January 06, 2015
Political Concepts of the Constitution
Representative Democracy - government in which people elect
leaders or officials to make decisions for them
Federalism - system of government in which power is distributed
between NATIONAL and STATE governments
Bicameralism - Congress divided into two houses of the
legislative branch of government (House of Representatives and
Senate)
Checks and Balances - system set up in the Constitution where
each branch of the government has some authority over the
other
Separation of Powers - the division of the power among the
LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE and JUDICIAL branches of
government
January 06, 2015
Representative Democracy
1.Define representative democracy:
-government in which people elect leaders or officials to
make decisions for them
2. How is this concept used in the government of the United
States?
-provides for a Congress and a President/Vice-President
3. Why was the United States government based on this
concept?
-the Framers worried that smaller, less powerful groups
might suffer
January 06, 2015
January 06, 2015
Federalism
1. Define federalism:
-system of government in which power is distributed between
national and state governments
2. Why did the Constitution include this concept?
-The best way to prevent government from abusing its power
was to divide it.
3. Define delegated powers:
-powers assigned to the federal government
4. Define reserved powers:
-powers saved for the states
5. Define concurrent powers:
-powers shared by both the federal and state governments