Gov Batch 1: Foundations of American Democracy

Foundations of American Democracy (FOG)

Rule of Law

The principle that no one, including public officials are above the law.

Proportional Representation

An electoral system that elects multiple representatives in each district in proportion to the number of people.

US Senate Special Powers

• try impeachments

• Confirm/ reject presidential appointments

• Approve/ reject negotiated treaties by the Exec branch

House of Representatives Special Powers

• initiate all tax bills

• impeach federal officials

• elect a president if no candidate wins majority Electoral College votes

Popular Sovereignty

All government power comes from the consent of the governed

Presidential Democracy

A system of democratic government with a clear separation of powers between an independently elected president and a distinct Legislative Branch

Parliamentary Democracy

A system of democratic government where the Executive Branch is drawn from and accountable to the legislature.

Representative Democracy

Voters select representatives who vote on public policy matters

Direct Democracy

Citizens vote directly on public policy

Confederal System

Individual states or regions hold the power and have weak central authority with limited powers (little enforcement power)

Republicanism

The governments authority comes from the people through their representatives

Unitary System

The central government has all the power over state governments

Federal System

Power is divided between national and state governments

Limited Government

governments powers are restricted to prevent tyranny and protect individual and property rights

Inalienable Rights

Rights given to everyone that the government can’t take away

Natural Rights

Rights everyone is born with that the government can’t take away LLP (life, liberty, property)

Tyranny

A large group trample rights of a smaller group or a small group trample rights of a bigger group

Declaration of Independence

Document with the principles that the government and America is based on. Break up from Britain. The people hold the power.

Referendum

A direct vote where citizens vote on a particular issue proposed by legislature

Social Contract

An agreement among people in society, that they give up some freedom for government to maintain social order

Articles of Confederation

Flawed document that created a union of 13 independent states that held the power.

Shays Rebellion

An uprising against state governments in Massachusetts during AOC fueled by popular anger. It put pressure on the confederation to change and eventually led to the AOC revision.

Unicameral

A one-house legislature. Each state had delegates but could only have 1 vote.

Abolish

End/remove a system, practice, or institution

Ratify

Approval to a law, treaty, or amendment

Proponents

Federalists & Anti-Federalists. A group that supports proposals or policies relating to the structure/goals of a government

Bicameral Legislature

A two-house legislature (senate and HR)

The Great Compromise

Agreement for a plan that combines VA and NJ plans to settle issues of state representation by calling for a bicameral legislature with a HR portioned for population and an equal Senate.

3/5 Compromise

Slaves counted as 3/5 of a person when counting states representation

Commerce Compromise

Allowed Congress to regulate interstate commerce and impose tariffs on imports but no taxes on exports and no interference with the slave trade until 1808

Dictatorship

one leader having absolute power without checks

Resolution

Formal written expression of the opinion or will of the legislature

Contempt

Disobedience of an order of a court, judge or legislature

Obstruction

Knowingly impairing the performance of government functions through force

Grievances

Formal/informal complaint

Pluralist Theory

Political power distributed among many diverse, competing groups instead of one elite.

Elitist Theory

An elite few have more power in the policymaking process

Participatory Theory

Broad citizen political participation is needed for a democratic government

Suffrage

The right to vote in political elections

Absolute Power

Complete authority not limited by any other government bodies

Civil Society

Independent Associations outside government control

Free Elections

All citizens can vote without coercion intimidation, or manipulation

Competitive Elections

Multiple candidates/parties freely run &campaign on equal footing