Unit 1

Natural Rights

Fundamental human rights ( Ex. Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness)

Popular Sovereignty

Principle that the authority of a government is created by the consent of the people

Social Contract

Idea that the people surrender freedoms from the protection of the government ( Ex. Constitution)

Republicanism

Citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf rather than being governed by the people

Limited Government

The government is limited by law or the constitution

Decoration of Independence

Main Idea: Equal & Natural rights if the government gets to powerful the people can repeal: Tyranny.

Constitution

Blueprint for Republican form of Government

Participatory democracy

Model of democracy citizens have power to decide directly on policy and politicians

Elite Democracy

Where a small group of individuals wealthy and educated influence political decision making

Pluralist Democracy

The government is invested in the people through elected representatives

implied powers

necessary and proper clause this power gives Congress to pass wide variety of laws

concurrent

Powers shared by federal and state government

Fiscal

Sharing of power between federal and state government through dollars (Grants)

necessary and proper clause

Congress can make any law even if it doesn’t mention article one section 8

exclusive power

Power delegated by the constitution article one section 8 to the federal government

reserved power

belongs only to the state 10th amendment (Ex. Education, Police)

Block grants

Given to build stuff (Ex. Jails, Fund Police)

pork barrel legislation

government funds for local projects that served a rep consituants

selective incorporation

ensures that the state and localities cannot pass laws that infringe upon the rights of the constitution

24th amendment

eliminated poll taxes