MCAP Government Comprehensive

common good

that which benefits society as a whole: health, safety, and welfare; also known as public good

Brown v. Board of Education

1954 - The Supreme Court overruled Plessy v. Ferguson, declared that racially segregated facilities are inherently unequal and ordered all public schools desegregated.

federal government

a system in which sovereignty is shared so that in some matters the national government is supreme and on others the state, regional or provincial governments are supreme

Marbury v. Madison

The 1803 case in which Chief Justice John Marshall and his associates first asserted the right of the Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the U.S. Constitution. The decision established the Court's power of judicial review over acts of Congress, (the Judiciary Act of 1789).

democratic government

a form of government in which political control is exercised by all people, either directly or through their elected representatives

Miranda v. Arizona

1966 Supreme Court decision that set guidelines for police questioning of accused persons to protect them against self-incrimination and to protect their right to counsel.

direct democracy

this type of democracy allows people to make decisions by voting on issues individually

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District

The 1969 case involving the First Amendment, as applied through the Fourteenth, which did not permit a public school to punish a student for wearing a black armband as an anti-Vietnam war protest, absent any evidence that the rule was necessary to avoid substantial interference with school discipline or the rights of others.

representative democracy

this type of democracy allows people to elect individuals and give them the responsibility and power to make decisions about laws and how the government will operate

NJ vs TLO

The 1985 case involving the search of a high school student for contraband after she was caught smoking. A subsequent search of her purse revealed drug paraphernalia, marijuana, and documentation of drug sales. She was charged as a juvenile for the drugs and paraphernalia found in the search. She fought the search, claiming it violated her Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches. The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, held that the search was reasonable under the Fourth Amendment.

parliamentary democracy

a form of government which gives governmental authority to a legislature or parliament which in turn selects the executive from among its own members

United States v. Richard Nixon

In a unanimous decision, the Court ruled in favor of the United States and against the president. The Supreme Court said that presidents do enjoy a constitutionally protected executive privilege, but that the privilege was not absolute. In this case, the President's interest in keeping his communications secret was outweighed by the interests of the judiciary in providing a fair trial.

presidential democracy

a form of government in which the executive and legislative branches are separate, independent, and co-equal

Baker v. Carr

The Supreme Court decided that the lower court's decision that courts could not hear this case was incorrect. The Court did not decide whether Tennessee's districts were unconstitutional, however. Instead, the justices instructed the district court to allow a hearing on the merits of the claim that the state's legislative districts violated Fourteenth Amendment rights. The Supreme Court decided that drawing lines around state electoral districts can be reviewed by courts, because it is not a political question. This led later "one person, one vote" cases to become the law of the land.

absolute power

being governed by a ruler without any limits or boundaries

McDonald v. Chicago

Several suits were filed against in Illinois challenging their gun bans after the Supreme Court issued its opinion in District of Columbia v. Heller. In that case, the Supreme Court held that a District of Columbia handgun ban violated the Second Amendment. There, the Court reasoned that the law in question was enacted under the authority of the federal government and, thus, the Second Amendment was applicable. Here, plaintiffs argued that the Second Amendment should also apply to the states.In the decision, the Supreme Court held that the Fourteenth Amendment makes the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for the purpose of self-defense applicable to the states.

authoritarian government

a form of government in which those in power hold absolute and unchangeable authority over the people

dictatorship

a form of government in which the leader has absolute power and authority

majority rule

more than half of the people, the majority, make the decisions but the rights of the minority are still protected

absolute monarchy

autocracy in which a king,, queen, or emperor exercises supreme powers of government

oligarchy

totalitarian

a government that exercises dictatorial (authoritarian) power over nearly every aspect of human dignity

economic resources

the natural, human, and capital resources that are used to produce goods and services; also called factors of production

economic wants

human needs and desires that can be satisfied by consuming goods and services

opportunity cost

the foregone benefit of the next best alternative when an economic decision is made; if the class chooses to go to the library to work on their computer skills instead of having recess, then opportunity cost of the choice is having recess

scarcity

the condition that results from unlimited economic wants and the limited resources, goods, and services available to satisfy those wants

traditional economy

a system wherein economic decisions that people and groups make to answer the basic economic questions of "what", "for whom" and "how" generally repeat the decisions made at an earlier time or by an earlier generation

command economy

an economic system in which economic decisions to answer the basic economic questions of "what", "how", and "for whom" are made by an authority such as a feudal lord or government agency

market economy

an economy in which decisions of "what", "how" and "for whom" are decided in markets through the interaction of buyers and sellers

mixed economy

a blend of traditional, command, and market economies; in most cases, a mixed economy reflects some part of market decision making and government participation

full employment

One of the economic goals of the U.S. government. In practice, an unemployment level of not more that 4-5% is considered this.

bureaucracy

A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials

Structure of federal judicial branch

US Supreme Court, US Court of Appeals, US District Court

federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Federalism

A system in which power is divided/shared between the national and state governments

Separation of Powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

Separation of Powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

Structure of state Judicial branch

MD Court of Appeals, Court of Special of Appeals, Circuit Court of MD, District Courts.

cabinet

Advisory council for the president consisting of the heads of the executive departments.

