Unit 3 Vocab Flashcards
Limited Government
One that is subject to strict legal limits on the uses of power, so that it would not threaten the people’s liberty.
Government can only do the things that the people give it the authority to do
Representative Government
One in which the people would govern through the selection of their representatives
Constitution
Is the fundamental law (superior to statutory law) that defines how a government will legitimately operate
What document was the first government of the United States founded on?
Articles of Confederation
Virginia Plan (Large state plan)
A proposal during the 1787 Constitutional Convention for a strong Congress with two chambers with states having votes based on population, thus granting more power to the larger states
New Jersey Plan (Small state plan)
A proposal during the 1787 Constitutional Convention to strengthen Congress with each state having a single vote, thus granting a small state the same legislative power as a large state
Great Compromise
The 1787 Constitutional Convention agreement to create a two-chamber Congress with the House apportioned by population and the Senate apportioned equally by state
Anti-Federalists
Opponents of the U.S. Constitution during the ratification debate in 1788
Federalists
Proponents of the U.S. Constitution during the ratification debate in 1788.
liberty
The principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose provided they do not infringe unreasonably on the freedom and well-being of others
grants of power
limiting government power by confining its authority to those powers expressly granted in a constitution
denials of power
a constitutional means of limiting government by listing those powers that government is expressly prohibited from using
separation of powers
the division of government power among separate branches so there is not a concentration of power in any one individual or institution
checks and balances
divided and overlapping political power to help protect against abuse of government power
What is Judicial Review?
The power of courts to declare government action null and void when it violates the constitution. (Unconstitutional)
Tyranny of the majority
The people acting as an irrational mob that tramples on the rights of the minority
democracy
a government in which the power of the majority is unlimited, whether exercised directly or through a representative body
republic
government where citizens’ representatives decide policy through institutions structured in ways that foster deliberation, slow the progress of decision making, filter the passions of the majority and operate within restraints that protect individual liberty and minority rights
How does the Electoral College work?
Each state would have the same number of electoral votes as it had members in congress and could select its electors by a method of its choosing.
How do federal judges gain power?
They are nominated by the President and approved by the Senate
What branch of the government is Congress? What other powers keep this branch in check?
The Legislative Branch
The president (executive) can veto acts of congress, recommend legislation, and call special sessions of congress. The president also has the power to execute-and thereby interpret- the laws congress makes.
The supreme court (Judicial) has the power to interpret acts of congress that are disputed in legal cases. The courts also have the power of Judicial Review: It can declare acts of congress void when it finds that they are not in accord with the constitution.
Within congress there is a further check on legislative power: For legislation to be passed, a majority in each chamber of Congress is required. Thus, the Senate and the House of Representatives can block each other from acting.
What Branch of government is vested in the President? What other powers keep this in check?
Executive power is vested in The President
The President’s power to make treaties and appoint high-ranking officials is subject to Senate approval. Congress also has the power to impeach and remove the president from office. The executive branch cannot act without laws that authorize its activities or without the money that pays for these activities.
The Judiciary’s major check on the presidency is its power to declare an action unlawful because it is not authorized by the laws that the Executive claims to be implementing.
What branch of Government is the Supreme Court? What other powers keep this in check?
The Supreme Court is the Judicial Branch
Congress is empowered to establish the size of the federal court system, to restrict the Supreme Court’s appellate jurisdiction in some circumstances, and to impeach and remove federal judges from office. More importantly, Congress can rewrite legislation that the courts have misinterpreted and can initiate amendments when it disagrees with court rulings on Constitutional issues.
The President has the power to appoint federal judges with the consent of the Senate and to pardon persons convicted in the court. The president also is responsible for executing court decisions, a function that provides opportunities to influence the way rulings are carried out.
Constitutional democratic republic
A political system that restrains government power, protects minority rights, is democratic in its provisions for majority influence through elections and is a republic with representative political institutions that check and balance each other
Delegate
Elected representatives whose obligation is to act in accordance with the expressed wishes of the people (constituents) they represent
Self-government
The principle that the people collectively are the ultimate source of political power and should have their views taken into consideration by the government
Trustees
Elected representatives whose obligation is to act in accordance with their own consciences as to what policies are in the best interests of the public
Popular Sovereignty
Ensures that all power ultimately rests in the hands of the people
Federalism
Divides power between national governments, and state or regional governments
Social contract
A voluntary agreement among individuals to form a government in order protect their natural rights
natural rights
Rights (e.g. life, liberty, property) individuals have in the “state of nature” that cannot be taken away by government without consent
