unit 1: constitutional underpinnings Flashcards
limited government
keeping the government’s power limited and not absolute
natural rights
god given rights that we’re born with
-john locke
social contract
state serves the people and exists for that purpose
-jean-jacques rosseau
republicanism
people elect leaders to represent them and create laws in the public’s interest
-baron-montesquieu
popular sovereignty
the power’s in the hands of the people
participatory democracy
citizens vote/contribute directly
-emphasized broad participation
-there’s no representatives
ex: the referendum
elite democracy
emphasizes limited participation by a few well educated and informed states people who are qualified to direct the nation through lawmaking on behalf of the people
-ex: electoral college
pluralist democracy
multiple interests contribute
-emphasizes group based activism by non governmental interests which work to impact decision making
-interests groups or the states all represent multiple interests
exclusive/enumerated powers
powers the constitution gave to the federal government only
reserved power
powers kept by the states
concurrent powers
powers both state and federal gov hold
-ex: taxation
federalism
the sharing of power between federal and state government
categorical grant
gives federal money to state as long as they comply with specific federal standard
block grant
gives federal money to state to spend in broad category but the state can determine how exactly the money is spent in the broad boundary
mandates
states are required to follow federal directive with sometimes the feral government providing money to help states comply
commerce clause
allows congress to regulate interstate commerce
virginia plan
proposed
-bicameral legislature w both houses based on state population
-a single executive to be selected by congress
new jersey plan
proposed
-unicameral legislature with each state having 1 vote and equal representation
-multiple executives would be selected by congress
great compromise
created bicameral legislature with the house (state population) and the senate (equal representation)
-3 branch government
3/5 compromise
3/5 of all slaves would count for representation in the house
-south wanted all slaves counted
-north wanted no slaves counted
creation of electoral college
-one side proposed the general public should elect the president and the other that it should be selected by the legislative branch and so the electoral college was created as a compromise
separation of powers
constitutional authority is shared by three different branches of government
confederation system
A system where the states hold all the power
unitary system
A system where the national government holds all the power
federation system
A system of government where power is shared between the national government and the state governments
implied powers
Powers that the government has that aren’t explicitly listed
dual federalism
The federal government and state governments operated under separate spheres and this view held that the constitution gave most of the power to the federal government
cooperative federalism
A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government.
grants-in-aid
grants that are given for the purpose of funding a specific project
line item veto
Presidential power to strike, or remove, specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire package