Powers of the Supreme Court

rules laws unconstitutional; original and appellate jurisdiction; final authority on the Constitution

Governor

the head of the executive branch of state government

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Powers of the US Court of Appeals

review decisions of federal district courts

LIETENANT GOVERNOR

an elected official who serves as a deputy to the governor (equivalent of the VP at the state level)

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Powers of the US District Courts

original jurisdiction, hears criminal (in which a federal law has been broken) or civil cases

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.

regulatory agency

executive agency responsible for enforcing laws pertaining to a certain industry, the agency writes guidelines for the industry, such as safety codes, and enforces them through methods such as inspection

Powers of the MD Court of Appeals

highest court in MD.

Federal Communications Commissions (FCC)

regulates television, radio, telegraph, and telephone; grants broadcasting licenses, creates and enforces rules of behavior for broadcasting

Limited Government

The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.

Limited Government

The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.

trial courts at the state level

Circuit court, district court

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

regulates civil aviation, air traffic and piloting standards, and air commerce

Rule of Law

No one is above the law

Rule of Law

principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

regulates product warranties, unfair methods of competition in interstate commerce, and fraud in advertising

Individual Rights and Responsibilities

Basic liberties and rights of all citizens are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. Also, that citizens have duties to perform for a democracy to be successful

Equal Protection Clause

Constitutional guarantee that everyone be treated equally-14th amendment

individual rights and responsibilities

Idea that the rights of individuals in democratic systems are protected, but that with this protection comes the responsibilities of citizenship

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

develops and enforces environmental standards for air, water, and toxic waste

due process clause

Clause in the Fifth Amendment limiting the power of the national government; similar clause in the Fourteenth Amendment prohibiting state governments from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

consent of the governed

People are the source of any and all governmental power

consent of the governed

People are the source of any and all governmental power

Criminal Law

A law that defines crimes against the public order.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

regulates purity and safety of foods, drugs, and cosmetics

majority rule

the principle that the greater number should exercise greater power.

majority rule

the principle that the greater number should exercise greater power.

Civil Law

A law that governs relationships between individuals and defines their legal rights.

roles of the president

head of state
chief executive
chief diplomat
Commander in Chief
chief legislator
party leader

Popular Sovereignty

A government in which the people rule by their own consent.

Popular Sovereignty

Rule by the people

Equal Protection

the principle that laws passed and enforced by the states must apply fairly to all individuals

Equal Protection

the equal application of the law regardless of a person's race, religion, political beliefs, or other qualities

out-of-court settlement

both sides agree to a solution before the case reaches court

qualifications for president

at least 35 years old
a natural-born citizen of the United States
a resident of the United States for at least 14 years.

political party

A group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy

English Common Law

The basis of a court system for justice. The essence of English common law is that it is made by judges sitting in courts, applying their common sense and knowledge of legal precedent to the facts before them.

electoral college

the body of electors who formally elect the United States president and vice-president

arbitration

the process or act of resolving a dispute

interest group

a group of people with common goals who organize to influence government. Usually on a specific issue

Census

the official count of a population, in the US it is conducted every 10 years

mediation

A method of settling disputes outside of court by using the services of a neutral third party, called a mediator. The mediator acts as a communicating agent between the parties

John Locke

17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings and who asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property.

Montesquieu

French political philosopher who advocated the separation of executive and legislative and judicial powers (1689-1755)

Lobbyist

A person who is employed by and acts for an organized interest group or corporation to try to influence policy decisions.

qualifications for governor

30 years old, 5 years as a resident, 5 years as a registered voter

litigation

legal proceedings

business cycle

Alternating periods of economic expansion and economic recession; "a roller coaster"

Plaintiff

a person who brings a civil case against another in a court of law.

Lobbying

Engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials, especially legislators, and the policies they enact.

Rousseau

believed people in their natural state were basically good but that they were corrupted by the evils of society, especially the uneven distribution of property

Defendant

an individual or group being sued or charged with a crime

fiscal policy

A government policy for dealing with the budget (especially with taxing and spending)

Declaration of Independence

1776 statement, issued by the Second Continental Congress, explaining why the colonies wanted independence from Britain.

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.

public opinion

what the public thinks about a particular issue or set of issues at any point in time

Federal Reserve

the central banking system of the United States. Uses reserve requirement, interest rate, and open market operations