WEST-E 028 SOCIAL STUDIES NUSSER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Democratic Government - (answer)Rule by the people, whether directly or through representatives
Monarchial Government - (answer)Rule by one undivided, sovereignty, or rule of a single person
(Mono); The term applies to states ruled by a Monarch, an individual ruler who functions as the head of
state and who achieves this position through heredity
Theocratic Government - (answer)Rule by a Deity (Theo), whether directly or through religious
representatives
Oligarchic Government - (answer)A form of government in which all power is vested in a few persons or
in a dominant class or clique (Oligi); government by the few
Totalitarian Government - (answer)A form of government in which the political authority exercises
absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life, the individual is subordinated to the state, and
opposing political and cultural expression is suppressed
"Oligi" - (answer)Few; Small
"Theo" - (answer)God; Deity
"Demo" - (answer)People
"Mono" - (answer)One
What is the difference between a democratic government and a oligarchic government? - (answer)A
democratic government is by the people, whether directly or through elected representatives;
Oligarchic government is rule by the will of the few
What is the difference between a Monarchical government and a totalitarian government? - (answer)A
Monarchical government is rule by an individual ruler who functions as the head of state and who
,WEST-E 028 SOCIAL STUDIES NUSSER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
achieves this position through heredity; a Totalitarian government is rule by an individual or group that
controls all aspects of life, and to which the individual is subordinate to the state
What is the purpose of government? - (answer)The purpose of government is to provide structure
(rules), Protection from outside interference, and often, to provide for well-being and happiness.
What is the function of law in a democratic society? - (answer)The law ensures democratic rights, such
as freedom of speech, to the people and protects these individual rights from being overthrown by
majority rule.
Habeas Corpus - (answer)A judicial mandate requiring that a prisoner be brought before the court to
determine whether the government has the right to continue detaining them. The prisoner may petition
the court for such a writ.
In the U.S. legal system, judges are empowered to issue a writ of habeas corpus to ensure that suspects
in a criminal investigation: - (answer)cannot be kept in jail without being
charged with a specific crime.
What is the role of the Habeas Corpus? - (answer)The Habeas Corpus is to protect against illegal
imprisonment.
What are the principles of a Trial by Jury? - (answer)A Trial by Jury can be seen as a check against state
power and an inclusion of the people into judicial proceedings as it allows the people to determine guilt
or innocence according to their values and norms.
How does a judicial trial promote the principles of democratic society? - (answer)A trial prevents the
accused from vigilante or majority rule by assuming the innocence of the accused until proven guilty of
violating a law
What is the organization of the WA State Government? - (answer)The Governor is the supreme
Executive power of the state
The Lieutenant Governor acts is the equivalent of a Vice President
,WEST-E 028 SOCIAL STUDIES NUSSER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The Secretary of State is the state's chief elections officer
State Treasurer is the state's chief financial officer
The Attorney General is the state's chief legal officer
The State Auditor ensures that state and local governments are accountable to the public they serve
Superintendent of Public Instruction is is responsible for the administration of the total state
kindergarten through twelfth grade education program
Insurance Commissioner is responsible for Consumer protection
The Commissioner of Public Lands is the elected head of the Washington State Department of Natural
Resources (DNR)
What are the major responsibilities of the Governor of Washington? - (answer)The governor of
Washington acts as the supreme executive power of the state whose duties extend into the Executive
Branch and Legislative Branch. The governor appoints the heads of departments, agencies, and
institutions and ensures that the laws are faithfully executed by holding cabinet meetings, overseeing
budget expenditures, and communicating with other state officers. The governor also reports annually
on the affairs of the state in the State of the State address and submitting a budget recommendation
report. The Governor may recommend or veto a legislation. The governor is also commander in chief of
the state's military power, the National Guard.
How long is the term of an elected office in WA state? - (answer)Four years
What is the age of required retirement for supreme and superior court judges? - (answer)Seventy-five
How does the State Constitution work with the United States Constitution? - (answer)Article Two states
the United States Constitution as the Supreme Law of the land
Which excerpt from the Washington State Constitution best demonstrates the state's commitment to
the principle of popular sovereignty? - (answer)"All political power is inherent in
the people, and governments derive
their just powers from the consent
of the governed."
, WEST-E 028 SOCIAL STUDIES NUSSER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is a major difference between international law and domestic law? - (answer)There is no central
authority in international law.
Federalism - (answer)A system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of
government, such as the national and state government.
How is power shared among the state and federal governments? - (answer)The U.S. Constitution grants
the federal government with power over issues of national concern, while the state governments have
jurisdiction over issues of domestic concern. The federal government can only make decisions regarding
all the states as a whole, while the state government can only make decisions regarding their state
which do not violate the federal laws.
How is power shared among the state and local governments? - (answer)State governments usually
make decisions regarding the state as a whole, whereas local governments make decisions regarding
their county or municipal.
How is power shared among federal, state, and local governments? - (answer)The federal government is
subject to state sovereignty, the State government is subject to federal supremacy, and local
government must be granted power by the state
The Executive Branch - (answer)The Executive Branch includes the President, Vice President, and
Cabinet. Its role is to carry out and enforce laws made by the Legislative branch
The Legislative Branch - (answer)The Legislative Branch includes Congress. It enacts legislation, confirms
or rejects presidential appointments, and has the authority to declare war.
The Judicial Branch - (answer)The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court and other courts. It
evaluates the laws made by the Legislative Branch
How does the system of checks and balances work among the three branches of government as defined
by Articles I, II, and III of the Constitution? - (answer)The president can veto laws passed by Congress.
