Key Concepts in American Government: Democracy, Federalism, and Constitution

Representative Democracy (Republicanism)

Citizens elect officials to make laws and policy rather than voting directly.

Participatory Democracy

Emphasizes broad, direct participation by citizens in politics and civil society.

Pluralist Democracy

Political power is distributed among various interest groups; no single group dominates.

Elite Democracy

A small group of wealthy or highly educated people influences political decision-making.

Limited Government

The principle that government power is restricted by law to protect individual rights.

Natural Rights

Universal rights all people are born with: Life, Liberty, and Property (Locke).

Natural Law (Locke)

The belief that human reason and nature dictate that all are free and equal.

Social Contract (Rousseau)

Agreement where people give up some freedom for government protection of rights.

Virginia Plan

Favored large states; called for bicameral legislature with representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

Favored small states; called for unicameral legislature with equal representation per state.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Created a bicameral legislature: House by population, Senate by equal representation.

3/5th Compromise

Agreement to count enslaved persons as 3/5 of a person for House representation.

Electoral College

System using electors to choose the President, balancing popular vote and Congressional selection.

Separation of Powers

Dividing government into three branches to prevent any one from becoming too powerful.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for drafting and making laws (Congress).

Executive Branch

The branch led by the President responsible for enforcing and carrying out laws.

Judicial Branch

The branch responsible for interpreting laws and the Constitution (Supreme Court).

Checks and Balances

The system where each branch has powers to limit the authority of the other two.

Advice and Consent

The Senate's power to approve or reject presidential appointments and treaties.

Supremacy Clause

Article VI clause stating Federal law is superior to state law when they conflict.

Madisonian Model

Government structure designed to prevent 'tyranny of the majority' via separated powers.

Federalism

The division and sharing of power between national and state governments.

10th Amendment

States that powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states.

Expressed/Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed and granted to the federal government in the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated but necessary to carry out expressed powers.

Necessary and Proper (Elastic) Clause

Grants Congress the power to 'stretch' its authority to meet new needs.

Reserved Powers

Powers held exclusively by the state governments (e.g., schools, licenses).

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments (e.g., taxing, law enforcement).

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress the power to regulate business activity between states.

Multiple Access Points

Various levels of government (local, state, federal) where citizens can influence policy.

Dual Federalism (Layer Cake)

System where federal and state governments remain supreme within their own separate spheres.

Cooperative Federalism (Marble Cake)

System where federal and state governments share responsibilities and work together.