Test Review Flashcards
American exceptionalism
The view that the United States in unique, marked by a distinct set of ideas such as equality, self-rule and limited government.
Economic equality
A situation in which there are only small differences in wealth between citizens.
Equal Opportunity
The idea that every American has the same chance to influence politics and achieve economic success
Institutions
The organizations, norms, and rules that structure government and public action.
Negative Liberty
Freedom from constraints or interference of others.
Bicameral
Having two legislative houses or chambers- such as the House and the Senate
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution, listing the rights guaranteed to every citizen.
Electoral College
The system established by the Constitution to elect the president; each state has a group of electors (equal in size to that of its congressional delegation in the House and the Senate); the public in each state votes for electors who then vote for the president.
New Jersey Plan
Put forward at the convention by the small states, it left most government authority with the state governments.
Virginia Plan
Madison’s plan, embraced by Constitutional Convention delegates from larger states; strengthened the national government relative to state governments.
Block grants
National government funding provided to the state and local governments, with relatively few restrictions or requirements on spending.
Cooperative federalism
Mingled governing authority, with functions overlapping across national and state governments.
Necessary and proper clause
The constitutional declaration (in Article 1, section 8) that defines Congress’ authority to exercise the “necessary and proper” powers to carry out its designated functions.
Reserved powers
The constitutional guarantee (in the Tenth Amendment) that the states retain government authority not explicitly granted to the national government.
Supremacy clause
The constitutional declaration (in Article 6, Section 2) that the national government’s authority prevails over any conflicting state or local government’s claims, provided the power is granted to the federal government.
