American Gov Unit 1

rule of law

law applies to everyone

popular sovereignty

people are the ultimate source of authority

limited government

gov powers are restricted by a constitution to protect citizens’ natural rights

social contract theory

made by John Locke

declr of I who and when

second continental congress in 1776

why did the war start

intolerable acts and townshend acts, colonists were being controlled with no say. GB was raising taxes to pay off their debt

what are party platforms

principal goals of a party

legitimate government

gov accepted by its people and other govs as authority over a nation

articles of condeferation + years

weak central gov that couldn’t tax or levy war and had no executive or judicial power. from 1781 to 1788

new jersey plan vs virginia plan

new jersey: every state has the same amount of delegates

virginia: representation should be based on population/money

electoral college

remember this is a body of people not the electoral system itself

federalists vs antifederalists

fed: support the constitution and want a strong central gov like hamilton or madison

anti: support the bill of rights and wanted states rights like patrick henry, john adams, and thomas jefferson

political parties

groups that attempt to influence the government

role of political parties

nominate candidates, act as a bonding agent (guarantee they’re fit for office), inform and activate supporters, govern, watchdog

3rd parties

bring out specific issues ignored by major parties

ideology

system of ideals, such as if they identify as liberal or conservative

divide gov

one party controls the white house and the other controls congress

primary vs caucus

primary: votes for which person to represent the party, which is what we do in illinois

caucus: discuss and open vote to select best candidate, meaning you don’t have to be in party to vote

linkage institutions

elections, political parties, interest groups, media, anything that link peoples issues to political platforms

iron triangle

alliance between congressional committees, bureaucracy, and interest groups to make policies of their interests

expressed powers examples

right to tax, borrow money, commerce, naturalization and bankruptcy, currency, postal, patents, federal courts, piracies, land

implied powers

created with ‘necessary and proper’ clause

concurring opinion (supreme court)

agree with who wins, but not why

dissent is disagree who wins

judicial review and marbury v madison

marbury v madison is the case where judicial review is established as a power of the supreme court.

judicial review = determining constitutionality of a government act or the law

immigration reform and control act

gave hella green cards

immigration act of 1990

increased number of people who can come legally

Daca/Dream

DACA exists and allows people to stay and work

DREAM Act failed and it would’ve given path to citizenship

executive order

direct order from president which has force of law

green card vs visa

green card: given so you can permanently stay here and work

visa: given so you can temporarily be here for school/work

selective perception vs confirmation bias

selective perception: PAYING ATTENTION to what you already believe

confirmation bias: SEARCHING for what supports, and ignoring what doesn’t

10th amendment

reserved rights, rights that the constitution doesn’t give to the US gov, is given to the state or to people

1st amendment

freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition