Unit One Vocab

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units, like states

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that the government's right to rule comes from the people

Republicanism

The authority of the government comes from the people

Natural Rights

Fundamental human rights that are considered to be inherent and universal, not dependent on laws or customs - Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Social Contract

The idea that the government and the people are in a contract together, each with their own obligations. The government had an obligation to protect people from harm, and guarantee their inalienable rights of life, liberty, and property while people had an obligation to obey the government. Whenever government became destructive of the aims for which it was created, the people could abolish or alter that government

Declaration of Independence

1776 statement, issued by the Second Continental Congress, explaining why the colonies wanted independence from Britain

US Constitution

The foundational legal document of the United States that outlines the framework of government, establishes the separation of powers, and protects individual rights

Participatory Democracy

Widespread political participation is essential for democratic government

Pluralist Democracy

Political power is distributed among a wide array of diverse and competing interest groups

Elite Democracy

All societies are divided into elites and masses. The elites have power to make and implement policy, while the masses respond to the desires of the elites

Faction

A group of individuals within a larger entity, often united by shared interests, beliefs, or goals, that seeks to influence or control political decisions; can pose challenges to the stability and unity of a political system, as they may prioritize their own interests over the common good

Federalist

Supported a stronger central government with expanded legislative powers; stressed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the government it created

Anti-Federalist

Believed that the new Constitution gave too much power to the national government at the expense of the state governments; also objected the lack of a Bill of Rights, ensuring fundamental liberties

Shay's Rebellion

A 1787 rebellion in which ex-Revolutionary War soldiers attempted to prevent foreclosures of farms as a result of high interest rates and taxes; no standing army was available highlighting a weakness of the Articles

Power to Tax under the Articles

Another weakness of the Articles of Confederation was that they lacked the power to tax the states

Great Compromise

Settled the disputes between the states over the structure of the legislative branch. Congress would be a bicameral legislature, with representation in the lower house based on the population of the state and equal representation of the states in the upper house

Electoral College

A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president

Three-Fifths Comrpomise

Each state would count three-fifths of its slave population for purposes of determining both representation and taxation

Compromise on the Importation of Slaves

Congress prohibited from taxing exports from the states and from banning the slave trade for a period of 20 years

What does it mean to formally amend the Constitution?

Written changes added to the constitution

What does it mean to Informally Amend the Constitution?

Changes to the Constitution that don't involve actually changing the wording of the Constitution

Formal Amendment Process

Proposed by 2/3 vote of each house of Congress, ratified by 3/4 of state legislatures; Proposed by 2/3 vote of each house of Congress, ratified by special convention in at least 3/4 of the states; Proposed by a national constitutional convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the state legislatures

Expressed/Enumerated Powers

Those powers granted to the national government in the Constitution, especially to Congress

Concurrent Powers

Both the national government and states are given the authority to act in certain ares of public policy: the national and state authority overlap

Reserved Powers

Powers not given to the national government and are, therefore, retained by the states

Implied Powers

Powers not specifically granted to the federal government

Grants-in-Aid

A financial contribution provided by the federal government to state or local governments for specific projects or programs

Incentives

A motivating factor or reward that encourages individuals or groups to take specific actions

Federal Revenue Sharing

A "no strings attached" form of aid to state and local governments; could be used for virtually any project but never exceeded more than two percent of revenues; eliminated during the Reagan administration

Mandates

Requirements that are imposed by the national government on the state and local governments

Categorical Grants

Grants that have a specific purpose defined by law

Block Grants

General grants that can be used for a variety of purposes within a broad category, such as education, health care, or public services

10th Amendment

The powers not delegated to the US by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States and ensures that no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor deny any person equal protection of the laws

Commerce Clause

Grants Congress the power to "regulate Commer with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes"

Necessary and Proper Clause

Congress can make laws to carry out its enumerated powers

McCulloch v Maryland

The Supreme Court dealt with the issues of the Necessary and Proper Clause and the Supremacy Clause when Maryland imposed a tax on the Baltimore branch of the Second National Bank of the US. The SCOTUS ruling established the implied powers of the national government and national supremacy

US v Lopez

The SCOTUS ruled that Congress had exceeded its constitutional authority under the Commerce Clause when it passed a law prohibiting gun possession in local school zones

Legislative Branch

Passes laws, made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate

Executive Branch

Enforces and carries out laws, the president

Judicial Branch

Interprets laws, the supreme court

National Power

Regulate foreign and interstate commerce, coin and print money, provide an army and navy, declare way, establish federal courts below the Supreme Court, conduct foreign relations, make all laws "necessary and proper," acquire and govern US territories and admit new states, regulate immigration and naturalization

State Power

Regulate interstate commerce, establish local governments, establish public school systems, administer the elections, protect the public's welfare and morals, regulate corporations, establish licensing requirements for certain regulated professions