Forms of Government and US Constitutional Amendments
Forms of Government
- Representative Democracy: Government is elected by citizens (e.g., USA).
- Direct Democracy: The people decide on policies without any intermediary or representative (e.g., Switzerland).
- Dictatorship: A form of government in which one person or a small group possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limitations (e.g., North Korea). One person decides for everyone.
- Autocracy: A form of government in which one ruler has absolute control and decision-making power in all
Key Legal Terms and US Government Concepts
Definitions:
- Jurisdiction: The authority to hear and decide a case.
- Exclusive Jurisdiction: The sole right to hear a case.
- Concurrent Jurisdiction: When both state and federal courts have the right to hear a case.
- Plaintiff: The person making a legal complaint.
- Defendant: The person against whom a legal complaint is filed.
- Grand Juries: Panel of citizens set up to hear evidence of a possible crime.
- Misdemeanor: A minor crime.
- Sovereign Immunity: Principle that a sovereign government cannot be taken to court
US Constitution: Amendments and Federalism
The US Constitution: Amendments and Key Cases
First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Landmark Supreme Court Cases Related to the First Amendment
- Everson v. Board of Education: Provided public busing for students.
- Board v. Allen: Child benefit more than school;