Unit 1

Foundations of American Democracy

What theory of American democracy emphasizes the role of groups in the policy-making process?

Pluralist theory/democracy

Which theory suggests that elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policymaking process?

Elite and class theory/democracy

Which theory of American democracy emphasizes direct citizen participation through holding office or making policy?

Participatory theory/democracy

What is the principle that the government's right to use state power is only justified when consented to by the people?

Consent of the governed

Define natural rights.

Rights that everyone are born with.

What principle states that the government's right to rule comes from the people?

Popular sovereignty

Define Social Contract.

A group of people agreeing to give up certain rights and accept a central authority in order to protect their other rights.

What are restrictions on government leaders (laws) called?

Limited government

What is the principle that governments' authority comes from the peoples' elected representatives?

Republicanism

Define Separation of Powers.

Different branches of government; distribute power.

What event signaled the failures of the Articles of Confederation?

Shays’ Rebellion (1786)

What was the Great Compromise?

Government to call for a bicameral legislature so there would be the House (by population) and the Senate (by equal numbers).

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

Slaves could count as Three-Fifths of a person.

What was the Commerce Compromise?

Congress could not restrict the slave trade until 1808.

What was the Electoral College Compromise?

Created a body of electors to choose the president and vice president.

What is the job of the legislative branch?

Makes laws

What is the job of the executive branch?

Enforces laws

What is the job of the judicial branch?

Hears and decides cases through federal court

How can the legislative branch check the executive branch?

Can override presidents' votes, control the budget, and impeach the president.

How can the executive branch check the legislative branch?

Can veto legislation created by Congress.

How can the judicial branch check the legislative branch?

Can declare Congress´s laws unconstitutional.

Name one expressed power of the National Government.

Foreign commerce

Name one concurrent power of the National and State Governments.

Taxation

Name one reserved power of the State Governments.

Establish local government

Define dual federalism.

The states and national governments operate independently in their own areas of public policy.

Define cooperative federalism.

The states and national governments work together to shape public policy.

Define categorical grants.

Grants - in - aid provided to states with specific provisions on their use.

Define block grants.

A type of grant - in - aid that gives state officials more authority in the disbursement of federal funds.

Define the commerce clause.

Grants Congress the authority to regulate interstate business and commercial activity.

Define the necessary and proper clause.

Grants the federal government the authority to pass laws required to carry out it´s enumerated powers. Also called the elastic clause.

Define the full faith and credit clause.

Constitutional clause requiring states to recognize the public acts, records, and civil court proceedings from another state.

Define the supremacy clause.

Establishes the Constitution and the laws of the federal government passed under it´s authority as the highest laws of the land.

Define ex post facto laws.

Laws punishing people for acts that were not crimes when committed.

Define bills of attainder.

When legislature declares someone guilty without trial.

Define writ of habeas corpus.

Right of people detained by Government to know the charges against them.

What are the two steps for a Constitution Amendment?

A proposed amendment must be passed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and then ratified by the legislature of three-fourths of the states.

What is the purpose of the Preamble of the Constitution?

Communicates intentions (form a better union, establish justice, etc.)

What does Article 6 of the Constitution cover?

Federal law prevails over state law.

What did the Federalists like about a large republic?

A large republic can lead to more diversity and ideas and factions can be better controlled.

What did the Anti-Federalists dislike about a large republic?

They disliked a large republic because citizens would not be protected (lack of bill of rights) and they worried that the National Government would abuse its power.