Civics and Government: Foundations and Structures
This domain tests the foundations and structures of government: why societies create rules, how power is limited or concentrated, and how citizens participate. Expect questions on constitutions, separation of powers, federalism, rights, and types of government.
Foundations
- Legitimacy is the belief that a government has the right to rule. The rule of law means officials and citizens are subject to law, not above it.
- Constitutions establish institutions, distribute power, and set limits. Popular sovereignty places ultimate authority with the people.
- Political systems differ in who holds power: democracy, monarchy, oligarchy, and authoritarian rule.
Structures and limits
- Separation of powers divides legislative, executive, and judicial functions. Checks and balances let each branch restrain the others.
- Federal systems share power between national and regional governments; unitary systems concentrate power nationally; confederations give more power to member states.
- Rights protect individuals and groups; responsibilities are duties citizens owe, such as obeying law or serving on juries.
Worked example
A national legislature passes a law, but a court strikes it down as unconstitutional, and the constitution can be amended only by a supermajority. Reasoning: the court exercises judicial review; the amendment process is a check that prevents easy change. This is not separation of powers alone-it is a system of checks and balances.
Traps that cost marks
Confusing federalism with separation of powers; treating rights and responsibilities as the same; assuming any government with elections is democratic; and ignoring how constitutions can be amended or ignored in practice.