U.S. Government Foundations: Exploring Key Concepts and Vocabulary

The Anti-Federalists were individuals who opposed the formation of the United States Constitution, as they feared it would lead to an overly powerful central government.

The Federalists were supporters of the creation of the constitution as they believed in a strong central government and the need for a unified system of governance.

The US Constitution is a foundational document that sets up the structure of the current US government and establishes the rules by which it operates. It is not related to rights of animals, recipes, or simply a historical artifact.

The Articles of Confederation served as the United States' first constitution but were ultimately deemed weak and ineffective in governing the country.

Amendments refer to changes made to the constitution, not regular laws. They require consent from both the national government (Congress) and state legislatures to be approved, making them a collaborative effort between different levels of government.

Marbury v. Madison is a landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of Judicial Review, giving the court the power to review and potentially invalidate actions of the Executive and Legislative branches.

Judicial Review in the United States refers to the power of the courts to review and potentially invalidate actions taken by the government that are deemed unconstitutional. It is specifically the role of the judicial branch to ensure that governmental actions align with the principles outlined in the Constitution.

Checks & Balances is a key principle in the US Constitution that aims to prevent any single branch of government from becoming too powerful. By giving each branch some control over the other two branches, it creates a system of shared powers and ensures that no branch can abuse its authority.

The correct answer highlights that the principle of Separation of Powers involves the division of governmental power among distinct legislative, executive, and judicial branches to avoid concentration of power in one branch.

Federalism is a system in which power is divided and shared between the central (national) government, state governments, and local governments. This system allows for a distribution of powers and responsibilities among different levels of government.

Popular Sovereignty refers to the idea that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people. It is a key principle in democratic societies.

Opportunity cost refers to what you miss out on when choosing one option over another.

A mixed-market economy is characterized by blending aspects of both market and command economies. This allows individuals to have economic choices, while the government can regulate these choices to some extent.

A market economy is characterized by voluntary exchanges between buyers and sellers without government intervention or regulation. This allows for competition, freedom of choice, and efficiency in allocating resources.

A command economy is a system where the government, rather than the free market, determines what goods should be produced, how much should be produced, as well as the prices of goods. This centralization of decision-making contrasts with market economies where individuals and businesses make choices based on supply and demand.

A traditional economy is one where economic decisions are made based on long-standing customs, beliefs, and traditions rather than government regulations, market forces, or scientific research and data analysis.

In a Parliamentary Democracy, the people elect the legislative branch, which then chooses the leader of the country. This system ensures that the leader is accountable to the legislative body and represents the will of the people.

Presidential Democracy involves citizens having the ability to vote for both the Legislative and Executive branches of government separately, which creates a system of checks and balances known as the Separation of Powers.

In a representative democracy, people elect individuals to represent them in the decision-making process. These representatives then make decisions on behalf of the people they represent.

Direct democracy is a form of government where all citizens have the opportunity to participate in decision-making on individual issues, typically through referendums or other means of direct voting.

The Confederacy government is characterized by states having most power and a weak national government, as seen in historical contexts such as the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.

A monarchy is a form of government in which a single leader, often referred to as a king or queen, inherits power and rules over the country. This leader's position is typically passed down through hereditary succession.

A dictatorship is a form of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader who often seizes power through force or struggle, rather than being elected or appointed.

An oligarchy is a form of government in which power is concentrated in the hands of a small group of individuals.