Unit 1 Vocab Flashcards
10th Amendment
says the powers not delegated to the US federal gov. by the Constitution are reserved to the states/people
Anti-Federalists
opposed the ratification of the Constitution, feared the national gov. would be too powerful and threaten individual rights
Articles of Confederation
a governing document that created a union of 13 sovereign states; states had the power; 1st Constitution
Bicameralism
two-house legislature
Bill of Rights
list of fundamental rights and freedoms that individuals possess (1st ten amendments)
Capitalism (X)
a way of structuring economic activity in which private firms are allowed to make most of or all decisions, laissez faire
Checks & Balances
a design of the government in which each branch has powers that can prevent other branches from making policy
Concurrent Powers
powers granted to both states and the federal government in the Constitution
Connecticut Compromise
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
Consent of the Governed (X)
idea that the government’s legitimacy and right to use state power is justified and lawful only when consented by the people
Constitution
document that sets fundamental principles of governance
Constitutionalism
says that a government’s authority is determined by a body of laws or the Constitution
Declaration of Independence
declared the 13 United States of America, founding document of the US
Delegated Powers (X)
powers granted to national government under the United States Constitution (also called expressed or enumerated)
Democracy
a system of government where power is held by the people, selecting policy makers
Direct Democracy
a political system in which citizens vote directly on public policies
Elite Theory
theory of democracy that says the elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policy making process
Executive Order (X)
policy directives issues by presidents that do not require congressional approval
Executive Privilege
a right claimed by presidents to keep certain conversations, records, and transcripts confidential from outside scrutiny, especially Congress
Express Powers
powers of the national government that are explicitly listed in the Constitution
Factions
a group of self-interested people
Federal Mandate (X)
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
Federalism
the sharing of power between the national government and the states
Federalist Papers (X)
series of essay written by Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay that laid out the theory behind the Constitution
Federalists
people who advocated or supported a system of gov. in which several states unite under a central authority
Full Faith & Credit Clause
constitutional clause requring states to recognize the public acts, records, and civil court proceedings from another state
Government (X)
the rules and institutions that make up that system of policymaking
Hyperpluralism
when multiple groups or factions become so politically strong that the government is unable to function properly and is weakened
Implied Powers
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
Inherent Powers
powers not specifically specified in the constitution that enable the govt. to actions necessary to efficiently perform essential duties
Judicial Review
the authority of the Supreme Court to strike down a law or executive action if it conflicts with the Constitution
Limited Government (X)
theory in which the government only has those powers delegated to it by law, in order to protect natural rights
Majority Rule (X)
the principle that the greater number should exercise greater power
McCulloch v. Maryland (X)
Supreme Court ruled Congress can use Constitutional power to build a national band (established supremacy of federal government)
Minority Rights
protection of existence, protection from discrimination, protection and promotion of identity and participation in political life
Natural Rights
the right to life, liberty, and property, which cannot be taken away by the government
Necessary and Proper Clause
Article 1, Section 8; grants Congress the powers necessary to carry out its enumerated powers
New Jersey Plan
a plan of government that provided for a unicameral legislature with equal votes for each state
Pluralism
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
Privileges and Immunities Clause (X)
prevents states from discrimination against people from out of state
Public Policy
the intentional use of governmental power to secure the health, welfare, opportunities, and national security of citizens
Representative Democracy
a political system in which voters select representatives who then vote on matters of public policy
Reserved Powers
powers not given to the national government, which are retained by the states and the people (10th Amendment)
Separation of Powers
a design of government that distributes powers across institutions in order to avoid making one branch too powerful
Shay’s Rebellion (X)
armed response to debt crisis among citizenry, in opposition to the government’s increased efforts to collect taxes
Single-issue groups (X)
association focusing on one specific area of public policy, often a moral issue about which they are unwillingly to compromise
Social Contract
people allow their governments to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society
Supremacy Clause
Constitutional provision declaring that the Constitution and all national laws and treaties are the supreme law of the land
Three Fifths Compromise
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
Virginia Plan
a plan of government calling for a three branch government with a bicameral legislature, where more populous states would have more representatives in Congress
