WGU C963 - Objective Assessment|Complete with 100% Correct Answers

WGU C963 - Objective Assessment|Complete with 100% Correct Answers Major contributors to social contract theory Hobbes, Locke, Reasseau Social Contract Theory We need food, clothing and shelter to survive and nothing should interfere with our ability to obtain them. We may also choose to believe in a god. The belief gives definition to our existance. Therefore it is important we define ourselves as individuals. Enlightenment Influence on Constitution Bill of Rights and the Second Amendment, Ninth Amendment Bill of Rights (Enlightenment) The first eight Bill of Rights Declaration of Independence (Enlightenment) people have rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness Articles of Confederation weaknesses No executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade Articles of Confederation - Strengths Provided direction for the Revolution, the ability to conduct diplomacy with Europe, and deal with territorial issues and Native American relations. New Jersey Plan The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population. Virginia Plan Proposal to create a strong national government Constitutional Convention A meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that produced a new constitution Three-Fifths compromise Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes (negated by the 13th amendment). Bicameral congress. Checks and Balances A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power Separation of Powers Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law Federalists A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures. Anti-Federalists Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption. Ratifying the Constitution Article VII, 9 out of 13 states had to agree, it was ratified at state conventions Federalist #10 (factions) Elites can never take over rule of the government due to too many factions. Federalist #51 (Madison) Separation of powers, checks and balances Separations of Powers The division of the federal government into three branches each with its own powers Government Branches Three sections of the US government: legislative, executive, and judicial. Each branch has powers that restrict the other branches powers. How are laws made and enforced using the separation of powers Congress originates laws Judicial branch reviews laws for constitutionality Executive branch enforces laws system of checks and balances Constitutional system in which each branch of government places limits on the power of other branches Several checks the judicial branch has on the legislative and executive branches Executive: Can overturn actions of the president with judicial review if the actions violate the Constitution Serve during good behavior to maintain independence of judiciary Legislative: Can overturn acts of Congress as unconstitutional if they violate the law Can influence laws by interpretation Serve during good behavior to maintain independence of judiciary Several checks the legislative branch has on the judicial and executive branches Judicial: Senate must approve judges and justices Controls jurisdiction of the courts Determines size of Supreme Court House can impeach judges and Senate can remove them by two-thirds vote Executive: Can override a presidential veto by a two-thirds vote in both chambers Must approve treaties by a two-thirds vote in the Senate Control of funding activities of the executive branch Presidential nominees must be approved by the Senate Only Congress can declare war House can impeach the president or vice president and the Senate can remove them by a two-thirds vote Several checks the executive branch has on the legislative and judicial branches Legislative: Can veto legislation Can use executive agreements Can use executive orders Negotiates treaties (not Congress) Judicial: Nominates judges Power of pardon Several advantages and disadvantages of a federalist system Advantages: States can innovate when dealing with problems States better designed to deal with needs of citizens States can add to national programs Separation of powers and system of checks and balances Offers opportunity for individual to participate more in the political system. Disadvantages: Inefficient Difficulties when states have conflicts Duplication of effort costly Not all citizens are treated the same Define the three types of Congressional powers including implied, enumerated and inherent powers Enumerated: Power stated in Constitution Implied: Not stated in Constitution but inferred Inherent: Assumed to exist as a result of the country's existance Several powers held by the legislative branch Tax citizens , Set the budget , Regulate commerce, Declare war, Provide advice and consent on appointments, Impeach individuals, Oversee the powers of the judicial and executive branches Congressional powers as either implied, enumerated or inherent Enumerated: Taxation, budget authority, power to regulate, power to declare war, checks on other branches including advice and consent and impeachment. Implied: Power to oversee the other branches as well as reign in administrative agencies. Examples of Congress exercising its power under the Commerce Clause Regulating trade between states, setting a federal minimum wage, prohibiting discrimination employment. Ways in which the legislative branch can engage in checks and balances with the other branches of government Judicial: Senate must approve judges and justices Controls jurisdiction of the courts Determines size of Supreme Court House can impeach judges and Senate can remove them by two-thirds vote Executive: Can override a presidential veto by a two-thirds vote in both chambers Must approve treaties by a two-thirds vote in the Senate Control of funding activities of the executive branch Presidential nominees must be approved by the Senate Only Congress can declare war House can impeach the president or vice president and the Senate can remove them by a two-thirds vote Process of legislation and how bills become law 1. A bill is proposed 2. Introduced in house or senate 3. Passed to committee or subcommittee 4. Floor action: debate and voting 5. Conference committee resolves conflicting points. New version sent back for approval. 6. President can sign bill into law or choose to veto 7. If veto, congress can override veto by passing bill in house and senate by a 2/3rd majority. 8 YAY! New Law!