Unit 1 Flashcards
Define limited government
limits the power of the gov’t
define natural rights
rights people are born with
Define popular sovereignty
people have the ultimate authority
define social contract
unwritten agreement between gov’t and citizens
pluralist
emphasizes groups roles in the policymaking process
paticipatory
involves citizens participating in gov’t
elite
heavily influenced by the money. Small minority with most economic power
how is limited government, natural rights, popular sovereignty, social contract connected to the declaration of independence
Show how arguments from Federalist No. 10 and Brutus No. 1 reflect the disagreement over which of those America should be.
Show how the three models of representative democracy continue to be reflected in contemporary institutions and political behavior.
we have 100 representatives
Show arguments from Federalist 10. What recommendations did Madison/Publius have for a new government? Make sure to be fluent in, and know the relevance of, terms/phrases like “faction,” “majority faction,” and “large republic.”
Show arguments from Brutus 1. What were the antifederalist/Brutus opinions about the new Constitution? Why? For what type of government did antifederalists like Brutus advocate?
Under the Articles of Confederation, states retained sovereignty. What does that mean, and why was it set up that way?
- Wanted people to still have power
- Afraid that too much power would make the people overthrow/retaliate
What was the structure of the national government under the Articles of Confederation? (Describe its branches.)
- Only one branch (congress)
- Very weak
List key weaknesses of the national government under the Articles of Confederation. (Take particular note of military, taxation, trade, and currency.)
- congress couldn’t tax the people
- no real military
- states in it for themselves
*fixing AOC required unanimous decision - gov’t wasn’t receiving money from the states
- nat’l gov’t couldn’t regulate trade
What are some negative consequences that resulted from the Articles of Confederation period?
- vulnerable geopolitical situation
- divided/sluggish economy
constitutional convention
Met in philly to draw up the constitution
three-fifths comprimise
slaves would be counted as 3/5 person
comprimise on importation
importation of slaves needed to be stopped by a certain day
bill of rights
citizens have certain unalienable rights
According to Article V of the Constitution, what is the Constitution’s amendment process? Is it easy to do? Why?
Not easy to do, no one can really agree
How do they help curb abuse of power by people in government?
Make sure if one part of the gov’t makes a dumb decision, they can stop it
What impact might they have on the government’s productivity?
slows productivity down, majority must agree (most of the time they don’t and cant get things done)
How do they affect our ability to interact with government?
Makes our interactions better, we can bring up an issue to a state representative and they can help address the issue
Explain the super duper important key term federalism. Try to write it in your own words.
refers to the governments separation of powers helps to keep gov’t organized and citizens protected from tyranny
exclusive powers
powers that each tier of gov’t has
concurrent powers
powers that both tiers have
delegated powers
powers only for the fed’l gov’t
reserved powers
powers to the right of the state
enumerated powers
powers that the fed’l gov’t have
implied powers:
powers granted to the US gov’t that aren’t directly stated in the constitution
block grants
restricts nat’l gov’t while providing money to states
categorical grants
provides fed’l money to states in return, certain conditions must be done
revenue sharing
fed’l gov’t gives states funding w/ no regulations
mandates:
states must pay for programs without federal funnding
Commerce clause
gives congress power to regulate interstate commerce
necessary and proper clause
allows congress to employ a law with any means necessary
supremacy clause
nat’l gov’t supersedes any conflicting state law
