Unit 1: Foundation of American Democracy Flashcards
democracy
a system of government where power is held by the people
natural rights
the right to life, liberty, and property, which government cannot take away
social contract
people allow their government to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society
popular sovereignty
the idea that government’s right to rule comes from the people
republicanism
a system in which the government’s authority comes from the people
inalienable right
rights the government cannot take away
participatory democracy
a theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic government
pluralist democracy theory
a theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policy making process
elitist democracy theory
a theory of democracy that the elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policy making process
constitution
a document that set out the fundamental principles of governance and establishes the institutions of government
Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union
a governing document that created the union of thirteen sovereign states in which the states, not the national government, were supreme
unicameral
a one-house legislature
Constitutional Convention
a meeting attended by state delegates in 1787 to fix the Articles of Confederation
Virginia Plan
a plan of government calling for a three-branch government with a bicameral legislature, where more populous states would have more representation in Congress
New Jersey plan
a plan of government that provided for a unicameral legislature with equal votes for each states
Great (Connecticut) Compromise
an agreement from plan of government that drew upon both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans; it settled issues of state representation by calling for a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives apportioned proportionality and a Senate apportioned equally
bicameral
a two-house legislature
How is the senate apportioned between the states
equally
How is the house of representatives apportioned between the states
proportionally
(state pop.)
Three-Fifths compromise
an agreement reached by delegates at the Constitutional Convention that a slave would count as three-fifths of a person in calculating a state’s representation
Compromise on Importation
Congress could not restrict the slave trade until 1808
checks and balances
a design of government in which each branch has powers that can prevent the other branches from making policies
federalism
the sharing of power between the national government and the states
legislative branch
the institution responsible for making laws
expressed/enumerated powers
authority specifically granted to a branch of the government in the Constitution
Necessary and Proper/elastic clause
language in Article 1, section 8, granting Congress the powers necessary to carry out its enumerated powers
-congress can make laws that follow the rules of the Constitution
implied powers
powers not granted specifically to the national government but considered necessary to carry out the enumerated powers
executive branch
the institution responsible for carrying out laws passed by the legislative branch
-president is head of this branch
judicial branch
the institution responsible for hearing and deciding cases through the federal courts
supremacy clause
constitutional provision declaring that the Constitution and all national laws and treaties are the supreme law of the land
federalist
supporters of the proposed Constitution, who called for a strong national government
Antifederalist
those opposed to the proposed Constitution, who favored stronger state governments
federalist papers
a series of 85 essays that lay out the theory behind the Constitution
federalist no.51
an essay in which Madison argues that separation of powers and federalism will prevent tyranny
-checks and balances
faction
a group of self-interested people who use the government to get that they want, trampling the rights of others in the process
federalist no. 10
an essay in which Madison argues that the dangers of factions can be mitigated by a large republic and republican government
-hard to get majority
Brutus No. 1
an Antifederalist Paper arguing the the country was too large to be governed as a republic and that the Constitution gave too much power to the national government
-wanted more power in the states
exclusive powers
powers only the national government may exercise
commerce clause
grants Congress the authority to regulate interstate business and commercial activity
tenth amendment
reserves powers not delegated to the national government to the states and the people; the basis of federalism
reserved powers
powers not given to the national government, which 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
constitutional clause requiring states to recognize the public acts, records, and civil court proceedings from another state
privileges and immunities clause
constitutional clause that prevents states from discriminating against people from out of state
thirteenth amendmetn
constitutional amendment that outlaws slavery
fourteenth ammendment
constitutional amendment that provides that persons born in the US are citizens and prohibits states from denying persons due process or equal protection under the law
fifteenth amendment
constitutional amendment that gave African American males the right to vote
cooperative federalism
a form of American federalism which the states and the national government work together to shape public policies
-marbled cake
dual federalism
a form of American federalism in which the states and the nation operate independently in their own areas of public policy
-layered cake
grants in-aid
federal money provided to states to implement public policy objectives
categorical grants
grants in-aid provided to states with a specific provisions on their use
unfunded mandate
federal requirements that states must follow without being provided with funding
block grant
Money given to state or local governments from the federal government to help fund a specific project or program
revenue sharing
when the federal government apportions tax money to the states with no strings attached
weaknesses of confederation
super majority, don’t give gov. too much power, tax system, one vote per state, unanimous vote
Proposing an Amendment
⅔ of state legislatures call a national convention
⅔ of both houses of congress (only way an amendment has been done)
Ratification of an Amendment
¾ of the state legislature
¾ of state conventions (1 time)
Restrictions to amendments
Before 1808 no amendment to the slave trade clause (article 1 section 9, first clause)
Before 1808 no direct taxes (article 1 section 9, fourth clause)
State’s equal votes in the senate
Federalist No. 39
Madison expresses The Constitution is making a national and state government
delegated powers
powers granted to the national government by the Constitution
inherent powers
powers granted to the states by the Constitution
Morrill Act
-support and improve agricultural, mechanical, and military education and research
-National gov. granted land to states to sell and use that money for education
-Use the funds to help develop the areas of education/expand the programs
