Unit 1 Vocab

Question 1

10th Amendment

Answer 1

says the powers not delegated to the US federal gov. by the Constitution are reserved to the states/people

Question 2

Anti-Federalists

Answer 2

opposed the ratification of the Constitution, feared the national gov. would be too powerful and threaten individual rights

Question 3

Articles of Confederation

Answer 3

a governing document that created a union of 13 sovereign states; states had the power; 1st Constitution

Question 4

Bicameralism

Answer 4

two-house legislature

Question 5

Bill of Rights

Answer 5

list of fundamental rights and freedoms that individuals possess (1st ten amendments)

Question 6

Capitalism (X)

Answer 6

a way of structuring economic activity in which private firms are allowed to make most of or all decisions, laissez faire

Question 7

Checks & Balances

Answer 7

a design of the government in which each branch has powers that can prevent other branches from making policy

Question 8

Concurrent Powers

Answer 8

powers granted to both states and the federal government in the Constitution

Question 9

Connecticut Compromise

Answer 9

proposed dual representation system; House of Representatives would give states seats based on population and Senate would give all states the same number of seats

Question 10

Consent of the Governed (X)

Answer 10

idea that the government’s legitimacy and right to use state power is justified and lawful only when consented by the people

Question 11

Constitution

Answer 11

document that sets fundamental principles of governance

Question 12

Constitutionalism

Answer 12

says that a government’s authority is determined by a body of laws or the Constitution

Question 13

Declaration of Independence

Answer 13

declared the 13 United States of America, founding document of the US

Question 14

Delegated Powers (X)

Answer 14

powers granted to national government under the United States Constitution (also called expressed or enumerated)

Question 15

Democracy

Answer 15

a system of government where power is held by the people, selecting policy makers

Question 16

Direct Democracy

Answer 16

a political system in which citizens vote directly on public policies

Question 17

Elite Theory

Answer 17

theory of democracy that says the elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policy making process

Question 18

Executive Order (X)

Answer 18

policy directives issues by presidents that do not require congressional approval

Question 19

Executive Privilege

Answer 19

a right claimed by presidents to keep certain conversations, records, and transcripts confidential from outside scrutiny, especially Congress

Question 20

Express Powers

Answer 20

powers of the national government that are explicitly listed in the Constitution

Question 21

Factions

Answer 21

a group of self-interested people

Question 22

Federal Mandate (X)

Answer 22

requirements imposed on state, local, or tribal gov. or entities in private sector that are not conditions of aid or tied to participation in voluntary fed. programs

Question 23

Federalism

Answer 23

the sharing of power between the national government and the states

Question 24

Federalist Papers (X)

Answer 24

series of essay written by Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay that laid out the theory behind the Constitution

Question 25

Federalists

Answer 25

people who advocated or supported a system of gov. in which several states unite under a central authority

Question 26

Full Faith & Credit Clause

Answer 26

constitutional clause requring states to recognize the public acts, records, and civil court proceedings from another state

Question 27

Government (X)

Answer 27

the rules and institutions that make up that system of policymaking

Question 28

Hyperpluralism

Answer 28

when multiple groups or factions become so politically strong that the government is unable to function properly and is weakened

Question 29

Implied Powers

Answer 29

authority of the fed. government that goes beyond its expressed powers, powers not granted specifically to national government, but considered necessary to carry out enumerated processes

Question 30

Inherent Powers

Answer 30

powers not specifically specified in the constitution that enable the govt. to actions necessary to efficiently perform essential duties

Question 31

Judicial Review

Answer 31

the authority of the Supreme Court to strike down a law or executive action if it conflicts with the Constitution

Question 32

Limited Government (X)

Answer 32

theory in which the government only has those powers delegated to it by law, in order to protect natural rights

Question 33

Majority Rule (X)

Answer 33

the principle that the greater number should exercise greater power

Question 34

McCulloch v. Maryland (X)

Answer 34

Supreme Court ruled Congress can use Constitutional power to build a national band (established supremacy of federal government)

Question 35

Minority Rights

Answer 35

protection of existence, protection from discrimination, protection and promotion of identity and participation in political life

Question 36

Natural Rights

Answer 36

the right to life, liberty, and property, which cannot be taken away by the government

Question 37

Necessary and Proper Clause

Answer 37

Article 1, Section 8; grants Congress the powers necessary to carry out its enumerated powers

Question 38

New Jersey Plan

Answer 38

a plan of government that provided for a unicameral legislature with equal votes for each state

Question 39

Pluralism

Answer 39

theory of governmental influence that views the distribution of political power among man competing groups are serving to keep any one of them in check

Question 40

Privileges and Immunities Clause (X)

Answer 40

prevents states from discrimination against people from out of state

Question 41

Public Policy

Answer 41

the intentional use of governmental power to secure the health, welfare, opportunities, and national security of citizens

Question 42

Representative Democracy

Answer 42

a political system in which voters select representatives who then vote on matters of public policy

Question 43

Reserved Powers

Answer 43

powers not given to the national government, which are retained by the states and the people (10th Amendment)

Question 44

Separation of Powers

Answer 44

a design of government that distributes powers across institutions in order to avoid making one branch too powerful

Question 45

Shay’s Rebellion (X)

Answer 45

armed response to debt crisis among citizenry, in opposition to the government’s increased efforts to collect taxes

Question 46

Single-issue groups (X)

Answer 46

association focusing on one specific area of public policy, often a moral issue about which they are unwillingly to compromise

Question 47

Social Contract

Answer 47

people allow their governments to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society

Question 48

Supremacy Clause

Answer 48

Constitutional provision declaring that the Constitution and all national laws and treaties are the supreme law of the land

Question 49

Three Fifths Compromise

Answer 49

an agreement reached by delegates at the Constitutional Convention that a slave would count as 2/5ths of a person in calculating a state’s representation

Question 50

Virginia Plan

Answer 50

a plan of government calling for a three branch government with a bicameral legislature, where more populous states would have more representatives in Congress