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10th Amendment
Specifies that powers not delegated to the national government, nor denied to the states by the Constitution are reserved for the state government or the people.
Anti-Federalists
People who opposed the new Constitution, feared the new Constitution would erode fundamental liberties, and argued that the new Constitution was a class-based document serving the economic elite.
Articles of Confederation
the document that outlines the voluntary agreement between states and was adopted as the first plan for a permanent union of the United States. It put almost all power in the hands of the states, creating a very weak federal government.
Bill of Attainder
A legislative act that provides for the punishment of a person without a court trial. Prohibited by the Constitution.
Bill of Rights
The first ten Amendments to the Constitution passed after ratification specifically protecting individual liberties to fulfill promises made by the Federalists to the Anti-Federalists in return for their support.
Block Grants
Funds granted to the states for a broadly defined purpose. These grants shift resources from the federal government to the states and contribute to the growing number of state and local government employees. Block grants increase the power of the states.
Categorical Grants
Funds provided for a specific and clearly defined purpose. This includes "Formula Grants" - grants based on the basis of a formula. This also includes "Project grants" awarded on the basis of competitive applications.
Checks and Balances
System in which each branch of government can limit the power of the other two branches. (i.e. President can veto laws, Congress can impeach President, Courts can rule a law unconstitutional).
Connecticut Compromise ("The Great Compromise")
The plan adopted at the Constitutional Convention to provide for two chambers in Congress (a "bicameral Congress"), one representing states equally (the Senate) and the other representing states on the basis of their share of the population (the House of Representatives).
Consent of the Governed
People must agree on who their rulers will be. (Popular Sovereignty). This protects against "Tyranny of the Minority."
Constitution
A nation’s basic law creating institutions, dividing power, and providing guarantees to citizens.
Cooperative Federalism
Situations in which state and the national government responsibilities are mingled and blurred like a marble cake; powers and policies are shared. This is common today.
Declaration of Independence
The document used by the signers to announce and justify the Revolutionary War and which was specifically designed to enlist the aid of foreign nations in the revolt.
Delegated/Enumerated/Expressed Powers
Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution under Art. 1, Section 8, Clauses 1-17.
Democracy
Government by the people, both directly or indirectly, with free and frequent elections.
Elite Democracy
Power is held by the educatied and/or wealthy. Discourages participation by the majority of citizens.
Pluralist Democracy
Implies organized group-based activism by citizens with common interests all striving for the same political goals. (Think about interest groups i.e. NRA, Sierra Club, Corporations, etc.)
Devolution
A movement to transfer the responsibilities of governing form the federal government to state and local governments.
Dual Federalism
Where states and the national government each remain supreme within their own spheres of power, rather than co-mingling of powers, much like a layer cake. Before the Great Depression in the 1930s, this was common.
Elastic Clause (Necessary & Proper Clause)
The statement in the Constitution, under Art. 1, Sec. 8, Clause 18, which says that Congress has the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its duties.- Authorizes "Implied Powers" of the federal government as long as they are "substantially related to" the carrying out of an expressed (enumerated/delegated) power.
Elite Theory of Politics
A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization. Not all groups are equal. Decisions/Policy will benefit the wealthy more than others.
Equal Rights Amendment
It was first proposed in 1923, passed by Congress in 1972, but was not ratified by three-fourths of the states. This amendment would have mandated equality of rights under the law regardless of gender.
Ex Post Facto law
A law applied to an act committed before the law was enacted. "Post facto" means after the act was committed. The Constitution prohibits ex post facto laws.
Factions
Groups of people, currently known as political parties or interest groups, who arise as a result of unequal distribution of wealth to seize the reins of government in their own interest
Federalism
A system of government in which power is divided by a written constitution between a central government ("national gov't" or "federal gov't") and regional governments (state governments).
Federalists
Argued for ratification of the Constitution. Three of the most famous were the three writers of the Federalist Papers: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.
Federalists Papers
Essays/Articles written to convince others to support the new constitution. They were written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.
Fiscal Federalism
Division of power between the federal and state governments in regard to the pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants.
Full Faith and Credit Clause
Article IV of the Constitution requires states to provide reciprocity toward other states’ public acts, records, and civil judicial proceedings (i.e. states must recognize marriages from other states).
Gibbons v. Ogden
The 1824 Supreme Court case which further expanded Congress’ power to regulate interstate and international commerce by defining commerce very broadly to incorporate every form of commercial activity. (in this case, it was operating a ferryboat between NY and NJ).
Government
Institutions that make public policy for a society
Gross domestic product
The total value of all goods and services produced annually by the United States.
Hyper-Pluralist Theory
The theory that government policy is weakened and often contradictory because there are so many competing interest groups. Also that too many groups get what they want at the expense of underrepresented groups. Results in gridlock.
Judicial Review
The courts have the power to decide whether the actions of the legislative and executive branches of state and national governments are in accordance with the Constitution.
