Unit 1 Vocab Flashcards
Checks and Balances
Allows each branch of government to amend or veto acts of another branch to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power
Commerce Clause
Gives Congress the power “to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes.”
Electoral College
The number of electors each state gets is equal to its total number of Senators and Representatives. A total of 538 electors form the Electoral College. Each elector casts one vote following the general election. The candidate who gets 270 votes or more wins.
Elite Democracy
A political system in which elites acquire the power to rule as they see fit
Enumerated Powers
Powers expressly granted to the Federal government by the Constitution
Extradition
One jurisdiction delivers a person accused or convicted of committing a crime in another jurisdiction, over to the other jurisdiction
Federalism
The same territory is controlled by two levels of government. State and Federal governments go hand in hand
Full Faith and Credit Clause
Requires states to give full faith and credit to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of the other states court.
Grand Committee
The constitutional convention; representatives from each of the former colonies, except Rhode Island, helped frame the Constitution
Great Compromise
states have equal representation in one house by the legislature and representation based on population in the House or Representatives
Impeachment
Formal accusation against a president or other public official, the first step in removal from office
Judicial Review
The power of the court to rule on the constitutionality of laws, acts, statues, executive order
National Supremacy
state judges must follow federal law when a conflict arises between federal law and the state law of any state
Natural Law
society should be governed by certain ethical principles that are part of nature and can be understood by reason. Life, Liberty, and property- John Locke. Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness- Under Jefferson.
Necessary and Proper Clause
Allows Congress to pass laws, where the constitution doesn’t give it authority to act, that they believe are necessary in order to perform their responsibilities
Participatory Democracy
Citizens participate individually and directly in political decisions and policies that affect their lives, rather than through elected representatives
Pluralist Democracy
A political system where there is more than one center of power, power is dispersed
Popular Sovereignty
government is created by and subject to the will of the people
Representative Republic
Government in which the people elect those who govern and pass laws
Reserved Powers
All powers not specifically delegated by the Federal government, reserved for the state governments
Separation of Powers
Division of government responsibilities into branches limiting each branch from exercising the functions of another. Prevents concentration of power and provides checks and balances
Social Contract
Agreement between a government and the people, the people consent to be governed so long as the government protects their natural right
Supremacy Clause
Makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits
3/5 Compromise
Agreement that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives
USA Patriot Act
Strengthens the federal government’s power to conduct surveillance, perform searches, and detain individuals in order to combat terrorism
Block Grants
A large sum of money offered to the states by the federal government without a specified purpose
Categorical Grants
A large sum of money offered to the states with particular Congressional guidelines or requirements
Compact Theory
The theory that states came together to form the nation.
Concurrent Powers
Powers that are held by both the state and federal government
Cooperative Federalism
The intermingled relationships among the national, state and local governments to deliver services to citizens
Delegated Powers
Powers that the states have delegated to the federal government
Dual Federalism
National and state governments remain supreme in their own spheres
Grants-in-aid
General term for money or other resources given by congress to state and local governments
Implied Powers
Powers not specifically listed in the Constitution but derived in the elastic clause
Mandates
Order from the federal government that all state and local governments must follow
Marble Cake Federalism
Characterized by the federal government becoming more intrusive in what were originally states’ powers
Nullification
The right to declare null and void any federal law if a state thought it violated the Constitution
Privileges and Immunities Clause
A state cannot unreasonably discriminate against citizens of other states.
Strict Constructionist
Black and white interpretation of the constitution.
Unitary Government
single governing authority in a central capital with uniform law throughout the land.
