Principles of Government and Federalism

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the principles of government, political theories, and federalism as discussed in the lecture notes.

Government

The formal and informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy.

Politics

Defined by Harold Laswell as "who gets what, when, and how." It represents the informal ways through which public policy is developed.

Public Policy

The exercise of government power to maintain legitimate authority and control over society.

Preamble of the U.S. Constitution

Outlines the goals of public policy for the United States including forming a more perfect union, establishing justice, insuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare, and securing liberty.

Autocracy

Rule by one individual.

Democracy

Rule by the people, which can be direct or representative.

Participatory Democratic Theory

A theory stating that government depends on the consent of the governed, emphasizing citizen participation.

Pluralist Theory

A theory where interest groups compete in the political arena, promoting their policy preferences.

Elite Theory

A theory suggesting that a small number of powerful elites control the government in their self-interest.

Bureaucratic Theory

The theory that bureaucrats, who manage the day-to-day operations of government, hold real power.

Limited Government

The principle that government power is restricted by law, usually through a constitution.

Natural Rights

Basic rights that are guaranteed to all people and cannot be denied or restricted by any government.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that government derives its authority from the consent of the governed.

Social Contract

A voluntary agreement between members of society to create a government that defines and limits rights.

Federalism

A political system where power is divided between a national government and regional (state and local) governments.

Supremacy Clause

States that the Constitution, and federal laws made pursuant to it, are the supreme law of the land.

McCulloch v. Maryland

A Supreme Court case that established the principle of national supremacy and implied powers.

Gibbons v. Ogden

Supreme Court case that defined commerce broadly and affirmed that only the national government can regulate interstate commerce.

Fiscal Federalism

The pattern of spending, taxation, and providing grants by the national government to influence state and local governments.

Block Grants

General grants given by the federal government to states for a broad purpose with fewer restrictions.

Unfunded Mandates

Regulations or conditions imposed by the national government on state governments without funding.