Introduction to Government
• Why do we need a government?• What does a government do?
• What are citizens?• What are the responsibilities of a citizen?• What makes someone a good citizen?
CitizenshipCitizenship
Citizenship Continued
Popular Sovereignty
• All Power is held by the People• The power to govern is given through the
Constitution
• Amendments protecting sovereignty:– 15th – African Americans– 17th – Senators elected directly– 19th – Women– 24th – Outlawed poll tax– 26th – Voting age lowered to 18
FederalismFederalism
• What is federalism?
• Some powers are delegated to the national gov’t and some are reserved for the states
• States have their own laws, courts, constitutions, and elected officials
• What is separation of powers?
• Separation of powers is the assigning of the legislative (law-making) executive (law-enforcing) and judicial (law-interpreting) powers to three different branches of the government.
• The legislative branch makes the laws, the executive branch enforces laws, and the judicial branch interprets laws
Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers
Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances
• Each Branch is checked by the other branches
• Ensures one branch does not have all the power
Legislative Branch
• The Legislative Branch (House and Senate) checks on the president; can override a presidential veto; can impeach and remove the president; ratifies presidential appointments; authorizes/appropriates funds for legislation; checks on the judiciary; can impeach and remove judges; confirms federal judges.
The Executive Branch
• The Executive Branch (President) checks on Congress; proposes legislation; vetoes legislation; makes treaties; checks on the judiciary; appoints federal judges; enforces court decisions.
The Judicial Branch
• The Judicial Branch (Supreme Court and lower courts) checks on the president; reviews executive acts; checks on Congress; reviews congressional laws.
• Marbury v. Madison – established judicial review
• Judicial Review – the power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a government
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