Definitions Flashcards
politics
the process of influencing the actions and policies of government
government
the rules and institutions that make up that system of policymaking
democracy
a system of government where power is held by the people
natural rights
the right to life, liberty, and property, which the government cannot take away
social contract
people allow the government to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society
popular sovereignty
the idea that the government’s right to rule comes from the people
republicanism
a system in which the government’s authority comes from the people
un/inalienable rights
rights the government cannot take away –> the first amendment
liberty
social, political, and economic freedoms
participatory democracy
a theory that wide spread political participation is essential for democratic government
civil society groups
independent associations outside the government’s control
pluralist theory
a theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policy making process
elitist theory
a theory of democracy that the elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policymaking process
political institutions
the structure of government leading the executive, legislature, and judiciary
constitutional republic
a democratic system with elected representatives in which the constitution is the supreme law.
constitution
a document that sets out fundamental principles of governance and establishes institution of government
republic
a government ruled by the representatives of the people
unicameral
a one-house legislature
bicameral
a two-house legislature
Article I creates …
The legislative branch: congress
Article II creates….
The executive branch: the cabinet, different agencies
Article III creates…
The judicial branch, supreme court system
separation of powers
3 branches are separate but equal
checks & balance
the branches have checks and restraints on one another
Ratification
to make official or approve
federalists
wanted the constitution to be radicalized
anti-federalists
did not want the constitution to be radicalized
what does federalist paper 51 address?
The check and balances that are created in order to give national and state gov. about the same amount of power
what does federalist paper 10 address?
Address the dangers of factions.
What does brutus address?
That like minded people should be apart of the government, and that the country is too large for the constitution to work
federalism
the division of the power between nation, state, and local government
unitary
one agency, one government
What does the 10th amendment address ?
All powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the state
What does expressed imply?
that it is written in the constitution. Ex: to declare war
What does implied imply?
to take what’s written in the constitution and fit it into society. Ex. interstate highway system
What does inherent imply?
a given, took up on a power because we have to. Ex. immigration
What does reserved imply?
State powers: ex. state license, fishing license, gun license.
What does local imply?
local powers: ex. curfews
What does concurrent imply?
decided by either state or federal powers. Ex. taxes
Delegated powers are
powers granted to the national government under the constitution.
The necessary and proper clause describes
Located: Article 1, section 8
Describes: Gives Congress ‘implied powers’
full faith and credit clause
(recognize…)
constitution clause requiring dates to recognize public acts, records, and civil court proceedings from other states.
Ex. marriage license, driver’s licence
extradition
if you commit a crime and go to another state, you can be sent back to the states where it occurred
privileges and immunities clause
diff. states…
constitutional clause prevents states from discriminating against people from out of state
13th amendement
no slavery
14th amendment
equal rights for citizens-due process
15th amendment
black men can vote after civil war
dual federalism
when federal and state governments work separately
cooperative federalism
state and federal governments work together
selective incorporation
(the supreme court applies…)
supreme court applies rights in a case-by-case basis
grants in aid
(with an objective)
federal money provided to states to implement and objective
fiscal federalism
federal govt.’s use of grant-in-aids to influence policies in the state
categorical
(grants)
specific
grant in aids to provide states in specific provisions of their use
mandates
federal requirements of the state
block grant
a type of grant in aid that gives state officials more authority in the disembursment of federal funds
devolution
(devolver)
returning authority to state or local government
John Locke’s social contract theory includes:
natural rights, and the idea of social contracts
