GOV 310L Vocab

government

Institutions and procedures through which people are ruled. The system for implementing decisions through a political process (book).

monarchy

rule by one

aristocracy

rule by few

polity

rule by many

direct democracy

Decisions are made by all citizens in small assemblies

indirect/representative democracy

People rule through elected representative

collective action

coordinating together to achieve things

factions

groups of like-minded people who try to influence the government

seperation of powers

division of government power across the judicial, executive, and legislative branches

checks and balances

the system in which each branch of government has some power over the others

federalism

the division of power across the local, state, and national governments

public goods

Services or actions (such as protecting the environment) that, once provided to one person, become available to everyone.

free-riders

person who gets benefits by not participating

tragedy of the commons

overuse/exploitation of resources

politics

the process that determines what government does

free market

An economic system based on competition among businesses without government interference

redistributive tax policies

Policies, generally favored by Democratic politicians, that use taxation to attempt to create social equality

republic

A system of government that allows indiret representation of the popular will. (limited form of government)

democracy

government by the people

liberty

Political freedom, such as the freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion from the government.

equality

 “equality” means equality before the law, political equality (one person, one vote), and equality of opportunity (the equal chance for everyone to realize their potential) but not material equality (equal income or wealth)

Articles of Confederation

Sent to the states for ratification in 1777, these were the first attempt at a new American government. It was later decided that the Articles restricted national government too much.

limited government

political system in which the powers of the government are restricted to prevent tyranny by protecting property and individual rights

monarchy

form of government in which power is held by a single person (typically comes through inheritance)

Shays’ Rebellion

uprising in Massachusetts to protest oppressive laws and gain payment of war debts. Catalyst for a new constitution.

republicanism

the belief that a form of government in which the interests of the people are represented through elected leaders is the best form of government

popular sovereignty

idea that government gains its legitimacy through regular elections in which the people living under that government participate to elect their leaders

natural rights

“unalienable rights,” these rights are defined in the Declaration of Independence as “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Founders believed they should be the central government’s central purpose.

Federalists

ppl at the constitutional convention that favored a strong national government and separation of powers

Antifederalists

ppl at the constitutional convention that favored a weak central government and strong state governments.

pluralism

idea that having a variety of parties and interests within a government will strengthen the system, ensuring that no group possesses total control

Great Compromise

aka Connecticut compromise that suggested two houses: a senate (2 per state) and the house of representatives (by population)

parliamentary system

a system of gov in which legislative and executive power are closely joined. The legislature (parliament) selects the chief executive (prime minister), who forms the cabinet from members of the parliament

reserved powers

powers that aren’t given to the federal gov are reserved to the states (10th amendment says this)

national supremacy clause

constitution and the laws and treaties of the US are the “supreme law of the land” (article 6, section 2)

three fifths compromise

count each slave as three fifths of a person for determining the number of house members and the distribution of taxes

Bill of Rights

first 10 amendments to the Constitution

enumerated powers

powers that are written down explicitly

power of the purse

Congress’ power to raise money and spend money. Congress can also freeze or cut funding on other branches (negative).

necessary and proper clause

aka elastic clause. grants Congress to pass laws that are necessary and proper.

impeachment

power that allows Congress to remove the president, VP, or other officers of the US

judicial review

Supreme Court’s power to strike down laws or an executive branch that is unconstitutional

constitutional democracy

government whose powers are subject to recognized and enforced limits on the power of all government officials

Formal constitution

written down document (US)

informal constitution

not written down document (UK)

compact

something that legally binds 2+ people by rules. (used in the 13 colonies before revolution)

royal grants

money given by British crown to governors of the colonies

proprietary colonies

colonies given to a person for them to run

2nd Continental Congress

meeting for deciding to declare independence or not

Common Sense

pamphlet by Thomas Paine that gives reasons to separate from the UK

Declaration of Independence

written in July 1776 as a breakup letter to King George

The Second Treatise on Government

Ideas by John Locke that inspired the Declaration of Independence

social contract

idea from John Locke that people must give up some freedom to the government for protection

natural rights

aka unaliable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

freeholders

people who owned property without mortgage. they had citizenship rights.

confederation

state is the powerful system and the national government has less power.

Articles of Confederation

first form of gov for new America. Had a weak central government.

problems with AoC

1. can’t force states to pay tax

2. can’t force states to respect each other (commercial warfare)

3. no chief executive

4. no national money

5. one state = one vote and 13/13 states have to agree to add an amendment

Shays’ Rebellion

uprising in Massachusetts against oppressive laws and gain payments from war debts. Catalyst to the Constitutional Convention.

Constitutional Convention

In 1787, delegates are called to trash the AoC and create a new system.

interstate commerce

trade that crosses state lines or involves foreign counties, etc

Two sides in the Constitutional Convention

nationalists (strong national government) and anti-nationalists (states rights)

Virginia Plan

1. 3 branch gov

2. bicameral legislature based on populations

3. lower house elected by people, upper house elected by lower house

4. legislature is powerful and chooses the executive

5. formation and appointment of judiciary

6. national veto power over any state legislation

New Jersey plan

1. congress can tax and enforce collection

2. executive is appointed by congress

3. executives serve a single term + multi-person executive

4. judiciary appointed by executives

5. laws set by Congress>state laws

6. protected small states with 1 state = 1 vote

electoral college

voters are cast indirectly to a state of electors pledged to each parties candidate

implied powers

powers not explicitly written but exists

Full faith and credit clause

states must recognize legal documents from other states as valid

sovereign power

the supreme court of an independent state to regulate its internal affairs without foreign interference

exclusive powers

policy-making responsibilities that are exercised only by the national gov.

police powers

responsibilities that include the power to enforce laws and provide for public safety

concurrent powers

responsibilities for particular policy areas, such as transportation, that are shared by federal, state, and local governments.

unitary government

a system in which the national, centralized government hold ultimate authority.

confederal government

a form of government in which the states hold power over a limited national government

special districts

governments created to manage one thing and often goes beyond multiple government lines

privileges and immunities clause

states can’t discriminate against people from other states

dual federalism

Form of federalism favored by Chief Justice Roger Taney, in which national and state governments are seen as distinct entities providing separate services.

states’ rights

idea that states are entitled to a certain amount of self-government, free of federal government intervention

cooperative federalism

form of federalism in which national and state governments work together to provide services efficiently. This form emerged in the late 1930s, representing a profound shift toward less concrete boundaries of responsibility in national–state relations.

picket fence federalism

more refined and realistic form of cooperative federalism in which policy makers within a particular policy area work together across the levels of government.

reservation clause

10th amendment (powers reserved to the states)

Bill of Attainer

can’t declare an act illegal without fair judicial trial. (applies to both national and state gov).

Ex Post Facto laws

can’t punish people for doing previously legal things that are legal now. (applies to both national and state gov)