Exam 1 Flashcards
Equal Opportunity
every American has an equal chance to succeed
10th Amendment
The powers of the Feds are listed in the constitution and the rest should be left up to the states and the people
Federalism
Power divided between national and state government. Each has its own independent authority and its own duties.
Virginia Plan
Madison’s plan, embraced by larger states, strengthened the national gov relative to state govs
- -bicameral - reps based on state pop
- -citizens would vote for house of reps, who would vote for senators
- -congress would elect pres
- -national judiciary
- -national government would have powers in all cases where states were incompetent
New Jersey Plan
Put forward at constitutional convention by the small states, left gov authority with state govs
- -congress would be unicameral - one vote in congress regardless of size
- -congress would elect committee to serve as federal exec for one term
- -Exec committee would select Supreme Court
- -national gov could tax the states and would have excluded right to tax imports
Bicameral
Having two legislative houses or chambers – like house and senate
Unicameral
Having a senile legislative branch
Democracy
A gov in which citizens rule and directly make government decisions for themselves
Connecticut Compromise
- -bicameral congress, house vote on pop, senate every state has two votes,
- Feds control interstate commerce
- -congress has ability to declare war
Institutions
The organizations, norms, and rules that structure government and public action
Electoral College
The system established by the Constitution to elect the president; each state has a group of electors (equal in size to its members of house and senate);
The public in each state votes for electors who then vote for president;
Equality
All citizens enjoy the same privates, status, and rights before the laws
Political equality
All citizens have the same political rights and opportunities
Economic equality
A situation in which there are only small differences in wealth among citizens
Social equality
All individuals enjoy the same status in society
Checks and balances
The principle that each branch of government had the authority to block other branches, making it more difficult for any one branch or individual to exercise too much power. This usher makes passing by legislation far more difficult in the U.S. than in most other democracies.
Republic
Citizens rule indirectly and make government decisions through their elected representatives
Confederation
Group of independent states or nations that yield some of their powers to a national gov, though the states retain a degree of sovereign authority.
Bill of rights
The first ten amendments to the constitution, listing the rights guaranteed to every citizen.
Selective Incorporation
The Supreme Court decides case by case which rights apply to state governments.
New Federalism
A version of a cooperative federalism but with stronger emphasis on state and local government activity vs national gov
Devolution
The transfer of authority from national government to state and local
Concurrent Powers
Government authority shared by national and state powers, such as power to tax residents.
Full faith and credit clause
The constitution requirement that each state recognize and uphold laws passed by any other state.
Granted powers
National government set out explicitly in the constitution
Necessary and proper clause
The constitutional declaration that defines Congress’s constitutional authority to exercise the “necessary and proper “ powers to carry out its designated functions
Inherent Powers
National government powers implied by, but not specifically named in, the constitution
Supremacy clause
The constitutional declaration that the national governments authority prevails over any conflicting state or local governments claims.
Dual federalism
Layer cake federalism; clear division of governing authority between national and state governments
Civil liberties
The limits on government that allow people to freely exercise their rights
Clear and present danger
Court doctrine that permits restrictions of freedom of speech if officials believe that the speech will lead to prohibited action such as violence.
Brown vs Board of Education
Struck down segregated schools as unconstitutional. Fourteenth amendment.
Civil rights
The freedom to participate in the full life of the community –to vote, use public facilities, and exercise economic opportunity
Plessy vs Ferguson
An 1896 Supreme Court case that permitted segregation. Brutal lunching kept it in place.
Unitary Government
A national polity governed as a single unit, with central government exercising all or most political authority
Libel and Slander
Written falsehoods; spoken falsehoods
Executive order
Presidential declaration, with force of law, that issues instructions to the executive branch without any requirement for congressional action or approval.
Free-rider
Gets benefits but doesn’t pay the cost.
New England merchants
Involved in ww commerce
Southern planters
Huge slave driven plantations
Royalist
Loyal to the crown
Left when heat up
Small farmers
Small farms
ubstance farmer - grow enough for family
Elites non elites
Elites:
Merchants
Planters
Royalists
Non elites:
Small farmers
Urban and mid class
Intolerable acts
Punish people for rising against British interest - brings elites and non elites together
Articles of confederation
Perpetual Union Sub national emphasis Decentralized Weak national gov States elect reps to confederate congress - 1 house - 1 vote - no exec - states implement laws
Not much coop after war
Rules for constitutional convention
Close door proceedings - know groups fight against
Write new constitution- move away from perpetual Union
Federalists vs Anti federalist
Want strong gov vs not. Anti not as coordinated. Propaganda arises from both.
Autocracy
Individual force
Rule by one
Monarchy
Oligarchy
Group force
Rule by few
Aristocracy
Federalist #51
Men are not Angels. Precautions in place double security (power divided between state and government)
Federalist #46
What will happen if we create strong gov? Will it become all powerful? No. Kept in check by states.
Unitary
Centralized. Power is central to main gov. Sub national not autonomous.
Confederacy
Decentralized. States have power. Weak national gov.
Advantages of federalism
Disadvantages
Strong national gov. Power kept in check by all.
Slow to get things done.
Dual citizenship
Citizen belongs to state and fed
Centralized federalism
1964-1980
Creative federalism
Feds step into state matters
Feds start stringing stipulations to their help. Unfounded mandates. 20% rev comes from gov so state must comply.
Gibbons vs Ogden
Ogden had monopoly on water navigation.
Gibbons engaged in shipping from NY to NJ
O wants money for use of waterways
Interstate commerce says he can’t charge.
Cooperative federalism
1933-1964
State and gov come together - rampant poverty, depression
Education, health care - state matters need fed funding
Railroads need to cross through state.
Barron vs Baltimore
Partners: fed and states - distinct separation
Dual fed
Barron owns wharf - state road work destroys it - says state owes money(eminent domain)
Fed protections cannot protect you from state
