Principles of Constitutional Government

What is the main purpose of a limited government?

• To allow the government to have unlimited power

• To restrict the powers of the government to protect individual rights

• To ensure the government can make decisions without any restrictions

• To give all power to the central government

Answer explanation

The main purpose of a limited government is to restrict its powers, ensuring that individual rights are protected. This prevents the government from becoming too powerful and infringing on personal freedoms.

Which principle ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful?

• Federalism

• Checks and Balances

• Popular Sovereignty

• Rule of Law

Answer explanation

The principle of Checks and Balances ensures that each branch of government can limit the powers of the others, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful. This system promotes accountability and protects democratic governance.

Explain how the rule of law is important in a constitutional government.

• It allows leaders to make laws as they see fit.

• It ensures that everyone, including leaders, must follow the law.

• It gives the government unlimited power over the citizens.

• It allows citizens to ignore laws they disagree with.

Answer explanation

The rule of law is crucial in a constitutional government as it ensures that everyone, including leaders, must follow the law, promoting fairness and accountability, and preventing abuse of power.

What does federalism refer to in the context of a constitutional government?

• A system where the national government holds all the power

• A division of power between national and state governments

• A system where state governments have more power than the national government

• A system where local governments are independent of the national government

Answer explanation

Federalism refers to a system of government where power is divided between the national and state governments, allowing both levels to govern concurrently. This distinguishes it from systems where one level holds all the power.

Describe the concept of popular sovereignty.

• The idea that the government is controlled by a monarch

• The belief that the power of the government comes from the people

• The principle that the government should control all aspects of life

• The idea that only elected officials have power

Answer explanation

Popular sovereignty is the belief that the power of the government comes from the people. This means that the authority of the government is derived from the consent of the governed, making the second choice the correct answer.

What is the significance of due process of law?

• It allows the government to bypass legal procedures.

• It ensures fair treatment through the normal judicial system.

• It gives the government the right to make arbitrary decisions.

• It allows citizens to create their own laws.

Answer explanation

The significance of due process of law lies in its guarantee of fair treatment through the normal judicial system, ensuring that individuals receive justice and protection against arbitrary actions by the government.

How do separated and shared powers function in a constitutional government?

• They allow one branch to control the others completely.

• They ensure that power is divided among different branches to prevent abuse.

• They give all power to the executive branch.

• They allow the legislative branch to have more power than the others.

Answer explanation

Separated and shared powers in a constitutional government ensure that authority is divided among branches, preventing any one branch from abusing power, thus promoting a system of checks and balances.

What is the role of individual rights in a constitutional government?

• To limit the freedoms of citizens

• To protect the freedoms and rights of individuals

• To give the government more control over citizens

• To ensure that only certain groups have rights

Answer explanation

In a constitutional government, individual rights serve to protect the freedoms and rights of individuals, ensuring that citizens are safeguarded against government overreach and can exercise their liberties.

Explain the concept of republicanism in a constitutional government.

• A system where the government is run by a king or queen

• A political ideology that emphasizes the role of citizens in government

• A belief that the government should be controlled by a single party

• A system where the government is run by military leaders

Answer explanation

Republicanism in a constitutional government emphasizes the role of citizens in governance, advocating for their participation and representation, unlike systems run by monarchs, single parties, or military leaders.

What does a representative government mean?

• A government where citizens directly make all decisions

• A government where officials are elected to represent the people

• A government where only the wealthy can vote

• A government where decisions are made by a small group of elites

Answer explanation

A representative government is defined as one where officials are elected to represent the people's interests, contrasting with direct democracy or elitist systems. Thus, the correct choice is that officials are elected to represent the people.