Foundations of American Constitutional Government Unit 1 Foundations of American Constitutional Government

Relevant Standards of Learning CE.2 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of American constitutional government by a) explaining the fundamental principles of consent of the governed, limited government, rule of law, democracy, and representative government CE.6 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the American constitutional government at the national level by a) describing the structure and powers of the national government CE.7 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the American constitutional government at the state level by a) describing the structure and powers of the state government CE.8 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the American constitutional government at the local level by a) describing the structure and powers of the local government; b) explaining the relationship of local government to the state government

Student objectives List and describe five fundamental principles of American constitutional governments. (CE.2a) Explain the principle of separation of powers and the operation of checks and balances. (CE.6b) Explain the structure and powers of local Virginia governments (CE.8a) Explain the relationship of the various levels of government in a federal system. (CE.7b, CE.8b)

List and describe five political principles of the United States government.

Limited government Government is NOT all powerful and may only do those things people have given it the power to do.

What are some examples of “limited government”? Due process protections Separation of powers Checks and balances Bill of Rights

Representative government People elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct government on their behalf.

What are some examples of “representative government”? President Congress Governor Virginia General Assembly School Boards

Consent of the governed People are the source of any and all government power. They give their permission to be governed.

What are some examples of “consent of the governed”? Petitioning Holding elective office Obeying laws

Rule of law The government and those who govern are bound by the law, as are the people.

What are some examples of “rule of law”? Impeachment Arrest of a public official Special investigators

Democracy In a democratic form of government, the people rule.

What are some examples of “democracy”? Elections Petitioning Holding elective office Campaigning Expressing opinions

What is the difference between separation of powers and checks and balances?

Separation of Powers The various functions of government (to make laws, to enforce laws, and to interpret laws) are conducted by three separate but co-equal branches

Checks and Balances Each of the three branches of government has powers over the other two branches so that no one branch can be too powerful

Label the columns and rows of the table for branches and levels. Local State National Legislative Executive Judicial

Local Legislative Board of Supervisors Town or City Council Makes laws for the locality

State Legislative Virginia General Assembly Makes laws for the commonwealth of Virginia

National Legislative U. S. Congress Makes laws for the United States

Local Executive Mayor Enforces local laws

State Executive Governor Enforces laws of Virginia Prepares state budget

National Executive President Enforces U. S. laws Prepares U. S. budget

Local Judicial State Courts Hear cases involving local issues

State Judicial State Courts Hear cases involving state matters Interpret the Virginia Constitution

National Judicial Federal Courts Hear cases involving U. S. laws Interprets the U. S. Constitution

List the powers of each branch of government over the other two

Legislative branch’s power over: Executive Override veto, impeachment Judicial approve judicial appointments, impeachment

Executive branch’s power over: Legislative veto, special session Judicial appoints judges

Judicial branch’s power over: Legislative judicial review – declare acts of Congress unconstitutional Executive judicial review – declare executive actions to be unconstitutional

What is “federalism”? A system of government in which power is shared between the local, state, and national levels of government

Powers of national government Expressed Implied Description: Powers directly granted by the Constitution, or needed to carry out expressed powers

List some examples of expressed and implied powers. Maintain an army/navy (exp) Declare war (exp) Form a national bank (imp) Federal Aviation Administration (imp)

Powers of state and national Concurrent Description: Powers that are held by both national and state governments at the same time

List some examples of concurrent powers Establish courts Collect taxes

Powers of state government Reserved Description – The 10th Amendment grants rights not given or implied by the Constitution to the states

List some examples of reserved powers Establish schools Conduct elections Regulate marriages

What are the primary responsibilities of government at the state and national levels? National – conduct foreign policy, regulate commerce, and provide common defense State – promote public health, safety, and welfare

Where does local government authority and powers come from? The Virginia constitution and acts of the General Assembly

What are the three types of local government in Virginia? County Town City

List four government official that the Virginia constitution requires to be elected in each local jurisdiction. Sheriff Clerk of the court Commissioner of revenue Treasurer

What is a “charter”? A charter defines the powers that a city has as granted by the General Assembly.

What are the powers of local Virginia governments? Enforce state and local laws Public health and safety] Levy and collect taxes Protect the environment Regulate land use Public education

Raise your hand to answer the following questions!

Complete the following statement “…governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the __________.”

Governed

Representative government Once a year, Marion Middle School holds an election for student coucil. This is an example of what principle of government? Representative government

A local police chief is arrested for embezzling money from the police department. This is an example of which principle of government? Rule of law

What name is given to the following level and branch of government? National Legislative Congress State Executive Governor Local Executive Mayor State Judicial Virginia courts

In Virginia, who regulates land use, protects the environment, and provides public education? Local government

What is the best way to make a good grade?

What is the best way to make a good grade? Study!

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