bills that
are in line with what their interest groups wants.
Types of Government Systems
Federal/Federalism-- State and National Share and divide powers.
Confederacy—state or regional governments have all the power.
Unitary. -- Federal of national government has all of the power
Types of Economies
Traditional—based on customs and traditional roles Command- Government has complete control of economy
Market—Producers and Consumers make all economic decisions. Mixed—US econ combines market principles with
some government involvement.
Types of Government: Totalitarian/authoritarian—Tries to control all aspects of society
(one “advantage” of this
system is that decisions can be made quickly) Monarchy—power passed through birthright, Kings, Queens etc.
Oligarchy-All power held by a small number of people.
Democracy—Government in which the people rule. Direct Democracy—when all citizens vote on all laws. Example
Ancient Greece. Representative democracy. Citizens vote for leaders who then represent them Example--US System
Key Supreme Court Cases:
Marbury vs. Madison (1803)—established Judicial review (the idea that the SC can declare a law or executive order
unconstitutional)
McColluch vs MD—established Supremacy of National Laws over State laws.
Plessy vs Ferguson—established “Separate but equal” reinforced segregation.
Brown vs, Board of Education-Overturned PLessy—Began the move to integrate schools.
Tinker vs. Des Moines—Students have free speech in school as long as they do not disrupt the learning process.
Gideon vs Wainwright –right to an attorney Miranda vs, Arizona—Led to “Right to silence” warning by police. This case
and Gideon relate to Due Process
New Jersey vs TLO—Schools can search your locker etc in the pursuit of student safety.
Baker vs Carr-forced congressional redistricting. Established one man/one vote rural areas lost political power.
Rowe vs Wade---Legalized abortion based on a person’s right to privacy.
Us vs Nixon---- ordering President Nixon to deliver tape recordings and other subpoenaed materials to federal court.
Mcdonald vs Chicago—Struck down a Chicago ban on firearms, based on 2nd amendment.
Economic Principles: Fiscal Policy—Government policies involving taxing and spending (congress)
Monetary policy—Federal reserves actions to monitor economy through interest rates , money supply etc..
Tariff: Tax on imported goods Our Government--Representative Democracy/Mixed Economy
Organization of Legislative Branch: Bicameral Congress (two houses)
Senate-2 per state House of Representatives- Based on a state’s population (this was the result of the Great
Compromise at the Constitutional Convention. Census done every ten years. If a state gains or loses a lot of
their population they may gain or lose the number of members in the HOR. This is called Reapportionment.
The actual redrawing of the lines are called Redistricting.