Foundations of American Democracy Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts in the Foundations of American Democracy.

Natural Rights

Rights based on writing by John Locke, specifically 'life, liberty, and property'.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that government authority comes from the consent of the people.

Republicanism

Power held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives.

Social Contract

The agreement between government and the people to protect rights in exchange for obedience to laws.

Declaration of Independence

Document drafted by Jefferson that outlines the principles of popular sovereignty and natural rights.

Representative Democracy

Also known as indirect democracy; elected individuals represent a group of people.

Participatory Democracy

Emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society.

Pluralist Democracy

Recognizes group-based activism by non-governmental interests influencing political decisions.

Elite Democracy

Emphasizes limited participation in politics and civil society.

Federalist No. 10

Writing arguing for the superiority of a large republic in managing factions.

Brutus No. 1

Anti-federalist writing promoting small, decentralized government and warning of centralized power.

Articles of Confederation

First framework of government that was too weak and lacked federal power.

Federalist

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong central government.

Anti-Federalist

Opponents of the Constitution who feared a strong government and wanted a Bill of Rights.

Shays’ Rebellion

Armed uprising highlighting weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Constitution

The governing document drafted at the Constitutional Convention.

Great Compromise

Compromise creating a two-house legislature with equal Senate representation and population-based House representation.

Electoral College Compromise

Compromise between Congressional election and popular vote for President.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement counting three out of five slaves for representation and taxation.

Amendment Process

Formal procedure for changing or adding to the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution protecting individual rights.

Separation of Powers

Division of powers among executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Checks and Balances

System ensuring that no branch of government exceeds its power.

Federalist No. 51

Explains how separation of powers prevents majority abuses.

Federalism

Sharing of powers between federal and state governments.

Exclusive Powers

Powers that can only be exercised by the National Government.

Reserved Powers

Powers left for state governments.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that both National and State Governments can exercise.

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the U.S. by the Constitution to the states or the people.

Fourteenth Amendment

Granted U.S. citizenship to former slaves and included protections against state power.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make laws necessary to execute its powers.

Enumerated Powers

Explicit powers granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but assumed to exist.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Established implied powers and supremacy of federal laws over state laws.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Limited Congress's power under the commerce clause, recognizing state sovereignty.