Unit 1 Study Guide: Foundations of US Government and Politics

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing core political concepts, constitutional principles, foundational documents, court cases, and federalism dynamics from Unit 1.

Popular Sovereignty

The constitutional principle that political authority belongs to the people and government exists with their consent.

Limited Government

A government whose power is restricted by law and constitutional provisions, grounded in natural rights, popular sovereignty, republicanism, and the social contract.

Participatory Democracy

A model of representative democracy that emphasizes broad individual participation in political life and civil society.

Pluralist Democracy

A model of representative democracy where group-based activism by nongovernmental interests competes to influence public policy.

Elite Democracy

A model of representative democracy emphasizing limited participation by a small, select group of powerful or educated individuals.

Public Opinion

The collective attitudes and beliefs held by citizens regarding government and politics.

Political Socialization

The lifelong process and social influences through which individuals acquire their political attitudes, values, and beliefs.

Political Culture

The fundamental, shared values, beliefs, and core norms regarding government and society in a nation.

Political Ideology

A cohesive set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and the proper role of government, such as liberal, conservative, or libertarian perspectives.

Cross-cutting Cleavages

Overlapping societal divisions that complicate political allegiances, preventing a single, strict division between opposing ideological coalitions.

Articles of Confederation

The original governing document of the United States that established a weak central government, whose shortcomings ultimately led to constitutional reform.

Shays' Rebellion

An armed uprising that highlighted the critical shortcomings and economic weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Great Compromise

An agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature to balance representation between large and small states.

Three-Fifths Compromise

A Constitutional Convention agreement determining how enslaved individuals would be counted for federal representation and taxation purposes.

Article V

The constitutional provision that establishes the procedures for formally amending the U.S. Constitution. The constitution can be changed when the Congress proposes an amendment by at least 2/3 votes —> By at least ¾ of the state legislatures (all but once), or by at least ¾ of state conventions called for the purpose of ratifying the amendment (once), national conventions (never)

Federalist 51

An essay arguing that separation of powers and checks and balances prevent tyranny and protect minority factions against majority oppression.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti-Federalist text expressing concern that a strong central government under the U.S. Constitution would undermine state sovereignty and republican liberty.

Separation of Powers

The distribution of executive, legislative, and judicial responsibilities among distinct, independent branches of government.

Checks and Balances

A constitutional system that grants each branch of government specific powers to limit or check the actions of the other branches.

Federalism

A system of government that divides power and authority between a central national government and regional state governments.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed and explicitly granted to the federal government in the U.S. Constitution.

Reserved Powers

Powers not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states, reserved to the states or the people under the Tenth Amendment.

Concurrent Powers

Governing powers that are held and exercised simultaneously by both federal and state governments.

Dual Federalism

A system of governance in which state and national governments operate distinctly within their own clearly defined, non-overlapping domains of authority.

Cooperative Federalism

A system of federalism where national, state, and local government levels interact and share administrative responsibilities to address policy issues.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A constitutional clause in Article I that grants Congress implied powers to enact laws required to execute its enumerated responsibilities.

McCulloch v. Maryland

A landmark Supreme Court case affirming federal supremacy and establishing that Congress possesses implied powers under the necessary and proper clause.

United States v. Lopez

A landmark Supreme Court case limiting federal authority by ruling that Congress had exceeded its authority under the Commerce Clause.

Fiscal Federalism

The system of federal financial transfers to states, using grants and mandates to influence state policy and program administration.

Categorical Grants

Federal funding provided to states or local governments for specific, strictly defined policy objectives.

Block Grants

Federal funds provided to states for broad policy areas, allowing state officials flexibility in spending.

Mandates

Federal directives requiring state or local governments to comply with specific rules or regulations.

Commerce Clause

Congress manages international trade within the states

Supremacy clause

The states have to follow the authority of the constitution and any laws created by it

14th amendment

The states can’t override the laws & regulations of the national gov to benefit its people

10th amendment

The states receive any powers not listed by the constitution or banned by the national gov

Amendments

Changes to the constitution

Bill or Rights

Protects liberties; the compromise between feds and anti feds

Libertarian

A libertarian is a person who believes that individuals should have maximal freedom in their personal and economic lives with minimal interference from the government

Power of the Purse

The constitutional authority of a legislative body to control public funds, including raising taxes and approving government spending