final review Flashcards
define democracy
the people hold the power to rule, the people meet to make all the decisions
what is a republic
a government where citizens rule through elected representatives
what is a federal system
a system of government in which the national and state governments share power
what is a presidential system
a form of government in which the executive and legislative branches are separate, independent, and coequal
what is a parliament
government where people vote for representatives, the political party in control picks their prime minister (head executive)
what is a monarchy
a political system in which a country is ruled by a monarch (king or queen) who has total control
what was John Lockes impact
believed that the purpose of the government is to protect the laws of nature and natural rights (life, liberty, and property)/ if a government failed to protect these rights, people were justified in rebelling and changing that government
what was montesquieu’s imact
separation of powers into 3 branches of government
what is social contract
an agreement between the people of a society to abide by laws and accept punishment; people agree to sacrifice some liberty in order to gain more protection; governments get their power from the people
what is the natural rights philosophy
everyone has the right to life, liberty, and ownership of property/citizens have the right to overthrow the government when their “natural rights” are violated
who was the author of the declaration of independence
Thomas Jefferson
what was the purpose of the declaration of independence
to declare the separation of the colonies from Britain
what are the key ideas of the declaration of independence
states general ideas about rights and governments, lists complaints directed toward King George lll, declares an official separation of the colonies
what were the articles of confederation
nation’s first constitution; was adopted by the second continental congress in 1781 during the revolution; document was limited because states held most of the power, and congress lacked the power to tax, regulate trade, or control coinage
what were the main weaknesses of the articles of confederation
Congress had trouble passing laws because a vote of 9 out of 13 states were needed
There was no executive official to ensure that laws were carried out
Without national courts, there were no means of interpreting laws or carrying out justice
The Articles of Confederation could not be changed without a unanimous vote
Congress lacked power to collect taxes
The government could not control trade between the states
Each state had its own currency so there was no stable national currency
The government could not pay its debts
what was the great compromise
the agreement by which Congress would have two houses: the senate (where each state gets equal representation – two senators) and the House of Representatives (where representation is based on population)
what is federalism
a way of organizing a nation so that two levels (national and state) have formal authority over the same land and people, it is a system of shared power between units of government
what is the electoral college
the body of elector chosen from each state to elect the president and vice president of the US, the people of each state vote for the electors who then cast their votes on the people’s behalf
what is a federalist
supporters of the constitution, strong central government, 3 branches of government
what is an anti-federalist
opposed the constitution, opposed strong central govt, thought people’s rights were limited and insisted on a bill of rights, too much power to national govt
what were the federalist papers
A series of influential articles posted in the newspaper, promoting the thoughts and ideas of Federalists, papers pointed out the problems and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the strengths of the Constitution
what is the importance of the federalist papers
persuaded enough people to ratify the Constitution
what is popular sovereignty
the people hold ultimate power in the government
what is limited government
no government is all powerful, government must obey the law
what is separation of powers
no one component of the government holds too much power, powers are distributed among 3 different branches
what are checks and balances
designed to prevent abuse of power in the government
what is judicial review
the power of the courts to declare a law constitutional and unconstitutional
what is federalism
power is shared between the central/national government and the states
what are the universal requirements of voting
o U.S. citizen
o 18 years or older
o Have to be a resident in the state you are casting your vote in
what is the difference between political party and interest group
political party seek POWER
Interest group seeks to INFLUENCE
what is the main role of 3rd parties in politics
by promoting new ideas, if they gain support, major parties adopt their issues to save votes
what is the primary source of news for most Americans
TV
which government agency/body regulates the media
FCC
what is selective perception
the process by which individuals perceive what they want to in media messages
what is political socialization
A process by which individuals learn their political beliefs and attitudes from family, school, friends, coworkers, and other sources
what is the MAIN source of political socialization
family/parents
what is the preamble
introduction to the US constitution
what are reserved powers
the powers the constitution gives to the states
what are concurrent powers
the powers shared by the national and state governments
what is the elastic clause/necessary and proper clause
one of the powers of Congress that allows them to make any laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out their powers