Government Unit 1 Test

Anti-Federalists

those who opposed ratification of the constitution

Articles of Confederation

the first governing document of the United States, replaced by the present Constitution in 1789.

Bicameralism

two house legislature

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution

Block Grants

Federal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services

Categorical Grants

federal grants for specific purposes, such as building an airport

Checks and Blances

each branch has the ability to limit the power of the other branches

Connecticut (Great) Compromise

Plan that called for a bicameral Congress; House based on population, two Senators for every state.

Consent of the Governed

the idea that government derives its authority by the sanction of the people

Constitutional Convention

meeting of state delegates in Philadelphia in 1787 leading to adoption of new Constitution

Cooperative Federalism

system in which both federal government and state governments cooperate in solving problems

Democracy

a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

Direct Democracy

A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives

Indirect Democracy

A system of government that gives citizens the opportunity to vote for representatives who will work on their behalf.

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.

Dual Federalism

A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.

Elastic Clause

the part of the Constitution that permits Congress to make any laws "necessary and proper" to carrying out its powers

Madisonian Model

A structure of government proposed by James Madison in which the powers of the government are separated into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

Elitist Theory

A theory that a few top leaders make the key decisions without reference to popular desires.

Enumerated (Expressed) Powers

the powers of the federal government specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

Federal Mandates

A requirement in federal legislation that forces states and muicipalities to comply with certain rules

Federalism

a system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Federalist Papers

Written by Hamilton, Jay, & Madison to support ratification of the U.S. Constitution

Federalists

supporters of the constitution

Fiscal Federalism

the pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system

Full Faith & Credit Clause

provision of the Constitution that mandates states to honor the laws and judicial proceedings of other states

Government

the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies

Government Institutions

social institutions responsible for ensuring the rights of citizens

Hyperpluralist Theory

A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened.

Implied Powers

powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution

Inherent Powers

powers that belong to the national government simply because it is a sovereign body.

Intergovernmental Relations

The workings of the federal system - the entire set of interactions among national, state, and local governments

Judicial Review

the power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments unconstitutional

Linkage Institutions

the political channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the policy agenda

Marbury v. Madison

established concept of judicial review, first time supreme court declared something 'unconstitutional'

McCulloch v. Maryland

Maryland was trying to tax the national bank and Supreme Court ruled that federal law was stronger than the state law

Natural Law

a rule or body of rules of conduct inherent in human nature and essential to or binding upon human society

Necessary & Proper Clause

constitutional authorization for Congress to make any law required to carry out its powers

Pluralist Theory

the theory that political power is distributed among a wide array of diverse and competing interest groups

Political Culture

an overall set of values widely shared within a society

Politics

the study of government of states and other political units

Popular Sovereignty

people hold the final authority in all matters of government

Preamble to the Constitution

Expresses reasons why Constitution was written. Establishes that the power of government comes from the people.

Principles of Traditional Democratic Theory

1) Equality in voting

2) Effective Participation

3) Enlightened Understanding

4) Citizen Control of the Agenda

5) Inclusion

Reserved Powers

Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people

Selective Incorporation

court cases that apply the Bill of rights to states

Separation of Powers

the division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government

Shay's Rebellion

was led by Daniel Shays it was a protest against the land being taken away and the taxes that they had just worked so hard to get rid of

Supremacy Clause

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land

Tyranny

government based on absolute power or cruelty

US Constitution

The government of the United States. A set of principles (guidelines) that describe the duties and powers of the government.

Virginia & New Jersey Plans

Plans where representation in Congress was proportional (Virginia) or equal (NewJersey)