Chapter 6- Architecture and Development of U.S. Government

Question 1

Government

Answer 1

Formal/informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy.

Question 2

Public policy

Answer 2

Exercising government power to do things necessary to maintain legitimate authority and control over society.

Question 3

Democracy

Answer 3

A system where the PEOPLE rule directly or by elected representation.

Question 4

Direct democracy

Answer 4

Citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues.

Question 5

Representative democracy

Answer 5

Citizens choose officials (representatives) who make decisions about public policy.

Question 6

Traditional democratic theory

Answer 6

Government depends upon the consent of the governed.

Question 7

Pluralist theory

Answer 7

Interest groups compete in the political arena, with each promoting its own policy preferences through organized efforts.

Question 8

Elite theory

Answer 8

A small number of people identified by wealth or political power, who rule in their self interest.

Question 9

Bureaucratic theory

Answer 9

The hierarchical structure and standardized procedures of modern governments allow bureaucrats to hold the real power over public policy; proposed by Max Weber.

Question 10

Hyperpluralism

Answer 10

Democracy seen as a system of many groups pulling government in many directions at the same time, causing gridlock and ineffectiveness.

Question 11

Social contract

Answer 11

A voluntary agreement between the government and the governed.

Question 12

Natural rights

Answer 12

Basic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights that a government cannot deny.

Question 13

Declaration of Independence

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Articles of Confederation (1781-9)

Answer 14

The first national constitution of the United States that created a government lasting from 1781 to 1789; replaced by the current constitution.

Question 15

Federal system

Answer 15

Power is divided between the states and the government.

Question 16

Connecticut (Great) Compromise

Answer 16

Settled disputed between the states over the structure of the legislative branch

Question 17

Virginia Plan

Answer 17

Madison’s plan for a bicameral legislature, with the executive and judiciary chosen by legislature.

Question 18

Three-Fifths Compromise

Answer 18

Agreement that each slave counted as 3/5s of a person in determining representation in the House of Representatives and for taxation.

Question 19

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

Answer 19

Resolved differences between northern and southern states; Congress could not tax imports nor ban the slave trade for 20 years.

Question 20

Ratification

Answer 20

Method of enacting a constitution or amendment into law.

Question 21

Federalists

Answer 21

Supported a strong central government and expanded legislative powers

Question 22

Federalist Papers

Answer 22

Written by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison to support ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Question 23

Anti-Federalists

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Bill of Rights

Answer 24

The first ten amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing certain rights and liberties to the people.

Question 25

Constitution

Answer 25

The document setting forth the laws and principles of the government; a plan of government.

Question 26

Limited government

Answer 26

Basic principle of U.S. government that each person has rights that the government cannot take away.

Question 27

Popular sovereignty

Answer 27

Basic principle of U.S. government which holds that the people are the source of all governmental power.

Question 28

Separation of powers

Answer 28

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.

Question 29

Checks and balances

Answer 29

Each branch of government is subject to restraints by the other two branches.

Question 30

Federalism

Answer 30

A division of government powers between the national government and the states.

Question 31

Amendment

Answer 31

A revision or change to a bill, law, or constitution

Question 32

Judicial review

Answer 32

Authority given the courts to review constitutionality of acts by the executive, states, or the legislature; established in Marbury vs. Madison.

Question 33

Marbury vs. Madison

Answer 33

Established the principle of judicial review.