Key Terms Flashcards
Soverignty
Ultimate political power- having the final say.
Republic
From Latin res publica, the “public thing”, when citizens of the political state govern themselves rather than submit to a monarchy, despot, or oligarchy.
Republican Problem
The question of how the benefits of self-government can be enjoyed without incurring its inherent problems.
European Enlightenment
18th century philosophical movement that proposed individual self-interest, rather than Greek virtue or Christian humility, as the motivating factor in human behavior
Constitutional Mechanisms
Parts of the Constitution that help organize and control power.
Constitutional Structure
The nature and arrangement of mechanism in a constitution that organize the government.
Auxiliary Precautions
Structure in the government to make it more difficult for power to become concentrated in any one groups hands, seen by the founders as backup system to virtue
Constitutional Drift
When power in the government does not remain where it was originally placed.
Confederation
Defensive alliance among sovereign equals
Bicameral Legislation
A legislature in which there are two separate divisions or houses
Proportional Representation
Party representation in the legislative body is closely tied to the national or regional vote of that party.
Federalism
The dividing of powers between the national and state governments
Hume’s filter/indirect election
When the people select the most virtuous representatives, who in turn select even more virtuous government officials
Separation of Powers
Dividing powers of government between the separate branches.
Checks and Balance
Bridging the separation of powers between branches of government by placing part of each power within two separate branches.
Counterpoise
A force, influence, or weight that counter-balances another, e.g., the roles of the prosecutor and defense attorney in a trial.
Federalists
A political group that was for the ratification of the Constitution, later used to describe members of the Federalist party
Anti-Federalist
Political group that was against the ratification of the Constitution.
The Federalist
Series of essays published in New York newspapers under the pseudonym Publius for the express purpose of gaining support for ratification of the Constitution. Written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay
Natural Rights
Fundamental rights granted by mature that government cannot abrogate and which government was bound to protect.
Civil Rights
Rights defined using narrow, concrete language, full of specific terms and qualifiers.
“The Great Oughts”
Natural rights that dont proclaim an”is” but an “ought” about the world, the way things “should” be.
Judicial Review
Power of the Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of laws.
Jeffersonians
See Democratic-Republican Party
Hamiltons
See Federalist Party
Federalist Party
Political party founded by Hamilton and John Adams that envisioned a great Western empire with a strong federal government, and a broad interpretation of Constitutional powers.
Democratic-Republican Party
Political party led by Jefferson and Madison that championed a society of self-reliant individuals to protect rights, a smaller federal government, and a narrow and strict interpretations of the Constitution
Whig Party
England’s first political party, organized in political opposition to the king; Americans later formed their own Whig party during the Jacksonian democracy era, but the two parties did not hold the same ideologies
Republican Party
Political party that stems from the controversy over slavery. It was dedicated to keeping future territories and states free from slavery.
Electoral College
The group of electors selected by the people who are responsible for the selection of the president.
Structure
Rules and restrictions designed to better harness virtue
Loyal opposition
When losers in the political game continue to support the system, even when it is against their ideology
Popular Sovereignty
The idea that power is created by and subject to the will of the people. It was the basis for Madison’s proportional representation in Congress and a justification by the south for the continuance of slavery.
Original consent
Giving consent to a provision or law the first time, such as the ratification of the Constitution.
Periodic Consent
Giving continuing consent at certain intervals to a provision or law to which original consent has already been given.
Filtered Consent
When the selection of government officials is distanced from direct election by the people in order to protect against mob rule and public whim. Filters include indirect election, tin between elections, and size of representative regions
Majority
The candidate who receives more than 50% of total votes wins
Plurality
Receiving the largest percentage of votes.
Single representative districts
Representational structure where each geographical region elects its one representative independent of outcomes in other regions
Popular government
“Government of the people, by the people, for the people”
Aristocracy
Rule based on distinguishable or wise ancestors and heritage.
Popular Campaigning
Promoting candidates as being from (and therefore representing) the common masses, rather than as elite gentlemen-politicians
Political Convention
Large meeting of party delegates for the purpose of nominating candidates, often held with much pomp and ballyhoo.
Political Machine
Group of party loyalists organized to deliver the vote on election day. Historically they often used questionable or illegal means such as buying votes or intimidation at the polls
Confederacy
Alliance of southern states that seceded from the Union over slavery
Emancipation Proclamation
Presidential order issued by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863 that freed slaves in the area of insurrection
Secession
Formal withdrawal of states or regions from a nation
Factionalism/Sectionalism
When a city-state or nation has multiply factions that compete against each other. Madison felt that an extended republic would prevent factionalism from leading to tyranny because no faction could be large enough to dominate. Sectionalism is factionalism on a larger, more regional scale, with fewer but larger factions. Sectionalism during the 1800’s over slavery issue nullified the benefits of Madison’s extended republic and led to the Civil War.
State Sovereignty
When ultimate political power resides in the state rather than the federal government
Missouri Compromise
1820 agreement between slavery and anti-slavery factions in the United States that regulated slavery in western territories, prohibiting slavery above the border of Arkansas (except Missouri) and permitting it south of that border.
Thirteenth Amendment
Abolished slavery in the United States
Fourteenth Amendment
Defined citizenship and overturned the three-fifths compromise for slaves when determining representation, repudiated Confederate debts, and prohibited Confederate leaders from holding public office
Fifteenth Amendment
All male citizens are granted the right to vote regardless of race, color. or previous condition of servitude.
