Vocab Unit 1

First set of government vocabulary

Articles of Confederation

1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade)

Bill of Rights

compromise that helped resolve final disputes between Federalists and Antifederalists

Block grants

made w/ broadly defined purposes; fewer strings attached; power to states

Brutus No. 1

argued for a confederation of small republics due to fear that Constitution created a dangerously powerful federal government

Categorical grants

made for a specific purpose w/ conditions; increase power of federal gov't

Commerce clause

Congress regulates all interstate commerce (involving more than 1 state)

Concurrent powers

powers shared by federal and state governments

Connecticut Compromise

House of Reps will have population based representation; Senate's is equal

Cooperative federalism

national and state governments work together to complete projects

Declaration of Independence

inspired by Greeks, Romans, and Locke, argued that British gov't was illegitimate and listed grievances against the King; not a governing document

Devolution

transfer responsibilities of governing from federal to state/local govt's

Dual federalism

national and state governments remain supreme within their own spheres

elite democracy

a small minority with most economic power control the government; argue elected officials are too heavily influenced by wealthy interest groups

Enlightenment

European political thinkers & writers influenced American gov't to challenge traditional views of the relationship between the people and their gov't

Expressed powers

powers spelled out specifically by the Constitution

Extradition

legal process when a fugitive in one state can be returned by another state

Federalist Paper #70

having a single executive will balance powers and efficiently accomplish tasks

Federalist Papers #10

factionalism is inevitable, but will be limited by republicanism & the majority

Federalist Papers #51

separation of powers will guard against tyranny

Federalist Papers #78

judicial branch would be weakest of 3 branches; needs to be independent

Full faith and credit

Article 4 Section 1; ensures all states recognized each others' public records

Grants in aid

money given by the national government to the states (funded colleges)

impeachment

power of Congress to accuse a federal official from other branches of government with the possibility of removal

Implied powers

not stated in the Constitution but are suggested

Interstate compacts

agreements between states with each other and with foreign states

Judicial review

the Supreme Court has the authority to overrule acts of other branches

Mandates

rule telling states what they must do to comply w/ federal guidelines

McCulloch v. Maryland

federal government has the power to create a national bank and overruled state power to tax that bank

necessary and proper clause

gives flexibility to Congress to enact legislation that is not specifically stated in the Constitution to benefit the country (Article I Section 8 Part 18)

New Jersey Plan

Constitutional idea favoring small states; equal representation in gov't

participatory democracy

widespread participation in politics and civil society (groups outside the government's control); believes strongly in the involvement of citizens

pluralist democracy

group-based activism and that since thousands of groups are competing in the political process, it is impossible for one to win all of the time

Privileges and immunities

states can't discriminate between its own residents and those in other state

Reserved powers

states are protected by the 10th amendment from federal intervention

Supremacy clause

when there is a conflict between federal and states, federal gov't wins

Three-fifths Compromise

slaves count as a fraction of a person for both representation & taxation

US v. Lopez

Congressional law outlawing gun possession within school areas was unconstitutional due to the fact that it had nothing to do with interstate commerce

Virginia Plan

Constitutional idea favoring big states; population based representation