IDs Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy

Limited Government

A principle of government that restricts the powers of officials and institutions to protect individual rights and prevent tyranny.

Natural Rights

Fundamental freedoms such as life, liberty, and property that all individuals are born with and that governments are created to protect.

Social Contract

An agreement between the governed and the government in which people consent to give up some freedoms in exchange for protection of their rights.

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that political authority belongs to the people, who express their power through voting and participation in government.

Declaration of Independence

The 1776 document, primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson, that declared the American colonies’ separation from Britain and outlined natural rights and government by consent.

Articles of Confederation

The United States' first constitution, adopted in 1781, which created a weak central government with limited powers and strong state sovereignty.

Constitutional Preamble

The introductory statement to the U.S. Constitution that outlines the purposes of the government, including justice, peace, defense, welfare, and liberty.

US Constitution

The supreme law of the United States, written in 1787, that established the framework of national government and guaranteed certain individual rights.

Federalist No. 10

An essay by James Madison arguing that a large republic is the best way to control factions and protect minority rights.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti

Federalists

Supporters of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution who favored a strong central government to maintain order and unity.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who feared centralized power and demanded protections for individual liberties through a Bill of Rights.

Central Government

The national or federal government that holds authority over the entire country and unites the individual states under a common system.

Republic

A representative form of government in which citizens elect officials to make laws and govern on their behalf.

Shay’s Rebellion

A 1786 armed uprising in Massachusetts by farmers protesting economic injustices and state tax policies, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

The Federalist Papers

A series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay promoting the ratification of the Constitution and explaining the new system of government.

Virginia Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population, favored by large states.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, favored by small states.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

The agreement that created a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise

A constitutional agreement that counted each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for purposes of taxation and representation.

Slave Trade Compromise

A deal made at the Constitutional Convention that allowed the transatlantic slave trade to continue until 1808 in exchange for Southern support of the Constitution.

Ex Post Facto Law

A law that retroactively criminalizes actions that were legal when committed, which is prohibited by the U.S. Constitution.

Bill of Attainder

A legislative act that punishes an individual or group without a trial, which is forbidden under the Constitution.

Electoral College

The body of electors chosen by each state to formally elect the president and vice president of the United States.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

A constitutional provision requiring states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Amendment Process

The formal procedure for changing the U.S. Constitution, requiring approval by two

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the Constitution stating that federal law is the supreme law of the land and overrides conflicting state laws.

Ratification

The formal approval process for the U.S. Constitution or its amendments, typically requiring votes by legislatures or conventions.

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the others to prevent any one from becoming too powerful.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent concentration of power.

Federalist No. 51

A Federalist essay by James Madison arguing for the separation of powers and checks and balances to preserve liberty and prevent tyranny.

Impeachment

The constitutional process by which the House of Representatives can charge a federal official, including the president, with misconduct, potentially leading to removal from office by the Senate.

Commerce Clause

A provision in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate trade and business across state lines and with foreign nations.

Enumerated Powers/Delegated/Expressed/Formal Powers

Specific powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution, such as coining money, declaring war, and regulating commerce.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution but inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause to allow the government to carry out its duties.

Concurrent (Shared) Powers

Powers that are held by both the federal and state governments, such as the ability to tax, build roads, and enforce laws.

Reserved Powers

Powers that are not delegated to the federal government and are therefore reserved to the states, according to the Tenth Amendment.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Also known as the Elastic Clause, it gives Congress the flexibility to pass laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

Devolution

The process of transferring power and responsibilities from the federal government to state and local governments.

Dual (“Layer Cake”) Federalism

A model of federalism in which state and national governments operate separately in clearly defined areas of policy.

Cooperative (“Marble Cake”) Federalism

A model of federalism in which state and federal governments work together and share responsibilities in policymaking and administration.

Fiscal Federalism

The use of federal funds and grants by the national government to influence state and local policies and priorities.

Grants

Federal money given to states or localities to fund specific projects or programs, often with conditions attached.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided to states for a specific and narrowly defined purpose, often with strict guidelines and requirements.

Block Grants

Federal funds given to states with broader spending guidelines, allowing more flexibility in how the money is used.

Revenue-Sharing

A federal policy that distributed a portion of federal tax revenues to state and local governments with minimal restrictions (largely discontinued in the 1980s).

Mandates

Federal orders requiring states to comply with specific national standards or regulations, sometimes without accompanying funding.

Americans with Disabilities Act

A 1990 federal law that prohibits discrimination based on disability and requires accessible facilities and services in public life.

10th Amendment

A constitutional amendment stating that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

A clause in Article IV of the Constitution that requires each state to recognize the laws, public records, and judicial decisions of the other states.

Participatory Democracy

A democratic model emphasizing broad participation of citizens in politics and policymaking.

Pluralist Democracy

A theory of democracy where multiple groups compete for influence and power, ensuring that no one group dominates.

Elite Democracy

A model of democracy in which a small group of wealthy or influential people make most political decisions.

Hyperpluralism Theory

A theory suggesting that too many competing interest groups weaken government by causing policy gridlock and inefficiency.

Advantages of Federalism

Allows for regional autonomy, promotes innovation through state experimentation, and creates multiple access points for political participation.

Disadvantages of Federalism

Can lead to inconsistency between states, confusion over jurisdiction, and inequality in the distribution of resources and services.

Unitary System

A system of government in which all power is held by a central authority and regional governments operate only under its control.

Confederate System

A political system where power is concentrated in state governments, with a weak central authority.

Federal System

A system of government that divides power between a national government and regional (state) governments.