St Petersburg College Civic Literacy Exam Questions And Answers (Verified And Updated)

St Petersburg College Civic Literacy Exam Questions And Answers (Verified And Updated) Democracy - answerType of government where power is derived from the people, either directly or indirectly. Representative Democracy or Democratic Republic - answerAn indirect or a representative democracy where eligible voters choose representatives to act on their behalf and make political decisions. Constitutional Democracy - answerA 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. Social Contract Theory - answerThe 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 - answerThe idea that our government derives its power from the people because we elect representatives to the legislative branch of government. Checks and Balances - answerPrinciple 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 - answerRefers 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. Rule of law - answerNo 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 - answerFair treatment through the normal judicial system. Equality under the Law - answerEqual treatment and equal protection without the guarantee of equal outcomes. Popular Sovereignty - answerA belief that ultimate power resides in the people. Natural rights - answerRights people have by virtue of being human beings; both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution address the government's role in protecting these rights. Federalism - answerA political system in which power is divided between a central government and multiple constituent, provincial, or state governments. Concurrent powers - answerPowers that are held by both the federal and the local governments (e.g. taxing, roads, elections, lower courts). Equal Protection Clause - answerClause 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 - answerGrants 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. Article II, Section 1, of the United States Constitution - answerProvides that the President of the United States is elected by the Electoral College. Electoral College - answerThe president is elected by a majority of electoral votes. After an election a group of electors chosen by each state officially cast the electoral votes for their state to choose the President. Voter Registration requirements in Florida - answerBe a citizen of the United States of America, a legal resident of Florida, a legal resident of the county in which you seek to be registered, at least 16 years old to preregister or at least 18 years old to register and vote. Not be a person who has been adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other state without having the right to vote restored; and, not be a person convicted of a felony without having your right to vote restored. County Supervisor of Elections - answerFlorida has 67 counties. Each county has an elected Supervisor, who conducts elections within his or her county. Preamble to the Constitution - answerThe opening section of the Constitution; brief introductory statement of the fundamental purposes and guiding principles that the Constitution is meant to serve. "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."