Gov Unit 2 Test

Political Participation

Activities through which citizens influence political leaders and policies (e.g., voting, campaigning, protesting).

Political Culture

An overall set of values and beliefs widely shared within a society regarding politics and government.

Democracy

A system of selecting policymakers and organizing government so that policy represents public preferences.

Common Sense

A 1776 pamphlet by Thomas Paine that crystallized colonial arguments for independence from Great Britain.

Laissez-faire Economics

An economic philosophy advocating for minimal government interference in economic affairs and free markets.

Stamp Act

A 1765 British law requiring colonists to pay a tax on printed paper goods and legal documents.

Boston Tea Party

A 1773 protest where colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act.

Declaration of Independence

Document issued in 1776 by the Second Continental Congress declaring American independence from Britain.

Liberty

A core American value characterized by freedom of speech, religion, and action free from government restriction.

Natural Rights

Inherent human rights—such as life, liberty, and property—that governments cannot justly take away.

Ideas of John Locke

Enlightenment concepts stating government is a social contract to protect rights, and citizens can overthrow tyranny.

Articles of Confederation Legislature

A unicameral legislature where each state received exactly one vote.

Virginia Plan

Constitutional Convention proposal favoring large states with representation in Congress based on population.

New Jersey Plan

Constitutional Convention proposal favoring small states with equal representation in a unicameral legislature.

Connecticut Plan (Great Compromise)

Established a bicameral legislature with representation by population in the House and equal state representation in the Senate.

Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay promoting the ratification of the Constitution.

Federalist Characteristics

Wealthier, urban, property-owning elites who favored a strong central government.

Shays' Rebellion

A 1786 armed uprising of debt-ridden farmers that exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Articles of Confederation Problem

The central government lacked the power to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce national laws.

Constitutional Convention Delegates

Mostly wealthy, highly educated, elite white men (landowners, merchants, lawyers).

Framers' View of Human Nature

Viewed humans as naturally self-interested, ambitious, and requiring checks to prevent tyranny.

Anti-Federalist Characteristics

Farmers, rural citizens, and small landowners who feared central government power and demanded a Bill of Rights.

Most Common Source of Factions

The unequal distribution of property and wealth (according to James Madison).

Separation of Powers Purpose

To prevent any single branch from acquiring absolute power and to protect liberty.

Articles and Constitution Commonality

Both established a republican system of government with a legislative branch.

Larger States' Representation Goal

Wanted representation in Congress to be determined strictly by population size.

Monarchy

A form of government with a single monarch (king or queen) at the head, typically hereditary.

Republic

A system of government where power resides in the people, who elect representatives to make laws.

Theocracy

A government ruled by religious leaders or based on divine religious authority.

Presidential Election Method

Elected indirectly through the Electoral College.

Tyranny of the Majority

Madison's concern that a majority faction could use democratic power to oppress minority rights.

Oligarchy

A system of government controlled by a small, elite group of people based on wealth or power.

Madison's Separation of Powers

Dividing government authority among three distinct branches (legislative, executive, judicial).

Checks and Balances

A system enabling each branch of government to limit or check the powers of the other branches.

Strengthening National Economic Powers

Intended to stabilize the economy, pay off Revolutionary War debts, and protect commerce.

Times Constitution Amended

27 times.

Federalist 39

Essay explaining that the Constitution is both federal (states) and national (people), forming a republic.

Federalist 10

Essay arguing that a large republic best guards against the dangers of factions.

Federalist 51

Essay explaining how separation of powers and checks and balances control government power ("Ambition must be made to counteract ambition").

Federalist 70

Essay arguing for a single, energetic executive (president) to ensure efficient leadership.

Federalist 78

Essay arguing for an independent judiciary with life tenure to protect the Constitution.

Brutus I

Anti-Federalist essay arguing the proposed Constitution gave too much power to the federal government, threatening state sovereignty.

Linkage Institution

Channels (e.g., elections, political parties, interest groups, media) through which citizens' concerns reach policymakers.

Public Policies

Choices and actions made by the government in response to political issues (laws, executive orders, budgets).

Elitism

Theory that an upper-class elite holds real power and controls policy regardless of democracy.

Amending the Constitution

Proposed by a two-thirds vote in Congress (or national convention) and ratified by three-fourths of states.

Groups Favoring Constitution

Federalists (merchants, urban elites, large landowners, bankers).

Ratification by State Conventions

Designed to bypass state legislatures and allow voters to directly approve the Constitution.

Bill of Rights Key Parts

The first 10 amendments protecting individual liberties (freedom of speech, religion, due process).

Informal Constitutional Change

Changing interpretation/meaning via judicial review, political practice, and executive action.

Pluralism

Theory that open competition among multiple interest groups shapes public policy, preventing any single group from dominating.

Major Concern About New Constitution

The original draft lacked a Bill of Rights to safeguard individual freedoms.

Hyper-Pluralism

Theory that interest groups are so strong that government is weakened and gridlocked trying to satisfy everyone.

Enlightened Understanding

Democratic requirement that citizens must have access to free speech and information to make informed decisions.

Collective Good

Something of value (e.g., clean air) that cannot be withheld from anyone once provided.

Public Good

Services and benefits provided by the government that are available to all citizens.

French and Indian War

Conflict (1754–1763) whose financial burden prompted Britain to tax the American colonies.

American Creed

Core values outlined by Jefferson: liberty, equality, individualism, populism, and laissez-faire.

Limited Government

Principle that government powers are strictly restricted to protect individual liberties.

Articles' Economic Issues

Widespread debt, currency instability, lack of federal taxation power, and inability to settle debts.

3/5 Compromise

Agreement counting three-fifths of the enslaved population for representation and direct taxation.

Hobbes' State of Nature

A state of perpetual war and chaos ("solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short") without a strong government.

Purpose of Government (Framers)

To protect natural rights, maintain order, establish justice, and promote general welfare.

Montesquieu's Ideas

Separation of powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to preserve political liberty.