Test One Flashcards
Define Government
institutions and procedures through which a land and its people are ruled
What is the purpose of the government?
to provide
what does the government provide?
security, military, funds (education), food safety, road construction and maintenance
school/education =
privilege
driving=
right
Drop in trust has led to what?
war in Iraq, national debt, taxing and spending
Define Political Efficacy
Belief in the ability to influence what government does
Define Citizenship
Somebody who must be informed; informed and active membership in a political community
What does citizenship require?
political knowledge
Define digital citizenship
ability to participate in society online
What are digital citizens more likely to do?
interest in politics and discuss politics with friends, family, etc.
What two governments are by a single ruler or a small group?
Authoritarian government
Totalitarian government
Define Authoritarian government:
no limits on their authority but are constrained by other institutions, such as businesses or church
Define Totalitarian government:
no limits on their own authority and seek to eliminate other institutions that might challenge it
What is government by the many?
Democracy
Define Democracy:
A system of rule that PERMITS CITIZENS to play a SIGNIFICANT PART IN THE GOVERNMENT PROCESS.
Define Constitutional governments:
the norm in a democracy. limited both in what they can do and the methods they can employ
Define Substantive limits:
Constitutional governments limited in what they can do
Define Procedural limits:
Constitutional governments methods they can employ
What is the key force in limiting government power?
Bourgeoisie
Define Bourgeoisie:
freeman of the city
What are the advanced principles of individual liberty?
freedom of speech
freedom of assembly
freedom of conscience
freedom from arbitrary search and seizure (right of privacy)
What led to the French Revolution?
the gap
Define Politics:
POWER just in a different time and setting
What are the two types of democracy?
Representative democracy
Direct democracy
Define Representative democracy:
Government run by elected officials
Define Direct democracy:
Citizens themselves vote on laws and policies
Define Political culture:
shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the government should function
What does American political culture emphasize the values of? (3)
Liberty
Equality
Democracy
Define Liberty:
freedom from government control
What are the two forms of liberty?
Personal freedom
Economic freedom
Define Personal freedom:
Bill of Rights (Pursuit o happiness)
Define Economic freedom:
Capitalism and free markets
What linked concepts of limited government and laissez-faire capitalism?
government should not interference
What are the two principles of equality?
Equality of opportunity
Political Equality
Define Equality of opportunity:
the ideal that all people should have the freedom to use their talents to reach their fullest potential
Define Political Equality:
the right for all people to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of “one person, one vote”
Democracy:
people choose their rulers, popular sovereignty
The Founding Overview: The purpose of government= (5)
To promote justice (ensure fairness) To maintain peace at home To defend the nation from foreign foes To provide (ASSIST) for the welfare of the citizenry To secure "the blessings of liberty"
Define the Sugar Act of 1764:
taxed sugar, molasses, and other commodities
Define the Stamp Act of 1765:
required printed materials to have a stamp on them
The committee on The Declaration of Independence included?
Presidents
What two types of documents is The Declaration of Independence considered?
A philosophical document
A political document
Define A philosophical document?
heavily influenced by the views of John Locke (life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness)
Define A political document?
explains that because the king had violated their individual rights, the colonists had the right to rebel and separate from Britain
Define the Articles of Confederation:
first written constitution of the U.S
Ratified by all states in 1781
State governments retained their “sovereignty, freedom, & independence” (formed a confederation)
Characteristics of the articles of confederation:
WEAK
impractical government
no national army or navy to protect
no taxing authority
articles of confederation concerns:
Foreign affairs
Economic matters
Foreign affairs:
under articles they were unable to enforce treaties
Economic matters:
Currency inflation hurt business
Economic interests:
sought to create a new government that promoted commerce and protected property
Political principles:
the new constitution embodied leading political theories regarding liberty, equality, and democracy
New Jersey Plan:
each state was to have equal representation
The Great compromise consist of what?
The House
The Senate
The House:
representatives appointed by the population in the state
The Senate:
the states have equal representation, regardless of population
Three-Fifths Compromise:
3/5 slaves could vote
Goals of the framers:
strong central government
prevention of excessive democracy
public support on ideas
restraint of fed govt from impinging on citizens liberties
What the Constitution provided for a Congress consisting of two chambers (bicameral)
The House and Senate
The House:
two year terms
sole power to originate revenue bills
The Senate:
six years in the senate
guard against excessive democracy
power to ratify treaties and approve presidential appointments
What authority does congress have?
taxes borrow money regulate commerce declare war maintain an army and navy
Expressed Powers:
WRITTEN
Implied Powers:
UNDERSTOOD
Executive Branch powers:
negotiate treaties (approval of senate) grant reprieves & pardons appoint major departmental personnel VETO congressional enactments (prevents president's power not being abused)
Judicial Branch:
Supreme Court
resolves issues between federal and state laws
judges are given lifetime appointments
Supreme court assumed the power of judicial review ( power to declare laws unconstitutional)
Amending the Constitution:
2/3 vote in congress
3/4 vote in states
Separation of Powers:
separation with checks and balances
Religion= separation between church & states
Divided Constituencies:
changes in demographics
Bill of Rights:
citizens are guaranteed a list of rights
In the ratification the Federalists favored what?
strong central government
federal control over the economy
clear property rights
government by the elites
In the ratification the Antifederalists favored what?
giving more power to the states articulated rights (not just property)government by leaders fighting for the economic interests of people
Tyranny fears:
Antifederalists feared of a wealthy minority
Federalists feared a mass electorate
Ratification Representation:
Antifederalists wanted res who shared same financial interests as those they represented
Federalists thought elections would serve to keep legislators concerned for their constituents interests
Ratification Limiting Government Power:
Antifederalists wanted a weak central government
Federalists wanted a strong central government
