Untitled Flashcards Set

Natural Rights

Rights inherent to all individuals, including life, liberty, and property; government exists to protect these rights.

Social Contract

The theory that government derives its power from the consent of the governed.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of government is sustained by the consent of its people.

Limited Government

A governance principle where government power is restricted by law, often through a constitution.

Republicanism

A system where people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

Checks and Balances

A system ensuring that no branch of government becomes too powerful, as each branch has the means to check the others.

Federalism

A model of governance where power is divided between a national government and state governments.

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy where citizens have the power to directly decide on policy.

Pluralist Democracy

A political system where multiple groups compete to influence policy and administration.

Elitist Democracy

A model of democracy where a small number of elites hold a disproportionate amount of power.

Federalist Ideology

Belief in a strong central government that protects minority rights.

Factions

Groups of individuals with shared interests seeking to influence government policy.

Brutus 1

An Anti-Federalist paper advocating for states' rights and a decentralized government.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the U.S. that created a weak national government.

Shays' Rebellion

An uprising that highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger federal government.

Great Compromise

An agreement that established a bicameral legislature in the U.S. Congress.

Bicameralism

The practice of having two chambers in a legislative body.

Electoral College

The group that officially elects the President of the United States.

3/5 Compromise

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

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee individual liberties.

Amendment Process

The method by which changes can be made to the Constitution.

Federalist 51

A paper arguing for checks and balances within government to prevent tyranny.

Double Security

The division of power between state and national governments that protects against tyranny.

Judicial Review

The authority of courts to determine if laws are unconstitutional.

Exclusive Powers

Powers reserved only for one level of government, such as foreign policy.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that are shared between both federal and state governments, such as taxation.

Reserved Powers

Powers not granted to the federal government or prohibited to the states, reserved for the states.

Layer Cake Federalism

A model of federalism where each layer of government operates independently.

Marble Cake Federalism

A model of federalism where all levels of government work together to address common issues.

Block Grants

Federal funds given to local governments for broad purposes.

Categorical Grant

Federal funds provided for a specific purpose, often with strict regulations.

Unfunded Mandate

A requirement imposed by the federal government on states without providing funding.

Due Process Clause

A constitutional provision guaranteeing fair treatment through the judicial system.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress the power to regulate trade among the states.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Grants Congress the authority to pass laws necessary for executing its powers.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution as belonging to the federal government.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution, inferred from enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.

McCulloch v. Maryland

A Supreme Court case establishing the existence of implied powers and the supremacy of national laws.

Congress

The legislative branch of the government, consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Majority Party

The political party with the most elected members in a legislative body.

Rules Committee

In the House, sets the rules for debate and amendments on a bill.

Discharge Petition

An action in the House to force a bill out of committee for consideration.

Unanimous Consent

An agreement within the Senate to set terms for a bill's debate.

Holds

A tactic used in the Senate to delay a bill.

Filibuster

A lengthy speech or debate used to delay or prevent a vote on a bill.

Cloture

A procedure to end a filibuster, requiring a 3/5 vote in the Senate.

Conference Committee

A committee formed to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Pocket Veto

An indirect veto by allowing a bill to become law after ten days without a signature.

Mandatory Spending

Expenditures that are required by law, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Discretionary Spending

Expenditures that are not required by law and can be adjusted, like military spending.

Pork Barrel Legislation

Funds allocated for localized projects to win over constituents.

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging political favors for mutual benefit.

Descriptive Representation

The representation of constituents by legislators who share similar demographic characteristics.

Divided Government

When different political parties control different branches or houses of government.

Gridlock

The inability to pass legislation due to partisan conflict.

Partisanship

Voting that aligns strictly with party affiliations.

Polarization

The growing ideological distance between political parties.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries for political gain.

Baker v. Carr

A Supreme Court case establishing that redistricting is a justiciable issue.

Shaw v. Reno

A Supreme Court case that ruled racial gerrymandering unconstitutional.

Trustee Model

A voting model where representatives act in the best interests of their constituents.

Delegate Model

A voting model where representatives act according to the preferences of their constituents.

Politico Model

A voting model that balances the trustee and delegate approaches.

Roles of the President

The formal and informal responsibilities assigned to the President by the Constitution and practice.

Veto Power

The authority of the President to reject legislation passed by Congress.

Commander-in-Chief

The President's role as the supreme leader of the military.

Treaty Negotiation

The process by which the President negotiates agreements with foreign nations, subject to Senate approval.

Executive Agreements

International agreements made by the President without Senate approval.

Executive Orders

Directives issued by the President that have the force of law.

Bargaining and Persuasion

The President's strategies to work with Congress to secure legislative goals.

Senate Confirmation

The requirement for the Senate to approve Presidential appointments.

Judicial Appointments

The President's power to nominate judges and other high officials.

Federalist No. 70

An essay arguing for a strong, single executive to promote efficiency.

22nd Amendment

Constitutional amendment limiting presidential terms to two.

Bully Pulpit

The President's platform to advocate for policies and influence public opinion.

State of the Union Address

An annual speech by the President outlining the legislative agenda.

Cabinet Departments

Major administrative units of the federal government responsible for specific policy areas.

Bureaucratic Powers

The authority of bureaucratic agencies to implement and enforce laws.

Iron Triangles

The stable, mutually beneficial relationships among congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups.

Civil Service System

A merit-based system for hiring and promoting government employees.

Congressional Oversight

The legislative branch's monitoring of the bureaucracy to ensure accountability.

Judicial Branch Characteristics

Features that define the role and function of the judiciary in government.

Federalist No. 78

An essay discussing the judiciary's essential role in protecting rights.

Lifetime Appointments

Judicial appointments for life to ensure independence from political pressures.

Marbury v. Madison

The Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

Stare Decisis

The legal principle of adhering to precedent in legal decisions.

Judicial Activism

The belief that courts can and should promote social change through their rulings.

Judicial Restraint

The preference for courts to defer to the elected branches of government.

Political Participation

The ways in which citizens can engage in the political process.

Voting Rights Amendments

Amendments to the Constitution that expand voting rights to various groups.

Political Efficacy

The belief in one's ability to make a difference in politics.

Linkage Institutions

Organizations that connect citizens to the government, such as political parties.

Candidate Recruitment

The process by which political parties seek individuals to run for office.

Party Platforms

Formal statements of the goals and policies endorsed by political parties.

Candidate-Centered Campaigns

Campaigns that focus on individual candidates rather than party affiliation.

Third Party Barriers

Challenges that third parties face in gaining representation in elections.

Lobbying Activities

Actions taken by interest groups to influence legislation and policy.

Amicus Briefs

Documents submitted to a court by interested parties to support one side in a case.