exam 1 Flashcards
A term generally used to describe the formal institutions through which a territory and its people are used.
government
Who gets what, where, and how. A power struggle to distribute resources, talks about the conflict
Politics
Recognizes no formal limits but is kept in check by religion, businesses, unions, etc. Latin America, Asia, and Africa
Authoritarian government
No legal limits, eliminates challengers. Russia
Totalitarian
Citizens have the power to rule themselves
Democracy
Permits citizens to vote directly on laws and politics
Direct democracy
ours, a system that gives citizens opportunities to elect officials
Representative democracy
A hands off government approach introduced during the great depression
Laissez faire capitalism
American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have
Equality of opportunity
Wishes of the majority determines what the government does
Majority rules
Concern for individual rights are in the bill of rights
Minority rights
Focus is on liberty, freedoms. US
Liberal democracy
Focus is on social equality, most European countries are this. Universal healthcare
Social democracy
A government where they have the majority of the process for a democracy, but very little rights and freedoms. Hungary
Illiberal democracy
Created by society to communicate needs with the government
Linkage/informal institutions
Interaction between government and society. People communicate to the government through institutions, try to get formal institutions to respond. When government does, we get public policy
Political system
Response by government to a perceived issue in society. Operates on limited resources
Public policies
May respond to some issues, but not others
Trade-offs
Government was created to peacefully have both. We want order, and freedoms
Liberty versus order
Economic freedom versus economic equality. If we want less regulations, there may be wider wealth gaps. If we want more equality, we need more regulation. Hobby lobby vs ACA
Liberty versus equality
the first constitution ratified in 1781 and functioned until 1788. Goal was to limit the powers of government, but ultimately failed due to how little power they had
Articles of confederation
representation in national legislature to be based on population of each state, in favor of the large states
Virginia plan
Asserted the most popular states would dominate the new government
New Jersey plan
Seats would be apportioned according to population as delegates from larger states wished, but each state gets one vote in the senate
Great compromise
Most delegates opposed counting the population of enslaved people as citizens, so a compromise was made
3/5ths compromise
Two chambered legislature, checks and balances among branches of government, staggered terms in office, and indirect election
Bicameral
Branches are given its own powers and some power over other branches. President being able to veto bills
Checks and balances
First ten amendments that define personal freedoms
Bill of rights
Separate into three branches to keep the government from being all powerful
Separation of powers
Supported constitution and wanted a strong national government
Federalists
Opposed constitution and wanted a more decentralized federal system
Antifederalists
Unjust rule by the group in power. Antifederalists were scared of the government becoming more aristocratic, federalists thought the popular majority would break the rules
Tyranny
Many are called, few are chosen, Exist to give rights
Amendment
Only the president has this in war, can refuse congress
Authorization for the use of military force
1215 UK, result of a struggle between a British monarchy and a British representative. Placed limits on the absolute authority, social contract
Magna carta
One of the first British settlements in the 1640s. Signed a contract amongst themselves agreeing to rules
Mayflower compact
Consent of the governed. However powerful a government, it has to have some legitimacy from the people it is governing
Social contract
1774 reconciliation attempt, wanted more representation for the colonies
First continental congress
1775, to prepare for war
Second continental congress
Security and defense, economic. Border disputes and debtors versus creditors, trade, states too powerful
Post independence challenges
A small mob of farmers tried to prevent foreclosures on their land, scared the government into making legislature to grant demands, sparked the new constitution
Shay’s rebellion
Established by the constitution: the division of powers and functions between a national government and lower levels of government like regions or states. US was first to adopt.
Federalism
Lower levels of government have little independent power and primarily just implement decisions made by the central government. Majority of other countries follow one central government with all authority and can have provinces, but can’t pass laws by themselves
Unitary system
Construction only grants powers specifically expressed in text. Like declaring war, taxing, foreign treaties for the national government.
Expressed powers
Not in the constitution, but necessary to carry out the listed powers. To make laws necessary to carry powers into execution
Implied powers
A part of implied powers, law proving congress with the authority to make all was necessary and proper.
Necessary and proper clause
Contracts a state makes with its residents have to be recognized by other states, like same sex marriage. Requires states to honor public acts and judicial decisions that take place in another state
Full faith and credit clause
Technically present since the 1790s, but was more prominent post-civil war. Attempt to have this clear division of authority and jurisdiction between the national and state governments.
Dual federalism
Define states rights. Power is not given to the national government, nor prohibited to the states, are state powers. Says the constitution does not delegate to the national government or prohibit to the states a reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
Tenth amendment
Provides national laws and treaties shall be the supreme law of the land. Constitution is supreme law, foreign treaties are by the federal government and obligate the entire country, national government supreme over states
Supremacy clause
A type of federalism existing since the new deal era which grants in aid have been used strategically to encourage states and localities to pursue nationally defined goals. Sharing of management of federal programs implemented state by states, got states to cooperate with new deal distributions through grants
Cooperative federalism
Programs through which congress provides money to state and local governments on the condition that the funds be employed for purposes defined by the federal government. Money does not have to be paid back
Grants in aid
80% of all grants. Program and project
Categorical grants
Automatic, states get this money automatically without asking. can only be used for specific programs. The determination of how much is given is based on a formula like cost of living.
Program/formula grants
Not automatic, states have to find and compete for this money. Tied to specific programs.
Project grants
20% of grants. Automatic, no conditions.
Block grants
A policy to remove the program from one level of government by delegating it or passing it down to a lower level. Give back authority and responsibilities to the states, less funding to federal programs and less federal regulations.
Devolution
Focuses on devolution, adopted by Nixon and Reagan.
New federalism
measure of how successful we actually are. At least on the surface, equality of outcome plugs some of the gaps left by equality of opportunity. describes a state in which all people have approximately the same material wealth and income, or in which the general economic conditions of everyone’s lives are alike.
Equality of results
7 years. British needed to recoup for the loss of money in the war despite winning, so taxes were imposed on just the colonies
French Indian war
Social contract theorist who inspired Jefferson for the Declaration of Independence.
John Locke
By John Locke, life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In the Declaration of Independence
Natural rights
Concluded any state law conflicting with a federal law is invalid. Implied powers The court decided that the Federal Government had the right and power to set up a Federal bank and that states did not have the power to tax the Federal Government
McCulloch v Maryland
The principle that allows the national ovenrment to override state or local actions in certain policy areas: in foreign policy, the willingness to strike first in order to prevent an enemy attack
Preemption
