John Locke

He believed that human beings possess natural rights that are "inalienable," meaning that they can neither be given nor taken away.

A constitution is

fundamental law which establishes the structure and processes of government

Liberal democracy

combines democracy and majority rule with protection of individual liberty

Amending the Constitution is a two-step process of formally proposing and then ratifying an amendment.

true

Fragmenting governing power into its legislative, executive, and judicial functions is called

separation of powers

The Bill of Rights was part of the original Constitution in 1787.

false

The idea that human beings have rights naturally because they are human was developed by

John Locke

He said that allowing individuals to be free to pursue their own economic self-interest would result in increased material well-being for the whole society.

Adam smith

He said that people should surrender some of their freedom to obey a strong government in exchange for having the government protect them (a social contract).

Hobbes

Sovereignty refers to

ultimate power within a country

Democracy refers to a type of political system in which citizens have a say in how they are ruled.

True

James Madison discussed the danger that "factions" pose for a democracy in

Federalist Paper #10

The power-sharing arrangement between the U.S. national government and the state governments is known as

federalism

James Madison assumed that human beings are mostly motivated by

self interest

He developed the concept of "political equality."

Jean Jacques Rousseau

He believed that abuse of power could be curbed by separating governing power into its executive, legislative, and judicial functions by instituting a system of checks and balances to restrain each branch.

Montesquieu

The philosophical era that fostered belief and confidence in human reason was known as the Renaissance.

false

Americans can change the Constitution through

the amendment process

A Liberal Democracy is one in which legislative majorities can make any laws they would like to make.

False

The Enlightenment's school of thought known as "Classical Liberalism" was built around ideas of

natural rights, democracy, and capitalism

The constitutional requirements for a bill to become a law are

that it be passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President

The U.S. Congress is

bicameral

The oversight function of Congress

monitors the executive branch's activities

Impeachment is a power of the President that checks Congress.

False

Supreme Court nominees must be confirmed with a simple majority vote in the Senate.

True

The entity in the House of Representatives that limits debate

the Rules Committee

The Executive branch of government

is responsible for the daily administration and implementing of laws of the country.

The U.S. Senate

has one-third of its members stand for election every two years on a rotating basis of three classes

The Cloture Rule cuts off debate in the Senate.

TRUE

The constitutionally guaranteed right of habeas corpus protects citizens against unjust arrest and detention.

TRUE

The War Power Resolution was signed into law by President Nixon.

FALSE

A presidential veto can be overridden by Congress.

TRUE

The "power of the purse" is constitutionally vested with

the Congress

Presidential appointees to the Cabinet have to be approved by the Senate with a simple majority vote.

TRUE

A vote for Cloture requires approval by

60 Senators

Members of the House of Representatives were given a two-year term of office in order to hold them closely accountable to their constituents.

TRUE

The framers of the U.S. Constitution incorporated their ideal of "democracy" into the Constitution by creating three elected branches of government.

TRUE

Which of the President's powers is not limited by Congress?

the power to pardon

The number of Senators needed to maintain a filibuster is

41

The mechanism that connects citizens with their governments, through which they signify their consent and through which they can accomplish peaceful change and hold their representatives accountable is

elections

Remove judges from office

L over J

Veto bills

E over L

appoint judges

E over J

call special sessions

E over L

override a veto

L over E

Fail to enforce a court order

E over J

declare a law unconstitutional

J over L, E

grant a reprieve

E over J

Replace some existing courts

L over E, J

Set free a person being held by the FBI

J over E

Propose an amendment

L over J

Confirm appointments

L over E

Ratify treaties

J over E

Declare a president's actions unconstitutional

J over E

control appropriations

L over E