US Government and Politics Foundations

Politics

The process of making collective decisions about government and public policy.

Government

The institutions and people that make and enforce public decisions.

Democracy

A system where political power ultimately comes from the people.

Natural rights

Rights people are believed to have simply because they are human, rather than granted by government laws

Social contract

People give up some of their freedom and agree to follow laws in exchange for a government that provides order, safety, and protection

Popular sovereignty

Government derives their power from the consent of the people

Limited government

The principle that government power is restricted by law/has boundaries so it cannot become absolute

Republican government

A government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions.

Inalienable rights

Rights that cannot legitimately be taken away.

Liberty

Freedom from unjust government control or restrictions.

Participatory democracy

Citizens play a role in policy decisions, rather than leaving governance entirely to elected representatives

Civil society groups

Nongovernmental organizations that connect people and interests to influence policy.

Pluralist theory

Model of rep. democracy where many nongovernmental groups compete to influence policy, keeping power dispersed so no single group dominates.

Elite theory

The idea that a small group of powerful people hold the majority of political power

Political institutions

The structures and organizations that control political decisions.

Constitution

The fundamental principles establishing government powers and limits.

Republic

A government where citizens govern through elected representatives.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. governing document; created a weak national government.

Unicameral

Having a legislature with one chamber.

Shay's Rebellion

A 1786-87 uprising that highlighted weaknesses of the Articles government.

Constitutional Convention

The 1787 meeting that produced the U.S. Constitution.

Writ of habeas corpus

A court order requiring government to justify a person's imprisonment.

Bills of attainder

Laws that declare a person guilty and punish them without a trial.

Ex post facto laws

Laws that retroactively punish conduct that was legal when done.

Bicameral

Having a legislature with two chambers.

Grand Committee

A committee formed to resolve major disagreements at the Convention.

Great Compromise

Created a bicameral Congress: House by population, Senate equally by state.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted three-fifths of enslaved people for representation and taxation.

Compromise on Importation

Congress could not ban the international slave trade before 1808.

Separation of powers

Dividing government authority among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and balances

Each branch has powers that can limit the other branches.

Federalism

Power is divided between national and state governments.

Legislative branch

Congress; makes federal laws.

Expressed powers / Enumerated powers

Powers granted to the federal government that are explicitly written in the U.S. Constitution

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

Elastic Clause

Another name for the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Implied powers

Powers not explicitly listed but reasonably inferred from expressed powers.

Necessary and Proper Clause is the basis for implied powers

Executive branch

The president and executive agencies; enforces federal laws.

Judicial branch

Federal courts; interpret laws and resolve legal disputes.

Supremacy Clause

Constitution, federal laws, and treaties generally take priority over conflicting state law.

Amendments

Formal changes or additions to the Constitution.

Federalists

Those who supported ratification of the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

Those who opposed or criticized ratification, often seeking stronger rights protections.

Faction

A group united by a common interest that is harmful to the rights of other citizens

Federalist Papers

Essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay defending the Constitution.

Federalist No. 10

Madison argued that a large republic could limit the harmful effects of factions.

Brutus 1

An Anti-Federalist essay warning that a strong national government will threaten liberty.

Federalist 51

Madison explained how checks and balances could prevent concentration of power/tyranny

Federalist 39

Madison described the Constitution as partly national and partly federal.

Ratification (federal), sources of power (mixed: house [national], senate [federal]), operation (national), extent of power (federal)

Adam Smith Philosophy

Economic philosophy favoring free markets, competition, and limited government interference.

Federalism (Alternative)

A constitutional division of power between national and state governments.

Unitary system

The national government holds ultimate authority.

Confederal system

States/regions hold most power and the central government is weaker.

Due Process Clause

No state can take away a person's life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures

Equal Protection Clause

States must apply its laws fairly/equally to all people within their jurisdiction. (no discrimination)

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress power to regulate commerce among states and with foreign nations (interstate and international)

10th Amendment

Powers not delegated to the U.S. government are reserved to states or the people.

Reserved powers

Powers kept by the states or the people rather than delegated to the federal government.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by federal and state governments.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States generally recognize other states' public acts, records, and judicial proceedings.

Extradition

A state returns an accused person to the state where the crime took place

Privileges and Immunities Clause

States generally cannot discriminate against citizens of other states in fundamental matters.

Selective incorporation

Applying Bill of Rights protections to state governments through the Due Process Clause of 14th Amendment.

Grants-in-aid

Federal funds provided to state/local governments for specified purposes.

Categorical grants

Federal grants restricted to specific programs or purposes.

Mandate

A federal requirement that states or local governments must follow.

Block grant

Federal funding given for a broad policy area with greater spending flexibility.

Revenue sharing

Federal government distributes a portion of its tax revenue to state and local governments with few restrictions on how its spent.