Key Concepts in American Government

A set of flashcards covering essential vocabulary and concepts in American Government.

Federalist No. 10

A document arguing that a large republic can control factions and limit their power.

Mandatory Vaccinations

Supreme Court case Jacobson v. Massachusetts (1905) that allows states to require vaccinations.

Gerrymandering

The process of drawing district lines to benefit a political party.

Apportionment

The distribution of House seats based on population.

Redistricting

The process of changing district boundaries, affecting representation and elections.

Civil Liberties

Individual freedoms that are protected from government interference.

Checks & Balances

A system where the President can veto laws, and Congress can override vetoes and impeach.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but established by McCulloch v. Maryland (1819).

NSA Surveillance - Arguments For

Protects national security and prevents terrorism.

NSA Surveillance - Arguments Against

Violates privacy and Fourth Amendment rights.

Federalism

The division of power between national and state governments.

Separation of Powers

Government structure divided into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Judiciary & Civil Liberties

Courts interpret the Constitution and can expand civil liberties.

Miranda v. Arizona

A judicial case that protected the rights of the accused.

Federalists

Those who supported ratification of the Constitution and a strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

Those who opposed ratification of the Constitution and demanded a Bill of Rights.

Constitutional Amendment Process

A slow but stable way to adapt the Constitution to societal changes.

Selective Incorporation

The application of Bill of Rights protections to the states.

14th Amendment

Provides due process and equal protection under the law.

Gitlow v. New York

A case that applied free speech protections to the states.

Engel v. Vitale

A ruling that school-sponsored prayer is unconstitutional.

Lemon Test

A test created by Lemon v. Kurtzman to determine if a law violates the separation of church and state.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

A case that protected religious freedom over state law.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislature with two houses, such as the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution protecting individual liberties.

Cloture

A Senate procedure used to end a filibuster.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that are shared by federal and state governments.

Enumerated Powers

Specific powers granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Executive Order

An order issued by the President.

Faction

A group united by common interests.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic used to delay or block a vote.

Judicial Activism

A philosophy where courts take an active role in interpreting the Constitution.

Judicial Restraint

A philosophy where courts limit their role to defer to elected branches.

Natural Rights

Rights that people are born with, such as life and liberty.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A clause that allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its powers.

Participatory Democracy

A form of democracy where citizens directly participate in government.

Pluralist Democracy

A democracy where interest groups compete to influence policy.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that government authority comes from the people.

Social Contract

An agreement between the people and the government about governance.

State of the Union Address

The President’s annual speech to Congress regarding the state of the nation.

Supremacy Clause

A clause stating that federal law is supreme over state law.

Tenth Amendment

The amendment stating that powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states or people.

Checks and Balances

Allows the branches to check other branches