Foundations of American Democracy and Political Systems

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to American Democracy and Political Systems.

Natural Rights

Rights all people are born with, including life, liberty, and property.

Social Contract

An agreement among individuals to form a government to protect their rights.

Popular Sovereignty

The authority of government comes from the people.

Limited Government

A government whose power is restricted by law.

Separation of Powers

The division of power among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government can check the power of the others.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between national and state governments.

Republicanism

A form of government where people elect representatives.

Declaration of Independence

The document asserting American independence from Britain.

Participatory Democracy

A form of democracy emphasizing broad participation by citizens.

Pluralist Democracy

A political system where groups compete to influence policy.

Elitist Democracy

A system where small elite groups influence political decisions.

Federalist 10

An essay arguing that a large republic can control factions.

Brutus 1

An essay advocating that small republics protect liberty better.

Federalists

Those who supported a strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

Those who favored strong state governments and opposed the Constitution.

Shays’ Rebellion

A farmers' revolt that highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. government, deemed too weak.

Great Compromise

Created a bicameral Congress based on population and equal representation.

Electoral College

The system used to elect the President indirectly.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement that 3 of every 5 slaves would be counted for representation.

Slave Importation Compromise

Allowed the slave trade to continue until 1808.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution protecting individual liberties.

Formal Amendment Process

The official process of changing the Constitution through proposal and ratification.

Informal Amendment

Changes in interpretation of the Constitution without written changes.

Federalist 51

Argues for the necessity of separation of powers and checks and balances.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that national laws override state laws.

Exclusive Powers

Powers reserved only for the national government.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly listed but allowed through the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make laws required to carry out its powers.

Reserved Powers

Powers that are left to the states.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both state and national governments.

Block Grants

Federal funds given to states with broad discretion.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds earmarked for specific purposes.

Mandates

Federal orders that states must comply with, whether funded or unfunded.

Commerce Clause

Grants Congress the power to regulate trade between states and nations.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Supreme Court case that strengthened national power; states cannot tax federal institutions.

U.S. v. Lopez

Court case that limited the use of the Commerce Clause by Congress.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government that makes laws, comprising the House and Senate.

Bicameralism

A legislative body composed of two chambers.

House of Representatives

A legislative chamber with 2-year terms; members must be at least 25.

Senate

A legislative chamber with 6-year terms; members must be at least 30.

Enumerated Powers (Congress)

Powers listed in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.

Implied Powers (Congress)

Powers derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Congressional Committees

Smaller groups within Congress handling specific duties.

Congressional Leadership

Positions including Speaker of the House, Majority and Minority leaders, and Whips.

Senate Procedures

Include filibustering, cloture, treaty ratification, and confirmation of appointments.

House Terms

Relevant terms include revenue bills and Rules Committee procedures.

Mandatory Spending

Government spending that is required, such as for Social Security.

Discretionary Spending

Budgetary allocations that Congress can adjust yearly.

Pork Barrel

Money spent on local projects for constituency approval.

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging votes among legislators.

Apportionment

The distribution of House seats based on population.

Redistricting

Redrawing district lines after the census.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to favor one party.

Divided Government

A situation where different parties control different branches.

Polarization

Growing ideological differences between political parties.

Partisanship

Loyalty to a political party.

Gridlock

The inability to pass laws due to party conflict.

Trustee Model

Representatives vote based on their judgment.

Delegate Model

Representatives vote according to the wishes of their constituents.

Politico Model

A blend of trustee and delegate models.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws.