Sovereignty

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Unit 12
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Sovereignty

• Supreme power or source of authority
• Basic principal of American government
• After Revolution, source of power went from king
  to people
• People are the source of authority here

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Constitutionalism

• Another basic principal of American government
• A written constitution describes the rights of
  the people and the framework of government
• Limits the power of government
• Constitution has been amended more than 25 times,
  basic structure still the same

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Electorate

• Voters
• Choose who will be a part of the government and
  who represents them
• Makes us a democratic form of government

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Separation of powers

• Another basic principal
• Division of responsibilities
• Three branches of government executive,
  legislative, and judicial branches
• Limited governmentno one part can deny rights

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Separation of Powers
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Five Freedoms

• Basic American rights
• Listen in first amendment
• 1) freedom of religion
• 2) freedom of speech
• 3) freedom of press
• 4) freedom of assembly
• 5) freedom to petition for redress

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Federal System

• Another principal of American government
• A form of government in which nation and state
  government exercise authority over the same
  people and territory
• National law takes precedence in case of dispute
• Example Georgians have to follow both Georgia
  and federal laws

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Executive Branch

• Federal President and Vice President
• State governor and lieutenant governor
• Governor is chief executiveelected by popular
  vote, can serve two terms of 4 yrs, must wait to
  run again
• Heads state militia
• Other duties listed on pages 598-601

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Bill

• Draft of a proposed law

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Legislative Branch

• Federal Congress (House and Senate)
• State Georgia Assembly
• Bicameralmade up of two houses
• Make laws for the state
• Can veto state legislative bills

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Committee

• Small working groups in legislative sessions
• Some are permanent, some are not
• A member of Georgias General Assembly can serve
  on several committees
• Create and deal with bills

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Judicial System (or judicial branch)

• Federal Supreme court, court of appeals, and
  district courts. Interprets laws and Constitution
• State state supreme court, superior court, state
  court. Interprets state laws and passes sentences
• Function is to protect citizens from government
  and provide due process of law
• Protects citizens from each other by settling
  disputes that cannot be resolved privately

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Supreme Court

• Highest ranking court on both federal and state
  level
• 7 justices on state level, one chief justice
  elected by members
• Judges serve 6 year terms, elected by popular
  vote
• Appellate courtonly reviews cases from lower
  courts
• Final authority on state level

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Court of Appeals

• Second highest ranking court
• 9 judges serve, one serves as chief judge elected
  by members
• Appellate court

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Trial Courts

• Below appellate courts (supreme and appeals)
• Hear original cases
• Example disputes between private parties,
  criminal cases
• Includes state superior courts, state courts,
  probate courts, juvenile courts, etc

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Jurisdiction

• Each court case has jurisdiction
• Jurisdiction is range of action over which court
  has influence or control
• Example Juvenile courts deal with minors (under
  17)

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Checks and Balances

• National and state constitutions have system of
  checks and balances
• Prevents one branch from having too much power
• State citizens elect most officials, they are
  responsible to electorate
• Example judicial branch can rule laws passed
  unconstitutional, president can veto bills passed
  by Congress, Congress can impeach president

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General Elections

• Secretary of State handles elections, makes sure
  candidate meet requirements and deals with
  getting election carried out
• General elections are held in November every even
  numbered year
• Major federal offices and state offices run at
  this time (president)

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Capital

• Georgias capital is Atlanta
• Where the seat of government is located
• Each January, Assembly meets here

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Capitol

• Gold domed building in Atlanta where major
  officials work
• Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Senators and
  representatives work here
• Gold on dome was mined from Dahlonega
• State of Miss Freedom on top of building