Chapter 4

What is one way in which the state constitution of California differs from the U.S. Constitution? California lacks a bill of rights due to the exercise of the Fourteenth Amendment. California has the only unicameral state legislature in the country. There is no separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches. Amendments are added to the constitution by popular initiative.

amendments are added to the constitution by popular initiative

Why are checks and balances and the separation of powers so important to the American system of government? They allow for the business of government to be broken down into manageable units. They keep each branch of government strong through competition with the others. They prevent the corruption and abuses of one branch from bringing down the government. They prevent the spread of misinformation and propaganda.

they prevent the corruption and abuses of one branch from bringing down the government

What norm is necessary to make the system of checks and balances in the U.S. government work? New challenges make it necessary to add new branches of government. The branches have to be willing to subvert the system in emergencies. New checks and balances must keep being added to prevent new abuses. The branches cannot collude with each other to subvert the system.

the branches cannot collude with each other to subvert the system

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. How does the Constitution limit the power of state governments? Article I, Section 10 denies the states' powers that they had under the Articles of Confederation. The Fourteenth Amendment acts as a Bill of Rights for the powers of state governments over individual citizens. The Tenth Amendment reserves all powers not explicitly given to the states for the federal government. The supremacy clause of Article VI mandates that federal laws have a higher authority than state laws.

Article I, Section 10 denies the states' powers that they had under the Articles of Confederation. The Fourteenth Amendment acts as a Bill of Rights for the powers of state governments over individual citizens. The supremacy clause of Article VI mandates that federal laws have a higher authority than state laws.

Who argued that dividing power between the executive, legislature, and judiciary was necessary to prevent one person or group from being able to topple the entire system? Marcellus Shale James Madison John Marshall Baron de Montesquieu

Baron de Montesquieu

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. Which countries have a federal system of government? France Canada Germany Mexico

Canada Germany Mexico

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. Which of the following are limitations placed on the power of the president and the Executive Branch? The Electoral College must confirm the president's election. Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority. The president commands the military but only Congress can declare war. Congress has the power to impeach the president.

Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority. The president commands the military but only Congress can declare war. Congress has the power to impeach the president.

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. Which are requirements needed to adopt an amendment to the U.S. Constitution? The amendment cannot be achievable through the normal legislative process. No state shall be deprived of its equal vote in the Senate without its consent. The amendment must be approved by the legislatures of three-quarters of the states. The amendment must be proposed by a two-thirds vote of the Senate or the House of Representatives.

No state shall be deprived of its equal vote in the Senate without its consent. The amendment must be approved by the legislatures of three-quarters of the states. The amendment must be proposed by a two-thirds vote of the Senate or the House of Representatives.

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. Which factors limit the influence of individual American citizens in politics? Politicians think and act in the long term, which can sideline popular opinion. The law can be complicated so many citizens are discouraged or misled. Many citizens fail to vote or participate in politics at any level. The outcomes of referendums are usually ignored by the government.

Politicians think and act in the long term, which can sideline popular opinion. The law can be complicated so many citizens are discouraged or misled. Many citizens fail to vote or participate in politics at any level.

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. Why did the founders make the formal process for amending the Constitution so difficult? Public opinion could be fickle and make a change to the Constitution too hastily. Too many amendments about trivial matters cheapen the Constitution. Amendments were used to oppress English subjects in colonial America. Special interests could gain benefits from amendments that would be hard to challenge.

Public opinion could be fickle and make a change to the Constitution too hastily. Too many amendments about trivial matters cheapen the Constitution. Special interests could gain benefits from amendments that would be hard to challenge.

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. Which are mechanisms of direct democracy at the level of state government in the U.S.? Referendums Ballot initiatives Devolution of power Election recall

Referendums Ballot initiatives Election recall

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. Why did Alexander Hamilton think that the judicial branch was the least threatening to liberty? The judiciary cannot make or enforce laws, making the other two branches an effective check on it. The judiciary controls neither the financial or military resources of the government. The judiciary is headed by the Supreme Court and its justices are not elected officials. The judiciary is inherently immune to politicization.

The judiciary cannot make or enforce laws, making the other two branches an effective check on it. The judiciary controls neither the financial or military resources of the government. The judiciary is inherently immune to politicization.

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. Why has the distribution of power between state and federal governments in the U.S. changed over time? The borders of states shift based on population projections, making state power inconsistent. The relationship between state and federal powers was kept vague by the founders to avoid disagreements. Supreme Court Justices have interpreted the Constitution differently throughout the years. Historical events have changed people's opinions on and relationship with the Constitution.

The relationship between state and federal powers was kept vague by the founders to avoid disagreements. Supreme Court Justices have interpreted the Constitution differently throughout the years. Historical events have changed people's opinions on and relationship with the Constitution.

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY. What are the characteristics of the executive branch in parliamentary systems of government? There is no independent check on the legislature from the executive branch. It is chosen from the majority party in the legislature. It can be removed for any reason, even ideological disagreement. There is no authority above the executive branch.

There is no independent check on the legislature from the executive branch. It is chosen from the majority party in the legislature. It can be removed for any reason, even ideological disagreement.

The founders drafted the U.S. Constitution in a way that strongly encourages and enables citizen participation. True False

false

The language in Article I of the Constitution places a number of severe restrictions on what laws the U.S. Congress can pass. True False

false

What makes a government's system republican in structure? Its powers are divided into different branches with checks and balances. Its leaders inherit their positions. Its citizens vote for representatives who make and execute the laws. Its laws are subject to executive veto.

its citizens vote for representatives who make and execute the laws

Why is local government not discussed at all in the Constitution? The founders viewed regulating local governments as a violation of Article III. Local government was intended to be entirely subordinate to state governments. No communities in the late eighteenth century were large enough to need their own governments. The founders wanted the states to administer their cities and counties directly.

local government was intended to be entirely subordinate to state governments

Which entity preserves sovereign authority under a confederal system, like that of the U.S. under the Articles of Confederation? The central government The legislature Local units Individual citizens

local units