The Foundations of Government, The Constitution, and Federalism

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms from Chapters 1–3: Foundations of Government, The Constitution, and Federalism.

Natural rights

Rights inherent to all humans (as argued by Locke) that governments should protect.

Limited government

A principle that government power is restricted by a constitution.

General will

Rousseau’s idea that the collective will of the people should guide legitimate government.

Autocracy

A system of rule by a single person.

Oligarchy

Rule by a small group.

Democracy

Rule by the people, either directly or through elected representatives.

Constitutional government

A government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

Authoritarian government

A government in which a single leader or group holds most political power, with limited political freedoms.

Totalitarian government

A system that seeks to control nearly every aspect of life.

Liberty

Freedom from government interference; a core value.

Equality

The principle of equal political rights and opportunities.

Popular sovereignty

The authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of the people.

Majority rule with minority rights

Majorities govern while protecting minority rights.

Political equality

Equal involvement in the political process and equal protection under the law.

Political efficacy

The belief that citizens can understand and influence government.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. constitution, creating a weak central government with limited powers.

Shays’ Rebellion

1786 uprising that highlighted weaknesses of the Articles.

Constitutional Convention

1787 meeting that produced the Great Compromise and the framework of the Constitution.

Great Compromise

The agreement creating a bicameral Congress: Senate (equal representation) and House (representation by population).

Three-Fifths Compromise

Slaves counted as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

Separation of powers

Division of government into separate branches.

Checks and balances

Each branch can limit the powers of the others.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments.

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly granted to the national government in the Constitution.

Reserved powers

Powers retained by the states (10th Amendment).

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by national and state governments.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments protecting individual liberties.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who feared centralized power and demanded a Bill of Rights.

Dual federalism

Layer-cake federalism; clear, separate spheres for national and state governments.

Cooperative federalism

Marble-cake federalism; intermingled and jointly administered programs between national and state governments.

Grants-in-aid

Federal funds given to states with conditions, guiding state policy (categories include categorical, block, formula, and project grants).

Implied powers

Powers not expressly listed in the Constitution but suggested by the Necessary and Proper Clause to carry out enumerated powers.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Supreme Court ruling establishing implied powers and federal supremacy.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Supreme Court ruling upholding broad use of the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate trade.

New Federalism

Devolution of power back to the states (e.g., welfare reform of 1996).

Supremacy Clause

Constitutional clause declaring that federal law takes precedence over state law.