Summer Vocab

Question 1

The Mayflower Compact

Answer 1

Agreement reached by the Pilgrims on the Mayflower ship in 1620 before landing at Plymouth Rock. It bound them to live in their own society according to their own laws.

Question 2

Individualism

Answer 2

Social theory favoring freedom at action for individuals over collective or state control. Many people say the US favors individualism.

Question 3

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 3

Principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the people and their elected representatives who are the source of all power. The US utilizes this method.

Question 4

Equality of Opportunity

Answer 4

Concept of a right guaranteed by both federal and state governments against discrimination in employment, education or housing, due to a persons race, color, sex, orientation, age or handicap.

Question 5

Government

Answer 5

Governing body of a nation, state, or community. The US utilizes a democratic republic type government.

Question 6

Politics

Answer 6

Activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict of parties wishing to achieve power

Question 7

Political Science

Answer 7

Branch of knowledge dealing with systems of government and analysis of political activity and behaviors

Question 8

Social contract

Answer 8

Implicit agreement between members of society to cooperate for social benefits, for example: sacrificing some individual freedom for state protection. It became popular in the 16th/18th century among theorist such as Hobbes and Locke.

Question 9

Democracy

Answer 9

System of Government by the whole population or all eligible members of a state typically through elected representatives. The US adapted this method from the Greeks in Athens.

Question 10

Direct Democracy

Answer 10

Type of democracy where people decide policy initiatives directly

Question 11

Representative Democracy

Answer 11

Type of democracy where groups of people elect a representative to speak for them

Question 12

Constitutionalism

Answer 12

Set of agreements including checks and balances that require leaders to think, bargain and explain before acting.

Question 13

Constitutional Democracy

Answer 13

Type of democracy enforcing recognized limits on those who govern and also allows the voice of the people to be heard through free, fair and frequent elections.

Question 14

Natural Rights

Answer 14

Fundamental human rights (starting at birth) that are based on universal natural law as opposed to man made law.

Question 15

Political Culture

Answer 15

Sets of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments which give meaning and order to political process and the underlying assumptions and rules that govern the political system.

Question 16

Statist

Answer 16

Advocate of a political system in which the state has substantial centralized control over social and economic affairs.

Question 17

American Dream

Answer 17

The pursuit of happiness. American ideal of a happy, successful life including wealth and a better life for one’s children. Supported the idea that America is a land of opportunity where hard work and initiative result in success.

Question 18

Political Equality

Answer 18

The principle that each person carries equal weight in the conduct of public business and that all citizens are the same in the eyes of the law. One person = One vote.

Question 19

Economic Equality

Answer 19

A situation in where there are only small differences in wealth between citizens. Each individual receives the same amount of material goods regardless of societal contribution. (Ex. Communism)

Question 20

Popular Consent

Answer 20

Principle that governments draw power from consent of the governed. Willingness to Vote = Consent to be governed. Derived from John Locke’s social contract theory.

Question 21

Majority Rule

Answer 21

Fundamental principle of traditional democratic theory. Choosing among alternatives requires the opinion of the majority to be respected.

Question 22

Plurality

Answer 22

Candidate or party with most votes cast in election, not necessarily > half.

Question 23

Democratic Consensus

Answer 23

Widespread agreement on the fundamental principles of democratic process.

Question 24

Theocracy

Answer 24

State whose government is believed to be divinely guided or under religious control.

Question 25

Articles of Confederation

Answer 25

Adopted in 1777; Established the USA, granting limited powers to central govt and reserving most for states. This resulted in instability. Replaced with Constitution in 1789 for stronger central govt.

Question 26

Shay’s Rebellion

Answer 26

Farmer led rebellion, western Mass, 1786-87. PROTESTED MORTGAGE FORECLOSURES. Highlighted need for strong central govt.

Question 27

Constitutional Convention of 1787

Answer 27

In response to Shay’s Rebellion/Annapolis; held in Philadelphia to amend A of C. Drafted new framework that would later become the Constitution.

Question 28

Bicameralism

Answer 28

2 house legislature (like USA) House and Senate level the playing field for big and small states.

Question 29

Connecticut Compromise

Answer 29

Established house being centered around population while senate was equal for all.

Question 30

“Great Compromise”

Answer 30

See Connecticut compromise

Question 31

Electoral College

Answer 31

Citizens of state vote for a candidate, winner gets electoral college vote.

Question 32

Antifederalists

Answer 32

Opposed ratification of a constitution, did not want powerful central government, insisted on Bill of rights

Question 33

Federalists

Answer 33

Nationalist, wanted constitution, helped shape it

Question 34

Federalism

Answer 34

Constitutional arrangement where power is distributed between central and subdivisional governments.

Question 35

Federal System

Answer 35

System of government dividing power between national and state/local gives

Question 36

Supremacy Clause

Answer 36

Established that Constitution is the supreme law of the land

Question 37

Federalist Papers

Answer 37

Part of debate over ratification of the Constitution, key state was NY so federalist wrote this to persuade voters.

Question 38

Federalist Paper #10

Answer 38

Refuted widely held belief that a republican form of govt would only work in compact territory. It argued that a large territory like the US would fragment political power and thus curb the threat to majority and minority factions.