Key Terms: Federalism, Constitutional Principles, and Democratic Theory (Pages 1-2)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key political science terms from the lecture notes (Pages 1-2).

Factions

Interest groups arising from the unequal distribution of property or wealth; Madison warned of instability in government in Federalist Paper No. 10.

New Jersey Plan

Proposal at the Constitutional Convention for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of population.

Virginia Plan

Proposal at the Constitutional Convention calling for representation in Congress in proportion to each state's share of the U.S. population.

Connecticut Compromise

Compromise establishing two houses of Congress: the House based on population, and the Senate with two representatives per state.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislature divided into two houses; the U.S. Congress and most state legislatures are bicameral.

Federalists

Supporters of the U.S. Constitution at the time the states were considering its adoption.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the U.S. Constitution at the time the states were considering its adoption.

Ratification

To approve and sanction formally.

Separation of Powers

Madisonian model where the three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—are relatively independent and power is shared among them.

Checks and Balances

System designed to limit government power by balancing authority among the different government institutions.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, drafted in response to Anti-Federalist concerns.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

A court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner in custody.

Judicial Review

Power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress and the executive are in accord with the Constitution; established by Marbury v. Madison.

Ex Post Facto Laws

Latin for 'after the fact'; laws adopted after an act is committed making it illegal or increasing penalties; prohibited by the Constitution.

Pluralism (Pluralist Democracy)

Politics is a competition between groups, each pressing for its own preferred policies.

Elitism (Elite Democracy)

Societies are divided along class lines; the upper class elite will rule.

Hyperpluralism

Groups are so strong that government is weakened; an exaggerated or perverted form of pluralism.

Democracy

A system of selecting policymakers and organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public's preferences.

Republic (Representative Democracy)

A form of government deriving power from the people; those chosen to govern are accountable; representatives make the laws rather than the people directly.

Public Policy

A choice that government makes in response to a political issue; a course of action taken regarding a problem.

Majority Rule

A fundamental principle that the majority's desires should be respected when choosing among alternatives.

Minority Rights

Rights guaranteed to those who do not belong to majorities; they may join majorities through persuasion and reasoned argument.

Plurality

In contests with more than two candidates, the most votes received by a candidate, but not necessarily a majority.

Constitution

A nation's basic law; creates political institutions, assigns or divides powers, and provides guarantees to citizens; can be written or unwritten.

Natural Rights

Rights inherent to human beings (life, liberty, and property); central to John Locke's theories.

Consent of the Governed

The basis for government; authority derived from the consent of the governed.

Limited Government

Idea that certain things are out of bounds for government due to natural rights; contrasts with the divine right of kings.

Popular Sovereignty

Belief that ultimate power resides in the people; root of democracy; Madison described the people as the 'fountain of authority'.

Social Contract

Presumption of an agreement among people to form a government and obey its laws.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States; created a national legislature (Continental Congress) but placed most authority in state legislatures.

Shays' Rebellion

Attacks on courthouses by farmers led by Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings.