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Natural Rights

Inherent rights all people are born with including life liberty and property that government must protect

Life

Right to live free from arbitrary government interference

Liberty

Right to act think and speak freely

Property

Right to own and control possessions and labor

Popular Sovereignty

Government authority comes from consent of the governed

Republicanism

Citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions

Social Contract

Agreement where people give up some freedoms in exchange for protection of rights

Declaration of Independence

Document stating natural rights listing grievances and justifying revolution

U.S. Constitution

Framework establishing structure powers and limits of government

Participatory Democracy

Model emphasizing broad direct citizen involvement

Pluralist Democracy

Model where groups compete to influence policy outcomes

Elite Democracy

Model where a small group of elites holds most political power

Faction

Group of citizens with shared interests that may oppose the public good

Federalist No 10

Madison argues large republic controls factions through representation

Brutus No 1

Argues large republic weakens local control and threatens liberty

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. government with weak national power and strong states

Shays Rebellion

Uprising showing inability of national government to maintain order

Power to Tax (Articles)

Congress lacked authority to tax directly

Commerce Regulation (Articles)

No power to regulate interstate or foreign trade

Amendment Process (Articles)

Required unanimous consent making change difficult

Virginia Plan

Proposed representation based on population and strong national government

New Jersey Plan

Proposed equal representation preserving state power

Great Compromise

Created House based on population and Senate with equal representation

Electoral College

Indirect system of electing president through state electors

Three Fifths Compromise

Counted enslaved people as 3/5 for representation and taxation

Formal Amendment

Official constitutional change through Article V process

Informal Amendment

Change through interpretation laws and political practice

Article V

Defines amendment proposal and ratification process

Separation of Powers

Division of government into legislative executive and judicial branches

Checks and Balances

Each branch can limit powers of others to prevent tyranny

Federalist No 51

Madison explains structure of government protects liberty through checks

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly listed in Constitution mainly in Article I Section 8

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by national and state governments such as taxation

Reserved Powers

Powers reserved to states under the 10th Amendment

Implied Powers

Powers inferred from enumerated powers via Necessary and Proper Clause

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to pass laws needed to execute enumerated powers

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress authority to regulate interstate foreign and tribal commerce broadly

10th Amendment

Powers not delegated to federal government are reserved to states or people

14th Amendment

Provides due process equal protection and incorporates Bill of Rights to states

Supremacy Clause

Establishes Constitution and federal laws as highest law over states

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must recognize laws records and court decisions of other states

Categorical Grants

Federal funding with strict conditions increasing federal influence

Block Grants

Federal funding with broad guidelines giving states flexibility

Mandates

Federal requirements states must follow sometimes without funding

Federal Revenue Sharing

Distribution of federal funds to states with minimal restrictions

McCulloch v Maryland

Established implied powers and federal supremacy over states

United States v Lopez

Limited Commerce Clause and reinforced state authority

House of Representatives

Lower chamber based on population with 2 year terms and closer to public

Senate

Upper chamber with equal representation and 6 year terms

Enumerated Powers of Congress

Include taxation regulating commerce declaring war and raising armies

Implied Powers of Congress

Expanded through Necessary and Proper Clause to address modern needs

Filibuster

Senate tactic of extended debate to delay or block legislation

Cloture

Requires 60 votes in Senate to end filibuster

Discharge Petition

House method to force bill out of committee with majority support

Rules Committee

House committee controlling debate time amendments and procedures

Treaty Ratification

Senate power to approve treaties with 2/3 vote

Confirmation of Judges

Senate approves presidential judicial appointments

Mandatory Spending

Spending required by existing law such as Social Security and Medicare

Discretionary Spending

Spending decided annually through appropriations

Pork Barrel Legislation

Government spending for localized projects benefiting constituents

Logrolling

Exchange of support among legislators for mutual benefit

Divided Government

Different parties control different branches causing conflict or compromise

Partisan

Strong support for one political party

Bipartisan

Cooperation between political parties

Lame Duck President

President finishing term with limited influence

Trustee

Representative uses personal judgment to make decisions

Delegate

Representative follows constituent preferences directly

Politico

Representative balances judgment and constituent views

Gerrymandering

Drawing district boundaries to favor a political party or group

Redistricting

Redrawing electoral districts after census

Baker v Carr

Established one person one vote and allowed courts to hear redistricting cases

Shaw v Reno

Declared racial gerrymandering unconstitutional if race is dominant factor

Veto

President rejects legislation passed by Congress

Pocket Veto

President vetoes by not signing bill when Congress adjourns

Executive Orders

Presidential directives to manage executive branch policy

Commander in Chief

President serves as head of military

Executive Agreements

International agreements without Senate approval

Signing Statements

Presidential interpretations of laws when signing

Bargaining and Persuasion

President negotiates with Congress and influences public to pass policies

Judicial Appointments

President nominates federal judges shaping long term policy

Federalist No 70

Hamilton argues strong executive ensures energy accountability and effectiveness

Presidential Requirements

Must be 35 years old natural born citizen and 14 year resident

22nd Amendment

Limits president to two terms showing concern over executive power

Bully Pulpit

President’s platform to influence public opinion

State of the Union

Annual address outlining policy agenda

Bureaucracy

System of agencies that implement federal laws and policies

Patronage

Hiring based on political loyalty

Merit System

Hiring based on qualifications and exams

Civil Service

Permanent government employees

Power of the Purse

Congress controls funding of agencies to influence policy

Compliance Monitoring

Oversight ensuring agencies follow laws

Iron Triangle

Stable relationship between agencies Congress committees and interest groups

Issue Networks

Loose connections of groups and officials influencing policy

Committee Hearings

Congressional meetings to oversee agencies and gather information

Oversight

Congress monitors executive branch implementation of laws

Civil Liberties

Protections from government interference in freedoms

Civil Rights

Protections against discrimination and unequal treatment

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments protecting individual freedoms

Selective Incorporation

Applying Bill of Rights to states via 14th Amendment