gov exam 1

Reformation

A movement in the 16th century that challenged the absolute authority of the Catholic Church and the Divine Right of Kings.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement in the 17th-18th centuries emphasizing reason, natural rights, and the idea of government based on the consent of the governed.

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher who argued for strong authority and absolute monarchy, asserting that people need to surrender rights for order and security.

John Locke

Philosopher advocating for natural rights and limited government, claiming that citizens have the right to revolt if their rights are not protected.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Philosopher who focused on the general will of the people and advocated for direct democracy.

Core Values of American Political Culture

Liberty, equality, democracy, individualism, rule of law, and limited government.

Political Ideology

A consistent set of beliefs about the proper role and scope of government.

Liberalism

An ideology that supports active government involvement in social justice and economic regulation.

Conservatism

An ideology prioritizing limited government involvement in the economy and traditional values.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

Reserved Powers

Powers not specifically granted to the federal government that are reserved for the states.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the national and state governments.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement that counted three-fifths of the enslaved population for representation and taxation.

The Great Compromise

Resolved the conflict between large and small states by establishing a bicameral legislature.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that explicitly protect individual freedoms.

Living Document

Description of the Constitution as a document that evolves in meaning through interpretation and amendments.

Constitutional Crisis

A situation where there is a breakdown in constitutional order with unclear authority.

Dual Federalism

A model where national and state governments operate independently within their own spheres.

Cooperative Federalism

A model where national and state levels share responsibilities and powers, often overlapping.

Fiscal Federalism

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A clause in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to make all laws necessary for carrying out its duties.

Supremacy Clause

A clause stating that federal law takes precedence over state law.