Principles of American Government - AP Government and Politics
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What is the main idea behind the Social Contract Theory?
What is the main idea behind the Social Contract Theory?
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People consent to government authority for protection. Citizens give up some freedom for government protection and order.
People consent to government authority for protection. Citizens give up some freedom for government protection and order.
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What is the Supremacy Clause?
What is the Supremacy Clause?
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Federal law takes precedence over state law. Federal law overrules conflicting state laws.
Federal law takes precedence over state law. Federal law overrules conflicting state laws.
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Identify the principle that emphasizes individual rights.
Identify the principle that emphasizes individual rights.
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Individual rights. Protects personal freedoms from government interference.
Individual rights. Protects personal freedoms from government interference.
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Which clause gives Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper?
Which clause gives Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper?
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The Elastic Clause. Also called the Necessary and Proper Clause, expanding Congressional power.
The Elastic Clause. Also called the Necessary and Proper Clause, expanding Congressional power.
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What concept ensures that no single branch becomes too powerful?
What concept ensures that no single branch becomes too powerful?
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Separation of powers. Divides government into three distinct branches with different roles.
Separation of powers. Divides government into three distinct branches with different roles.
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Which principle involves government officials following the same laws as citizens?
Which principle involves government officials following the same laws as citizens?
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Rule of Law. No one is above the law, including leaders.
Rule of Law. No one is above the law, including leaders.
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Identify the clause that allows Congress to regulate commerce.
Identify the clause that allows Congress to regulate commerce.
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The Commerce Clause. Gives Congress broad power over interstate and international trade.
The Commerce Clause. Gives Congress broad power over interstate and international trade.
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Which branch can veto legislation?
Which branch can veto legislation?
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The Executive Branch. The President can reject bills passed by Congress.
The Executive Branch. The President can reject bills passed by Congress.
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What is the main function of the Legislative Branch?
What is the main function of the Legislative Branch?
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To make laws. Congress creates statutes that govern the nation.
To make laws. Congress creates statutes that govern the nation.
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What principle supports the division between church and state?
What principle supports the division between church and state?
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Separation of church and state. Government cannot favor or establish any particular religion.
Separation of church and state. Government cannot favor or establish any particular religion.
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What does the principle of judicial review allow?
What does the principle of judicial review allow?
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Courts can declare laws unconstitutional. Established in Marbury v. Madison to check legislative power.
Courts can declare laws unconstitutional. Established in Marbury v. Madison to check legislative power.
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What is the process of formally charging a public official with misconduct?
What is the process of formally charging a public official with misconduct?
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Impeachment. House impeaches, Senate tries the case for removal.
Impeachment. House impeaches, Senate tries the case for removal.
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What is the separation of powers?
What is the separation of powers?
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Dividing government roles into three branches. Creates legislative, executive, and judicial branches with distinct functions.
Dividing government roles into three branches. Creates legislative, executive, and judicial branches with distinct functions.
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Identify the principle that allows each branch to limit the others.
Identify the principle that allows each branch to limit the others.
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Checks and balances. Prevents any branch from becoming too dominant.
Checks and balances. Prevents any branch from becoming too dominant.
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Which principle supports the idea that law applies equally to all?
Which principle supports the idea that law applies equally to all?
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Rule of Law. Everyone, including government officials, must follow the law.
Rule of Law. Everyone, including government officials, must follow the law.
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What is the Bill of Rights?
What is the Bill of Rights?
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The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. These amendments protect fundamental individual freedoms.
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. These amendments protect fundamental individual freedoms.
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Which document begins with 'We the People'?
Which document begins with 'We the People'?
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The U.S. Constitution. The Preamble starts with this famous phrase establishing popular sovereignty.
The U.S. Constitution. The Preamble starts with this famous phrase establishing popular sovereignty.
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What does the principle of popular sovereignty entail?
What does the principle of popular sovereignty entail?
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Government power derives from the consent of the governed. Authority comes from the people's agreement to be governed.
Government power derives from the consent of the governed. Authority comes from the people's agreement to be governed.
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Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws?
Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws?
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The Judicial Branch. Courts determine what laws mean and if they're constitutional.
The Judicial Branch. Courts determine what laws mean and if they're constitutional.
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What is the main role of the Executive Branch?
What is the main role of the Executive Branch?
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To enforce laws. The President ensures laws passed by Congress are implemented.
To enforce laws. The President ensures laws passed by Congress are implemented.
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Identify the concept where government power is restricted by law.
Identify the concept where government power is restricted by law.
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Limited government. Prevents government from having unlimited authority over citizens.
Limited government. Prevents government from having unlimited authority over citizens.
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Which principle divides power between national and state governments?
Which principle divides power between national and state governments?
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Federalism. It divides authority between the federal and state levels.
Federalism. It divides authority between the federal and state levels.
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What is the primary purpose of the U.S. Constitution?
What is the primary purpose of the U.S. Constitution?
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To establish the framework of government and protect citizens' rights. It sets up how government works and safeguards individual liberties.
To establish the framework of government and protect citizens' rights. It sets up how government works and safeguards individual liberties.
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Which amendment established the income tax?
Which amendment established the income tax?
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The Sixteenth Amendment. Allows federal taxation of personal income.
The Sixteenth Amendment. Allows federal taxation of personal income.
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Identify the amendment that prohibits excessive bail and fines.
Identify the amendment that prohibits excessive bail and fines.
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The Eighth Amendment. Prevents unreasonable financial penalties in criminal cases.
The Eighth Amendment. Prevents unreasonable financial penalties in criminal cases.
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What is the main purpose of the Preamble to the Constitution?
What is the main purpose of the Preamble to the Constitution?
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To outline the goals of the Constitution. States the Constitution's purposes and principles.
To outline the goals of the Constitution. States the Constitution's purposes and principles.
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Which amendment limits presidential terms?
Which amendment limits presidential terms?
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The Twenty-Second Amendment. Presidents can only serve two terms maximum.
The Twenty-Second Amendment. Presidents can only serve two terms maximum.
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What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?
What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?
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States must respect other states' laws and judicial decisions. Promotes national unity by requiring interstate legal recognition.
States must respect other states' laws and judicial decisions. Promotes national unity by requiring interstate legal recognition.
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Identify the clause that prohibits the establishment of religion.
Identify the clause that prohibits the establishment of religion.
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The Establishment Clause. Government cannot create an official national religion.
The Establishment Clause. Government cannot create an official national religion.
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Which principle allows citizens to vote directly on laws?
Which principle allows citizens to vote directly on laws?
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Direct democracy. Citizens vote on issues themselves rather than through representatives.
Direct democracy. Citizens vote on issues themselves rather than through representatives.
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