Unit 1 - Chapter 2

Question 1

Constitution:

Answer 1

nation’s basic law (assigns powers of gov, provides rights to citizens)

Question 2

natural rights

Answer 2

-coined by John Locke, rights inherent to human being, not given by Govs

• right to life, liberty and property

Question 3

consent of the governed

Answer 3

coined by John Locke, belief gov can only function if people agree who their rulers are

Question 4

Articles of Confederation

Answer 4

first US federal government, very weak, states had more power than them and couldn’t tax anyone or regulate commerce

Question 4

limited government

Answer 4

coined by John Locke, must be clear restrictions on what a government can do

Question 5

In the States, more ___ were getting representation in office post-Rev

Answer 5

middle class people (farmers and artisans), more democratic attitudes around nation

Question 6

Shay’s rebellion

Answer 6

farmer’s rebellion, against state laws sympathetic to debtors, allowed them to pay w/worthless paper money to creditors

Question 7

The claimed purpose of the Continental Congress that made the Constitution was ___.

Answer 7

purely to revise the Articles of Confederation

Question 8

representative democracy

Answer 8

democracy where representatives are elected by the public

Question 9

direct democracy

Answer 9

policies decided by direct votes of people

Question 10

participatory democracy

Answer 10

people directly decide what policies to implement, politicians just carry it out

Question 11

pluralist democracy

Answer 11

no group dominates politics, organized groups compete to influence policies

Question 12

elite democracy

Answer 12

democracy where small number of people (usually rich and well educated) influence policy making

Question 13

Mayflower compact (and influence on US constitution)

Answer 13

decides power divisions/ground rules for pilgrims

people must agree with gov system (US)

Question 14

Magna Carta (and influence on US constitution)

Answer 14

king’s power isn’t absolute

checks and balances (US)

Question 15

Full faith + Credit clause of Constitution

Answer 15

states have to respect policies/laws of other states

Question 16

Supremacy Clause of Constitution

Answer 16

federal laws/constitution are over state laws, establishes hierarchy of law

Question 17

Elastic Clause of Constitution

Answer 17

Congress can make any other laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its given powers

Question 18

Decision Making Theories of Politics (6 things)

Answer 18

majoritarian (majority wins), elite (small group wins), bureaucratic (step-by-step decision), interest group (parties make choices), pluralist (compromise), hyper pluralist (so many groups, nothing gets done, cause GRIDLOCK)

Question 19

Three core values of founders/US government:

Answer 19

freedom (no gov. control of people’s behavior), order (policy controls people’s behavior), equality (opportunity for all)

All are BALANCED against each other

Question 20

Linkage Institutions

Answer 20

what connects people to government (parties, elections, media)

Question 21

Policymaking Institutions

Answer 21

Legislative writes, judicial makes policy, executive approves/enforces

Question 22

New Jersey Plan

Answer 22

each state gets equal representation in congress

Question 23

Virginia Plan

Answer 23

state representation is determined by population

Question 24

3/5ths Compromise

Answer 24

slaves counted as 3/5 of a person when totaling population for representation

Question 25

Connecticut Compromise

Answer 25

create two house in Congress: Senate (equal rep.), and House of Representatives (by population)

Question 26

writ of habeas corpus

Answer 26

somebody arrested are allowed to know why they've been arrested (unless during invasion/rebellion)

Question 27

separation of powers

Answer 27

each gov branch has powers relatively independent of one another, no single branch can control another

Question 28

checks and balances

Answer 28

require consent of branch for some powers of another, limits power

Question 29

republic

Answer 29

a system based on the consent of the governed in which representatives of the public exercise power

Question 30

Federalist

Answer 30

group that supported Constitution, strong central government

Question 31

Anti-Federalist

Answer 31

group that opposed constitution, weaker central government

Question 32

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

Answer 32

wasn't ratified, says rights shouldn't be denied to people based on sex

Question 33

Marbury v. Madison

Answer 33

Supreme Court decides it resolves differences in opinion, judicial review (courts decides of policies of state/fed gov are constitutional)