Foundation of Democracy Vocab

Question 1

A government in which the people govern themselves and individually vote on matters of policy

Answer 1

Direct (Participatory) Democracy

Question 2

A model of Democracy in which the people are represented by leader they elected

Answer 2

Indirect (Representative) Democracy

Question 3

Model of Democracy in which a small number of people, usually those who are wealthy or have a large share of influence, control political decisions

Answer 3

Elite Democracy

Question 4

The belief that effective public policy is the result if competition among multiple different interests and groups

Answer 4

Pluralism

Question 5

Rights inherent to all people that are not dependent upon the government

Answer 5

Natural Rights

Question 6

The constitution that administered America’s first government, which was characterized by a loose league of friendship between states and a weak central government

Answer 6

Articles of Confederation

Question 7

Meeting delegates in 1787 that was initially called to revise the Articles of Confederation, but ultimately led to the formation of the nation’s current Constitution

Answer 7

Constitutional Convention

Question 8

An upraising that brought attention to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Answer 8

Shay’s Rebellion

Question 9

Constitutional convention proposal to create a stronger national government with a bicameral legislature

Answer 9

Virginia Plan

Question 10

Agreement to have a popularly elected House based on state population and a state selected Senate, with equal membership for each state

Answer 10

Great Compromise

Question 10

Constitutional convention proposal that maintained an unicameral legislature and was preferred by smaller states

Answer 10

New Jersey Plan

Question 11

Agreement that slaves would be counted as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation and taxation

Answer 11

Three-fifths Compromise

Question 12

Agreement in which the government derives their power from consent of the governed and in exchange, the people agree to limit their rights and participate in an ordered society

Answer 12

Social Contract

Question 13

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Answer 13

Judicial Review

Question 14

A collection of essays/articles designed to rally support the ratification of the Constitution

Answer 14

Federalist Papers

Question 14

System in which is divided between national and state or local government

Answer 14

Federalism

Question 15

A group with distinct political interests; highlighted in federalist #10

Answer 15

Faction

Question 15

Constitutional principle that grants each branch some ability to limit the authority of the other branches

Answer 15

Checks and Balances

Question 15

Those citizens who favored a stronger national government and generally supported the ratification of the Constitution

Answer 15

Federalists

Question 15

Those citizens who favored a weaker national government and generally opposed the ratification of the Constitution

Answer 15

Anti-Federalists

Question 16

The Constitutional principle that divides the powers of government into three distinct branches

Answer 16

Separation of Powers

Question 17

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people

Answer 17

Popular sovereignty

Question 18

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution

Answer 18

Bill of Rights

Question 19

A new addition to the Constitution that has been proposed by Congress and ratified by the states

Answer 19

Amendment

Question 20

An order to produce an arrested person before a judge so that reason may be given as to why that person is in custody

Answer 20

Writ of habeas corpus

Question 21

The government is restrained in their lawful use of power and may only exercise those empowers assigned to it in the Constitution

Answer 21

Limited Government