American gov exam 1

government

institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled.

politics

conflict over the leadership, structure, and policies of governments.

autocracy

a form of government in which a single individual- a king, queen, or dictator- rules

oligarchy

form of government in which a small group controls most of the governing decisions.

democracy

a system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials.

constitutional government

a system of rule in which formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of the government.

totalitarian government

a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits on its power and seeks to absorb or eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it.

political power

influence over a government’s leadership, organization, or policies.

republic/representative democracy

a system of government in which the populace selects representatives.

direct democracy

a system where citizens vote directly on laws and policies.

pluralism

the theory that all interest are and should be free to compete for influence in the government.

political knowledge

information about the formal institutions of government, political actors, and political issues.

citizenship

informed and active membership in a political community.

political efficacy

the belief that one can influence government and politics.

laissez-faire capitalism

an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government interference.

equality of oppurtunity

a widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential.

political equality

the right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of “one person, one vote”

popular sovreignity

a principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people.

majority rules, minority rights

democratic principle that a government follows the preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests of the minority.

\`Articles of Confederation

America’s first written constitution; served as the basis for America’s national government until 1789.

confederation

system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government.

Virginia Plan

framework for constitution, introduced by Edmund Randolph, that called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state.

new jersey plan

framework for constitution, introduced by William Paterson, that called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of the population.

great compromise

the agreement reached at the constitutional convention of 1787 that gave each state an equal number of senators regardless of its population but linked representation in the House of Representatives to population.

three-fifths compromise

agreement reached at the constitutional conventional of 1787 that stipulated for the purposes of the apportionment of congressional seats only three-fifths of enslaved people would be counted.

bicameral

having a legislative assembly composed of two chambers or houses; distinguished from unicameral.

checks and balances

mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches

bill of rights

first 10 amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791.

seperation of powers

the division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision making.

federalism

a system of government in which power is divided by a constitution, between a central government and regional governments.

expressed powers

specific powers granted by the constitution to congress

elastic clause

the concluding paragraph of Article I, Section 8 of the constitution which provides Congress with the authority to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its enumerated powers.

judicial review

the power of the courts to review actions of the legislative and executive branches and, if necessary, declare them invalid or unconstitutional.

supremacy clause

states that laws passed by the national government and all treaties are the supreme law of the land and superior to all laws adopted by any state or any subdivision.

Federalists

favored a strong national government and supported the Constitution proposed at the American constitutional conventional of 1787

Antifederalists

those who favored s trong state government and a weka national government and who were opponents of the Constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787.

Federalist Papers

a series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay supporting ratification of the Constitution.

limited government

a principle of constitutional government, a government whose powers are defined by a constitution.

amendment

a change added to a bill, law, or constitution.

federalism

a system of government in which power is divided by a constitution, between a central government and regional government

unitary system

centralized government system in which lower levels of government have little power independent of the national government.

intergovernmental relations

the processes by which the 3 levels of American government (national, state, local) negotiate and compromise over policy responsibility.

implied powers

powers derived from the necessary and proper clause of the Constitution, implied through the expansive interpretation of delegated powers.

necessary and proper clause

provides Congress with the authority to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its expressed powers

reserved powers

powers not specifically delegated to government

police power

power reserved to the state government regulate the health, morals, safety of its citizens.

concurrent powers

authority possessed by both state and national governments, such as the power to levy taxes.

full faith and credit clause

requiring that states normally honor the public acts and judicial decisions that take place in another state.

privileges and immunities clause

a state cannot discriminate against someone from another state

home rule

power delegated by the state to a local unit of government to manage its own affairs.

dual federalism

system of government that prevailed in the United States from 1789 to 1937 in which most fundamental governmental powers were shared between federal and state governments.

commerce clause

national power over economy

grants in aid

programs through which Congress provided money to state and local government on the condition that the funds be employed for purposes defined by federal government

categorical grants

congressional grants given to states and localities on the condition that expenditures be limited to a problem or group specified by law

cooperative federalism

intergovernmental cooperation

regulated federalism

a form of federalism in which Congress imposes legislation on states and localities, requiring them to meet national standards.

