USA1 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the 1st comparative theory with the key word ‘selfish’?
meaning a outcome has come from?

A

Rational

Self-interest, best for them

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2
Q

What is the 2nd comparative theory with the key phrase ‘group and shared ideology’
e.g.?

A

cultural

UK governed culturally by conventions USA by sovereign entrenched constitution

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3
Q

What is the 3rd comparative theory with the key phrase ‘institutions and processes’
e.g. ?

A

structural

party loyalty structure strong in the UK weak in USA

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4
Q

Constitution was written? ratified?
Has vague language because?
5 features?

A
1887, 1789
avoid outdated can be interpreted/adapted
-codified
-sovereign
-entrenched
-judicable
-federal
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5
Q

What are the 3 branches

What does the constitution give each set of branches?

A

-executive -president
-legislative- congress
-judicial- supreme court
enumerated powers

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6
Q

executive branch 5 enumerated powers?

A
  • negotiates treaties
  • reprieves and pardons
  • veto legislation
  • nominates federal justices
  • commander-in-chief
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7
Q

legislative branch 5 enumerated powers?

judicial branch?

A
  • collects taxes
  • borrows money
  • declares war
  • regulates trade
  • ratifies treaties/appointments

-judicial review

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8
Q

What is highlighted by the constitutional framework? (2)

A
  • separation of powers

- checks and balances

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9
Q

where is the amendment process formally laid out?

what is the typical time limit to ratify? to avoid?

A

article V, entrenchment

7 years, 27th amendment 202 years

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10
Q

What is the amendment process?

1) proposal national level
2) ratification at state level

A

-2/3 both houses then 3/4 state legislature then 3/4 state constitutional conventions

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11
Q

Amendment process advantages? (4)

A
  • works (27 amendments)
  • endured time, protected principles
  • bipartisanship, protect tyranny
  • protects federalism
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12
Q

Amendment process disadvantages? (5)

A
  • need super-majorities too difficult
  • unelected supreme court gain to much
  • allow tyranny of minority
  • can’t incorporate new ideas (out of date)
  • bad amendments e.g. 18th repealed 14yr later
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13
Q

What are the 5 key principles of the constitution?

A
  • separation of powers
  • checks and balances
  • bipartisanship
  • limited government
  • federalism (shared sovereignty)
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14
Q

what amendment protects the states?
states can control?(3)

what are the 4 factors affecting federal-state relationship?

A

10th amendment

  • election practices
  • local law
  • regulate lives e.g. age of consent
  • ‘necessary proper’ federal growth 15 dep
  • globalisation, terrorism/natural disasters federal has money
  • state/federal law conflict federal wins
  • ‘commerce’ clause allows federal to regulate interstate commerce e.g.Obamacare
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15
Q

Strengths of the constitution? (6)

A
  • vague, flexible for 21st centaury
  • supreme court allows non-partisan interpretation
  • amendment process significant change
  • states largely independent
  • federal gov protected against unquestioned power
  • rights mainly protected
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16
Q

Weaknesses of the constitution? (5)

A
  • interpretive amendments trample on state rights
  • supreme court power unaccountable and unelected
  • amendment prohibited necessary change
  • federal gov wide unchecked power e.g. Obama Iran deal
  • rights of citizens often conflict
17
Q

Which features of the constitution shows… representative democracy ? (1)

liberal? (2)

pluralist ? (3)

A

-federalism (gov close)

  • checks and balances (limited gov)
  • bill of rights (protect minority)
  • checks and balances ( bipartisanship)
  • federalism (local beliefs into law)
  • bill of rights (protect minority)
18
Q

The US is federal ? (5)

A
  • state decide/enforce laws
  • supreme court rules in favour of states
  • electoral practices vary and are developing
  • appealing to supreme court not a right so state courts remain important
  • political parties remain ‘broad churches’
19
Q

The US not federal? (4)

A
  • growth of federal gov encroach on states
  • electoral college big importance few states
  • federal gov resources globalisation
  • supreme court rules for federal gov
20
Q

Principles
similarities (3)

differences (3)

A
  • separation of powers (reforms 2005)
  • divided gov (house of lords growth)
  • checks and balances, supreme court
  • c/b limited in UK due to fused exec and leg strong in US
  • bipartisanship enforced in US, unnecessary in UK due to majority
  • US gov limited separation of powers, UK ‘elected dictatorship’
21
Q

Federalism and devolution

similarities (3)

A
  • reliant on grants from central gov
  • national gov supremacy
  • states/devolved notable diff in legislation
  • law in US diff, UK centralised similar
  • USA states sovereignty protected, UK rely on parliament
  • UK limited supreme court resource, US challenge regularly.