Final exam Flashcards
The six basic needs of people (the study of power)
1) Protection from foreign threats
2) order among the population
3) regulation of the nation’s economy
4) public goods and services
5) socialization w the nation’s youth
6) levying taxes
Elitest theory of power
Where a handful of “elites” hold majority power
Majoritarian theory of power
Where the majority prevails
Pluralist theory of power
Where people of a common interest ban together to promote their ideas
Social Contract
An agreement from a limited government to rule and protect the natural rights of citizens (life, liberty, and happiness)
Popular Sovereignty/Political Equality
In which the power lies in the hands of the people
John Loke
Proposed the natural rights and a branched government
Thomas Hobbes
Stated that people are in a constant state of conflict and that a government is crucial to maintain peace
Jean-Jacques Rosseau
Stated that the government needs to work for the good of the people and that the natural rights would strengthen the nation as long as people did their own part
Constitutional Democracy
The idea that the majority is unlimited
Tyranny of the Majority
The potential of a majority to monopolize power in favor of their interests
Declaration of Independence
The nations motivations for seeking independence (from Britain)
The Federalist Papers
A series of essays written in favor of the constitution
Difference between the Supermacy and the Necessary and Proper Clauses
The Supremacy Clause (Article 6) puts national law over state law and states that the states cannot contradict it
The Necessary and Proper Clause (elastic clause) (article one, section b) gives the government the power to make any laws necessary for them to carry out their jobs (implied powers)
Federalism
Where the authority is divided between the national gov. and the states
Implied Powers
Powers that are not explicitly stated in the constitution, but are necessary for the government to be able to play its role
The Tenth Amendment
States that any power not given to the federal government is given to the states
State vs. Nation Centered Federalism
state-centered: the states hold majority power
nation-centered: national gov. is dominant over the states
Fiscal Federalism
Funding for state programs; how the national gov. influences state and local law
Article 1
- Grants Congress its powers and limits
- Makes the two sections of the congress
- Bicramel Legislator
Impact of Decentralized Power
Makes congress slow and inefficient, which helps make sure no bad bills are passed, or no person gains too much power
Perceptions of Congress
Terrible. There is am 80-90% disapproval rate at any time
Committee System, Standing and Conference Committees
Tasks are divided between the communities
Standing: Permanent, responsible for a particular public policy area
Conference: Temporary, bargain over differences in a bill before it is passed on to be passed on to the president
Structure of the House and Senate
There are two chambers, senate and house, that mostly work in parallel but have separate powers and obligations
Filibuster and Cloture
Filibuster: The act of someone debating a bill so long that it prevents the descision from being made on the bill entirely
Cloture: A maneuver to end a filibuster, takes 60 votes
Partisan Voting
How strongly a state or district feels about a political party vs. how the rest of the nation feels about them
Single Member Districts vs. Proportional Representation in the Electoral System
Single-member: Votes chose one official
Proportional Representation: Seats held by a party are determined by the number of votes they get
Speaker of the House
Head of the court