Foundations of American Democracy and Constitutional Concepts

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to American democracy and the U.S Constitution, designed for exam preparation.

Enlightenment

An 18th-century European intellectual movement advocating reason and individualism over tradition.

Natural Rights

Rights that people possess by natural law, independent of government.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Social Contract

An agreement among individuals to give up some of their freedoms to form the organized society.

Republicanism

A political ideology where representatives are elected to govern in the public interest.

Limited Government

A governing body whose power is restricted through delegated authorities.

Federalism

The division of power between national and state governments.

Exclusive Powers

Powers that are reserved solely for the federal government.

Reserved Powers

Powers specifically given to the states by the Tenth Amendment.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided to states with specific conditions and requirements.

Block Grants

Federal funds provided for broad purposes with fewer restrictions on how they can be used.

Mandates

Requirements imposed by the federal government on state or local governments.

Revenue Sharing

A system where the federal government distributes a portion of its revenue to state and local governments.

Great Compromise

The agreement that created a bicameral legislature in Congress to balance representation by population and state.

Three-fifths Compromise

A compromise stating that three-fifths of the enslaved population would be counted for representation in Congress.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution.

Federalists vs Anti-Federalists

The debate over whether to ratify the Constitution, focusing on federal power versus states' rights.

Factions

Groups of people who form to promote their own interests, as discussed in Federalist No. 10.

Shay's Rebellion

An armed uprising in 1786 that highlighted the need for a stronger federal government.

Articles of Confederation

The original governing document of the United States which established a weak federal government.

Electoral College

The system established by the Constitution for the indirect election of the president.