POLS 1101 - American Government - First Exam Review

Federal grants that allow states considerable discretion in how the funds are spent.

Block Grants

Prevents a state from treating citizens of other states in a discriminatory manner.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Virginia delegate James Madison's plan to create a significantly stronger national government, in which states' representatives in Congress would be based on the size of their population, giving more clout to large states.

Virginia Plan

A counter-proposal at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population (thereby preserving the status quo under the Articles of Confederation), but only requiring a simple majority to enact legislation.

New Jersey Plan

a 2/3rds super-majority vote of both chambers of Congress to propose an amendment, followed by ratification by 3/4ths super-majority of the states.

Amending the US Constitution requires

17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings; who asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property; that the fundamental purpose of government is to protect these rights; and that the people have the right to rebel against and abolish any government that violates their natural rights. His ideas influenced the Declaration of Independence.

John Locke

First U.S. Constitution (1781-1788), having no executive or judicial branch, no power to regulate commerce or levy taxes, with laws requiring a super-majority and amendments requiring unanimity

Articles of Confederation

Powers specifically given to Congress in the Constitution; including the power to collect taxes, coin money, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and declare war.

Enumerated Powers

Requires a trial conducted in the Senate; senators act as a jury, voting on the official's guilt or innocence. Conviction, and therefore removal from office, requires a 2/3rds supermajority.

Removal of federal officials

A group of citizens, constituting either a majority or a minority, who are united by a common interest or shared values, who seek to impose their preferences on the rest of society, undermining the common good.

Faction

Rule by the wealthy few in their own self-interest (according to Aristotle's typology)

Oligarchy

Rule by the poor majority in their own self-interest (according to Aristotle); in the most narrowest sense, a regime defined by majority rule

Democracy

Rule by the noble few, but in the interest of everyone or the common good (according to Aristotle's typology)

Aristocracy

Rule by a single person in the best interest of everyone or the common good (according to Aristotle's typology)

Monarchy

Rule by a single person in their own self-interest, at the expense of the common good (according to Aristotle's typology)

Tyranny

Constitution's requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. For example, other states have to recognize your driver's or marriage license.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Powers shared by the national and state governments. The power to tax is a good example.

Concurrent powers

A system of government where power is almost entirely centralized in a national government.

Unitary System of Government

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. Sometimes described as being similar to a layer cake.

Dual Federalism

A conception of federalism in which the federal and state governments work together to solve common problems, sharing the costs and administration of programs. Sometimes described as being similar to a marble cake.

Cooperative Federalism

An cooperative alliance of independent states. There may be a central "government," but its power and authority are extremely limited by the independence of the member states.

Confederation

Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people (as stated by the Tenth Amendment)

Reserved Powers

Compromise between northern and southern states at the Constitutional Convention that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives.

Three-Fifths Compromise

English political philosopher who advocated an all-powerful, largely authoritarian government as the only way to prevent the disorder caused by the inherent fear and selfishness of human beings.

Thomas Hobbes

Charges against a president requiring a simple majority of the House of Representatives

Articles of Impeachment

A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the pseudonym "Publius" explaining and defending the Constitution in detail.

The Federalist Papers

Timeless essay by James Madison highlighting the inevitable emergence of "factions" (e.g., interest groups or political parties) in any free and open society, the threat which such groups pose to popular government, and arguing that a geographically large republic (i.e., representative democracy) is better equipped to deal with the problems of faction because there will be a larger number of groups, making it less likely that any one group dominates society.

Federalist Paper #10

A type of government defined by Aristotle as combining elements of both oligarchy and democracy

Polity

In The Republic by Plato, this is the ideal ruler or guardian of the city, who possesses an abundance of virtue and wisdom.

Philosopher King

Federal grants given to the states that can only be used for very specific purposes. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions, with which states must comply to continue receiving funds. They represent an important mechanism through which the federal government is able to influence state policies. The No Child Left Behind Act, which required states to engage in extensive standardized testing of public school students to continue receiving education funding, is a good example.

Categorical Grants

A system in which there are two levels of government (a national government and regional/sub-national governments) which share or divide power.

Federalism

Hypothetical condition assumed to exist when there is a complete absence of government or any overarching authority, a condition in which human beings live in "complete" freedom and general equality.

The State of Nature

A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules, thereby extracting themselves from the State of Nature.

The Social Contract

Living between 1689 and 1755, this French philosopher wrote "The Spirit of the Laws', in which he advocated a separation of powers as the best way to preserve liberty.

Montesquieu

Name given to those who opposed the Constitution during the time when the states were contemplating its adoption, who argued it gave to much power to the national government, and who highlighted its lack of a Bill of Rights as a key sticking point.

Anti-Federalists

The deal that was struck, resolving the competing ideas of the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, calling for a bicameral Congress composed of a popularly elected House based on state population and a state-selected Senate, with two members for each state.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures.

Federalists

The power of the Senate to approve presidential appointments (such as cabinet secretaries, federal judges, ambassadors, and other officials) as well as treaties which the executive branch concludes with other nations. Presidential appointments can be confirmed by a simple majority vote, but treaties requires a 2/3rds supermajority.

Advice and Consent