Democracy and Federalism Concepts Review

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts related to democracy, federalism, and foundational documents in the United States.

Popular Sovereignty

Power comes from the people; government rules with consent.

Social Contract

People give up some freedom in exchange for protection of rights.

Natural Rights

Life, liberty, property, as defined by Locke.

Republicanism

A form of representative democracy where elected officials govern.

Limited Government

Government power is restricted by law or the Constitution.

Separation of Powers

Division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks & Balances

Each branch of government limits the powers of the other branches.

Federalism

Power divided between national and state governments.

Judicial Review

Courts have the power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Individual Rights

Civil liberties protected from government abuse.

Declaration of Independence

Foundational document asserting natural rights and popular sovereignty.

U.S. Constitution

Document outlining the social contract and limited government.

Direct Democracy

A system where citizens vote directly on laws.

Initiative

A process allowing citizens to propose legislation.

Referendum

A direct vote where an entire electorate votes on a particular proposal.

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy emphasizing broad citizen participation.

Pluralist Democracy

Democracy characterized by competing interest groups.

Elite Democracy

A system where power is held by wealthy or educated elites.

Federalist No. 10

Written by Madison, arguing that a large republic controls factions.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti-Federalist paper arguing that a large republic threatens liberty.

Articles of Confederation

The original constitution that established a weak national government.

Factions

Groups of people with shared interests that can impact government decisions.

Shays’ Rebellion

An uprising that highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Established a bicameral legislature with representation by population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement for counting three-fifths of enslaved people for representation purposes.

Electoral College

System established to elect the President indirectly.

Slave Trade Compromise

Allowed the slave trade to continue until 1808.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, added to secure ratification.

House of Representatives

The part of Congress that makes laws and represents the population.

Senate

The part of Congress that represents states with equal representation.

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly granted to the federal government.

Reserved Powers

Powers not delegated to the federal government, reserved for the states.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states.

Necessary & Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make laws required to execute its powers.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that federal law takes precedence over state laws.

14th Amendment

Addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Supreme Court case that established the federal government's implied powers.

Gibbons v. Ogden

Supreme Court case that broadened the interpretation of the commerce power.

U.S. v. Lopez

Supreme Court case that narrowed the scope of the commerce power.

Obergefell v. Hodges

Supreme Court ruling that recognized the right to marry for same-sex couples.

Categorical Grants

Federal grants for specific purposes.

Block Grants

Federal grants allocated for broad purposes.

Mandates

Direct orders from the federal government to states.