Politics
The activity by which an issue is agitated or settled
Participatory Model of Democracy
Broad, but not necessarily universal, participation. The average people are participating in creating/changing policy.
Pluralist Model of Democracy
Group-based activism by non-governmental interests striving for impact on political decision making.
Elite Model of Democracy
Emphasizes limited participation in politics and civil involvement to those who are considered among the elite.
Class View
View that the government is dominated by capitalists.
Power Elite View
View that the government is dominated by a few top leaders, most of whom are outside of the government.
Bureaucratic View
View that the government is dominated by appointed officials.
Pluralist View
View that competition among all affected interests shapes public policy.
Creedal Passion View
View that morally impassioned elites drive important political changes.
Elite
Persons who possess a disproportionate share of some valued resource.
Pork Barrel Legislation
Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return.
Logrolling
A legislator supports a proposal favored by another in return for support of his or hers.
Shay’s Rebellion
A 1787 rebellion in which ex-Revolutionary War soldiers attempted to prevent foreclosures of farms as a result of high interest rates and taxes.
Articles of Confederation
Articles originally written to hash out a government: had many flaws and few strengths. Heavily focused on state powers and a weak centralized government.
Declaration of Independence
Document which in fact declared independence from Britain
Social Contract
Idea which the government officials and the populous are in an agreement that the government exists under the consent of the governed
Great Compromise
Most resembles our government structure today; a compromise between the Virginia and New-Jersey plans
Judicial Review
The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional.
Enumerated Powers
Powers given to the national government alone.
Reserved Powers
Powers given to the state government alone.
Concurrent Powers
Powers shared by the national and state governments.
Federalists
Those who favor a stronger national government
Anti-Federalists
Those who favor a weaker national government.
Federalism
Government authority shared by national and local governments.
Necessary and Proper Clause
Section of the constitution allowing Congress to pass all laws “necessary and proper” to its duties, and which has permitted Congress to exercise powers not specifically given to it by the Constitution.
Dual Federalism
Doctrine holding that the national government is supreme in its sphere, the states are supreme in theirs, and the two spheres should be kept separate.
Unitary System
Power centralized. State or regional governments derive authority from central government.
Federal System
Power divided between central and state/local governments. Both the government and constituent governments act directly upon the citizens. Both must agree to constitutional change.
Confederal System
Power held by independent states. Central government is a creature of the constituent governments.