American and Texas Government Foundations

Vocabulary flashcards defining key concepts, principles, structures, and historical figures from American and Texas government study notes.

Justice

The quality of being just and fair.

Social justice

Fair allocation of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within society.

Popular sovereignty

The principle of placing political power in the hands of the people.

Representative democracy

A government system where citizens elect people to represent them and make decisions on their behalf.

Direct democracy

A government system where citizens can directly vote on laws and issues through mechanisms such as recalls and ballot initiatives.

Politics

The struggle over who gets what, when, and how, as defined by Harold Lasswell.

Power

Having a share in or influence over the decision-making process.

Pluralism

The idea that different interest groups should be free to compete for influence in government.

Direct action

Political action that can include civil disobedience, as well as violent or nonviolent challenge behavior.

Political efficacy

A person's belief that they can understand politics and/or influence government.

Political knowledge

A basic understanding of government, political parties, policies, principles, and current political issues.

Disinformation

False information intentionally shared to achieve a political goal.

Autocracy

A form of government where power is held by one person, such as a king, queen, or dictator, who is generally not accountable to citizens through elections.

Oligarchy

A form of government where power is held by a small group.

Constitutional government

A government whose power is limited by a constitution through substantive and procedural rules.

Authoritarian government

A government with few formal limits on power, although social groups or institutions may still place some limits.

Totalitarian government

A government where political challengers are eliminated and extensive control over society is sought.

Bourgeoisie

The commercial and middle class in the 17th and 18th centuries who generally supported limits on government and protection of economic interests and individual liberty.

Federalists

A group that favored a stronger central/national government, whose key figures included James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.

Anti-Federalists

A group that favored stronger state governments and pushed for a Bill of Rights, whose key figures included Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, George Clinton, and writers such as Brutus.

Article I of the U.S. Constitution

The section of the Constitution that establishes Congress and the bicameral legislative branch.

Article II of the U.S. Constitution

The section of the Constitution that establishes the presidency and the executive branch.

Article III of the U.S. Constitution

The section of the Constitution that establishes the federal judicial branch, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

Judicial review

The power of courts to determine whether laws or government actions are consistent with the Constitution.

Article IV of the U.S. Constitution

The section of the Constitution that addresses relationships among the states, including reciprocity/full faith and credit and non-discrimination principles.

Article V of the U.S. Constitution

The section of the Constitution that provides the process for amending the U.S. Constitution.

Article VI of the U.S. Constitution

The section of the Constitution establishing that the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.

Federalism

The division of power between national and state governments.

Separation of powers

The division of government power among distinct branches.

Checks and balances

A constitutional principle where each branch of government has powers that can limit the other branches.

Plural executive

An executive branch structure, as seen in Texas, where executive authority is divided among several independently elected officials.

Texas Constitution of 1876

The current Texas constitution, adopted to place strong limits on state government power following Reconstruction.