Studied by 10 people
Government
The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies
Collective Good
Benefits for all members of society
Politics
determines whom we select as our government leaders and what policies they pursue; in other words, who gets what, when, and how.
Political Participation
the ways in which people get involved in politics
linkage institutions
link the people to the policy makers
Policy agenda
Issues that attract attention from public officials and others involved in politics
Policy makers/Policy making institutions
The branches of government that take action on political issues
public policy
A choice that government makes in response to a political issue. A policy is a course of action taken with regard to some problem.
Majority Rule
The primary principle of a traditional democracy; policy represents the wishes of the largest portion of a population
Minority Rights
principle of democratic government that protect small sections of the population
Pluarlism
principle of American democracy that focuses on opening the policy making process to as many people as possible.
Elitism
The upper class should be entrusted with the majority of the power
Hyper pluralism
If there are too many groups that are too powerful the government will be weakened.
Policy Gridlock
Governmental stagnation that occurs when no majority can be formed
Constitution
A nations basic law
Declaration of Independence
Document written in 1776 listing grievances with Great Britain
Natural Rights
Rights inherent in human beings
Consent of the governed
Principle that governments should get their power from the people
Articles of Confederation
the first constitution of the United States
Shay's Rebellion
armed uprising in response to a debt crisis in Massachusetts
Factions
groups caused by various divisive factors
New Jersey Plan
Every state gets equal representation in Congress
Virginia Plan
States get representation in congress proportional to population
Connecticut Compromise
proposal of bicameral legislature, combination of New Jersey and Virginia Plan
Writ of Habeas Corpus
court preventing unlawful imprisonment
Separation of Powers
feature of the constitution that requires three branches of government.
Checks and balances
Limitation of government power by balancing power among the branches of government
Republic
People select representatives to govern them and make laws
Federalists
supporters of the Constitution
Anti-federalists
Opponents of the Constitution
Federalist Papers
A series of essays written in support of the Constitution.
Bill of Rights
First 10 Amendments
Judicial Review
power of the courts to veto legislation for constitutionally
Federalism
Two or more levels of government have control over the same land and population
Supremacy Clause
Constitution is the supreme law of the land
10th Amendment
State governments have all rights not explicitly given to the government or withheld from the states
Enumerated Powers
powers of the federal government specifically addressed in the constitution
Implied Powers
Powers of the federal government beyond what is specifically stated in the Constitution
Elastic Clause
Clause in the Constitution that allows Congress to pass laws necessary to carry out its enumerated powers
Full faith and Credit
Clause in the Constitution requiring states to recognize actions of other states
Extradition
Legal process that allows criminals to be tried where the alleged crime was committed
Privileges and Immunities
States must recognize privileges of citizens from other states.
Dual Federalism
State and federal government influence is seperated into their respective spheres
Cooperative/New Federalism
Powers of policy are shared between state and federal government
Devolution
The transfer of responsibility for policies from federal government to local government
Fiscal Federalism
How federal, state, and local governments share funding.
Categorical Grants
Grants with strict limitations for how the money is spent
Project Grants
Categorical grants with that require an application
Formula grants
grants with funding based on a formula
Block grants
Federal grants with few strings attached given for large programs like social services
Note 
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