Democratic Government - (answer)Rule by the people, whether directly or through representatives
Monarchial Government - (answer)Rule by one undivided, sovereignty, or rule of a single person
(Mono); The term applies to states ruled by a Monarch, an individual ruler who functions as the head of
state and who achieves this position through heredity
Theocratic Government - (answer)Rule by a Deity (Theo), whether directly or through religious
representatives
Oligarchic Government - (answer)A form of government in which all power is vested in a few persons or
in a dominant class or clique (Oligi); government by the few
Totalitarian Government - (answer)A form of government in which the political authority exercises
absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life, the individual is subordinated to the state, and
opposing political and cultural expression is suppressed
"Oligi" - (answer)Few; Small
"Theo" - (answer)God; Deity
"Demo" - (answer)People
"Mono" - (answer)One
What is the difference between a democratic government and a oligarchic government? - (answer)A
democratic government is by the people, whether directly or through elected representatives;
Oligarchic government is rule by the will of the few
What is the difference between a Monarchical government and a totalitarian government? - (answer)A
Monarchical government is rule by an individual ruler who functions as the head of state and who
,WEST-E 028 SOCIAL STUDIES NUSSER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
achieves this position through heredity; a Totalitarian government is rule by an individual or group that
controls all aspects of life, and to which the individual is subordinate to the state
What is the purpose of government? - (answer)The purpose of government is to provide structure
(rules), Protection from outside interference, and often, to provide for well-being and happiness.
What is the function of law in a democratic society? - (answer)The law ensures democratic rights, such
as freedom of speech, to the people and protects these individual rights from being overthrown by
majority rule.
Habeas Corpus - (answer)A judicial mandate requiring that a prisoner be brought before the court to
determine whether the government has the right to continue detaining them. The prisoner may petition
the court for such a writ.
In the U.S. legal system, judges are empowered to issue a writ of habeas corpus to ensure that suspects
in a criminal investigation: - (answer)cannot be kept in jail without being
charged with a specific crime.
What is the role of the Habeas Corpus? - (answer)The Habeas Corpus is to protect against illegal
imprisonment.
What are the principles of a Trial by Jury? - (answer)A Trial by Jury can be seen as a check against state
power and an inclusion of the people into judicial proceedings as it allows the people to determine guilt
or innocence according to their values and norms.
How does a judicial trial promote the principles of democratic society? - (answer)A trial prevents the
accused from vigilante or majority rule by assuming the innocence of the accused until proven guilty of
violating a law
What is the organization of the WA State Government? - (answer)The Governor is the supreme
Executive power of the state
The Lieutenant Governor acts is the equivalent of a Vice President
,WEST-E 028 SOCIAL STUDIES NUSSER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The Secretary of State is the state's chief elections officer
State Treasurer is the state's chief financial officer
The Attorney General is the state's chief legal officer
The State Auditor ensures that state and local governments are accountable to the public they serve
Superintendent of Public Instruction is is responsible for the administration of the total state
kindergarten through twelfth grade education program
Insurance Commissioner is responsible for Consumer protection
The Commissioner of Public Lands is the elected head of the Washington State Department of Natural
Resources (DNR)
What are the major responsibilities of the Governor of Washington? - (answer)The governor of
Washington acts as the supreme executive power of the state whose duties extend into the Executive
Branch and Legislative Branch. The governor appoints the heads of departments, agencies, and
institutions and ensures that the laws are faithfully executed by holding cabinet meetings, overseeing
budget expenditures, and communicating with other state officers. The governor also reports annually
on the affairs of the state in the State of the State address and submitting a budget recommendation
report. The Governor may recommend or veto a legislation. The governor is also commander in chief of
the state's military power, the National Guard.
How long is the term of an elected office in WA state? - (answer)Four years
What is the age of required retirement for supreme and superior court judges? - (answer)Seventy-five
How does the State Constitution work with the United States Constitution? - (answer)Article Two states
the United States Constitution as the Supreme Law of the land
Which excerpt from the Washington State Constitution best demonstrates the state's commitment to
the principle of popular sovereignty? - (answer)"All political power is inherent in
the people, and governments derive
their just powers from the consent
of the governed."
, WEST-E 028 SOCIAL STUDIES NUSSER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is a major difference between international law and domestic law? - (answer)There is no central
authority in international law.
Federalism - (answer)A system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of
government, such as the national and state government.
How is power shared among the state and federal governments? - (answer)The U.S. Constitution grants
the federal government with power over issues of national concern, while the state governments have
jurisdiction over issues of domestic concern. The federal government can only make decisions regarding
all the states as a whole, while the state government can only make decisions regarding their state
which do not violate the federal laws.
How is power shared among the state and local governments? - (answer)State governments usually
make decisions regarding the state as a whole, whereas local governments make decisions regarding
their county or municipal.
How is power shared among federal, state, and local governments? - (answer)The federal government is
subject to state sovereignty, the State government is subject to federal supremacy, and local
government must be granted power by the state
The Executive Branch - (answer)The Executive Branch includes the President, Vice President, and
Cabinet. Its role is to carry out and enforce laws made by the Legislative branch
The Legislative Branch - (answer)The Legislative Branch includes Congress. It enacts legislation, confirms
or rejects presidential appointments, and has the authority to declare war.
The Judicial Branch - (answer)The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court and other courts. It
evaluates the laws made by the Legislative Branch
How does the system of checks and balances work among the three branches of government as defined
by Articles I, II, and III of the Constitution? - (answer)The president can veto laws passed by Congress.
