Foundations of American Democracy

Electoral College

A system for electing the president where electors from each state vote based on the state’s popular vote.

Enumerated powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution as belonging to the national government.

Natural Law

The idea that laws should reflect universal moral principles found in human nature.

Natural Rights

Basic rights such as life, liberty, and property that governments are created to protect.

Majoritarianism

A principle where the majority of people hold decision-making power.

3/5 Compromise

An agreement counting enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

Great Compromise

An agreement creating a bicameral Congress with equal Senate representation and population-based House representation.

Federalist

A supporter of the Constitution who favored a stronger national government.

Anti-Federalist

An opponent of the Constitution who feared centralized power and supported stronger state governments.

Impeachment

The process where the House of Representatives charges a federal official with wrongdoing.

Popular sovereignty

The idea that government authority comes from the people.

Social contract

The theory that people give up some freedoms to a government in exchange for protection of rights.

Elite theory

The belief that a small, powerful group controls political decisions.

Pluralist theory

The belief that many competing groups share political power.

Shays’ Rebellion

A farmer uprising that exposed weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation.

Participatory democracy

A system where citizens are directly involved in political decision-making.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress the power to regulate trade between states.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Requires states to recognize legal decisions and records of other states.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that federal law overrides state law when they conflict.

Elastic Clause

Allows Congress to pass laws necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.

Extradition

The process of returning a fugitive to the state where the crime occurred.

Exclusive powers

Powers held only by the national government.

Reserved powers

Powers given to the states by the Tenth Amendment.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by both state and national governments.

Dual federalism

A system where state and national governments operate separately in distinct areas.

Cooperative federalism

A system where state and national governments work together on policies.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states.

Implied powers

Powers not directly stated but inferred from enumerated powers.

Categorical grants

Federal funds given to states for specific purposes with strict guidelines.

Block grants

Federal funds given to states for general purposes with fewer restrictions.

Power to tax

The authority of government to collect money from citizens.

Doctrine of nullification

The idea that states can reject federal laws they consider unconstitutional.

Mandates

Federal requirements that states must follow, sometimes without funding.

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers not given to the federal government to the states.

Eminent domain

The government’s power to take private property for public use with compensation.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Ruled that Congress has implied powers and that states cannot tax the federal government.

United States v. Lopez

Limited Congress’s Commerce Clause power by ruling gun possession near schools is not economic activity.

Clean Air Act

Regulates air pollution to protect public health and the environment.

Clean Water Act

Sets standards to control water pollution in the United States.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in public life.