Origins of American Constitutional Democracy-Flashcards

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What are the historical and philosophical roots of American constitutional democracy?

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The American constitutional democracy is deeply rooted in historical and philosophical traditions, influenced by Enlightenment thinkers and documents like the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights.

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What documents reflect the influences on American constitutional democracy?

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The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution reflect the historical and philosophical influences on American constitutional democracy.

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What is popular sovereignty?

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Popular sovereignty is the principle that the power of the government comes from the people, allowing citizens to have a say in their governance.

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Why is the separation of powers important?

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The separation of powers prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful by dividing the government into three branches, creating a system of checks and balances.

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What does the Bill of Rights emphasize?

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The Bill of Rights emphasizes the protection of individual rights, including freedom of speech, religion, and the press.

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What is federalism in the American constitutional system?

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Federalism is the division of power between the national and state governments, allowing for a balance of power and local autonomy.

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Which documents influenced the Founding Documents of the United States?

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The Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights were significant influences on the Founding Documents of the United States.

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What principles continue to guide the United States today?

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The principles of popular sovereignty, separation of powers, and individual rights continue to guide the United States today.

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What is the purpose of checks and balances?

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Checks and balances ensure that no single branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

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How does the Constitution protect individual liberties?

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The Constitution protects individual liberties through amendments such as the Bill of Rights, which guarantees freedoms like speech, assembly, and religion.