Unit 1: Democracy and the constitution Flashcards
Natural rights
the right to life, liberty, and property which the gov cannot take away
Social Contract
People allow their government to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society
American Political culture
The set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that Americans share
Popular sovereignty
The idea that the government’s right to rule comes from the people
Inalienable rights
Rights the gov cannot take away
liberty
Social, political, and economic freedoms
Federalism
The sharing of power between the national gov and the setates
federal systems
A system where power is divided between the national and state governments
Enumerated (expressed) powers
Powers explicitly granted to the national government through the constitution
Implied Powers
Powers not granted specifically to the nat gov but considered necessary to carry out the enumerated powers
Commerce clause
Grants Congress the authority to regulate interstate business and commercial activity
Necessary and proper clause
Giving implied powers to Congress in addition to enumerated powers
Supremacy clause
Declares that the constitution and all national laws and treaties are the supreme law of the land
10th amdnement
Gives powers not given to the national gov to the states and the people
Reserved powers
Powers not given to the national government are retained by the states and the people
Concurrent powers
powers granted to both states and the federal government in the constitution
full faith and credit clause
Requires states to recognize the public acts, records and civil court proceedings from another state
extradition
The requirement that officials in one state return a defendant to another state where the crime was commited
Privileges and immunities clause
constitutional clause; prevents states from discriminating against people from out of state
Delegate role
the idea that the main duty of a member of congress is to carry out constituents wishes
Trustee role
The idea that members of congress should act as trustees, making decisions based on their knowledge and judgement
Politico role
representation where members of Congress balance their choices with the interests of their constituents and parties in making decisions
Bipartisanship
Agreement between the parties to work together in Congress to pass legislation
Gridlock
Slowdown or halt in Congress’s ability to legislate and overcome divisions, esp those based on partisanship
divided goverment
control of the presidency and one or both chambers of congress split between the two major parties
Lame duck period
period at the end of a presidential term where congress may block presidential initiatives and nominees
Popular sovereignty
The concept that political pwoer rests with the people who can create, alter, and abolish government
Participatory democracy
Theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic gov
civil society groups
independent association outside the governments control