How a Modern Parliament Functions: Procedures and Roles
Parliamentary Operations
Meeting Chambers
Parliamentary work is conducted through both regular and special meetings held in the designated chambers.
- Regular Meetings
- Special Meetings
Sessions
Sessions are periods of unified parliamentary work, which do not necessarily coincide with the meeting days of the Chambers. Plenary sessions are almost always public. Commission sessions, however, are not always public.
The Agenda
Only subjects listed on the agenda will be debated and decided upon. The Presidents
Read MoreKey Concepts in US Government, Policymaking, and Public Health
Foundations of US Government and Policy
The Three Branches of Government
- Legislative Branch: Composed of the House and Senate, this branch creates and passes laws.
- Executive Branch: Enforces laws and includes the President, executive orders, and agencies (e.g., HHS, CDC).
- Judicial Branch: Interprets laws and includes courts and the power of judicial review to assess the constitutionality of policies.
Key Governance Concepts
- Federalism: A system where power is divided between the national and state governments.
US Legislative and Executive Power: Checks, Structure, and Polarization
Congressional Dynamics: Lessons from Recent Congresses
Case Study: Obamacare Repeal Efforts (2010-2017)
- The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare, a 2,300-page law) narrowly passed on strict party lines in 2010. Approximately 45% of the public approved.
- Republicans took over the House in 2010; in 2014, they took over the Senate, too. Congress subsequently passed over 60 bills to repeal and replace Obamacare.
- But repeal did not happen. Why?
- President Obama vetoed each bill.
- In 2017, the Republican Party completely
Core Concepts in US Policing and Criminal Law
Foundations of Law Enforcement
The Mission and Power of Police
The primary mission of the police is to solve problems, serve the public, protect life and property, and deal with minor disorder.
- Civil Power: Police represent civil power, used primarily to maintain order.
- Military Power: Military power is used to kill or destroy the enemy, where the side with the highest number of kills is traditionally considered the winner.
Foundational Legal Concepts
- Common Law
- A body of law developed in England from
Essential Facts of US Government and Political Systems
Key Political Systems and Government Types
- Democracy: A system where citizens exercise power by voting, typically through elected representatives.
- Republic: A government in which the country is considered a “public matter” and officials are elected by the people.
- Monarchy: A system ruled by a king, queen, or emperor, often with power inherited by family lineage.
- Constitutional Monarchy: A monarchy limited by a constitution, where elected bodies share or limit the monarch’s powers.
- Dictatorship: A government
U.S. Legal System, Social Dynamics, and Court Processes
California Penal Codes: Homicide & Defenses
Murder
Murder requires malice aforethought; otherwise, it is manslaughter.
- Express Malice: Deliberate thought and intent to kill.
- Implied Malice: An abandoned and malignant heart, not provoked.
Degrees of Murder
- First-Degree Murder: Characterized by:
- Willful, deliberate, and premeditated intent to kill.
- Occurring during a dangerous felony (e.g., robbery, rape).
- Poisoning.
- Lying in wait.
- Torture.
- Drive-by shooting.
- Use of ammunition designed to penetrate armor.
- Second-