St Petersburg College Civic Literacy 2023 Exam Study
Guide with complete solution
Democracy
Type of government where power is derived from the people, either directly or indirectly.
Representative Democracy or Democratic Republic
An indirect or a representative democracy where eligible voters choose representatives
to act on their behalf and make political decisions.
Constitutional Democracy
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
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
The idea that our government derives its power from the people because we elect
representatives to the legislative branch of government.
Checks and Balances
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
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
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
Fair treatment through the normal judicial system.
Equality under the Law
Equal treatment and equal protection without the guarantee of equal outcomes.
Popular Sovereignty
A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.
Natural rights
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
A political system in which power is divided between a central government and multiple
constituent, provincial, or state governments.
Concurrent powers
Powers that are held by both the federal and the local governments (e.g. taxing, roads,
elections, lower courts).
Equal Protection Clause
, 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
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
Provides that the President of the United States is elected by the Electoral College.
Electoral College
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
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
Florida has 67 counties. Each county has an elected Supervisor, who conducts
elections within his or her county.
Preamble to the Constitution
The opening section of the Constitution; brief introductory statement of the fundamental
purposes and guiding principles that the Constitution is meant to serve.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the
general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do
ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Article I of the United States Constitution
Legislative Branch (Congress).
The United States Congress is bicameral, consisting of two chambers, the House of
Representatives and the Senate. Congress is the branch that is responsible for making
the laws. Other powers include commerce, taxing, roads, defense, war, citizenship, etc.
The founders gave the most powers to this branch because it is made up of many
representatives elected directly by the people.
House of Representatives
The lower chamber of the US Congress. The number of representatives from each state
is based on population and each representative is elected by a district in their state. Its
members serve 2-year terms. Also, revenue and taxing bills must originate in the
House.
Speaker of the House of Representatives
The leader of the majority party who serves as the presiding officer of the House of
Representatives and who is second in line to the Presidency after Vice-President.
Senate
Guide with complete solution
Democracy
Type of government where power is derived from the people, either directly or indirectly.
Representative Democracy or Democratic Republic
An indirect or a representative democracy where eligible voters choose representatives
to act on their behalf and make political decisions.
Constitutional Democracy
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
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
The idea that our government derives its power from the people because we elect
representatives to the legislative branch of government.
Checks and Balances
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
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
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
Fair treatment through the normal judicial system.
Equality under the Law
Equal treatment and equal protection without the guarantee of equal outcomes.
Popular Sovereignty
A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.
Natural rights
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
A political system in which power is divided between a central government and multiple
constituent, provincial, or state governments.
Concurrent powers
Powers that are held by both the federal and the local governments (e.g. taxing, roads,
elections, lower courts).
Equal Protection Clause
, 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
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
Provides that the President of the United States is elected by the Electoral College.
Electoral College
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
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
Florida has 67 counties. Each county has an elected Supervisor, who conducts
elections within his or her county.
Preamble to the Constitution
The opening section of the Constitution; brief introductory statement of the fundamental
purposes and guiding principles that the Constitution is meant to serve.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the
general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do
ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Article I of the United States Constitution
Legislative Branch (Congress).
The United States Congress is bicameral, consisting of two chambers, the House of
Representatives and the Senate. Congress is the branch that is responsible for making
the laws. Other powers include commerce, taxing, roads, defense, war, citizenship, etc.
The founders gave the most powers to this branch because it is made up of many
representatives elected directly by the people.
House of Representatives
The lower chamber of the US Congress. The number of representatives from each state
is based on population and each representative is elected by a district in their state. Its
members serve 2-year terms. Also, revenue and taxing bills must originate in the
House.
Speaker of the House of Representatives
The leader of the majority party who serves as the presiding officer of the House of
Representatives and who is second in line to the Presidency after Vice-President.
Senate
