U.S. Government Foundations: Chapters 1 - 3

Purpose of Government

Provides stability and essential services such as public education, police, fire, and mail delivery.

Regulation of Common Goods

Government manages shared resources like public land for the benefit of all.

Structure for Public Voice

Government creates systems that allow citizens to express needs and opinions to officials.

Representative Democracy

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf; depends on citizen participation.

Oligarchy

A form of government in which a small elite group holds political power.

Elite Theory

The theory that a small, wealthy, and powerful group controls government decisions and serves its own interests.

Pluralist Theory

The idea that many competing interest groups influence government policy, representing diverse public interests.

Tradeoffs in Government

Government policies often reflect compromises among competing interests and balance elite influence with public needs.

Civic and Political Engagement

Activities that help leaders understand public opinion and strengthen communities.

Forms of Civic Participation

Includes voting, volunteering, attending rallies, donating, contacting representatives, and joining campaigns.

Most Active Citizens

Older, wealthier, and more educated individuals are typically the most politically active.

Public Goods

Goods available to all without direct payment, such as clean air and public parks.

Oligarchy Example

A system where a small group of elite people hold political power.

Representative vs. Direct Democracy

In representative democracy, citizens elect officials; in direct democracy, citizens vote directly on laws and policies.

What Government Does for People

Maintains order, provides services, protects rights, regulates the economy, and ensures safety.

Elite Theory of Government

Wealthy, politically powerful people control government, which serves elite interests rather than the public.

Pluralist Theory of Government

Government policy results from competition between groups with different goals and interests.

Example of a Tradeoff

The government preserves public lands for environmentalists but allows ranchers to rent land for grazing.

Partisanship

Supporting a political party's actions simply because one identifies as a member of that party.

Latent Preferences

Opinions formed on the spot when someone is asked about an issue they haven't thought much about.

Politically Active Individuals

Educated, older, and wealthier citizens with strong political views or sense of efficacy.

Non-Candidate Political Activities

Voting, volunteering, contacting officials, protesting, donating, attending meetings, and joining advocacy groups.

Colonial Loyalty to Britain

Early colonists valued their rights as English subjects under limited government.

American Identity Emergence

Colonists believed life, liberty, and property were natural rights, not privileges from the king.

Violations of the Social Contract

British actions like taxation without representation and limits on self-government convinced colonists Britain had broken the social contract.

Declaration of Independence

Adopted in 1776, asserting the colonies' right to self-government and independence from Britain.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. constitution; created a weak national government to avoid tyranny.

State Powers under Articles

States retained most powers; the national government could not tax or regulate commerce.

Problems with the Articles

The government couldn't pay debts, maintain defense, or ensure stability, leading to calls for reform.

Constitutional Convention

Delegates met in 1787 to replace the Articles and design a stronger, balanced government.

Bicameral Legislature

Congress divided into two chambers—House of Representatives based on population and Senate with equal state representation.

Federal System

Power shared between national and state governments.

Separation of Powers

Division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent tyranny.

Checks and Balances

Each branch has powers to limit the others and maintain balance.

Federalists

Supported ratifying the Constitution, believing in a stronger central government.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed ratification, fearing excessive central power and lack of a Bill of Rights.

The Federalist Papers

Essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay defending the Constitution and assuring it wouldn't become tyrannical.

Ratification of the Constitution

Became law in 1788 when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify.

Amendment Process

Requires two-thirds approval in Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments protecting individual liberties and securing support for ratification.

Later Constitutional Amendments

Abolished slavery (13th), granted citizenship (14th), and voting rights regardless of race or sex (15th, 19th).

John Locke's Influence

British philosopher who inspired colonists with ideas of natural rights and the social contract.

Social Contract

The idea that citizens consent to be governed if the government protects their natural rights.

Power Lacking under Articles

The national government could not impose taxes.

Shays' Rebellion

Exposed weaknesses of the Articles by showing the government couldn't maintain order or raise an army.

The Great Compromise

Created a bicameral Congress with representation by population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted 60% of enslaved people for both representation and taxation.

Separation of Powers Meaning

Divides government responsibilities among branches to prevent abuse of power.

Federalist Papers Purpose

To encourage ratification of the Constitution, especially in New York.

Opposition to Ratification

Feared a strong central government; overcome by adding a Bill of Rights.

Ratification Requirement for Amendments

Three-fourths of states must approve an amendment.

Bill of Rights Purpose

Protects individual freedoms from government overreach.

Fourteenth Amendment

Granted citizenship to African Americans and required equal protection under law.

Federalism

A system dividing authority between national and state governments, each with powers granted by the Constitution.

Unitary System

A system where power is concentrated in the national government.

Confederation

Power concentrated in subnational governments.

Dual Federalism

"Layer cake" model where state and federal governments operate independently.

Cooperative Federalism

"Marble cake" model with shared responsibilities between federal and state governments.

New Federalism

A movement (1970s-1980s) to return authority to the states, promoted by Nixon and Reagan.

Grants-in-Aid

Federal funds provided to states for specific purposes.

Categorical Grants

Funds with strict spending guidelines.

Block Grants

Funds given with more flexibility for state use.

Federal Mandates

Requirements the federal government imposes on states, funded or unfunded.

"Carrot and Stick" Approach

Grants encourage compliance ("carrot"); mandates enforce it ("stick").

Venue Shopping

When groups seek the level of government most favorable to their goals.

Advantages of Federalism

Encourages participation, innovation, and respect for local diversity.

Disadvantages of Federalism

Creates inequality among states, possible race to the bottom, and fragmented national policies.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Supreme Court case establishing implied powers and national supremacy.

Cooperative vs. Dual Federalism

Cooperative involves shared functions; dual maintains separate spheres of power.

New Federalism Myth

Reagan did not promote it consistently throughout his presidency.

Federal Revenue for States

30-40% of state revenue comes from federal grants.

Unfunded Mandates

Federal requirements without funding support; opposed by New Federalism advocates.

Immigration Federalism

State efforts to influence immigration policy; limited by Supreme Court rulings like Arizona v. U.S.

Federal Grants Trend

Federal grant money to states has steadily increased since the 1960s.

Advantages of Federalism Example

States act as "laboratories of democracy" by testing innovative policies.

Disadvantages of Federalism Example

Economic and social disparities between states can deepen due to unequal policy outcomes.