1/98
Looks like no tags are added yet.
Name | Mastery | Learn | Test | Matching | Spaced |
---|
No study sessions yet.
Social Contract
The idea that people give up certain freedoms to a government in exchange for protection of rights.
Natural Rights
Rights that are inherent and unalienable (life, liberty, property/pursuit of happiness).
Popular Sovereignty
Government power comes from the people.
Republicanism
A system where representatives are elected to make laws on behalf of the people.
Participatory Democracy
Broad participation by citizens in politics and civil society.
Pluralist Democracy
Many groups compete for power and influence.
Elite Democracy
A small number of wealthy or educated individuals influence policy decisions.
Federalism
The division of power between the national and state governments.
Articles of Confederation
America's first (weak) national government; lacked power to tax or regulate commerce.
Shays' Rebellion
Exposed the weaknesses of the Articles and pushed for a stronger federal government.
Great Compromise
Created a bicameral legislature (House = population, Senate = equal states).
3/5 Compromise
Counted 3 out of 5 enslaved people for representation/taxation.
Bicameral
Two chambers (House & Senate).
Enumerated Powers
Powers specifically listed in the Constitution (e.g., tax, declare war).
Implied Powers
Powers not explicitly stated, based on the Necessary and Proper Clause.
Filibuster
Senate practice to delay legislation by speaking indefinitely.
Cloture
A vote to end a filibuster (requires 60 votes).
Gerrymandering
Manipulating district boundaries to benefit a party.
Veto
President rejects a bill.
Executive Order
A directive from the president that has the force of law.
Cabinet
Advisers to the president who head executive departments.
Judicial Review
The power of courts to declare laws or actions unconstitutional (from Marbury v. Madison).
Precedent
A legal decision that sets the standard for future cases.
Stare Decisis
"Let the decision stand"; courts follow previous rulings.
Bill of Rights
First 10 Amendments protecting individual liberties.
Selective Incorporation
Applying parts of the Bill of Rights to states via the 14th Amendment.
Due Process Clause
Guarantees fair treatment under the law (14th Amendment).
Equal Protection Clause
Requires states to treat all citizens equally (14th Amendment).
Establishment Clause
Government cannot establish an official religion.
Free Exercise Clause
Individuals can freely practice religion.
Civil Liberties
Individual protections from government actions.
Civil Rights
Protections against discrimination and unequal treatment.
Political Socialization
The process by which people form political beliefs.
Liberal Ideology
Favors more government involvement in economy and less in personal lives.
Conservative Ideology
Favors less government in economy, more in personal/moral issues.
Libertarian Ideology
Minimal government in both economic and personal matters.
Demographics
Statistical data used to analyze voters (age, race, gender, etc.).
Public Opinion Polls
Surveys used to gauge public preferences and beliefs.
Political Party
Organization that seeks to influence government by electing members.
Interest Group
Organized group that tries to influence public policy.
Lobbying
Attempting to influence lawmakers on behalf of an interest group.
PAC (Political Action Committee)
Groups that raise money for political campaigns.
Super PAC
Can raise unlimited funds but cannot coordinate with candidates.
Electoral College
System used to elect the President; states have votes based on congressional representation.
Midterm Election
Congressional elections held halfway through a president's term.
Voter Turnout
The percentage of eligible voters who actually vote.
Public Policy
A course of action by government to address issues.
Fiscal Policy
Government decisions on taxing and spending.
Monetary Policy
Regulation of the money supply by the Federal Reserve.
Entitlement Programs
Government programs that guarantee benefits to certain groups (e.g., Social Security).
Discretionary Spending
Government spending that must be approved annually (e.g., defense, education).
Mandatory Spending
Spending required by law (e.g., Social Security, Medicare).
Amendment 1
Freedom of Speech, Religion, Press, Assembly, Petition
Amendment 2
Right to Bear Arms
Amendment 3
No Quartering of Soldiers in private homes
Amendment 4
Protection from Unreasonable Searches & Seizures
Amendment 5
Due Process, No Double Jeopardy, No Self-Incrimination, Eminent Domain
Amendment 6
Right to a Speedy, Public Trial, Impartial Jury, Counsel, Confront Witnesses
Amendment 7
Right to a Jury in Civil Cases over $20
Amendment 8
No Excessive Bail or Cruel & Unusual Punishment
Amendment 9
Unenumerated Rights Retained by the People
Amendment 10
Powers Reserved to the States or People
Amendment 11
Limits on Suing States in federal court
Amendment 12
Separate Votes for President and Vice President
Amendment 13
Abolition of Slavery
Amendment 14
Citizenship, Equal Protection, Due Process from States
Amendment 15
Voting Rights Cannot Be Denied by Race
Amendment 16
Federal Income Tax Allowed
Amendment 17
Direct Election of Senators
Amendment 18
Prohibition of Alcohol
Amendment 19
Women's Right to Vote
Amendment 20
Lame Duck Period Shortened (Presidential Inauguration: Jan 20)
Amendment 21
Repeal of Prohibition (18th Amendment)
Amendment 22
Two-Term Limit for President
Amendment 23
Electoral Votes for D.C.
Amendment 24
No Poll Taxes in federal elections
Amendment 25
Presidential Succession and Disability Procedures
Amendment 26
Voting Age Set at 18
Amendment 27
Limits on Congressional Pay Raises (effective after the next election)
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Established judicial review, giving the Supreme Court power to declare laws unconstitutional.
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Expanded federal power via the Necessary and Proper Clause, states can't tax the federal government.
U.S. v. Lopez (1995)
Limited Congress's commerce power, reaffirmed state sovereignty.
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Violated the Establishment Clause; banned government-sponsored prayer in public schools.
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
Strengthened the Free Exercise Clause; religious liberty outweighed state educational interests.
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
Students retain free speech rights at school if not disruptive.
New York Times v. U.S. (1971)
Strengthened freedom of the press; government cannot use prior restraint unless there's direct national security threat.
Schenck v. U.S. (1919)
Allowed restrictions on speech during wartime; created the 'clear and present danger' test.
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
Extended the 6th Amendment right to counsel to state courts via the 14th Amendment.
McDonald v. Chicago (2010)
Incorporated the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms to the states via the 14th Amendment.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Declared school segregation unconstitutional, overturned Plessy v. Ferguson, strengthened Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
Declaration of Independence
Natural rights & justification for revolution.
Articles of Confederation
Weak central government.
U.S. Constitution
Stronger federal structure, separation of powers.
Federalist No. 10
Guard against factions with a large republic.
Federalist No. 51
Checks and balances, separation of powers.
Federalist No. 70
Need for a strong executive.
Federalist No. 78
Judicial independence and judicial review.
Brutus No. 1
Anti-Federalist fears of a strong central government.
Letter from Birmingham Jail
Moral duty to oppose unjust laws through nonviolence.