American Politics and the US Constitution Study Guide

These flashcards cover essential concepts from the study guide on American Politics and the U.S. Constitution, aiding students in their exam preparation.

What are natural rights?

The rights to life, liberty, and property; believed to be given by God.

What does the state of nature refer to?

The idea of living under no government and having no rules for society.

What is due process?

The requirement that the government has a fair procedure that applies equally to all when dealing with people.

What is a chamber in the context of U.S. legislature?

One of the houses of a legislature; Congress has two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

What is a social contract?

A basic agreement between people and their government in which citizens consent to be governed as long as the government protects their natural rights.

What is social contract theory?

The idea that society is not natural but created by the people.

What is direct democracy?

A form of democracy where people participate personally in making government decisions instead of choosing representatives.

What period is known as the Enlightenment?

A period of Western European history following the Middle Ages, which influenced ideas about natural rights.

What does the political spectrum refer to?

A way to classify political ideologies, primarily consisting of liberalism on the left and conservatism on the right.

What is the Declaration of Independence?

The original document that declared the United States' independence and listed important natural rights and grievances against the king of England.

What are the Bill of Rights?

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution that list citizens' civil liberties and civil rights.

What is sovereignty?

The principle that a government has the authority to manage its political affairs within its own geographical boundaries.

What defines a bicameral legislature?

A lawmaking body that consists of two separate chambers.

What is habeas corpus?

The right for a jailed citizen to appear before a judge to hear about a criminal charge; prohibits imprisonment without due process.

What are enumerated rights?

Rights given to the federal government by the Constitution to regulate various aspects such as commerce and military.

What were the Articles of Confederation?

The first attempt at organizing the government of the United States, which established a unicameral Congress and had significant weaknesses.

What does it mean to have a popular vote?

The outcome of a democratic election in which all qualified voters are eligible to participate and the winner is the candidate who receives the most votes.

What was the Virginia Plan?

A proposal for a bicameral legislature where the number of representatives would be based on a state's population.

What was the New Jersey Plan?

A proposal for a one-house national legislature where each state would have one vote.

What was the Great Compromise?

An agreement that created a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

An agreement that counted three-fifths of a state's enslaved population for purposes of federal taxation and representation.

What is the principle of checks and balances?

Constitutional powers that allow each branch of government to limit the power of the other two branches.

What is separation of powers?

The division of government powers among three separate branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

What is the federal system?

A form of government in which power is divided between state governments and a national government.

What are reserved powers?

Powers not prohibited by the Constitution that are reserved for the states.

What was the purpose of The Federalist Papers?

A series of 85 essays promoting the ratification of the newly written Constitution.

What is a bill of attainder?

An act declaring a person guilty of a crime without offering a trial; prohibited by the U.S. Constitution.

What is judicial review?

The power of courts to overturn laws passed by Congress or actions of the president if they conflict with the Constitution.

What is the Equal Protection Clause?

A clause in the 14th Amendment that prohibits government from denying any person equal protection under the law.

What is the significance of the 15th Amendment?

It stipulates that the right to vote cannot be denied based on race.

What distinguishes civil rights from civil liberties?

Civil rights are guarantees of equal opportunity and protection; civil liberties are individual freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.

What is the 'inherent powers' of the president?

Powers assumed to exist as a direct result of the country's existence that are neither enumerated nor implied.