Limited Government
Clear restrictions on what rulers could do and which safeguard natural rights. This was first established in England by the Magna Carta in 1215). The U.S. Constitution creates a limited government, because the government cannot violate the Constitution..
Linkage Institutions
Institutions that connect citizens to government. Example are political parties, interest groups, and the media (P.I.G. Media).
Majority Rule
A fundamental democratic principle requiring that the majority's view be respected. (The Constitution must protect the minority from the majority at times i.e. "Tyranny of the Majority" with such rights as the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and equal protection).
Marbury v. Madison
1803 Supreme Court case that established the concept of judicial review.
McCulloch v. Maryland
The 1819 Supreme Court case, which established (1) the federal government has the "implied power" to create a national bank because it is "substantially related" to Congress' express power to tax, spend, and borrow; and (2) the national (federal) government is supreme over state governments in areas that the federal government has powers. Thus, the state of Maryland could not tax the national bank out of business.
Minority Rights
Protecting the rights and freedoms of the minority in choosing among policy alternatives.
Natural Rights
Phese are rights to which people are entitled by natural law. According to John Locke, they include life, liberty, and property. However, in the Declaration of Independence, they include "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Necessary & Proper Clause ("Elastic Clause")
The statement in the Constitution, under Art. 1, Sec. 8, Clause 18, which says that Congress has the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its duties.- Authorizes "Implied Powers" of the federal government as long as they are "substantially related to" the carrying out of an expressed (enumerated/delegated) power.
Participatory Democracy
Emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society (every citizen has a voice). Citizens participate by voting and other means.
New Jersey Plan
A plan by some of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention to provide each state with equal representation in Congress (would become the model for the Senate).
Pluralist Theory
The theory that many interest groups compete for the power in a large number of policy areas, and policy is formed through bargaining and compromise. Under the pluralist theory, having many competing interest groups is a good thing.
Policy Agenda
A set of issues and problems that policy makers considers important and to be given attention at a given time.
Policy Gridlock
When each interest group or political party uses its influence to thwart policies it opposes so that no coalition forms a majority to establish policy.
Privileges and Immunities Clause
This Clause in the Constitution prohibits states from discriminating against citizens of other states (i.e. NC can't enforce a law agains a SC resident, but not against a NC resident).
Public Goods
Things that everyone can share.
Public Policy
A choice that government makes in response to some issue on its agenda. Public Policy can include such things as Fiscal Policy, Monetary Policy, Criminal Justice, Healthcare, Environmental, Military/Defense etc.
Representation
The relationship between the leaders and their "constituents" (the people they represent).
Representative Democracy
The principle of elected officialls representing a goup of people. Essentially, it is a democratic republic. Essentially, they mean the same thing.
Republic
A system based on the consent of the governed where power is exercised by representatives of the public.
Reserved Powers
Powers not specifically granted to the national government or denied to the states.
Separation of Powers
Each branch of government has its own powers. (i.e. Leg. Branch makes the laws, Exec. Branch enforces the laws & Judic. Branch interprets the law).
Shays' Rebellion
Daniel Shays led a series of armed attacks on Massachusetts courthouses to prevent judges from foreclosing on farms.
Single-Issue Groups
Interest groups so concerned with one matter that their members cast their votes on the basis of that issue only (i.e. abortion, immigration, military, etc.).
Supremacy Clause
Article VI of the Constitution states that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land" and when there is a conflict between the Constitution and anything else, the Constitution wins. It also states that United States laws/policies are supreme over state laws/policies so long as it is an issue that the federal government has power.
Unitary System
A system of government in which all power is invested in a central government (the federal gov't).
Virginia Plan
A plan proposed by some of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention to provide each state with a share of congressional seats based on its share of the population (would become the model for the House of Representatives).
Writ of Habeas Corpus
A court order directing that a prisoner be brought before a court and that the court officers show cause why the prisoner should not be released. It challenges the legality of the government in detaining/imprisoning someone without justification. The Constitution prevents the suspension of this EXCEPT in times of war or rebellion (i.e. Civil War).
Implied Powers
Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution, but inferred from the necessary and proper clause. They enable the government to carry out its enumerated powers effectively.
Brutus 1
Anti-Federalist paper written by Robert Yates. Argued against ratification of the U.S. Constitution, fearing it would lead to an overly powerful central government and loss of individual liberties. Published in 1787.
Federalist 51
A document written by James Madison. It was published on February 6, 1788, and discusses the importance of the separation of powers and checks and balances in the United States government. Along with an explanation of Federalism.
Federalist 70
Written by Alexander Hamilton. Advocates for a strong executive branch with a single energetic leader. Supports the idea of a unitary executive to ensure effective and efficient governance. Argues against a plural executive that could lead to indecisiveness and conflicts. Emphasizes the need for a quick and decisive decision-making process.
Federalist 78
Written by Alexander Hamilton. It specifically focuses on the role and importance of the judiciary branch in the United States government, and alludes to Judicial Review.
Federalist 10
An essay by James Madison arguing for the benefits of a large republic in controlling the negative effects of factions on government.
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