Midterm 1: Foundations of American Political Systems

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering foundational concepts of American politics, federalism, historical compromises, constitutional clauses, civil liberties, and civil rights.

Govt. (Government)

A system for making decisions and an organizational structure regarding what to do and how to do it.

Monarchy

A type of government ruled by a single hereditary ruler.

Dictatorship

A type of government featuring a single ruler with absolute authority.

Aristocracy

A type of government where a small social class is in charge.

Theocracy

A type of government led by religious leaders.

Direct democracy

A form of government in which citizens vote directly on decisions.

Representative democracy

A form of government in which citizens elect officials to represent them and act on their behalf.

Confederation

A loose national association where states are autonomous; it is the most decentralized government system.

Federal system

A government structure in which power is shared among local, state, and national levels.

Unitary system

A centralized government structure where states follow the national government; it is the most centralized type.

Free riding problem

A situation where people benefit from the work of others because they cannot be excluded (e.g., fighting climate change).

Politics

The process that determines what the government does, including how and when public versus private goods are offered.

Ideology

A set of ideals used to organize and evaluate the political realm.

Conservative

A political ideology characterized by limited government, traditional values, and a free market.

Liberal

A political ideology characterized by an active government, social equality, and regulation.

Libertarian

A political ideology advocating for maximum individual freedom and minimal government interference.

Articles of Confederation

The first attempt at creating a U.S. government, which was overly decentralized with a single-vote Congress, no judiciary, and no president.

Virginia plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention where state representation was based on population, favoring large states.

New Jersey plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention where each state received one vote regardless of population.

The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

An agreement establishing a two-chamber Congress where the Senate gives each state two senators and the House assigns representatives by population.

Three Fifths Compromise

A compromise where each enslaved person was counted as three-fifths of a person for both legislative representation and taxation purposes.

Necessary and proper clause

Also known as the elastic clause; allows Congress to pass laws necessary and proper to carry out its exclusive functions.

Vesting clause

An ambiguous constitutional clause stating that executive power is vested in the president, allowing presidents to accrue power over time.

Judicial review

An unwritten constitutional power enabling courts to strike down unconstitutional acts.

1st Amendment

Constitutional amendment protecting fundamental freedoms including speech, religion, the press, and peaceful assembly.

2nd Amendment

Constitutional amendment protecting the right of individuals to keep and bear arms for self-defense.

4th Amendment

Constitutional amendment protecting citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures by requiring probable cause for warrants.

5th Amendment

Constitutional amendment granting criminal defendant protections, including due process, protection against self-incrimination, double jeopardy safeguards, and eminent domain limits.

6th Amendment

Constitutional amendment guaranteeing criminal defendants the right to a speedy trial, an impartial jury, and legal counsel.

8th Amendment

Constitutional amendment prohibiting excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

10th Amendment

Constitutional amendment stating that powers not explicitly given to the federal government are reserved for the states.

11th Amendment

Constitutional amendment establishing that citizens of one state cannot sue another state in federal court.

13th Amendment

Reconstruction Amendment that officially abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States.

14th Amendment

Reconstruction Amendment granting equal protection under the law and prohibiting states from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without due process.

15th Amendment

Reconstruction Amendment prohibiting state and federal governments from denying citizens the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

19th Amendment

Constitutional amendment ratified in 1920 that granted women the right to vote.

Full faith and credit clause

A constitutional requirement that each state must honor other states' laws.

Privileges and immunities clause

A constitutional requirement that states must treat non-residents the same as their own residents.

Dual Federalism

A theoretical model of federalism (1789–1937) where national and state governments operated within separate spheres without overlapping.

Cooperative Federalism

A model of federalism (1937–today) where national and state governments work together, blurring responsibilities and boundaries.

Picket Fence Federalism

A refined model of cooperative federalism emerging in the 1960s where policy experts within specific areas collaborate across all levels of government.

Categorical grants

Federal aid provided to state or local governments for specific, targeted purposes.

Block grants

Federal aid given within a broad policy area, allowing states flexibility in deciding how to spend the funds.

Unfunded mandates

Federal regulations or requirements imposed on states without federal funding attached, requiring states to pay for compliance.

Coercive Federalism

A system where the federal government uses mandates or threats of funding withdrawal to pressure states into changing their policies.

Civil liberties

Protections granting 'freedom to' (e.g., right to assemble, worship, and protest) that safeguard citizens from government abuse.

Civil rights

Protections granting 'freedom from' discrimination by the government or other individuals.

Establishment clause

A constitutional clause preventing the government from making laws that favor or establish any official religion.

The Lemon Test

A legal standard requiring government aid to have a secular purpose, not advance or inhibit religion, and avoid excessive government entanglement with religion.

Exclusionary Rule

A Fourth Amendment rule providing that evidence collected illegally cannot be admitted in court.

Intersectionality

The way in which identity markers such as race, gender, and other individual characteristics intersect and overlap.

Protectionism

The notion that women should be denied certain rights for their own safety or well-being, historically used to rationalize equal rights denials.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Supreme Court case establishing that Congress has implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause to create a national bank.

Gibbons v. Ogden

Supreme Court case ruling that the Commerce Clause grants Congress exclusive authority to regulate interstate commerce.

U.S. v. Lopez

Supreme Court ruling that Congress exceeded its constitutional authority under the Commerce Clause by banning guns in school zones.

Dred Scott v. Sandford

Supreme Court ruling stating that enslaved individuals were property, declaring restrictions on slavery in northern states unconstitutional.

Griswold v. Connecticut

Supreme Court decision establishing an implied constitutional right to privacy.

Roe v. Wade

Supreme Court ruling that the constitutional right to privacy encompasses a woman's right to an abortion.

Dobbs v. Jackson

Supreme Court decision holding that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion, overturning Roe v. Wade.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Supreme Court case that upheld racial segregation laws under the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Brown v. Board of Education

Supreme Court decision rejecting the 'separate but equal' doctrine and declaring state-mandated school segregation unconstitutional.

D.C. v. Heller

Supreme Court ruling that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess a firearm for self-defense.

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly granted to the national government in the Constitution, such as declaring war and coining money.

Reserved powers

Powers not delegated to the national government nor prohibited to the states, kept by the states under the 10th Amendment.

Concurrent powers

Governing powers shared simultaneously by both national and state governments, such as levying taxes and building infrastructure.

Supremacy clause

Constitutional provision declaring that federal law takes precedence over conflicting state laws.