Chapter 6 Flashcards
Republican problem
The question of how the benefits of self government can be enjoyed without incurring it’s inherent problems.
Constitutional structure
The nature and arrangement of mechanisms in a constitution that organize the government.
Constitutional drift
When power in the government does not remain where it was originally placed.
Confederation
Defensive alliance among sovereign equals.
Articles of confederation
Document outlining in the alliance of sovereign, equal states in which there was a weak central governing Continental Congress.
State sovereignty
When political power resides in the state rather than the federal government.
John Adams
Founding father and proponent of a bicameral legislature, Adams served as the second president of the United States
Bicameral legislature
A legislature in which there are two separate divisions or houses
James Madison
Fourth president of the United States and founding father Madison is often called the “father of the Constitution” he cool off in the Federalist with Hamilton and Jay and helped Jefferson create the Democratic Republican party.
Governor Morris
Pennsylvania representative at the Constitutional convention, Morris is credited with authoring large sections of the Constitution, including the preamble.
Charles pinky
South Carolina representative at the Constitutional convention, strong promoter of federalism and help persuade ratification of the Constitution in South Carolina.
George mason
Virginia representative at the Constitutional convention, Mason refused to sign the Constitution because it did not contain a declaration of rights.
Virginia plan
Plan presented during the Constitutional convention in which each state would have proportional representation in Congress.
New Jersey plan
Plaintiff presented during the Constitutional convention in which each state representation in the Congress.
William Paterson
New Jersey representative at the Constitutional convention who presented the New Jersey plan which gave equal representation to states regardless of size or population.
The great compromise
Proposed by Roger Sherman, it brought together the New Jersey and Virginia plans by having the upper congressional house representation eagle by state and lower house representation by population.
Roger Sherman
Connecticut delegate to the Constitutional convention, and a proposed the great compromise of one legislative house having proportional representation while the other had equal representation
Popular sovereignty
The idea that power is created by subject to the will of the people. It was the buy a basis for Madison’s proportional representation in Congress and a justification by the south for continuance of slavery.
Benjamin Franklin
One of the most well-known founders, Franklin was also a leading printer, scientists, inventor, and the diplomat. He helps with your friends and now I am during the Revolutionary war.
Federalism
Dividing powers between the national and state government’s
3/5 compromise
Part of the compromise on slavery, where three out of every five slaves counted as part of state population for taxation and representation
Auxiliary precautions
Structure in the government to make it more difficult for power to become concentrated in anyone groups, seen by the founders as a back up system to virtue. Madison talks about this and Federalist 51
Constitutional mechanism
Parts of the Constitution to help organize and control power
Indirect election
When government officials are elected by previously chosen representatives, and not directly by the people
Humes filter or filters of consent
When of the people select the most virtuous representatives, who intern select even more virtuous government officials.
Enumeration
The written listing of the powers of government
Separation of powers
Dividing powers of government between the three branches
James Wilson
A primary framers of the Constitution, Wilson proposed the 3/5 compromise for slavery Tatian and election of the president by the people. He was also key in Pennsylvania transportation of the Constitution.
Checks and balances
Bridging the separation of powers between branches of government by placing part of each power within two separate branches
Faction
A group of individuals who share the same specific political agenda
Counterpoise
A force, influence, or wait that counterbalances another, for example the rules of prosecutor and defense attorney in a trial. The Federalist number 10 and number 51 in appendix C discuss more examples.
Oligarchy
A form of government where most or all political power affectively rests with a small segment of society, typically the most powerful weather by wealth, family, military strength, worthlessness, or political influence.
