American Government Test Terms

Flashcards of key vocabulary and concepts from lecture notes on American Government.

Government

Institutions through which the state maintains order, provides services, and enforces decisions within a territory.

Core Political Values

Liberty, democracy, and equality are the core values of the United States.

John Locke

Enlightenment thinker who emphasized the concept of Natural Rights (life, liberty, and property).

Social Contract

The idea that the interaction of government with people was based on the idea that there was a Social Contract between the people and governmental authorities.

Montesquieu

Enlightenment thinker who emphasized the concept of separation of powers, where power is divided among branches of government to ensure checks and balances.

Federalism

Form of government where power is shared between a central (federal) government and local (state or regional) governments.

Federal Government

The central government located in Washington, D.C.

Federalists

An early political party that supported a strong national government.

Federalist Papers

Essays written to persuade Americans to accept the Constitution.

Confederation

The type of government under the Articles of Confederation, where states had most of the power.

Federalism (under the Constitution)

The new system where power is shared between national and state governments.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing fundamental rights and liberties.

Civil Liberties

Freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights (such as freedom of speech, religion, and privacy), acting as restraints on government power.

Civil Rights

Legal protections against discrimination, granted through laws (such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965).

Due Process

The government must treat people fairly through the legal system before taking away their rights, property, or freedom.

Equal Protection of the Laws

Requires states to treat individuals equally under the law.

1st Amendment

Protects freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; requires warrants based on probable cause.

5th Amendment

Provides rights related to due process, protection against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and eminent domain.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship, due process, and equal protection under the law to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.

Amendment Process

The procedure to change the Constitution, requiring proposal by Congress or a convention and ratification by states.

Articles of Confederation

The original U.S. governing document creating a weak central government, later replaced by the Constitution.

Block Grants

Federal funds given to states with broad spending guidelines.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided for specific purposes with strict rules.

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the others.

Civil Liberties

Individual freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights that restrict government power.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

A landmark law outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

“Clear and Present Danger”

A legal standard that limits speech if it poses an immediate threat to public safety.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress the power to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments.

Core Values

Fundamental beliefs such as liberty, equality, and democracy that shape American political culture.

Cooperative Federalism

A system where federal and state governments work together on policy areas.

Delegate

Acts according to constituents’ wishes.

Trustee

Acts on personal judgment.

Politico

Switches between delegate and trustee roles.

Devolution

The transfer of powers from the federal government to the states.

Due Process Laws

Legal protections that ensure fair treatment through the judicial system (from 5th and 14th Amendments).

Establishment Clause

Part of the 1st Amendment that prohibits government from establishing an official religion.

Federalism

A system of government dividing power between national and state governments.

Federalist Papers

Essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay supporting the ratification of the Constitution.

Free Exercise Clause

Part of the 1st Amendment protecting citizens’ rights to practice religion freely.

Freedom of Speech

The right to express opinions without government censorship or restraint.

Government

The system or group of people governing an organized community, usually a state.

John Locke

Philosopher who influenced the Constitution; known for ideas about natural rights and social contract.

Legal Processes for Change

Methods to amend or interpret laws and the Constitution, including amendments and court rulings.

Liberal Democracy

A democratic system emphasizing individual rights and freedoms protected by law.

Montesquieu

Philosopher who advocated separation of powers among branches of government.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Also called the Elastic Clause; allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its powers.

New Jersey Plan

Equal representation per state.

Virginia Plan

Representation based on population.

Connecticut Compromise

Bicameral legislature with both systems.

Pluralism

The theory that many groups compete to influence government policy.

Political Efficacy

The belief that one's political participation really matters and can influence government.

Representation in Congress

The way people’s interests are represented through elected officials in the House and Senate.

Representative Democracy

A government where citizens elect officials to make decisions on their behalf.

Right to Privacy

The implied right to personal privacy from government intrusion.

Rights of the Accused

Legal protections for people accused of crimes, including fair trial and protection from self-incrimination.

Selective Incorporation

The process by which the Supreme Court applies Bill of Rights protections to the states via the 14th Amendment.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that federal law is the supreme law of the land over state laws.

Three-Fifths Compromise

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

Unfunded Mandate

Federal requirements imposed on states without federal funding.

Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L.

Limits on school discipline related to students' off-campus speech.

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District

Students' rights to free speech at school.

Texas v. Johnson

Protects flag burning as symbolic speech under the 1st Amendment.