Foundations of American Democracy - Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Foundations of American Democracy.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed the Constitution; favored strong state governments and demanded a Bill of Rights for protection.

Articles of Confederation

First constitution; created a weak central government without power to tax or enforce laws.

Bicameral Legislature

A lawmaking body with two houses, such as the U.S. Congress: House of Representatives and Senate.

Block Grants

Federal funds given to states for broad purposes with fewer restrictions, allowing state flexibility in spending.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds for specific purposes, often with strict conditions or requirements from the government.

Checks and Balances

A system allowing each government branch to limit the powers of the others and prevent tyranny.

Commerce Clause

Constitutional power granting Congress authority to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by federal and state governments, such as taxation and establishing courts.

Connecticut (Great) Compromise

Agreement combining the Virginia and New Jersey Plans to form a bicameral legislature.

Cooperative Federalism

Where federal and state governments work together to solve problems and implement policies.

Devolution

The transfer of power and responsibilities from the national government to state or local governments.

Direct Democracy

A system where citizens vote on laws and policies themselves, rather than electing representatives.

Dual Federalism

State and national government each retain separate policies and powers within their own spheres.

Electoral College

A group of electors chosen by each state to formally select the U.S. president.

Elitist Theory

The idea that political power is concentrated in the hands of a wealthy and influential few.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution, ex: declaring war, regulating commerce.

Federal Mandate

A national requirement imposed on states, often without accompanying funds, to meet federal standards.

Federalism

A political system where power is shared between national and state governments.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written to encourage ratification of the Constitution and explain its principles.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong central government; did not initially support a Bill of Rights.

Fiscal Federalism

Use of federal money to influence state and local policies through grants and funding mechanisms.

Hyperpluralism

Theory that too many competing interest groups create political gridlock and ineffective governance.

Implied Powers

Powers not specifically listed but allowed through the Necessary and Proper Clause to carry out duties.

Judicial Review

Power of the courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional; established in Marbury v. Madison.

Majority Rule with Minority Rights

Majority decisions must respect and protect the rights of individuals in the minority.

Marbury v. Madison, 1803

Case establishing judicial review, giving courts power to interpret the Constitution.

McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819

Affirmed national supremacy; validated implied powers under Necessary and Proper Clause.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Gives Congress flexibility to create laws needed to carry out its constitutional duties.

New Jersey Plan

Proposal favoring equal state representation regardless of population size; supported by small states.

Participatory Democracy

A model emphasizing broad citizen involvement in political decisions and governance.

Pluralist Theory

Belief that political power is distributed among competing groups influencing policy through compromise.

Political Culture

Widely shared values and beliefs about government's role and citizen participation in a society.

Political Efficacy

A person's belief in their ability to influence political outcomes through participation.

Ratification

Formal approval process, especially of the Constitution or its amendments by states.

Republicanism

A representative democracy where elected officials serve at the will of the people.

Reserved Powers

Powers not given to the federal government are kept by the states under the Tenth Amendment.

Separation of Powers

Division of government responsibilities among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Shays' Rebellion

1786 uprising that exposed the weaknesses of the Articles and led to the Constitutional Convention.

Social Contract

Theory that people agree to form governments in exchange for protection of natural rights.

Supremacy Clause

Declares federal law and the Constitution are the highest laws of the land.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement to count enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

U.S. v. Lopez, 1995

Limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause, strengthening state authority.