Foundations of American Democracy (15-22%) Flashcards
Unit 1 Key Terms
Social Contract Theory
A person’s moral and political obligations are dependent on a “contract” that forms the society we live in. We give up some freedoms to the gov in exchange for safety and security.
- Belief that gov existed from consent of governed
- Influenced by Rousseau and John Locke
- Influenced in DOI for why they are forming their own gov
Forms of Democracy:
a. Direct democracy
b. Indirect (representative) democracy
c. Participatory democracy
d. Pluralist democracy
e. Elite democracy
a. Citizens are directly responsible for making policy decisions.
- This works with a smaller population; however, it would be difficult to come to a consensus with millions of people. Switzerland is a rare example of this.
b. Representatives are elected by the public.
- Feds wanted this type of democracy and is the U.S.’s current type of democracy. We have the House of Representatives and Senate.
c. Emphasizes the broad participation of people in politics and politicians are responsible for implementing those policy decisions.
- Anti-Feds wanted this type of democracy. We can see it in our state and local gov through community meetings.
d. There is more than one central power with a diverse range of political parties and organized groups whom compete and coexist to influence policy. There isn’t simply one group that dominate politics.
- An example of this would be Great Britain. In America, it’s seen through interest groups (they lobby to influence policymakers decisions.)
e. A small number of people, usually those who are wealthy and well-educated, influence political decision making.
- An example of this would be the Electoral College. Electors decide on the major political decision of whos the next president. It serves as a check on the possible tyranny of the majority.
Republic/Republicanism
A representative form of government that has a constitution (and a president). The U.S. has parliament which is Congress. Citizens elect the representatives in Congress. Authority ultimately always dervies from the people.
Majority rule/Popular Sovereignty
The people make laws for the common good and what is agreed to be for the best interest of the citizens. Elected officials represent the people. Governance is based on the consent of the people.
Limited government
Our federal and state governments are restricted in power. To protect individual liberties, the executive, legislative, and judicial branches have a system of checks and balances along with seperation of powers. National gov has enumerated powers while the states have reserved powers and both forms of gov are allowed some powers and denied others.
Natural law/rights
A political philosophy that states that people have inalienable rights that no law could give or take away. John Locke said life, liberty, and propety are universal natural-born rights. It allows us to analyze the relationship between government and individuals.
Declaration of Independence
The founding fathers (Thomas Jerfferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams being some of the authors) wrote their reasons for seperating from Britain and published it July 4, 1776. It was heavily influenced by ideals established by enlightenment thinkers. For instance, it mentions natural rights/inalienable rights being life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
U.S. Constitution
Came after the Articles of Confederation. Federalists and anti-federalists argued on whether or not to ratfiy it. Feds wanted a stronger central gov but anti-feds wanted a weaker central gov with states retaining power so individual liberties wouldn’t be threatened. In the end, feds agreed to adding the Bill of Rights so that anti-feds would ratify the Constitution.
Articles of Confederation
Agreement among the original 13 colonies - first Constitution - approved at 2nd Continental Congress.
Weaknesses were the reason for the Constitutional Convention:
- No executive
- No judicial
- Unanimous for changes
- 9/13 for laws to be passed
- Couldn’t collect taxes or raise an army
We see this through lack of centralized military power to address Shay’s Rebellion and lack of tax law enforcement power.
Shay’s Rebellion
After the American revolution, there was a violent rebellion that broke out in Massachusetts when Daniel Shays protested against what he claimed to be unjust economic policies along with political corruption within their state legislature. It was proof that the articles of confederation was too weak to properly build the country on.
Virginia Plan/New Jersey Plan
The Virginia Plan was favored by large states with a bigger population since they wanted representation based off population. It wanted two houses of Congress and a stronger central gov. The New Jersey Plan was favored by small states since they watned equal representation. It wanted one house of Congress and would’ve been similar to the Articles. They both agreed on three branches of gov. The Virginia Plan won.
Great (Connecticut) Compromise
During the 1787 Constitutional Convention, the represtation in the legislative branch was agreed upon. All states would be represented equally and also have representation based on population. The U.S. would have two houses of Congress: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Bicameral Legislature
Two (bi) houses make up the legislative system. The House represents states based on population and the Senate represents states equally with two senators per state. This system reinforces checsk and balances because the different houses check each other within the legislative branch.
Three-fifths Compromise
During the 1787 Constitutional Convention, Northern and Southern states disagreed on if slaves should count towards population so delegates said that 3 out of 5 slaves would be counted towards population for the purposes of taxation and representation. This benefited slave states who didn’t want slavery to be limited or abolished.
Slave trade compromise
Enslaved Africans wouldn’t be able to be imported to the U.S. after 1808. Prior to 1808, slaves would be able to be taxed as property. It paved the way for the gradual death of slavery in the U.S.
Separation of Powers
In order to prevent one branch from becoming too powerful, each of the three branches have assigned roles and powers which sometimes interact with each other.
Checks and Balances
Each branch is able to check the other two which creates a balance of power in the federal gov. No one branch is able to control too much. In turn, it makes the seperation of powers.
Federal System/Federalism
Federalism is the relationship between the state and national governments. It has changed over time. Dual federalism is when the govs had defined seperate powers. Cooperative federalism is when the forms of gov interact and work together and share power equally.
Post- 9/11 Surveilance
9/11 caused the government to increase surveliance authority over Americans. It is said to have weakened Constitutional protections. An example is the quickly passed Patriot act that expanded gov control over monitoring phone calls and email comms, collecting bank and credit reports, and more.
Amendment Process- Art. V
An amendment can be proposed by 2/3rds vote from both houses or if requested by 2/3rds of the states. It has to be ratified by 3/4ths of state legislatures. The framers made it a lengthy and difficult process to make changes to the Constitution so that abuse of power could be prevented and it ensures the protection of American’s rights.
