Foundations of American Democracy - Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Foundations of American Democracy notes.

Popular Sovereignty

Authority of government created and sustained by the consent of the people.

Articles of Confederation

Weak central government with power primarily in the states; lacked power to tax or regulate interstate commerce; amendments required unanimous state consent; no executive or judiciary.

U.S. Constitution

Stronger central government with checks and balances; separation of powers; balances liberty and order.

Hobbes (Human Nature)

Believed human nature is selfish and required a strong absolute monarchy to maintain order.

Locke (Natural Rights)

Believed human nature is reasonable; natural rights to life, liberty, and property; preferred limited government with representation.

Montesquieu (Separation of Powers)

Argued that power should be divided among branches with checks and balances to prevent tyranny.

State of Nature

Life without government; the Declaration of Independence seeks to protect the natural rights people have in this state.

Natural Rights

Inalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (as stated in the Declaration).

Social Contract

People give up some freedoms in exchange for government protection and order; government derives legitimacy from the governed.

Consent of the Governed

Legitimacy of government comes from the people; if rights are violated, the people may revolt.

Limited Government

Government powers are restricted and divided among branches.

Checks and Balances

Each branch can restrain the others to prevent the abuse of power.

Separation of Powers

Dividing government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Republic

A government where people govern through elected representatives under a supreme law.

Direct Democracy

Citizens directly vote on laws and policies.

Representative Democracy

Citizens elect officials to make decisions on their behalf.

Participatory Democracy

Direct involvement of many people in politics (e.g., town halls, initiatives).

Pluralist Democracy

Power spread among groups or organizations (interest groups, lobbying).

Elite Democracy

A small number of elites make most decisions (e.g., electoral college, wealth influence).

Unicameral Legislature

A legislature with a single chamber.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislature with two chambers (e.g., House and Senate).

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Created a bicameral Congress: House representation by population; Senate with two members per state.

The Electoral College

System where presidents are chosen by state electors; if no majority, the House chooses; protects small states but can diverge from the popular vote.

The 3/5 Compromise

Counted three-fifths of enslaved people for representation and direct taxation.

Slave Trade Compromise

Congress could ban slave importation after 1808; required fugitive slave return; delayed abolition longer.

Shays’ Rebellion

1786-87 farmer uprising that exposed the Articles’ weaknesses and the need for a stronger central government.

Philadelphia Convention (1787)

Meeting to revise the Articles of Confederation; produced a new Constitution; all states except Rhode Island attended.

Federalists

Supported ratification; favored a stronger national government; viewed Bill of Rights as unnecessary but accepted it to secure ratification.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed ratification; feared centralized power; demanded a Bill of Rights and preferred stronger state power.

Publius

Pseudonym used by Federalist authors (Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay).

Federalist No. 10

Factions are inevitable; control their effects through a large republic, pluralism, and representation.

Federalist No. 51

Ambition must counteract ambition; separation of powers and checks and balances to prevent tyranny.

Brutus No. 1

Anti-Federalist critique: a large republic would be unmanageable; favored strong states and a Bill of Rights.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments protecting individual liberties; demanded by Anti-Federalists.

Habeas Corpus

Right to challenge unlawful detention; government must show legal cause; suspendable only in rebellion or invasion.

Bills of Attainder

Legislative acts declaring guilt and punishment without a trial; prohibited by the Constitution.

Ratification by Conventions (Article VII)

Conventions of the states, elected by the people, ratified the Constitution (not state legislatures).

Amendment Process (Article V)

Proposed by two-thirds of Congress or a national convention; ratified by three-fourths of the states.

Enumerated Powers (Article I, Section 8)

Powers of Congress to tax, borrow, regulate commerce, declare war, raise armies, etc.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to interpret the Constitution and strike down laws that are unconstitutional.