Constitution and Federalism - Video Notes (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on policy making, democracy models, colonial foundations, the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, and amendment processes.

Policy-making system

The process by which citizens' concerns become public policy through agenda setting, debate, and implementation.

Public policy

Government actions or rules that reflect the collective choices of policymakers.

Policy agenda

The list of issues that are considered for government action.

Harold Lasswell

Political scientist who defined politics as 'who gets what, when, and how'—emphasizing distribution of power and resources.

Politics

The distribution of power and resources through collective decision making.

Traditional Theory

A democracy model based on majority rule, voting equality, and representation.

Participatory democracy

A model emphasizing broad participation in politics (e.g., protests, town halls).

Elite/Class theory

A view that a small, wealthy, influential group controls policy decisions.

Pluralist theory

Power is distributed among many groups that compete and compromise.

Ideals of Democracy

Core democratic values: liberty, equality, popular sovereignty, rule of law, and minority rights.

Liberty

Freedom from oppression and protection of basic rights.

Equality

Political equality in participation and rights for all citizens.

Popular sovereignty

The authority of the people to govern themselves.

Rule of law

Government actions must be based on and constrained by law.

Majority rule with minority rights

Decisions made by the majority while protecting minority interests.

Magna Carta

1215 charter limiting monarchical power and bearing early limits on authority.

English Bill of Rights

1689 document limiting the Crown and expanding rights of subjects.

Limited monarchy

Monarchy constrained by constitutional laws and norms.

Consent of the governed

Legitimacy comes from the people’s agreement to be governed.

John Locke

Enlightenment thinker who argued for natural rights and a social contract.

Natural rights

Life, liberty, and property (or the right to life, liberty, and estate).

Social contract

Agreement between the governed and their government to form a just society.

Right to revolt

The people’s right to overthrow a government that violates their rights.

Colonial assemblies

Self-government through local legislatures in the American colonies.

Charters/constitutions

Written documents establishing governance and rights in colonies.

Distrust of strong central authority

Colonial experience with centralized power fueling concerns about a powerful central government.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. constitution; created a weak central government with limited powers.

Shays’ Rebellion

Revolt in Massachusetts (1786–87) showing the Articles’ weaknesses in maintaining order.

Connecticut Compromise

Great Compromise; created bicameral Congress with proportional House and equal Senate representation.

Great Compromise

Another name for the Connecticut Compromise.

Electoral College

Indirect system for electing the president to balance popular vote and elite input.

3/5 Compromise

Slaves counted as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation purposes.

Commerce/Slave Trade Compromise

Congress could regulate interstate/foreign trade but could not ban the slave trade before 1808.

Republic

A government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions and govern by law.

Insulation from popular rule

Mechanisms that limit direct rule by the people (e.g., Senate selection, Electoral College, lifetime judges).

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a stronger central government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who demanded a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

Federalist Papers

Essays defending the Constitution and arguing for a stronger union.

Fed #10

Madison argued that factions are inevitable, but a large republic can prevent any single faction from dominating.

Fed #51

Madison argued that separation of powers and checks and balances protect liberty.

Brutus #1

Anti-Federalist critique arguing a large republic would be distant from the people and prone to abuse.

Preamble

Opening statement of the Constitution outlining goals like justice, liberty, and the general welfare.

Article I

Creates the Legislative branch (Congress).

Article II

Creates the Executive branch (President).

Article III

Creates the Judicial branch (Supreme Court and lower courts).

Article IV

Relations among states; Full Faith and Credit; extradition.

Article V

Amendment process (how to amend the Constitution).

Article VI

Supremacy Clause; Constitution is the highest law.

Article VII

Ratification of the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments protecting individual liberties.

Amendments

The 27 changes to the Constitution; first ten constitute the Bill of Rights.

Formal Amendment Process

Proposal by 2/3 in both houses or by a national convention; ratification by 3/4 of states.

Informal Amendments

Changes in meaning through court rulings and practice (e.g., Marbury v. Madison; cabinet traditions).