Florida Civic Literacy Test Guide
Democracy
Correct Answer:
Type of government where power is derived from the people, either directly or indirectly.
Representative Democracy or Democratic Republic
Correct Answer:
An indirect or a representative democracy where eligible voters choose representatives to act on their behalf and make political decisions.
Constitutional Democracy
Correct Answer:
A government that draws its legitimacy from an authoritative document (a constitution) that defines the nation's system of government, its laws and usually the rights of its citizens. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. The Constitution describes who will make national laws, who will enforce them and who will interpret it.
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Social Contract Theory
Correct Answer:
The belief that people are free and equal by natural right but will give up some freedom to give power to the government so that the government can protect their rights.
Consent of the Governed
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The idea that our government derives its power from the people because we elect representatives to the legislative branch of government.
Checks and Balances
Correct Answer:
Principle reflected in the Constitution that grants each of the three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) some control and scrutiny over one another.
Separation of Powers
Correct Answer:
Refers to the division of government branches: each with separate
independent power and responsibilities, so that the powers of one branch do not conflict with the others.
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Rule of law
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No one is above the law; Everyone must follow the laws, regardless of their position of power. This was established by the Magna Carta in 1215.Everyone is equal under the law.
Due process of law
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Fair treatment through the normal judicial system.
Equality under the Law
Correct Answer:
Equal treatment and equal protection without the guarantee of equal outcomes.
Popular Sovereignty
Correct Answer:
A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.
Natural rights
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Rights people have by virtue of being human beings; both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution address the government's role in protecting these rights.
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Federalism
Correct Answer:
A political system in which power is divided between a central government and multiple constituent, provincial, or state governments.
Concurrent powers
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Powers that are held by both the federal and the local governments (e.g.taxing, roads, elections, lower courts).
Equal Protection Clause
Correct Answer:
Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment that forbids any state to deny to any person equal protection of the laws. This clause is the major constitutional restraint on the power of governments to discriminate against persons because of race, national origin, or sex.
Article I, Section 4, of the United States Constitution
Correct Answer:
Grants the states the authority to determine the rules by which they elect their United States Senators and Representatives, unless the United States Congress acts to change those rules.
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