Architecture and Development of US Government Flashcards
government
composes the formal and informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy
public policy
The exercise of government power in doing those things necessary to maintain legitimate authority and control over society.
anarchy
lack of government
autocracy
rule by one person
absolute monarchy
ruler gains power through inheritance; no restrictions on power
constitutional monarchy
ruler gains power through inheritance; formal restrictions limit power, restricting monarch to ceremonial status
dictatorship
ruler seizes power by force and restricts opposition activity; no limit to power
oligarchy
rule by a few
aristocracy
rule by the elite, determined by social status/wealth
theocracy
rule by religious leaders
democracy
rule by the people
direct democracy
citizens meet and make decisions on public policy themselves
representative democracy
citizens choose officials who make decisions about public policy; American system, as well as most democracies
traditional democratic theory
government depends on consent of the governed
pluralist theory
interest groups compete in the political arena, with each promoting policy preferences through organized efforts
elite theory
A small number of powerful leaders such as corporate leaders, military officers, etc. which rule in their own self-interest
bureaucratic theory
bureaucrats hold the real power over public policy, because they’re the ones that implement it
hyperpluralism
democracy is a system of many groups having so much strength that the government is pulled in several different directions at once, causing gridlock
Magna Carta
the first real limitation of government power by the people; took away some of King John I’s authority
social contract
a voluntary agreement between the government and the governed
natural rights
people are born with three basic rights to life, liberty, and property
colonial charters
each colony was founded on the basis of a charter from the king. the charter authorized the colony’s existence and established its political authority.
House of Burgesses
The first representative legislature in the American colonies, established in 1619.
Sugar, Stamp, and Townshend Acts
placed additional taxes on items in an attempt to replenish Britain’s treasury; outraged several colonists.
First Continental Congress
delegates from 12 colonies met in Philadelphia in 1774 to send the Declaration of Independence to Britain in protest of the king’s policies.
Second Continental Congress
America’s first national government. Created the Continental Army, borrowed money from France, and commissioned the writing of the Articles of Confederation.
unicameral legislature
one chambered lawmaking body
bicameral legislature
two chambered lawmaking body with an upper and lower house; America uses this system
Shays’ Rebellion
an uprising of farmers in Massachusetts that exposed the flaws of the Articles of Confederation and led to the calling of a Constitutional Convention
Articles of Confederation
The first “Constitution” in which a weak national government was established with a unicameral legislature with weak powers, no executive or judicial branch was established.
Virginia Plan
a layout of the new Constitution in which a bicameral legislature was established with an upper house chosen by the lower house, and a lower house chosen by the people. Representation was determined by population, and a single executive and judges were chosen by the legislative branch.
New Jersey Plan
a layout of the new Constitution in which a unicameral legislature was established with representatives chosen by state legislatures, and each state receiving one vote, and states would be equally represented.
Connecticut Plan (Great Compromise)
Took elements from both the VA and NJ plans to create a bicameral legislature with the lower house based off of population and the upper house consisting of equal representation. Also included the 3/5 Compromise and the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise.
Three-Fifths Compromise
Counted the slave population as 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation purposes
Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
Congress could not tax state exports nor ban the slave trade for at least 20 years after ratification.
Federalist Papers
85 essays published in NY newspapers advocating for the ratification of the Constitution, written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
Publius
The alias of the authors of the Federalist papers
