Week 1 - American Government

Vocabulary-style practice flashcards based on the POLS 1101 Week 1 assignment notes covering the foundations of American government, the Constitution, and Federalism.

Aristotle’s Theory of Politics

The constitutional cycle describing the transition and sequence of different types of government structures.

John Locke’s Political Philosophy

A framework for government including three specific components related to natural rights and the social contract.

Declaration of Independence

The first of the three founding documents, establishing government legitimacy based on the consent of the governed.

Articles of Confederation

The second founding document in chronological order, serving as the first governing framework with a weak central authority.

Constitution of the United States

The third founding document in chronological order, which established the current federal system of government.

Virginia Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention favoring a strong central government with representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention favoring a unicameral legislature where each state had equal representation.

Connecticut Plan

A compromise at the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature with both proportional and equal representation.

Article 1

The section of the Constitution that addresses the Legislative Branch of government.

Article 2

The section of the Constitution that addresses the Executive Branch of government.

Article 3

The section of the Constitution that addresses the Judicial Branch of government.

Article 4

The section of the Constitution that addresses the roles and relationships between the states.

Article 5

The section of the Constitution that explains the process for making amendments to the document.

Article 6

The section of the Constitution that establishes the supremacy of federal law and the national debt.

Article 7

The section of the Constitution that outlines the requirements for the initial ratification of the document.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, included to protect individual liberties from government overreach.

Enumerated Powers

Specific authorities explicitly listed and granted to the federal government within the text of the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly named in the Constitution but assumed to exist as necessary to carry out enumerated functions.

10th Amendment

The constitutional provision stating that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.

Elastic Clause

A provision in Article 1, Section 8, allowing Congress to pass laws 'necessary and proper' for carrying out its duties.

Interstate Commerce Clause

A constitutional provision granting Congress the power to regulate commercial activity between different states.

Supremacy Clause

The provision that the Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws.

Federalist #10

An essay by James Madison arguing that a large republic is the best defense against the dangers of factions.

Federalists

Individuals who supported the ratification of the Constitution and a stronger national government.

Anti-Federalists

Individuals who opposed the Constitution's ratification, favoring state sovereignty and the inclusion of a Bill of Rights.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central national authority and regional state governments.

McCulloch v. Maryland

A landmark Supreme Court case that confirmed the constitutionality of the national bank and established federal supremacy.

Gibbons v. Ogden

A landmark Supreme Court case that defined the federal government's broad power to regulate interstate commerce.

Barron v. Baltimore

A Supreme Court case that initially ruled the Bill of Rights only applied to the federal government, not the states.

Police Powers

Authorities reserved to the states to regulate the health, safety, and morals of their citizens.

Concurrent Powers

Authorities shared by both the federal and state governments, such as the power to collect taxes.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

A requirement that states recognize and respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

A requirement that states treat citizens of other states equally to their own residents.

Dual Federalism

Often described as 'layer cake' federalism, where federal and state governments operate in separate and distinct jurisdictions.

Cooperative Federalism

Often described as 'marble cake' federalism, where state and federal governments share responsibilities and overlap in function.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided to states for specific, narrow purposes with strict guidelines on how the money is spent.

Block Grants

Federal funds provided to states for broad functional areas, offering states more flexibility in administration.