Chapter 6- Architecture and Development of U.S. Government Flashcards
Government
Formal/informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy.
Public policy
Exercising government power to do things necessary to maintain legitimate authority and control over society.
Democracy
A system where the PEOPLE rule directly or by elected representation.
Direct democracy
Citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues.
Representative democracy
Citizens choose officials (representatives) who make decisions about public policy.
Traditional democratic theory
Government depends upon the consent of the governed.
Pluralist theory
Interest groups compete in the political arena, with each promoting its own policy preferences through organized efforts.
Elite theory
A small number of people identified by wealth or political power, who rule in their self interest.
Bureaucratic theory
The hierarchical structure and standardized procedures of modern governments allow bureaucrats to hold the real power over public policy; proposed by Max Weber.
Hyperpluralism
Democracy seen as a system of many groups pulling government in many directions at the same time, causing gridlock and ineffectiveness.
Social contract
A voluntary agreement between the government and the governed.
Natural rights
Basic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights that a government cannot deny.
Declaration of Independence
Drafted in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson declaring America’s separation from Great Britain.
Divided into 3 parts:
A theory of government (based on social contract and natural rights);
List of grievances against the king and “others” (Parliament);
A statement of colonial unity and separation from Britain
Articles of Confederation (1781-9)
The first national constitution of the United States that created a government lasting from 1781 to 1789; replaced by the current constitution.
Federal system
Power is divided between the states and the government.
Connecticut (Great) Compromise
Settled disputed between the states over the structure of the legislative branch
Virginia Plan
Madison’s plan for a bicameral legislature, with the executive and judiciary chosen by legislature.
Three-Fifths Compromise
Agreement that each slave counted as 3/5s of a person in determining representation in the House of Representatives and for taxation.
Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
Resolved differences between northern and southern states; Congress could not tax imports nor ban the slave trade for 20 years.
Ratification
Method of enacting a constitution or amendment into law.
Federalists
Supported a strong central government and expanded legislative powers
Federalist Papers
Written by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison to support ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Anti-Federalists
Opposed the adoption of the U.S. Constitution because it gave too much power to the national government at the expense of the state governments and it lacked a bill of rights.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing certain rights and liberties to the people.
Constitution
The document setting forth the laws and principles of the government; a plan of government.
Limited government
Basic principle of U.S. government that each person has rights that the government cannot take away.
Popular sovereignty
Basic principle of U.S. government which holds that the people are the source of all governmental power.
Separation of powers
Practice by which power is separated among three branches of government; each branch has its own powers and duties and is independent of and equal to the other branches.
Checks and balances
Each branch of government is subject to restraints by the other two branches.
Federalism
A division of government powers between the national government and the states.
Amendment
A revision or change to a bill, law, or constitution
Judicial review
Authority given the courts to review constitutionality of acts by the executive, states, or the legislature; established in Marbury vs. Madison.
Marbury vs. Madison
Established the principle of judicial review.
