2022-23 Vocab J-Z

Question 1

Legitimacy

Answer 1

The citizens belief that the government has the right to use power in the way that it does.

Question 2

Limited government

Answer 2

A governing body whose power exists within limits that are set by a constitution (the government is limited by a written set of rules).

Question 3

Linkage institutions

Answer 3

channels that connect individual with government, including elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

Question 4

Majority rule

Answer 4

A fundamental democratic principle requiring that the majority’s view be respected.

Question 5

Mandates

Answer 5

An order from the federal government that all state and local governments must follow.

Question 6

Marbury v. Madison

Answer 6

A Supreme Court decision that established judicial review over federal laws.

Question 7

McCulloch v. Maryland

Answer 7

Established the supremacy of the Constitution. Established federal banks, that cannot be taxed because it is necessary and proper.

Question 8

Minority rules

Answer 8

A theory that guarantees rights to those who do not belong to majorities and allows that they might join majorities through persuasion and reasoned argument.

Question 9

Marxists

Answer 9

The ideology adopted by Karl Marx which holds that government is a reflection of economic forces, primarily ownership of the means of production. (If you control the economy, you have the power).

Question 10

Monarchy

Answer 10

undivided rule or absolute sovereignty by a single person.

Question 11

Natural rights

Answer 11

The rights to life, liberty, and property, which government cannot take away.

Question 12

Necessary and proper clause

Answer 12

Language in Article I, Section 8, granting Congress the powers necessary to carry out its enumerated powers. Also called elastic clause.

Question 13

New Jersey Plan

Answer 13

A plan of government that provided for a unicameral legislature with equal votes for each state.

Question 14

Northwest ordinance

Answer 14

1787, defined the process by which new states could be admitted into the Union from the Northwest Territory.

Question 15

Oligarchy

Answer 15

A government in which control is exercised by a small group of individuals whose authority generally is based on wealth or power.

Question 16

Original jurisdiction

Answer 16

The authority of a court to act as the first court to head a case, which includes the finding of facts in the case.

Question 17

Pluralist theory

Answer 17

A theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policymaking process.

Question 18

Policy agenda

Answer 18

The set of issues to which government officials, voters, and the public, are paying attention.

Question 19

Policy gridlock

Answer 19

A situation where there are difficulty passing laws that satisfy the needs of the people.

Question 20

Policymaking institutions

Answer 20

The branches of government charged with taking action on political issues. (Congress, presidency, and the courts).

Question 21

Policymaking system

Answer 21

The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time.

Question 22

Policymaking sovereignty

Answer 22

The idea that the government’s right to rule comes from the people.

Question 23

Power

Answer 23

The capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.

Question 24

Project grants

Answer 24

Federal categorical grants given for specific purposes and awarded on the basis of the merits of applications.

Question 25

Public policy

Answer 25

The intentional use of government power to secure the health, welfare, opportunities, and national security of citizens.

Question 26

Representative democracy

Answer 26

A political system in which voters select representatives who then vote on matters of public policy.

Question 27

Republic

Answer 27

A government ruled by representatives of the people.

Question 28

Reserved powers

Answer 28

Powers not given to the national government, which are retained by the states and the people.

Question 29

Separation of powers

Answer 29

A design of government that distributes powers across institutions in order to avoid making one branch too powerful on its own.

Question 30

Shays’ Rebellion

Answer 30

A popular uprising against the government of Massachusetts demanding for a war bonus.

Question 31

Single-issue groups

Answer 31

An association focusing on one specific area of public policy, often a moral issue about which they are unwilling to compromise.

Question 32

Social contract

Answer 32

People allow their governments to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society.

Question 33

State of nature

Answer 33

The condition of people living in a situation without man-made government, rules, or laws.

Question 34

Supremacy clause

Answer 34

Constitutional provision declaring that the Constitution and all national laws and treaties are the supreme law of the land.

Question 35

Thomas Hobbes

Answer 35

Advocated absolute sovereignty as the only kind of government that could resolve problems caused by the selfishness of human beings.

Question 36

Treason

Answer 36

A crime that undermines the offender’s government.

Question 37

Unalienable rights

Answer 37

Mentioned in the Declaration of Independence referring to rights that cannot be given or taken away.

Question 38

Unicameral legislature

Answer 38

One house legislature.

Question 39

Unitary government

Answer 39

A system where the central government has all of the power.

Question 40

Veto

Answer 40

Formal rejection by the president of a bill that has passed both houses of Congress.

Question 41

Virginia Plan

Answer 41

A plan of government calling for a three-branch government with a bicameral legislature, where more populous states would have more representation in Congress.

Question 42

Line-item veto

Answer 42

Presidential power to strike, or remove, specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire package.

Question 43

Subnational government

Answer 43

Another way of referring to state and local government.