preemption

the principle that allows the national government to override state or local actions in certain policy areas.

states’ right

principle that the states should oppose the increasing authority of the national government.

devolution

a policy to remove a program from one level of government by delegating it or passing it down to a lower level of government, such as from the national government to the state and local governments.

block grants

federal grants that allow states considerable discretion on how funds are spent

New Federalism

attempts by President Nixon and Reagan to return power to the states through block grants

general revenue sharing

the process by which one unit of government yields a portion of its tax income to another unit of government, according to an established formula; revenue sharing typically involved the national government providing money to state governments.

civil liberties

areas of personal freedom constitutionally protected form government interference.

habeas corpus

a court order demanding that an individual in custody be brought into court and shown the cause for detention.

selective incorporation

the process by which different protections in the Bill of Rights were incorporated into the fourteenth amendment, rhus guaranteeing citizens protection from state as well as national governments.

establishment clause

the first amendment clause that says “congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,” wall exists between church and state.

free exercise clause

the first amendment clause that protects a citizens right to believe and practice whatever religion he or she chooses.

clear and present danger

test used to determine whether sppech is protected or unprotected, based on its capacity to present a “clear and present danger” to society.

fighting words

speech that directly incites damaging conduct.

speech plus

speech accompanied by conduct such as sit-ins, picketing, and demonstrations; protection of this form of speech under the first amendment is conditional, and restrictions imposed by state or local authorities are acceptable if properly balanced by considerations of public order.

prior restraint

an effort by a governmental agency to block publication of material it deems libelous or harmful in some other way; censorship.

libel

a written statement that is considered damaging to a victim.

slander

an oral statement made in reckless disregard of the truth that is considered damaging to the victim.

due process of law

the right of every individual against arbituary action by national or state governments.

exclusionary rule

the ability of courts to exclude evidence obtained in violation of the fourth amendment.

grand jury

jury that determines whether sufficient evidence is available to justify a trial, do not rule on innocence.

double jeopardy

the Fifth amendment right providing that a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime.

Miranda rule

the requirement articulated by the supreme court in miranda v arizona, that a persons under arrest must be informed prior to police interrogation of their rights to remain silent and to have legal counsel.

right to privacy

the right to be left alone which has been interpreted by the supreme court to entail individual access to birth control and abortions.

eminent domain

the right of government to take private property for public use.

discrimination

the use of any unreasonable and unjust criterion of exclusion

civil rights

obligation imposed on government to take positive actions to protect citizens from any illegal action of government agencies and of other private citizens.

equal protection clause

provision of the fourteenth amendment guaranteeing citizens “the equal protection of the laws.” This clause has been the basis for the civil rights of African americans, women, and other groups.

thirteenth amendment

one of three civil war amendments, it abolished slavery.

fourteenth amendment

one of three civil war amendments; it guaranteed equal protecton and due process

fifteenth amendment

one of three civil war amendments, it guaranteed voting rights to african american men.

jim crow laws

laws enacted by southern states following reconstruction that disccriminated against african americans.

seperate but equal rule

doctrine that public accommodations could be segregated by race but still be considered equal.

brown v board of education

supreme court case that struck down the separate but equal doctrine as fundamentally unequal.

strict scrutiny

a test used by supreme court in racial discrimination cases that places the burden of proof on the government rather than on the challengers

de jury

“by law",” refers to legally enforced practices, such as school segregation in the south before the 1960s

de facto

literally “by fact,” refers to practices that occurs even when there is no legal enforcement.

affirmative action

government programs or policies that seek to redress past injustices against specified groups by making special efforts to provide members of those groups w/ educational and employment opportunity.

public opinion

citizens’ attitudes about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events.

values

basic principles that shape a person’s opinions about political issues and events.

liberty

freedom from governmental control

equality of oppurtunity

a widely shared american ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential.

liberal

today this term refers to those who generally support social and political reform, governmental intervention in the economy, more economic equality, expansion of federal social services, and greater concern for consumers and the environment.

conservative

today this term refers to those who generally support the social and economic status quo and are suspicious of efforts to introduce new political formulas.

libertarian

someone who emphasizes freedom and believes in voluntary association with small government.