Unit 1: Foundations Flashcards
Limited Government
a government that does not have absolute power, but is limited in its power by a social contract
Natural Rights
rights that everyone is born with, that a government can not take away
Popular Sovereignty
government power comes from the consent of the people
Republicanism
a democratic principle that government debates and decisions reflect the will of the people; one of the ideals of limited government
Social Contract
an agreement between the gov and the people that recognizes that the government derives its power from the consent of the people and that the people may withdraw this consent if corruption occurs
Participatory Democracy
a form of democracy in which direct voting is used
Pluralist Democracy
government run by interest groups
Elite Democracy
a governmental system run by representatives elected by the people
Separation of Powers
separating legislative, executive, and judicial powers into different branches of gov
Checks and Balances
checks written into the constitution to allow branches of government to prevent corruption and abuse of power in other branches
Federalism
the ongoing debate and changing of the balance of power between state and federal governments
Exclusive Powers
powers reserved in the constitution to the federal government
Concurrent Powers
powers reserved to and shared by both state and federal govs
Mandates
direct orders by the federal gov that states have to follow
Revenue Sharing
portion of government tax revenue that is given to state governments
Categorical Grant
money the fed gov gives to states or interest groups under the condition that they use the money in a specific way determined by the fed gov
Block Grant
money given to state govs and interest groups by the fed gov to be used how the states/interest groups see fit
Enumerated Power
Powers specifically listed in the constitution
Implied Powers
powers govs have that are not specifically listed in the constitution
Necessary and Proper Clause
the fed government has the power to take necessary actions to protect the country and the rights of the people
Commerce Clause
the federal gov has the power to control interstate commerce
Amendment Process
3/4 of all states or 2/3 of congress must approve constitutional amendments
Great Comprimise
dives the legislative branch into two houses(the house of representatives and the senate), to keep one closer to the people, and one to more equally represent smaller states
Supremacy Clause
the fed gov has supremacy over all laws and supersedes the states when it comes down to it
