Introduction to American Democracy and the Constitution

Vocabulary flashcards covering key political science concepts, democratic principles, political philosophies, and historical foundations of the United States Constitution.

Intertemporal Horizons

A concept referenced by Adam Saworsky describing how elections allow political actors to look toward the future, ensuring that those who lose an election can wait for a future chance to win rather than taking up arms.

Two Big Questions in Political Philosophy

The fundamental questions of political philosophy: 1) Who should rule and how leaders are selected, and 2) How to remove or replace a bad leader.

Constitution

A written document that embodies the most basic and fundamental principles of a political or social organization, establishing government powers, duties, organization, and citizen rights.

Bill of Rights

A major part of the United States Constitution that lists the most basic rights and privileges guaranteed to the people.

Articles of Confederation

The first national governing framework of the United States (enacted in 1781) that failed because it gave too much power to the states, lacked an executive, had no standing army, and could not levy taxes.

State (Max Weber's Definition)

A human community that successfully claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory.

John Locke

An English scholar from the 1600s whose political theory heavily influenced the American Constitution, asserting that people are born with natural rights to life, liberty, and property.

State of Nature (Hobbes vs. Locke)

Hobbes viewed it as a state of anarchy and war where people are evil; Locke viewed it as a peaceful state where people are reasonable, but protecting property and resolving disputes is inconvenient.

Social Contract (Locke)

A conditional agreement in which individuals transfer some freedoms to the state so it can make and enforce laws to protect their natural rights of life, liberty, and property.

Liberalism

A political principle asserting that individuals possess certain basic or natural rights that cannot be violated by anyone, including the government or a voting majority.

Republic

A political system in which decision-making is entrusted to elected representatives or enlightened delegates who exercise their own judgment to govern in the public interest.

Direct Democracy

A political system modeled on ancient Greece where all citizens gather to vote directly on every law and policy without using representatives.

Seven Years' War

A 18th-century conflict between Britain and France in Europe and the Americas that ended in British victory but left Britain in heavy debt, prompting taxes on the American colonies.

Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)

British laws passed in response to the Boston Tea Party that required American colonists to provide food, drink, lodging, fuel, and transportation to British forces.

Declaration of Independence

A 1776 document written by Thomas Jefferson declaring that individuals possess inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and asserting the right to abolish a tyrannical government.