Fundamentals of Constitutional Democracy Quiz

Aristocracy is a form of government where leadership positions are held by individuals from noble or privileged backgrounds, rather than being based on democratic elections or merit.

A constituency refers to the group of people who are legally entitled to vote for an office holder, known as constituents.

Democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or through elected representatives. It is characterized by political equality and freedom of expression.

Direct democracy is a form of democracy where all citizens have a direct and active role in the decision-making process of the government. This is in contrast to systems where elected representatives make decisions on behalf of the people (representative democracy) or where power is concentrated in the hands of a single ruler (monarchy or dictatorship).

Electoral incentives refer to the motivation politicians have to seek election or re-election to office in order to maintain power and influence.

A government's primary functions revolve around maintaining law and order, regulating societal and economic interactions, providing essential services, and ensuring national security.

An initiative refers to a proposed law or amendment to a state constitution that is placed on the ballot as a result of a citizen petition. It allows citizens to directly participate in the lawmaking process.

An oligarchy is a small group of individuals holding power, not necessarily nobility. It differs from a democracy or autocracy as power is concentrated in the hands of a few, not the citizens as a whole.

The concept of Permanent Campaign entails that campaigning is a continuous process that goes beyond traditional election cycles, leading to various consequences in the political landscape.

A proposition is commonly used in referring to a proposition and a referendum, as it involves the presentation of a statement or idea for consideration.

A recall election specifically involves citizens trying to remove incumbents from office before their term is completed. It is a mechanism of direct democracy where voters can petition for a special election to remove an official from office.

A referendum is a specific type of legislative proposal that requires voter approval to go into effect, distinct from court cases, investments, or protests.

A representative democracy is a type of democracy founded on the principle of elected officials representing a group of people, as opposed to direct democracy where decisions are made directly by the people.

The Anti-Federalists were against the ratification of the Constitution as they feared it would lead to a strong national government that could potentially suppress the rights of individual states and citizens.

The Federalists were a political group that supported the ratification of the Constitution and believed in a strong central government.

The Federalist Papers were written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, and they are considered some of the best essays on American political theory. These papers argued that the Constitution would help prevent tyranny from taking hold in the United States.

The Bill of Rights was not initially included in the Constitution but was added later to secure the support of those who were concerned about protecting individual freedoms.

Checks and Balances is a system designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful or abusing its authority. By dividing power among separate institutions, it ensures that each branch can limit the power of the others, thereby preventing majority tyranny and promoting a system of shared power and accountability.

The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, was proposed at the Annapolis Convention to resolve the issue of representation in the United States Congress. It called for a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate with equal representation for each state. This compromise was crucial in forming the structure of the legislative branch of the U.S. government.

The Constitution is the foundational legal document that establishes the framework for the government of the United States.

The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson, not by George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, or John Adams.

Divine Right is the doctrine that posits a monarch's legitimacy descends directly from God. It suggests that the authority to rule is bestowed upon the ruler by divine sanction, rather than being based on the consent of the governed.

The First Continental Congress was a significant event in American history as it showed unity among the colonies in standing against British oppression. The congress issued a statement of rights and called for the boycott of British goods, setting the stage for future revolutionary activities.

The Second Continental Congress was a significant political authority where all 13 colonies were represented and it directed the struggle for independence, leading to the issuance of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Judicial Review refers to the power of the courts to review the actions of the other branches of government and determine if they are constitutional. This allows the judicial branch to declare laws passed by the legislative branch or actions taken by the executive branch as unconstitutional.

The Necessary and Proper Clause, also known as the Elastic Clause, grants Congress expansive powers to make laws that are deemed necessary and proper to execute its enumerated powers. It is not a limitation on Congress, a presidential authority, or specifically tied to the Tenth Amendment.

The New Jersey Plan was designed by William Paterson and had specific characteristics that differentiated it from other proposed plans during the Constitutional Convention.