Unit 1 Vocab

Question 1

Limited Government (ideal of democracy)

Answer 1

1. A system where a government’s power cannot be absolute
2. Based off 4 principles of: Separation of Powers, Checks & Balances, Federalism, Republicanism

Question 2

Natural Rights (ideal of democracy)

Answer 2

All people have certain (God-given) rights that cannot be taken away
- They are: Life, Liberty, & Property according to John Locke

Question 3

Popular Sovereignty (ideal of democracy)

Answer 3

All Government power comes from the consent of its people

Question 4

Republicanism (principle)

Answer 4

The will of the people is reflected in government by their representatives

Question 5

Social Contract (ideal of democracy)

Answer 5

An implicit agreement among the people in a society to give up some freedoms to maintain social order

Question 6

Ideals of Democracy

Answer 6

Natural Rights, Social Contract, Popular Sovereignty, Limited Government

Question 7

Participatory Democracy

Answer 7

Emphasizes broad participation in politics & civil society

Question 8

Pluralist Democracy

Answer 8

Emphasizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision making
(Interest Groups)

Question 9

Elite Democracy

Answer 9

Emphasizes limited participation in politics and civil society

Question 10

Separation of Powers

Answer 10

• Ideal of Limited Government
• Powers of government are divided between the three branches

Question 11

Checks & Balances

Answer 11

• Ideal of Limited Government
• Ensured that government shared power b/w the branches to limit the power of each branch

Question 12

Federalism

Answer 12

• Ideal of Limited Government
• The system of government in which power is shared b/w national & state government

Question 13

Exclusive Powers

Answer 13

• held by only one level of government
• includes enumerated powers that are written in the Constitution
• implied powers that are not specifically in Constitution BUT inferred from the Necessary & Proper Clause

Question 14

Concurrent Powers

Answer 14

• shared between both levels of government (such as power to collect taxes)
• the power to make & enforce laws and the power to build roads

Question 15

Mandates

Answer 15

Requirements by the national government of the states

Question 16

Revenue Sharing

Answer 16

National funding with almost no restrictions to the states on its use (least used form of funding)

Question 17

Categorical Grant

Answer 17

National funding that is restricted to specific categories of expenditures
- preferred by national government
- most commonly used form of funding

Question 18

Block Grant

Answer 18

National funding w/ minimal restrictions to the states on its use (preferred by states)

Question 19

Necessary & Proper Clause

Answer 19

• Constitutional Principle
• Gives Congress the power to make laws related to carrying out its enumerated powers

Question 20

Commerce Clause

Answer 20

• Constitutional Principle
• Gives the national government the power to regulate interstate commerce

Question 21

Amendment Process

Answer 21

1. 2/3 vote in both houses OR a proposal from 2/3 of the state legislatures
2. final ratification determined by 3/4 of the states

*found in Article V

Question 22

Great Compromise

Answer 22

Created bicameral system of congressional representation (the House & Senate)

Question 23

Supremacy Clause

Answer 23

gives the national government & its laws general precedence over state’s laws