Unit 1 Review Flashcards
Limited Government
Government that has its power limited by the constitution
Popular Sovereignty
Government gets its power from the people (people elect official, rule by their own consent)
Republicanism
People elect their representatives and participate in the government
Social Contract
An agreement between the government and the people where the people give up rights for protection of other rights
Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776
- Foundational document written by Thomas Jefferson, articles the colonies reason for separating from Great Britain (emphasize natural rights and concepts of government by consent)
Types of democracy
Participatory, Pluralist, and Elite.
Democracy focuses on natural rights, social construct, right to overthrow unjust government
Participatory
Form of democracy that emphasizes broad participation of people in politics (not direct democracy). Citizens can can influence policy decisions, but politicians are responsible four implementing policy decisions.
Pluralist
Model democracy that stresses vigorous competition among various interest groups
Elite
Small number of people (usually wealthy or well-educated) influence political decision making
Brutus 1
Written to discourage ratification of constitution
- Argues that the national government rules too large a nation and emphasizes the benefits of a small decentralized republic.
Federalist 10
Written by James Madison to convince people to support the ratification of the constitution
Talks about the faction dangers: can be mitigated by a large republic and republican government
Articles of Confederation
1st constitution of the US (1781-1788)
- No executive, judicial, power to tax, or regulate trade
- each state retained sovereignty (ability to act independently of the confederation)
Each state had equal representation in the legislative.
AOC a created a weak central government and was eventually replaced
Constitutional compromises
Agreements made during the constitutional convention to address disagreements between states and factions, enabling the creation of the constitution
3/5 Compromise
Counting slaves as three fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes, balancing interests of slave holding and non slave holding states
Electoral college
A group of representatives selected by each state to formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States.
Importation of slaves
Refers to the practice of bringing enslaved people into the United States; the Constitution included provisions regulating this practice until 1808.
Amending the Constitution
The process of making changes or additions to the Constitution, requiring a proposal and ratification by a supermajority of states.
Proposal
The first step in amending the Constitution, which can be done either by two-thirds of both houses of Congress or by a national convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures.
Ratification
The process of formally approving an amendment to the Constitution, requiring three-fourths of state legislatures or conventions to agree.
Federalist 51
An essay by James Madison discussing the importance of checks and balances in government to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.
Separation of powers
The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Checks and balances
A system in which each branch of government has the power to limit the actions of the others, ensuring that no single branch becomes too powerful.
Federalism
A political system in which power is divided between a central government and regional (state) governments.
Power divided between STATE AND NATIONAL
Enumerated & Delegated Powers
Specific powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution, such as regulating interstate commerce and coining money.
