St Petersburg College Civic
Literacy Flashcards / Exam
Questions with Certified
Solutions.
Quiz____?
Democracy -
Answer✓✓
Type of government where power is derived from the people, either
directly or indirectly.
Quiz____?
Representative Democracy or Democratic Republic -
Answer✓✓
An indirect or a representative democracy where eligible voters choose
representatives to act on their behalf and make political decisions.
Quiz____?
Constitutional Democracy -
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.
Page 1 of 34
, Quiz____?
Social Contract Theory -
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.
Quiz____?
Consent of the Governed -
Answer✓✓
The idea that our government derives its power from the people because
we elect representatives to the legislative branch of government.
Quiz____?
Checks and Balances -
Answer✓✓
Principle reflected in the Constitution that grants each of the three
branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) some control and scrutiny
over one another.
Quiz____?
Separation of Powers -
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.
Page 2 of 34
, Quiz____?
Rule of law -
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.
Quiz____?
Due process of law -
Answer✓✓
Fair treatment through the normal judicial system.
Quiz____?
Equality under the Law -
Answer✓✓
Equal treatment and equal protection without the guarantee of equal
outcomes.
Quiz____?
Popular Sovereignty -
Answer✓✓
A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.
Quiz____?
Natural rights -
Page 3 of 34
, 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.
Quiz____?
Federalism -
Answer✓✓
A political system in which power is divided between a central
government and multiple constituent, provincial, or state governments.
Quiz____?
Concurrent powers -
Answer✓✓
Powers that are held by both the federal and the local governments (e.g.
taxing, roads, elections, lower courts).
Quiz____?
Equal Protection Clause -
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.
Quiz____?
Article I, Section 4, of the United States Constitution -
Page 4 of 34
Literacy Flashcards / Exam
Questions with Certified
Solutions.
Quiz____?
Democracy -
Answer✓✓
Type of government where power is derived from the people, either
directly or indirectly.
Quiz____?
Representative Democracy or Democratic Republic -
Answer✓✓
An indirect or a representative democracy where eligible voters choose
representatives to act on their behalf and make political decisions.
Quiz____?
Constitutional Democracy -
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.
Page 1 of 34
, Quiz____?
Social Contract Theory -
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.
Quiz____?
Consent of the Governed -
Answer✓✓
The idea that our government derives its power from the people because
we elect representatives to the legislative branch of government.
Quiz____?
Checks and Balances -
Answer✓✓
Principle reflected in the Constitution that grants each of the three
branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) some control and scrutiny
over one another.
Quiz____?
Separation of Powers -
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.
Page 2 of 34
, Quiz____?
Rule of law -
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.
Quiz____?
Due process of law -
Answer✓✓
Fair treatment through the normal judicial system.
Quiz____?
Equality under the Law -
Answer✓✓
Equal treatment and equal protection without the guarantee of equal
outcomes.
Quiz____?
Popular Sovereignty -
Answer✓✓
A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.
Quiz____?
Natural rights -
Page 3 of 34
, 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.
Quiz____?
Federalism -
Answer✓✓
A political system in which power is divided between a central
government and multiple constituent, provincial, or state governments.
Quiz____?
Concurrent powers -
Answer✓✓
Powers that are held by both the federal and the local governments (e.g.
taxing, roads, elections, lower courts).
Quiz____?
Equal Protection Clause -
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.
Quiz____?
Article I, Section 4, of the United States Constitution -
Page 4 of 34
