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declaration of independence
the document in which the second Continental Congress declared their independence of the Colonies from Great Britain and established a relationship between the new states.
Limited Government
government structure in which government actions are limited by law
natural law
the law of god
natural rights
the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property
Popular sovereignty
An idea in which the people vote for their representatives.
Representative Republic
Format chosen by Founding Fathers. People vote for representatives who then make laws. People do not vote directly on legislation.
republicanism
A philosophy of limited government with elected representatives serving at the will of the people. The government is based on consent of the governed.
Anti-Federalist
Those who favored strong state governments and a weaker national government. Advocated for a bill of rights to formally address individual and state rights. Concerned about the concentration of power in a central government under the Constitution.
elite democracy
A democratic government in which some citizens (such as wealthy, better educated, or certain social groups) have disproportionate influence over government policy.
Elite Theory
a theory that attempts to explain part of modern American politics. The theory suggests that the wealthy members of American society hold a degree of power that is heavily disproportionate, and which supersedes any real participation in the American democratic process.
Federalists
Those who favored a stronger national government and weaker state governments. Supported the ratification of the Constitution.
Hyperpluralism
A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened.
Initiative
a process that enables citizens to bypass their state legislature by placing proposed statutes and, in some states, constitutional amendments on the ballot.
participatory democracy
a system of democracy in which all members of a group or community participate collectively in making major decisions
Pluralist Democracy
a political system where there is more than one center of power.
referendum
a legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate
Representative Democracy
A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.
factions
Groups such as parties or interest groups, which according to James Madison arose from the unequal distribution of property or wealth and had the potential to cause instability in government.
Federalist 10
Written by James Madison to convince people to support the ratification of the constitution. Argued that factions were inevitable but were best controlled by a large republic that employed a Federalist structure. Argued that competition among factions would limit their negative impacts.
Personal Liberty
freedom from governmental interference
Brutus 1
the pen name of an Antifederalist in a series of essays designed to encourage New Yorkers to reject the proposed Constitution
the Articles of Confederation
1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade) Each state retained sovereignty, the ability to act independently of the Confederation. Each state had equal representation in a unicameral (single house) legislature.
Shays' rebellion
Rebellion led by farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.
Virginia Plan
Initial proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by the delegation advocating for a central government with a bicameral legislature based on proportional representation
Bicameral
A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses with separate rules
Great Compromise
Compromise agreement by states at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature with a lower house in which representation would be based on population and an upper house in which each state would have two senators.
New Jersey Plan
Proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by William Paterson for a central government with a single-house legislature in which each state would be represented equally.
3/5 Compromise
slaves counted as a fraction of a person for population counts to determine Congressional representation
electoral college
the body of electors who formally elect the United States president and vice president
confederacy/confederal system
the southern states that seceded from the United States in 1861 were the confederacy. The confederal system is the weak or loose organization of states that agrees to follow a powerful central government.
Ratification
The Constitutional process by which the states must approve amendments to the Constitution. Three-quarters of the states must approve an amendment before it is ratified and officially becomes part of the Constitution. Another example of federalism in the Constitution's structure.
Bill of Rights
A formal statement of the fundamental rights of the people of the United States, incorporated in the Constitution as Amendments 1-10. Satisfied Anti-federalist concerns.
amendment
a statement that is added to or revises or improves a proposal or document (in this instance the constitution)
stakeholder
those who have a vested interest in the policy at hand. Civil Rights. the protection of citizens from discrimination by the government or private entities, derived from the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
Checks and Balances
A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power
veto
vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent. This is a power the president has. They do this to bills they do not support.
Separation of Powers
Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law
advice and consent
a legal expression in the United States Constitution that allows the Senate to constrain the President's powers of appointment and treaty-making
impeachment
a formal document charging a public official with misconduct in office
rule of law
no one person is above the law
minority rights
the normal individual rights as applied to members of racial, ethnic, class, religious, linguistic or gender and sexual minorities, and also the collective rights accorded to any minority group.
majority rule
A fundamental principle of traditional democratic theory. In a democracy, choosing among alternatives requires that the majority's desire be respected.
consent of the governed
The idea that a just government must derive its powers from the consent of the people it governs.
Social Contract
An agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed
Federalism
A system of government in which power and responsibility is divided between a national government and state governments
Supremacy clause
Article VI of the Constitution, which elevates the Constitution, national laws, and treaties over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits. (ex. McCulloch v. Maryland)
Concurrent powers
Powers held jointly by the national and state governments. For example, the powers to tax, pass laws and borrow funds
exclusive powers
powers within a federal system of government that each constituent political unit is absolutely or conditionally prohibited from exercising. That is, either a constituent political unit may never exercise these powers, or may only do so with the consent of the federal government.
block grant
a grant of federal money to state and local governments to support social welfare programs
Categorical Grants
Federal money given to the states with specific spending guidelines. Gives the federal government the power to decide how funds are spent within the state. Ex: funds for highway repairs, cannot be used for other purposes.
cooperative federalism
also known as marble-cake federalism, is defined as a flexible relationship between the federal and state governments in which both work together on a variety of issues and programs
Federal Mandate
A requirement the federal government imposes as a condition for receiving federal funds.
unfunded mandates
Programs that the Federal government requires States to implement without Federal funding.
conditions of aid
federal rules that states must follow if they choose to receive the federal grants
Devolution
The transfer of power from a high level political office to a lower level; central government to regional, state, or local governments. Example-Welfare Reform Act of 1996
Enumerated powers
Powers the Constitution specifically granted to one of the branches of the national government. Listed explicitly in the Constitution. Ex: right to coin money, declare war, regulate foreign and interstate trade, tax, etc.
Necessary and Proper Clause
AKA the "Elastic Clause" Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which allows Congress to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry out the powers of the Constitution. Has allowed the federal government to expand its power over time.
Commerce clause
The clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations. Has helped the Federal government expand its power over time.
The 10th Amendment/Reserved Powers
Reserves powers to the states. Has been used successfully by the states to get the federal courts to strike down federal laws that violate this principle.
Dual Federalism
A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.
selective exclusiveness
a doctrine asserting that when the commodity requires a national uniform rule, only Congress may regulate
Implied powers
Powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution; Powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions. Has Constitutional basis in Necessary and Proper/Elastic Clause
political agenda
a set of issues and policies laid out by ideological or political groups; as well as topics under discussion by a governmental executive, or a cabinet in government that tries to influence current and near-future political news and debate.
public policy
government actions to address some perceived social, economic, or economic problem
