Unit One - Vocab Quiz One Flashcards
What is bicameral legislature?
A legislative body made up of chambers. In the United States this is composed of the House of Representatives, and the Senate. The two chambers have a series of checks and balances to ensure laws are thought through. This was the compromise of the New Jersey Plan (small states) and the Virginia Plan (larger states).
What is direct democracy?
Direct democracy is a form of government in which decisions are made by citizens rather than through elected officials. People are allowed to make decisions based on just what’s best for themselves.
What are checks and balances?
The checks and balances system provides each branch of government (legislative, executive, and judicial) with individual ability to check in on others, to prevent one from dominating. This created a separation of power.
ex.) legislative branch can make a law but the president can veto. the legislative branch can make a law but judicial declares it unconstitutional
What is the confederation?
an organization where many parties unite in alliance. Each member is allowed to govern self, however agree to work together for certain circumstances.
What is an elite democracy?
a model of democracy in which a small number of people, usually those. who are wealthy or well-educated, influence political decision making.
ex.) electoral college
What is an indirect democracy?
a democracy in which elected officials make decisions as a representative of the citizens. The United States is an indirect democracy.
What is a participatory democracy?
a model of democracy in which citizens have the power to decide directly on policy and politicians are responsible for implementing those policy decisions.
What is a pluralist democracy?
a form of representative democracy in which power is distributed among many different interest groups, rather than being concentrated in the hands of a few elites. key idea is the idea of interest groups, and factions.
What is a Republic?
a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch. where power is held by representatives, not a king/queen. ex.) US
What does popular sovereignty mean?
where the people/states should make decisions for themselves, rather the decisions be forced. it is the idea that government is authorized by citizens and influenced by what they want.
ex.) Kansas/Nebraska Act
What is the separation of powers?
the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.
ex.) legislative, executive, and judicial branches
What is unicameral?
holds a single executive chamber or house.
ex.) nebraska
What is the social contract?
it’s when a group of people agree to give up certain rights and accept a central authority in order to protect their other rights. An agreement is also made between the governed and the government. It helps defines the rights, and restrictions both hold.
What is Shay’s rebellion?
A violent insurrection in the Massachusetts countryside during 1786 and 1787, Shays’ Rebellion was brought about by a monetary debt crisis at the end of the American Revolutionary War. This highlighted the need for ratification the most.
