poli sci unit 1

Executive Privilege

the power claimed by the president of the United States and other executive branch officials to keep certain communications confidential and resist subpoenas or oversight from the legislative and judicial branches

Judicial Review

the power of courts to check and invalidate legislative, executive, and administrative actions that violate a country's constitution or legal rules (power to say no to branches)

A constitution establishes

Structure(mechanisms), functions(powers), and procedures in which it carries out its responsibilities

Confederation

a political system in which a weak central government has limited authority, and the states have ultimate power

A Unitary System

A government that gives all key powers to the national or central government, the central government sets the rules for the states

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments, both states and central share power

Advantages of Federalism

More suitable for large nations, frees up national government, local priorities are respected

Disadvantages of Federalism

Conflict of authority, factions, too much variation between laws, uneven distribution of wealth

McCulloch v. Maryland

An 1819 court case involving a dispute over whether the central government had the power to create a national bank (established national supremacy)

Police Power

the authority of states to pass laws for the health, safety, and morals of their citizens

Concurrent powers

The powers listed in the Constitution as belonging to both national and state governments

Full faith and credit

states must respect and honor the public acts, records, and court rulings of every other state, (all civil obligations)

Interstate Rendition

the obligation of states to return people accused of a crime to the state from which they fled

Enabling Act

A resolution passed by Congress authorizing residents of a territory to draft a state constitution as part of the process of adding new states to the Union.

Separation of Powers

Legislative branch (congress makes laws, congress is house of reps + senate, money power), Executive branch (president, implements laws through IRS), and Judicial branch (Supreme Court, powerful)

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

Factions

A number of citizens who are united and motivated by common passion or interests

Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison to ratify proposed constitution

Madison

wrote 30/85, valued liberty, and spoke on factions

Liberty

An individual's right to choose goals and exercise realistic means to reach goals

Madisonian Dilemma

The problem of limiting self-interested individuals who administer stronger governmental powers from using those powers to destroy the freedoms that government is supposed to protect.

Republican Form of Government

System of government in which power is held by the voters and is exercised by elected representatives responsible for promoting the common welfare.

A constitution defines

the fundamental rules and powers under which government operates

Rule of law

No one is above the law, basic rules to establish limits on government powers

Representative government

system of government in which public policies are made by officials selected by the voters and held accountable in periodic elections (no direct democracy)

Fragmentation of power

divides power among a number of institutions and offices so no one single individual has power, no 1 class can control the government

Constituency

the group of voters represented by a politician or branch

Mixed government

The idea that the government should represent both property and the number of people

The Supremacy Clause

Establishes that federal laws and treaties made under its authority take precedence over state law

Grants

States depend on Fed for money: Block (more flexibility in how money is spent) or Categorical (comes with restrictions i.e. education or technology)

Mandate

Fed tells state what to do, sometimes FUNded, sometimes UNFUNded, most concern the environment

Devolution

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states, part of Reagan (80's), the Republican Revolution (90's)

Formal amendments

two distinct stages: (1) the proposal of the amendment and (2) the ratification of the amendment

Proposing Amendments

are from a 2/3 vote in the House of Congress or constitution convention (convention never been used)

Ratification

is a political process, proposed amendments must be ratified by 3/4 states, they happen: (1) by votes of state legislatures or (2) by conventions held in the states

21st Amendement

Only amendment to be ratified by state convention

Civil Liberties

The freedoms and protections against arbitrary governmental actions given to the people in a democratic society (fundamental rights)

10th amendment

states have rights too, the powers not in the constitution are reserved to the state

Enumerated powers

Powers given to the national government alone (the right to tax)

Implied powers

Powers not specifically mentioned in the constitutions "necessary and proper" clause but still needed (the right to have a national bank)

Inherent Powers

Not derived from enumerated or implied powers, but are essential to government function, naturally assumed to exist so gov. can function (immigration)

Executive Interpretation

How the president and executive branch interpret the law as it is being carried out

Liberals

believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all (more trust in government) duty of gov. to help with social ill (racism) and protect civil liberties (Freedom of speech)

Liberals believe

the role of the government is to guarantee that no one is in need, policies emphasize the need for gov. to solve problems

Conservatives

Believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets (leave it be), individual liberty, strong national defense

Laissez-faire

let it be/ leave it alone

Capitalism

private people and companies own things like factories, tools, Private ownership

Conservatives believe

role of gov. is to provide people economic freedom to pursue goals, policies emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems

Libertarian

Believe in freedom, liberty and free will, laissez-faire, less gun control, for same sex marriage