Untitled Flashcards Set

Federalist 10

A strong, united republic would be more effective than individual states in controlling factions.

Factions

Groups of people with common interests that can negatively impact governance and the rights of others.

Brutus 1

An Antifederalist essay advocating for rejection of the proposed Constitution due to fears of federal power.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments to the Constitution aimed at protecting individual liberties.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, which established a weak central government.

Unicameral legislature

A one-chamber legislature, where each state had one vote under the Articles of Confederation.

Constitution

The supreme law of the land outlining the structure, powers, and limits of government.

Checks and Balances

A system ensuring that no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent units.

Federalist 51

An essay proposing separation of powers among different branches of government to prevent tyranny.

Executive branch

The branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws.

Legislative branch

The branch of government that makes the laws.

Judicial branch

The branch of government that interprets the laws.

Federalist 70

Argues for a strong, unitary executive to ensure energy and accountability in governance.

Federalist 78

Advocates for an independent judiciary to protect rights and prevent legislative encroachments.

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

Martin Luther King Jr.'s argument for civil disobedience in the fight against segregation.

Linkage Institutions

Structures connecting citizens to government, such as political parties and media.

DNC (Democratic National Committee)

The governing body of the Democratic Party, coordinating party activities and candidates.

RNC (Republican National Committee)

The principal organization for the Republican Party at the national level.

GOP (Grand Old Party)

A nickname for the Republican Party.

Hard Money

Political donations regulated and directly contributed to candidates.

Soft Money

Political contributions for party-building activities, not tied to specific candidates.

Dealignment

A trend where voters abandon their political party affiliation.

Realignment

A significant change in political party dominance and voter coalitions.

Single-Member Districts

Electoral districts that elect one representative to a legislative body.

Swing States

States with mixed support for parties, crucial for determining elections.

501(c)(4) Organizations

Tax-exempt nonprofits engaging in political activities not primarily their purpose.

527 Organizations

Tax-exempt groups raising money for political activities, required to disclose donors.

Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

Supreme Court case upholding contribution limits but striking down personal spending limits.

Closed Primary

An election where only registered party members can vote for their party's candidate.

FECA (Federal Election Campaign Act)

Law regulating campaign financing and requiring contribution disclosures.

Front-Loading

The scheduling of primary elections early to influence candidate selection.

General Election

An election for voters to choose among candidates from different parties.

Primary Election

An election where parties select candidates to run in the general election.

Midterm Election

Elections held halfway through a president's term.

Presidential Election

An election every four years to elect the President and Vice President.

Special Election

An election not held on a regular date, often to fill vacancies.

Split-Ticket Voting

Voting for candidates from different political parties in the same election.

Super Tuesday

A day when many states hold primary elections, impacting candidate nominations.

Think Tank

An organization conducting research and advocacy to influence public policy.

Gatekeeper (Media Role)

The media's role in determining which issues become public concerns.

Scorekeeper (Media Role)

The media's role in tracking political candidates' standings and reputations.

Horse Race Journalism

Election coverage focusing on polling data rather than policy positions.

Core Tenets of the Declaration of Independence

• All people created equal (Natural Rights of Life, Liberty, Property)
• Governments are created to protect these rights
• If Gov’t does not protect these rights, then the People have the duty to change/destroy
• Imperfect gov’ts should not be destroyed, only ones that seek to subject the People to

1st Amendment

Guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well regulated militia.

3rd Amendment

Prohibits the forced quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner's consent.

4th Amendment

Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and requires any warrant to be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause.

5th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a grand jury, protects against double jeopardy and self-incrimination, and ensures due process of law.

6th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, the right to counsel, and the right to confront witnesses.

7th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases.

8th Amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail or fines.

9th Amendment

States that the enumeration of specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that other rights that are not specifically listed are not protected.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or to the people.

13th Amendment

Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

14th Amendment

Guarantees equal protection and due process of law to all citizens.

15th Amendment

Prohibits the denial of voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

16th Amendment

Authorizes the federal government to collect an income tax.

17th Amendment

Establishes the direct election of senators by the people.

18th Amendment

Prohibited the manufacturing or sale of alcohol - later repealed.

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote.

20th Amendment

Sets the dates for when federal government elected offices end and begin.

21st Amendment

Repeals the Eighteenth Amendment and prohibits the transportation or importation of intoxicating liquor.

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms in office.

23rd Amendment

Grants electors in the Electoral College to the District of Columbia.

24th Amendment

Abolishes poll taxes as a requirement for voting in federal elections.

25th Amendment

Deals with succession to the Presidency and establishes procedures both for filling a vacancy in the office of the Vice President as well as responding to Presidential disabilities.

26th Amendment

Lowers the voting