6.53 Flash Cards

Representative Democracy

• Citizens elected a small group to represent them and make laws

• Citizens vote directly on all laws and policies

• A single ruler makes decisions for the entire country

• Citizens have no role in the government

Equality in Law

• Everyone should be treated equally by the legal system

• The law applies differently based on social status

• Legal outcomes are determined by wealth

• Judges have the discretion to favor certain individuals

Community Improvement

• Citizens worked to improve their own communities

• Government officials initiated community projects

• Non-profit organizations led community efforts

• Businesses funded community development

Public Display of Laws

• Laws were placed in the marketplace for everyone to see

• Laws were only shared with government officials

• Laws were written in secret and not disclosed to the public

• Laws were displayed only in courthouses

Veto Power

• Each branch could veto decisions of the others

• Only the executive branch has veto power

• Veto power can be overridden by a simple majority

• Veto power is only applicable in state governments

Checks and Balances

• A system where one branch of government can veto the decisions of another

• Three branches of government helped to balance power

• A method to ensure that all citizens have equal rights

• A process for electing government officials

Executive Branch

• Two patrician consuls directed the government and army

• One elected president oversees the executive functions

• A council of ministers makes all decisions

• The monarch has absolute power over the executive branch

3 Branches of the Roman Republic

• Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches

• Monarchical, Aristocratic, and Democratic branches

• Military, Economic, and Cultural branches

• Federal, State, and Local branches

Legislative Branch

• Senate of patricians elected for life, assemblies of plebeians

• House of Representatives elected for two years, Senate for six years

• Judicial review by the Supreme Court

• Direct democracy through popular vote

Rule of Law

• Laws apply equally to all people

• Laws are enforced selectively

• Only government officials are subject to the law

• Laws can be ignored by those in power