ST PETERSBURG COLLEGE CIVIC
LITERACY FLASHCARDS EXAM
QUESTIONS & ELABORATED
ANSWERS NEWEST VERSION
Democracy - CORRECT ANSWER Type of government where power is derived from
the people, either directly or indirectly.
Representative Democracy or Democratic Republic - CORRECT ANSWER An indirect
or a representative democracy where eligible voters choose representatives to act on
their behalf and make political decisions.
Constitutional Democracy - CORRECT ANSWER A government that draws its
legitimacy from an authoritative document (a constitution) that defines the nation's
system of government, its laws and usually the rights of its citizens. The Constitution is
the supreme law of the land. The Constitution describes who will make national laws,
who will enforce them and who will interpret it.
Social Contract Theory - CORRECT ANSWER The belief that people are free and
equal by natural right but will give up some freedom to give power to the government so
that the government can protect their rights.
Consent of the Governed - CORRECT ANSWER The idea that our government derives
its power from the people because we elect representatives to the legislative branch of
government.
Checks and Balances - CORRECT ANSWER Principle reflected in the Constitution that
grants each of the three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) some control and
scrutiny over one another.
Separation of Powers - CORRECT ANSWER Refers to the division of government
branches: each with separate independent power and responsibilities, so that the
powers of one branch do not conflict with the others.
Rule of law - CORRECT ANSWER No one is above the law; Everyone must follow the
laws, regardless of their position of power. This was established by the Magna Carta in
1215. Everyone is equal under the law.
Due process of law - CORRECT ANSWER Fair treatment through the normal judicial
system.
, Equality under the Law - CORRECT ANSWER Equal treatment and equal protection
without the guarantee of equal outcomes.
Popular Sovereignty - CORRECT ANSWER A belief that ultimate power resides in the
people.
Natural rights - CORRECT ANSWER Rights people have by virtue of being human
beings; both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution address the
government's role in protecting these rights.
Federalism - CORRECT ANSWER A political system in which power is divided
between a central government and multiple constituent, provincial, or state
governments.
Concurrent powers - CORRECT ANSWER Powers that are held by both the federal
and the local governments (e.g. taxing, roads, elections, lower courts).
Equal Protection Clause - CORRECT ANSWER Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment
that forbids any state to deny to any person equal protection of the laws. This clause is
the major constitutional restraint on the power of governments to discriminate against
persons because of race, national origin, or sex.
Article I, Section 4, of the United States Constitution - CORRECT ANSWER Grants the
states the authority to determine the rules by which they elect their United States
Senators and Representatives, unless the United States Congress acts to change those
rules.
Article II, Section 1, of the United States Constitution - CORRECT ANSWER Provides
that the President of the United States is elected by the Electoral College.
Electoral College - CORRECT ANSWER The president is elected by a majority of
electoral votes. After an election a group of electors chosen by each state officially cast
the electoral votes for their state to choose the President.
Voter Registration requirements in Florida - CORRECT ANSWER Be a citizen of the
United States of America, a legal resident of Florida, a legal resident of the county in
which you seek to be registered, at least 16 years old to preregister or at least 18 years
old to register and vote. Not be a person who has been adjudicated mentally
incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other state without having the right
to vote restored; and, not be a person convicted of a felony without having your right to
vote restored.
County Supervisor of Elections - CORRECT ANSWER Florida has 67 counties. Each
county has an elected Supervisor, who conducts elections within his or her county.
LITERACY FLASHCARDS EXAM
QUESTIONS & ELABORATED
ANSWERS NEWEST VERSION
Democracy - CORRECT ANSWER Type of government where power is derived from
the people, either directly or indirectly.
Representative Democracy or Democratic Republic - CORRECT ANSWER An indirect
or a representative democracy where eligible voters choose representatives to act on
their behalf and make political decisions.
Constitutional Democracy - CORRECT ANSWER A government that draws its
legitimacy from an authoritative document (a constitution) that defines the nation's
system of government, its laws and usually the rights of its citizens. The Constitution is
the supreme law of the land. The Constitution describes who will make national laws,
who will enforce them and who will interpret it.
Social Contract Theory - CORRECT ANSWER The belief that people are free and
equal by natural right but will give up some freedom to give power to the government so
that the government can protect their rights.
Consent of the Governed - CORRECT ANSWER The idea that our government derives
its power from the people because we elect representatives to the legislative branch of
government.
Checks and Balances - CORRECT ANSWER Principle reflected in the Constitution that
grants each of the three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) some control and
scrutiny over one another.
Separation of Powers - CORRECT ANSWER Refers to the division of government
branches: each with separate independent power and responsibilities, so that the
powers of one branch do not conflict with the others.
Rule of law - CORRECT ANSWER No one is above the law; Everyone must follow the
laws, regardless of their position of power. This was established by the Magna Carta in
1215. Everyone is equal under the law.
Due process of law - CORRECT ANSWER Fair treatment through the normal judicial
system.
, Equality under the Law - CORRECT ANSWER Equal treatment and equal protection
without the guarantee of equal outcomes.
Popular Sovereignty - CORRECT ANSWER A belief that ultimate power resides in the
people.
Natural rights - CORRECT ANSWER Rights people have by virtue of being human
beings; both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution address the
government's role in protecting these rights.
Federalism - CORRECT ANSWER A political system in which power is divided
between a central government and multiple constituent, provincial, or state
governments.
Concurrent powers - CORRECT ANSWER Powers that are held by both the federal
and the local governments (e.g. taxing, roads, elections, lower courts).
Equal Protection Clause - CORRECT ANSWER Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment
that forbids any state to deny to any person equal protection of the laws. This clause is
the major constitutional restraint on the power of governments to discriminate against
persons because of race, national origin, or sex.
Article I, Section 4, of the United States Constitution - CORRECT ANSWER Grants the
states the authority to determine the rules by which they elect their United States
Senators and Representatives, unless the United States Congress acts to change those
rules.
Article II, Section 1, of the United States Constitution - CORRECT ANSWER Provides
that the President of the United States is elected by the Electoral College.
Electoral College - CORRECT ANSWER The president is elected by a majority of
electoral votes. After an election a group of electors chosen by each state officially cast
the electoral votes for their state to choose the President.
Voter Registration requirements in Florida - CORRECT ANSWER Be a citizen of the
United States of America, a legal resident of Florida, a legal resident of the county in
which you seek to be registered, at least 16 years old to preregister or at least 18 years
old to register and vote. Not be a person who has been adjudicated mentally
incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other state without having the right
to vote restored; and, not be a person convicted of a felony without having your right to
vote restored.
County Supervisor of Elections - CORRECT ANSWER Florida has 67 counties. Each
county has an elected Supervisor, who conducts elections within his or her county.
