Ideals of Democracy 1: Flashcards
10th amendment
the powers not delegated to the US by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people
14th amendment
declares that all persons born in the US are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection of the laws in all states
Anti-Federalists
Those who opposed a strong national government and wanted to reject the constitution
articles of confederation
the original document of America creating a government too weak to rule effectively
authority
the right to use power
bicameral
a two house legislature or congress
Bill Of Rights
1st 10 amendments to the constitution
Block Grants
$$$ from the nat gov that states can spend w/ either very broad guidelines or no specific purposes
Brutus 1- anti-feds, (republicans)
too much power in nat gov, won’t be able to survive because of it’s size
Categorical grants
federal grants for specific purposes
Checks and balances
structure where each of the three branches has some oversight and control over each other
commerce clause
regulate trade among states and foreign nations
concurrent powers
held by both congress and the states
cooperative federalism
marble cake federalism, many shared powers among the levels of gov
decentralized power
power is dispersed among institutions and levels of gov so that no one body or group has too much influence over policy making
devolution
effort to transfer responsibility for many public services and programs from the fed. gov to the states
direct democracy
system of gov where members meet, discuss and vote on policy w/o relying on representatives. New England town meetings are an example of this
dual federalism
layer cake federalism; very clearly defined powers and no interactions between levels of gov
electoral college
the body of electors who formally elect the US president and vice-pres
elite and class theory (elitism)
the upper-class elite (primarily the wealthy) holds the power and makes policy, regardless of the formal gov. organization
enumerated powers
powers of the gov. specifically granted to it in the constitution
ex post facto law
a law that makes an act criminal although the act was legal when it was committed (this type of law is not allowed as states in Article I, Section 9)
federalist
supporter of the constitution who favored a strong national government
federalist 10
this document stated that a large republic would actually help protect liberties and control factions
federalist 51
this document stated the concept of “checks and balances” and “separation of powers”
federalist 78
this document stated the reasons for the judiciary branch to have judges serve for life so that they would not be swayed by public opinion. it also argued for the importance of judicial review
federalist papers
collection of 85 articles/essays promoting the ratification of the US Constitution
Federal system
system in which national and state governments share power. there must be protections for region/state power in this system
full faith and credit clause
court judgements, licenses, contracts, records, and civil acts should be accepted from one state to another
government
the institutions in which public policies are made for a society
great compromise
final decision under the constitution that made a two house congress with one house based on population from states and the other house based on equality
implied powers
powers the federal government receives from the “necessary and proper” clause
initiative
a state or local process that permits voters to put legislative measures directly on the ballot, bypassing the legislature
john locke
a philosopher that believed in natural rights and believed that governments must protect “life, liberty and property”
judicial review
ability of the judicial branch to interpret what laws means and their constitutionality
legitimacy
the belief that a ruler, leader, or institution has the right to govern
limited gov
the idea that natural rights are superior to governments and govs should have restrictions on its power as not to trample on people’s liberties
mandates
terms set by the national gov that states must meet whether or not they accept federal grants/ states may face penalties or must follow these as a condition of receiving a federal grant
McCulloch v. Maryland
established principle of national supremacy and validity of implied powers (confirmed “necessary and proper” clause)
Necessary and Proper Clause
To make all laws which shall be necessary for carrying into execution the foregoing powers as outlined in article I, section 8 of the constitution
New Jersey Plan
“small state plan” that created one house legislature where each state had one vote
participatory democracy
a theory of democracy that holds that citizens should actively and directly control all aspects of their lives
pluralism
the policy making process is open to participation by many interest groups, w/ no single group dominating. Compromise and public interest prevails in this theory of democracy
politics
the process of determining the leaders we select and the policies they pursue. this exists to determine who governs and to what ends
popular sovereignty
notion that ultimate authority in a country rests with the people
power
the ability to influence or outright control the behavior of people
Privileges and Immunities Clause
Your rights are protected in all of the states (police protections, right to the state’s courts, etc)
recall
a state or local procedure whereby voters can remove an elected official from office
referendum
a state or local process that permits a legislature to put forth a proposed policy in which people can vote and directly accept or reject the proposed policy
representative (indirect) democracy
system of government where citizens vote for representatives to work on their behalf and make policy decisions
republicanism
a philosophy of limited gov. w/ elected representatives serving at the will of the people. The gov. is based on consent of the governered
reserved powers
powers given exclusively to the states; powers established by the 10th amendment
separation of powers
principle where power is divided among legislative, executive, and judicial branches
shay’s rebellion
event where farmese attempted to overthrow the gov;. due to unjust laws and state seizures of farms. showed the weakness of the articles of confederation because the fed. gov. did not have a strong enough army to cease the rebellion
social contract theory
the belief that people are free and equal by natural right, and that this in turn requires that all people give their consent to be governed
supremacy clause
national laws are above state laws
Thomas Hobbes
a philosopher that believed humans were cruel, greedy and selfish and if not strictly controlled they would fight, rob, and oppress one another
Three-Fifths Compromise
agreement where slaves counted as 3/5s a person towards representation in the House of Representatives
Unitary Government
a type of government where regional/state governments are subservient to the nat. gov. all power rests in the central (national) government
US vs. Lopez (1995)
the Supreme Court ruled that congress had exceeded its constitutional authority under the commerce clause when it passed a law prohibiting gun possession in local school zones
Virginia Plan
“Large State Plan” that created a bicameral legislature that favored more populous states
