POLS 1100 Midterm Exam Study Guide

Political Science

The study of power and government structures.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state.

Legitimacy

The right and acceptance of an authority, usually a governing law or a regime.

Elitism

A political theory that suggests a small group of elite individuals holds power.

Pluralism

A political system where multiple groups coexist and share power.

Majoritarianism

The principle that the majority should have the power to make decisions.

Political Culture

The collection of values, beliefs, and norms that citizens share regarding their political system.

Free-Market System

An economic system where prices are determined by unrestricted competition between privately owned businesses.

Critical Thinking

The ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas.

Constitutional Democracy

A form of government in which representatives are elected by the people to make laws under a constitution.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, which established a confederation of sovereign states.

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a strong national government with a bicameral legislature.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal to create a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

Great Compromise

An agreement that settled disputes between states regarding representation in Congress.

Three-Fifths Clause

A compromise counting three-fifths of the slave population for representation purposes.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution.

Social Contract Theory

The theory that individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to form a government.

Dual Federalism

A framework of federalism in which the federal and state governments operate independently.

Cooperative Federalism

A system where national, state, and local governments interact cooperatively.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided for a specific purpose.

Block Grants

Federal funds granted to states for broad purposes with fewer restrictions.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but necessary to execute its enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

The provision in the Constitution that establishes federal law as the supreme law of the land.

10th Amendment

The amendment that reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

Civil Liberties

Personal freedoms that are protected from government interference.

U.S. Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights.

Due Process

Fair treatment through the normal judicial system, especially as a citizen's entitlement.

Selective Incorporation

The judicial doctrine whereby some protections in the Bill of Rights are applied to the states through the 14th Amendment.

Civil Rights

The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

A landmark piece of legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Federal legislation aimed at eliminating various forms of disenfranchisement.

Equal Protection Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment that requires states to provide equal protection under the law to all people.

Brown v. Board

A landmark Supreme Court case that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional.

Plessy v. Ferguson

An 1896 Supreme Court decision that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Obergefell v. Hodges

A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled same-sex marriage is a constitutional right.