Unit 1 Notes Flashcards
What is the principle of Limited Government in democracy?
Government is subject to the same laws it passes
Limited government ensures that the government’s powers are restricted to those granted by the people.
What are Natural Rights?
Life, Liberty, Property
Natural rights are fundamental rights that governments exist to protect, and they can only interfere with these rights with the consent of the governed.
Define Social Contract.
Agreement among free and equal people to give up certain rights for security and the common good
The Social Contract is a foundational concept in political philosophy that explains the legitimacy of government authority.
What does Popular Sovereignty mean?
The basis of government is that the people are the ultimate source of power
Popular sovereignty opposes forms of government based on divine rights or hereditary rule.
What is Republicanism?
The reaction of laws must include the people subject to those laws
Republicanism emphasizes the role of the populace in governance and the need for representatives to be accountable to the people.
What is Participatory Democracy?
A democracy where most or all people participate
Examples include voting on laws directly, similar to the practices in Ancient Athens.
List the pros and cons of Participatory Democracy.
- Pros: Everyone has a voice
- Cons: Government can be slow and not every voice is informed
What characterizes Pluralist Democracy?
A few powerful groups control policy-making, often called interest groups
Examples include organizations like the NRA and labor unions.
List the pros and cons of Pluralist Democracy.
- Pros: Allows like-minded individuals to have greater influence
- Cons: Group interests may not align with the country’s best interests
What defines Elite Democracy?
Democracy dominated by individuals with the most resources
Elites are believed to have better leadership capabilities due to their resources.
List the pros and cons of Elite Democracy.
- Pros: Leaders may be more qualified
- Cons: Elites may govern for their own benefit rather than for everyone
What were the Articles of Confederation?
The document that created the first national government for the US
It served as the first constitution and required unanimous consent of the states to be effective.
How did the Articles of Confederation distribute power?
Created a national congress but left most power to the states
Each state could send up to 7 delegates but only had one vote.
What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
No Executive Branch and no Judicial Branch
This structure resulted in an inability to enforce laws or settle disputes.
What was Shay’s Rebellion?
An uprising in Massachusetts in 1786 led by revolutionaries
It highlighted the weaknesses of the federal government under the Articles of Confederation.
What was the Great Compromise?
Established a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in the House and equal representation in the Senate
This compromise addressed the concerns of both large and small states.
What was the 3/5 Compromise?
Every 5 slaves counted as 3 free people for representation purposes
This compromise was a solution to the debate over how to count slaves in the population.
Describe the Electoral College System.
Each state has a number of electors equal to its total number of Representatives and Senators
This method balances participatory democracy with state sovereignty in presidential elections.
What are the three branches of government established by the Constitution?
- Legislative Branch
- Executive Branch
- Judicial Branch
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution
It was created to protect individual liberties and balance government power.
Who were the Federalists?
Supporters of the new Constitution advocating for a strong central government
They believed a strong government was necessary to maintain order and unity in the US.
Who were the Anti-Federalists?
Opponents of the new Constitution who feared it would create a too powerful central government
They were concerned about the potential for government overreach into individual freedoms.
What is the principle of Separation of Powers?
Dividing different powers among three branches of government
Each branch has its unique powers to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
What are Checks and Balances?
The power each branch has over the other branches
This system ensures that no single branch can dominate the government.
