Unit 1: Foundations

Question 1

Limited Government

Answer 1

a government that does not have absolute power, but is limited in its power by a social contract

Question 2

Natural Rights

Answer 2

rights that everyone is born with, that a government can not take away

Question 3

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 3

government power comes from the consent of the people

Question 4

Republicanism

Answer 4

a democratic principle that government debates and decisions reflect the will of the people; one of the ideals of limited government

Question 5

Social Contract

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Participatory Democracy

Answer 6

a form of democracy in which direct voting is used

Question 7

Pluralist Democracy

Answer 7

government run by interest groups

Question 8

Elite Democracy

Answer 8

a governmental system run by representatives elected by the people

Question 9

Separation of Powers

Answer 9

separating legislative, executive, and judicial powers into different branches of gov

Question 10

Checks and Balances

Answer 10

checks written into the constitution to allow branches of government to prevent corruption and abuse of power in other branches

Question 11

Federalism

Answer 11

the ongoing debate and changing of the balance of power between state and federal governments

Question 12

Exclusive Powers

Answer 12

powers reserved in the constitution to the federal government

Question 13

Concurrent Powers

Answer 13

powers reserved to and shared by both state and federal govs

Question 14

Mandates

Answer 14

direct orders by the federal gov that states have to follow

Question 15

Revenue Sharing

Answer 15

portion of government tax revenue that is given to state governments

Question 16

Categorical Grant

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Block Grant

Answer 17

money given to state govs and interest groups by the fed gov to be used how the states/interest groups see fit

Question 18

Enumerated Power

Answer 18

Powers specifically listed in the constitution

Question 19

Implied Powers

Answer 19

powers govs have that are not specifically listed in the constitution

Question 20

Necessary and Proper Clause

Answer 20

the fed government has the power to take necessary actions to protect the country and the rights of the people

Question 21

Commerce Clause

Answer 21

the federal gov has the power to control interstate commerce

Question 22

Amendment Process

Answer 22

3/4 of all states or 2/3 of congress must approve constitutional amendments

Question 23

Great Comprimise

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Supremacy Clause

Answer 24

the fed gov has supremacy over all laws and supersedes the states when it comes down to it