Study the principles of American government for your Civics or Government exam. This guide covers democracy, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, and individual rights.

Q: Federalist 51

Answer: Separation of powers & checks & balances protects against tyranny; written by Madison

Q: stakeholders

Answer: any persons or groups who will be affected by an action

Q: Separation of Powers

Answer: Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

Q: checks and balances

Answer: A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Q: pocket veto

Answer: an indirect veto of a legislative bill by the president or a governor by retaining the bill unsigned until it is too late for it to be dealt with during the legislative session.

Q: Veto

Answer: Chief executive’s power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

Q: 2/3 Override

Answer: When the president vetios a bill it is sent back to congress, all of congress votes together if 2/3 vote to pass it, it becomes a law.

Q: advice and consent

Answer: The power of the Senate to consult and approve the presidents treaties and appointments.

Q: Impeachment

Answer: Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives

Q: Legislative checks Executive

Answer: Override bills, approve appointments, impeach

Q: Legislative checks Judicial

Answer: Change the number and jurisdiction of federal courtsImpeach federal judgesPropose constitutional amendments to override judicial decisionsConfirm or refuse judicial appointments

Q: Executive checks Legislative

Answer: (2) Veto Legislation, call Congress into special session, Implement (or fail to implement) laws passed by Congress.

Q: Executive checks Judicial

Answer: Appoints federal judgesCan grant pardons to federal offendersRefusal to carry out decisions

Q: Judicial checks Executive

Answer: Can declare executive actions unconstitutional

Q: Judicial checks Legislative

Answer: can declare acts of congress unconstitutional

Q: Judicial Review (Marbury v. Madison)

Answer: The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional