WEST-E 028 Social
Studies Nusser
Democratic Government - Answer-Rule by the people, whether directly or through
representatives
Monarchial Government - Answer-Rule by one undivided, sovereignty, or rule of a
single person (Mono); The term applies to states ruled by a Monarch, an individual
ruler who functions as the head of state and who achieves this position through
heredity
Theocratic Government - Answer-Rule by a Deity (Theo), whether directly or through
religious representatives
Oligarchic Government - Answer-A form of government in which all power is vested
in a few persons or in a dominant class or clique (Oligi); government by the few
Totalitarian Government - Answer-A form of government in which the political
authority exercises absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life, the
individual is subordinated to the state, and opposing political and cultural expression
is suppressed
"Oligi" - Answer-Few; Small
"Theo" - Answer-God; Deity
"Demo" - Answer-People
"Mono" - Answer-One
What is the difference between a democratic government and a oligarchic
government? - Answer-A democratic government is by the people, whether directly
or through elected representatives; Oligarchic government is rule by the will of the
few
What is the difference between a Monarchical government and a totalitarian
government? - Answer-A Monarchical government is rule by an individual ruler who
functions as the head of state and who achieves this position through heredity; a
Totalitarian government is rule by an individual or group that controls all aspects of
life, and to which the individual is subordinate to the state
What is the purpose of government? - Answer-The purpose of government is to
provide structure (rules), Protection from outside interference, and often, to provide
for well-being and happiness.
,What is the function of law in a democratic society? - Answer-The law ensures
democratic rights, such as freedom of speech, to the people and protects these
individual rights from being overthrown by majority rule.
Habeas Corpus - Answer-A judicial mandate requiring that a prisoner be brought
before the court to determine whether the government has the right to continue
detaining them. The prisoner may petition the court for such a writ.
In the U.S. legal system, judges are empowered to issue a writ of habeas corpus to
ensure that suspects in a criminal investigation: - Answer-cannot be kept in jail
without being
charged with a specific crime.
What is the role of the Habeas Corpus? - Answer-The Habeas Corpus is to protect
against illegal imprisonment.
What are the principles of a Trial by Jury? - Answer-A Trial by Jury can be seen as a
check against state power and an inclusion of the people into judicial proceedings as
it allows the people to determine guilt or innocence according to their values and
norms.
How does a judicial trial promote the principles of democratic society? - Answer-A
trial prevents the accused from vigilante or majority rule by assuming the innocence
of the accused until proven guilty of violating a law
What is the organization of the WA State Government? - Answer-The Governor is
the supreme Executive power of the state
The Lieutenant Governor acts is the equivalent of a Vice President
The Secretary of State is the state's chief elections officer
State Treasurer is the state's chief financial officer
The Attorney General is the state's chief legal officer
The State Auditor ensures that state and local governments are accountable to the
public they serve
Superintendent of Public Instruction is is responsible for the administration of the
total state kindergarten through twelfth grade education program
Insurance Commissioner is responsible for Consumer protection
The Commissioner of Public Lands is the elected head of the Washington State
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
What are the major responsibilities of the Governor of Washington? - Answer-The
governor of Washington acts as the supreme executive power of the state whose
duties extend into the Executive Branch and Legislative Branch. The governor
appoints the heads of departments, agencies, and institutions and ensures that the
laws are faithfully executed by holding cabinet meetings, overseeing budget
expenditures, and communicating with other state officers. The governor also reports
annually on the affairs of the state in the State of the State address and submitting a
budget recommendation report. The Governor may recommend or veto a legislation.
The governor is also commander in chief of the state's military power, the National
Guard.
,How long is the term of an elected office in WA state? - Answer-Four years
What is the age of required retirement for supreme and superior court judges? -
Answer-Seventy-five
How does the State Constitution work with the United States Constitution? - Answer-
Article Two states the United States Constitution as the Supreme Law of the land
Which excerpt from the Washington State Constitution best demonstrates the state's
commitment to the principle of popular sovereignty? - Answer-"All political power is
inherent in
the people, and governments derive
their just powers from the consent
of the governed."
What is a major difference between international law and domestic law? - Answer-
There is no central authority in international law.
Federalism - Answer-A system of government in which the same territory is
controlled by two levels of government, such as the national and state government.
How is power shared among the state and federal governments? - Answer-The U.S.
Constitution grants the federal government with power over issues of national
concern, while the state governments have jurisdiction over issues of domestic
concern. The federal government can only make decisions regarding all the states
as a whole, while the state government can only make decisions regarding their
state which do not violate the federal laws.
How is power shared among the state and local governments? - Answer-State
governments usually make decisions regarding the state as a whole, whereas local
governments make decisions regarding their county or municipal.
How is power shared among federal, state, and local governments? - Answer-The
federal government is subject to state sovereignty, the State government is subject
to federal supremacy, and local government must be granted power by the state
The Executive Branch - Answer-The Executive Branch includes the President, Vice
President, and Cabinet. Its role is to carry out and enforce laws made by the
Legislative branch
The Legislative Branch - Answer-The Legislative Branch includes Congress. It
enacts legislation, confirms or rejects presidential appointments, and has the
authority to declare war.
The Judicial Branch - Answer-The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court and
other courts. It evaluates the laws made by the Legislative Branch
How does the system of checks and balances work among the three branches of
government as defined by Articles I, II, and III of the Constitution? - Answer-The
president can veto laws passed by Congress.
, Congress confirms or rejects the president's appointments and can impeach the
president.
The justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the president and confirmed by
the Senate.
Executive Veto - Answer-The President can veto a legislature passed by congress
within ten days. Congress can override the presidential veto with two-thirds vote from
each house
Who has the power to make treaties? - Answer-Article II, section 2 provides that the
president "shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to
make Treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur"
What is Commander-in-Chief authority? - Answer-The power granted in Article II
section 2 to The President as Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the
United States. This is checked by Congress' authority to declare war
How did the Magna Carta influence the creation of the United States Constitution? -
Answer-The Magna Carta restricted King John's rule in 1215 by asserting the rights
of the people. The Magna Carta inspired the Bill of Rights as a proclamation of the
rights of the people.
What is the Mayflower Compact and what is its significance? - Answer-The
Mayflower Compact was a social contract in which the pilgrims who signed it agreed
to abide by the new government's laws in exchange for shared protection. It set a
precedent of a social contract for shared protection and was an influential document
for the founding fathers as they created the US Constitution.
What are the Federalist Papers? - Answer-The Federalist Papers were written and
published during the years 1787 and 1788 in several New York State newspapers to
persuade New York voters to ratify the proposed constitution. The Papers consist of
85 essays outlining how this new government would operate and why this type of
government was the best choice for the United States of America
What are the Principles contained in the Federalist Papers? - Answer-The Federalist
Papers promoted the system of checks and balances and limited federal government
to protect states' rights and, thus, individual rights.
How did John Locke influence the ideas of government in the United States? -
Answer-Author of the Second Treatise of Government (1689), which advocated that
the basis of a legitimate government was authority gained through the consent of the
governed. The duty of that government is to protect the natural rights of the people,
which include life, liberty, and property
How did Baron de Montesquieu influence the ideas of government in the United
States? - Answer-Author of The Spirit of the Laws(1748), which advocated that the
main purpose of government is to maintain law and order, political liberty, and the
property of the individual, and this is best done by a system of checks and balances
