American Government and Civic Engagement — Key Terms (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on democracy, constitutional design, federalism, and intergovernmental relations.

common goods

Goods that all people may use but that are of limited supply.

democracy

A form of government where political power rests in the hands of the people.

direct democracy

A form of government where people participate directly in making government decisions instead of choosing representatives.

elite theory

The belief that political power rests in the hands of a small, elite group.

government

The means by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority to accomplish collective goals.

ideology

The beliefs and ideals that help shape political opinion and policy.

intense preferences

Beliefs and preferences based on strong feelings regarding an issue that persist over time.

latent preferences

Beliefs and preferences that are not deeply held and can change over time.

majority rule

A fundamental principle of democracy; the majority should have the power to make decisions.

minority rights

Protections for those who are not part of the majority.

monarchy

A form of government where one ruler, usually hereditary, holds political power.

oligarchy

A form of government where a handful of elite hold political power.

partisanship

Strong support or allegiance for a particular political party.

pluralist theory

The view that political power rests in groups representing various interests.

political power

Influence over a government’s institutions, leadership, or policies.

private goods

Goods provided by private businesses that can be used only by those who pay for them.

public goods

Goods provided by government that anyone can use and that are available to all without charge.

representative democracy

A form of government where voters elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on behalf of all the people.

social capital

Connections with others and the willingness to interact and aid them.

toll good

A good that is available to many people but is used only by those who can pay the price to do so.

totalitarianism

A form of government where government is all-powerful and citizens have no rights.

Anti-Federalists

Those who did not support ratification of the Constitution.

Federalists

Those who supported ratification of the Constitution.

Articles of Confederation

The first basis for the new nation’s government; a weak central government formed a confederation of sovereign states.

Great Compromise

A compromise creating a bicameral Congress with representation by population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise

A compromise counting enslaved population as 60% for representation and taxation purposes.

Elastic clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)

Gives Congress power to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers.

Supremacy clause

Federal law is the supreme law of the land and overrides state laws.

Commerce Clause

Grants federal power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Requires states to recognize public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Reserved powers

Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states.

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

Unfunded mandates

Federal laws/regulations that impose obligations on state/local governments without full compensation.

Categorical grants

Federal transfers with strict criteria and matching funds that limit recipient discretion.

Block grants

Federal transfers with fewer restrictions and more flexibility for recipients.

General revenue sharing

Federal funds distributed to states with minimal restrictions (historical phase).

Dual federalism

A period when state and national governments exercise exclusive powers in distinct spheres (layer cake).

Cooperative federalism

Marble-cake federalism; national and state governments cooperate and mix powers.

New Federalism

Efforts to devolve authority back to states and give them more discretion over federal funds.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Supreme Court ruling that Congress could charter a national bank; established national supremacy and implied powers.

Gibbons v. Ogden

Supreme Court ruling that broadly interpreted the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate commerce.

Marbury v. Madison

Established judicial review—the Supreme Court’s authority to rule on constitutional validity of laws.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments with a system of shared powers.

Unitary system

A system where a central government holds most of the power and subnational governments are dependent.

Confederation

A union of sovereign states with a weak central government.

Federal system

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

Ratification

The process by which the Constitution was approved by the states.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting fundamental liberties.

Separation of powers

Division of government into three branches with distinct functions.

Checks and balances

A system in which each branch can limit the powers of the others.

Virginia Plan

Plan for a two-house legislature based on population.

New Jersey Plan

Plan for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for states.

Magna Carta

A 1215 English charter that established early protections for rights and due process.

English Bill of Rights

1689 act that enumerated protections for rights and influenced the U.S. Bill of Rights.

Natural rights

Life, liberty, and property—rights believed to be God-given and inalienable.

Social contract

Idea that governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed.