Unit 1 Flashcards
Popular sovereignty (limited gov’t)
The idea that a govt’s right to rule comes from the people
Natural rights (limited gov’t)
the right to life, liberty, and property, which the government cannot take away
Republicanism (limited gov’t)
A system in which the govt’s authority comes from the people
Social contract (limited gov’t)
People allow their governments to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society
Participatory (type of gov’t)
the theory that widespread political participation is essential for a democratic govt
Pluralist (type of gov’t)
a theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policymaking process
Elite (type of gov’t)
theory of democracy that the elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in policymaking
Annapolis Convention
Called in 1786 to discuss how the fed govt and Articles of Confed. should be reformed — poor attendance but ideas were important
Shays’ rebellion
A popular uprising against the govt of Massachusetts (because of the Articles of Confederation)
Virginia Plan
A plan of govt calling for a three branch govt with a bicameral legislature, where more populous states would have more rep in Congress
New Jersey Plan
A plan of govt that provided for a unicameral legislature with equal votes for each state
Great Compromise
An agreement plan for gov’t that combined Virginia and New Jersey plans (house — population, senate — equal)
⅗ Compromise
At the Constitutional Convention it was decided that a slave would count as 3/5 of a person for representation purposes
Compromise on importation
Congress could not restrict slave trade until 1808
Enumerated powers
Authority specifically granted to a branch of govt in the Constitution
Necessary & proper (elastic) clause
Article 1, section 8, granting Congress the powers necessary to carry out its enumerated powers
Supremacy clause
Article 4, declares that the constitution and all national laws are the supreme laws of the land.
Federalists
Wanted a strong national govt
Anti-federalists
Wanted a weak national govt, more state power
Bill of Rights
A list of fundamental freedoms that individuals possess (first 10 amendments)
Dual federalism
Form of American federalism in which the states and the nation operate independently in their own areas of public policy
Cooperative federalism
Form of American federalism in which the states and national govt work together to shape public policy
Picket fence federalism
Form of American federalism in which all three levels of govt enact policy
Coercive federalism
National govt can impose policy preferences through mandates and restraints (unfunded mandates)
Selective incorporation
Process which SCOTUS applies fundamental rights in the Bill of Rights to states in a case by case basis
Grants-in-aid
money provided to states from fed govt to implement public policy objectives
Fiscal federalism
fed govt’s use of grants-in-aid to influence policies in states
Categorical grants
grants-in-aid provided to states with specific provisions on their use
Unfunded mandate
fed requirement the states must follow without being provided with funding
Block grant
a type of grants-in-aid that gives state officials more authority in the disbursement of federal funds
Revenue sharing
when the fed govt apportions tax money to the states with no strings attached
Devolution
returning more authority to state or local govts
Declaration of Independence
Consists of preamble, list of grievances, and conclusion. Declares that the British govt violated the colonists’ natural rights
Articles of Confederation
A document made to unite the 13 colonies as 13 states in which the states had more power than the national govt.
U.S. Constitution
document that sets out the fundamental principles of govt and establishes the govt
Federalist 10
an essay in which Madison argues that the dangers of faction can be mitigated by a large republic and republican govt
Federalist 51
an essay in which Madison argues that the separation of powers and federalism will prevent tyranny
Brutus 1
Antifederalist paper saying that the country is too big to be governed as a republic and that the constitution gives the fed govt too much power
McCulloch v Maryland (1819)
U.S. v Lopez (1995)
Article 1 (constitution)
Sets up the responsibilities of the legislative branch.
Article 2 (constitution)
Sets up the responsibilities of the judicial branch.
Article 3 (constitution)
Sets up the responsibilities of the federal branch.
Article 4 (constitution)
Relationships between states
Article 5 (constitution)
How to propose and ratify amendments
Article 6 (constitution)
Fed govt has supremacy over states
Article 7 (constitution)
Ratifies the constitution
Implied Powers
Fed govt has authority that goes beyond its enumerated powers
