Download separation of powers

Listen -- strange women lying in ponds
distributing swords is no basis for a system of
government.
Supreme executive power derives from a
mandate from the masses, not from some
farcical aquatic ceremony.
1. An agreement to create a government and follow its laws is known as a
a. natural agreement
b. constitution
c. social contract
d. declaration of intent
2. Citizens who put the common good above their own self interests demonstrate
a) democracy
b) separation of powers
c) balance of powers
d) civic virtue
3. A constitutional government always includes
a) strong executive
b) limitation of powers
c) a written constitution
d) the idea of judicial review
4. A constitution is considered a higher law if it
a) must be obeyed by those running the government
b) can never be changed
c) comes from a divine source
d) keeps the government above the people
How can we organize
government to prevent the abuse
of power?
WTP2: L5
Vocabulary
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bill
checks and balances
executive branch
judicial branch
legislative branch
separation of powers
How might people organize
a government to prevent
the abuse of power?
Separate the powers of government.
• Divide the powers btw branches.
Balance the powers among the branches
of government.
Give each branch methods to check the use
of power by the other branches.
TPS- Why did the Founders
fear the abuse of power?
p42
1. What does each quotation mean?
2. What view of human nature did all share?
3. Do you agree or disagree with these
views of human nature? Why or why not?
4. If you do agree with these views of human
nature, how would you organize our
government to protect your rights?
How does separation
of powers work?
A study of constitutional governments shows that
they are often divided into three different groups
or branches. This is called separation of
powers. For example, we divide our government
into the following three branches:
legislative branch has the power to make laws
executive branch has the power to carry out and
enforce laws
judicial branch has the power to manage conflicts
about the meaning, application, and
enforcement of laws.
How does a system of checks
and balances work?
The phrase checks and balances means
that the powers of the different branches
of government are balanced.
No one branch has so much power that it
can completely dominate the others.
Although each branch of government has its
own special powers, the powers are
checked because some powers are
shared with the other branches.
Example of Check and Balance
The U. S. Supreme Court can check the
power of Congress.
- declare a law to be in violation of the
Constitution and, therefore, invalid.
Another Example
The U.S. Supreme Court can declare
Executive Orders* to be contrary to the
Constitution.
Ex. Executive Order 10340 by Truman,
overturned in Youngstown Sheet & Tube
Co. v. Sawyer, (1952)
Branch/Check Chart
Branch of
Government
Legislative
Powers
Granted by
Constitution
How are these
powers
checked by
other branches
E:
J:
Executive
J:
L:
Judicial
L:
E:
Exit Card
Q#1 Dividing the government into different branches is an example of
a. federalism
b. constitutional government
c. separation of powers
d. private domain
Q#2 The system of checks and balances was established to:
a. prevent political parties from being created
b. provide government officials with unlimited power
c. prevent branches of government from abusing power
d. guarantee that people’s rights are never limited