Notes Flashcards
Limited government
The idea that government should not be involved too much in people’s daily lives.
The idea that government should not be involved too much in people’s daily lives.
Limited govrnment
Rule of law
The idea that no one is above the law (even kings and presidents) and that citizens can only be punished by the government IF they’ve committed a crime using rules and procedures set by the law
The idea that no one is above the law (even kings and presidents) and that citizens can only be punished by the government IF they’ve committed a crime using rules and procedures set by the law
Rule of Law
Foundation documents
Magna Carta (“Great Charter”) 1315
English bill of rights - 1689
Petition of right - 1628
Types of government (6)
From smallest to most complex
Anarchy Autocracy Monarchy (Absolute and Constitutional) Oligarchy Direct demveacy Republican democracy
Capitalism
Private individuals-means of production
Laissez-faire
Supply an demand
Communism
Government owns means of production
No small private industries
Socialism
Welfare states
Anarchy
No government
Autocracy
One ruler has all the power; dictatorship
Monarchy
Sovereignty is embodied in an individual monarh
Monarchy (absolute)
Monarch has ultimate authority as head of both state and government
Monarchy (constitutional)
Limited head of state within the guidelines of a constitution
Oligarchy
Rule by few
Direct democracy
Tyranny of the majority; minority rights
Republican democracy
A republic which is defined to give its people democratic rights: both republic and a democracy; elect representarives
Enlightenment
Intellectual movement of the 1700s.
Reason was found to be the basis if authority
Scientific successes
Thomas Hobbes
Argued that people are naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish
Thought that without laws, we would fight, rob, and oppress one another
Argued that people are naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish
Thought that without laws, we would fight, rob, and oppress one another
Thomas Hobbes
John Locke
He thought that people were naturally reasonable and moral
He argued that people could protect their natural rights
-that government should have limited power and be controlled by the people
He thought that people were naturally reasonable and moral
He argued that people could protect their natural rights
-that government should have limited power and be controlled by the people
John Locke
Natural Rights
Life, liberty, property
Baron de Montesquieu
Published The Spirit of the laws
Stated the the best way to protect liberty was to divide government into three branches
Each branch should be able to check the other
Published The Spirit of the laws
Stated the the best way to protect liberty was to divide government into three branches
Each branch should be able to check the other
Baron de Montesquieu
Declaration of Independence (3 parts)
Reasoning
“Laundry list” complaints
Declaration
Weaknesses of articles of confederation
No power of taxation, each state had its own money, no strong leader, individual states, needed 100% vote
Why was Shay’s Rebellion instrumental in creating a new constitution?
Citizens wouldn’t support government, sent fear to states, foreclosures of land, farmers couldn’t pay taxes, showed weak central government
Why was the constitutional convention considered “illegal” at the time?
It wasn’t permitted under the articles if cinfederation
3/5 compromise
Every slave counted as 3/5 if a prrson
Before the ink dried on the paper, what was already wrong with the constitution? How was this fixed?
There wasn’t a bill of rights; they made it with the first ten amendments to the cinstituti
Expressed powers
They are listed in the constitution
Implied powers
They’re not in the constitution, but the govt can do then base on another part of it
Delegated powers
Powers given by the constitution to the federal government
Inherent powers
They’re not in the constitution but the government can do them simply be They’re the government
Interstate
Relations between two (or more) different stares
Intrastate
Relations within a single state
Adams
Govt should make ppl happy
Believed in natural rights
Annual elections
Equal representation for all colonies
Hamilton
Many rights
Bill of rights could lead to more power
No excessive taxes
Change in role, not peiple
Washington
Right to amend (people) Money on public good People should decide fate Free govt America built on god/faith
Yellow dog Democrat
A southern who votes only for democrats
Blue dog democrat
A moderate democrat
GOP
Grand old party
Given to Republican Party
The elephant: symbol since the 1870s
Democrats
Evolved from the anti-Federalist Party
Throwing ones hat into the ring
To announce that one is running for an elective office
Dark horse candidate
A little known person or thing that emerges to prominence, especially in a competition of some sort or a contestant that seems unlikely to succeed
Borking
To defeat a judicial nomination through a concerted attack on the nominee’s character background and philosophy
Robert Bork
Inside the beltway
The highway that encircles DC
Signifies a clear distinction and disconnect between those who love and work within those boundaries, and the general majority
Kicking the can down the road
Refers to a decision by a lawmaker or decision maker to avoid making the tough call on a short permanent maneuver and instead delaying it by passing short and temporary measures
Straw polls
Quick gaging of audience; inscientific
Coattail voting
The tendency for a popular political leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election
Issue voting
Describes when voters cast their vote in elections based on political issues
Protest voting (Blank or White)
A vote cast in an election to demonstrate the caster’s dissatisfaction with the choice of candidates or refusal of te current political system
Spoilt vote
A vote regarded by the election authorities to be invalid an this not included in regally during the vote counting
Straight ticket voting
The practice of voting for candidates of the same party for multiple positions
Tactical voting
Occurs when a voter supports a candidate other than his or her sincere preference in order to prevent an undesirable pitcome
Paradox of voting
For a rational, self-interested voter, the costs of voting will normally exceed the expected benefits
Voter apathy
Perceived lack of caring among voters in an election
A cause of low turn ought among eligible voters
Voter fatigue
Elections thy are held to frequently (a cause of voter apathy)
Voter psychology
If someone is on the ballot that is hated, more people will go and vote
If two people are hated, fewer will vote
If both are liked, fewer will vote
Perfect election (voter psychology)
A sinner and a aaint
General election
Most offices and issues on the ballot, usually generate more interested and higher turnout than any other elections
Include state constitutional amendments
Primary elections
No candidates are elected
Voters nominate their candidates to run in November general election
Municipal elections
Mayors, town council members and town commissioners
Registered voters living in the cities limits are eligible to vite
Special elections
Held for special reasons such as School bonds Sales tax Water bond Beverage election Runoffs Often two weeks after a general election
Runoffs
When no one gets a clear majority (50% +1)
Where does money for campaigning come from?
Public financing (can opt out) Private donations (individuals, PACs)
What does PACs stand for?
Political action committee
PACs is not tied to _______ but to _________
Political party; political ideology
Where does all the campaigning money go?
Advertising
Staff and consultants salaries
Direct mailings
Travel
Technology
Specialized items to give out (personalized)
(Bats, chocolates, jackets, hats, T-shirts, etc.) with logos
How can we control this system?
Disclosure laws
Public financing laws
Spending limits
Contribution limits
1974 FECA amendments
Imposed contributions limits, and individual $1000 limit
Imposed expenditure limits, including an individual $1000 limit
Required disclosure reports go be filed by those collecting contributions (NOTDONE! Type rest of answer from notes!)
