American Government Foundations and Structure

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the foundations and structure of the American government, including principles of democracy, branches of government, and significant documents and amendments.

Limited Government

A principle asserting that government is restricted in its powers and individual rights are protected.

Declaration of Independence

The document that declared the thirteen American colonies independent from British rule.

Social Contract

The theory that individuals consent to form a government to protect their natural rights.

Popular Sovereignty

The concept that the authority of the government is created by and subject to the will of the people.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States that established a confederation of sovereign states.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

The compromise that created a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in one house and equal representation in the other.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Enumerated Powers

The powers specifically outlined in the US Constitution.

Necessary and Proper Clause

The clause under which Congress can make laws deemed necessary and proper for executing its powers.

Checks and Balances

The system that ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful.

Amendment Process

The process that requires a proposal by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures.

Americans with Disabilities Act

The federal legislation that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in various areas, including employment.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to review the actions of the executive and legislative branches for their constitutionality.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

The clause in the Constitution that requires states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.

Federalist No. 10

The primary focus of this essay written by James Madison is the dangers of factions and how a large republic can mitigate their influence.

24th Amendment

The amendment that abolished poll taxes for federal elections.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

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

Gerrymandering

The political strategy that aims to draw district boundaries in favor of a particular political party.

19th Amendment and 26th Amendment

The two amendments that granted women the right to vote.

The primary purpose of the Limited Government principle

To ensure that the government's powers are restricted and individual rights are safeguarded.

Thomas Jefferson

The principal author of the Declaration of Independence.

In the Social Contract theory

Individuals agree to give up some of their freedoms in exchange for the protection of their remaining rights.

Popular Sovereignty's primary influence

The idea that political power resides with the people, especially in deciding issues like slavery.

Weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation

The lack of a strong federal government, no power to tax, and no authority to regulate commerce.

Key outcome of the Great Compromise

The establishment of a two-house legislature (bicameral) with one house based on population and the other with equal representation.

Importance of Separation of Powers

To prevent any one branch from gaining too much power and to create a system of checks and balances.

Examples of Enumerated Powers of Congress

Levying taxes, declaring war, and regulating interstate commerce.

Role of the Necessary and Proper Clause

It allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

How Checks and Balances work

Each branch of government can oversee and limit the actions of the other branches.

Steps in the Amendment Process

Proposal by two-thirds of both houses of Congress followed by ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures.

Significant impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act

It provided equal rights and protections for individuals with disabilities in various areas including employment and public accommodations.

Judicial Review empowering the courts

It allows courts to determine whether laws or actions by the executive or legislative branches violate the Constitution.

Implications of the Full Faith and Credit Clause

It ensures that states honor the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Solution proposed in Federalist No. 10

Establishing a large republic to dilute the influence of factions.

Significance of the 24th Amendment

It abolished the use of poll taxes in federal elections, helping to ensure greater voting access.

Impact of Marbury v. Madison (1803)

It established the principle of judicial review, allowing courts to invalidate laws that conflict with the Constitution.

Criticism of gerrymandering

It is often criticized for manipulating district boundaries to favor one political party over another.

Historical struggles addressed by the 19th Amendment

It granted women the right to vote, addressing long-standing gender inequalities in voting.

Change brought by the 26th Amendment

It lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

Natural Rights

The rights that individuals are born with, which include the right to life, liberty, and property.

Constitutional Preamble

The introductory statement of the US Constitution that outlines the purpose and guiding principles of the document.

US Constitution

The supreme law of the United States that establishes the framework of government and the rights of the citizens.

Brutus No. 1

An anti-federalist essay that argued against the ratification of the US Constitution, highlighting the dangers of a strong central government.

Federalist

Supporters of the proposed US Constitution who advocated for a strong national government.

Anti-Federalist

Opponents of the ratification of the US Constitution, who feared that a strong central government would threaten individual liberties.

Central Government

The national authority responsible for governing the country, as opposed to state or local governments.

Republic

A form of government in which power resides with elected representatives and an elected leader, rather than a monarchy.

Shay’s Rebellion

A 1786-1787 uprising led by Daniel Shays in Massachusetts in response to economic injustices and government overreach, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

The Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the US Constitution.

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a new federal government that called for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature based on population.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention that counted each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.

Slave Trade Compromise

A provision in the Constitution that allowed the continuation of the slave trade for a set number of years after ratification.

Ex Post Facto Law

A law that makes illegal an act that was legal when committed, or increases the penalties for infractions after the fact.

Bill of Attainder

A legislative act that punishes a specific individual or group without a trial.

Electoral College

The body of electors established by the Constitution that formally elects the President and Vice President of the United

Supremacy Clause

The clause in the US Constitution that establishes that federal law takes precedence over state laws.

Ratification

The official way to confirm something, usually by vote, particularly referring to the approval of the Constitution or amendments.

Checks and Balances

The system that ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch with the means to limit the other branches.

Federalist No. 51

An essay written by James Madison that discusses the structure of government and the necessity of checks and balances.

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official for misconduct.

Commerce Clause

The clause in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution but are necessary to implement the enumerated powers.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal government and state governments.

Reserved Powers

Powers that are not granted to the federal government nor prohibited to the states, reserved for the states.

Necessary and Proper Clause

The clause in the Constitution that grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.

Devolution

The transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the state or local governments.

Dual Federalism

A political system where the federal and state governments operate independently in their own areas of public policy.

Cooperative Federalism

A political system where federal, state, and local governments work together to solve problems.

Fiscal Federalism

The financial relationship between different levels of government in allocating resources and overseeing expenditures.

Categorical Grants

Federal grants that are given for a specific purpose and have strict regulations and requirements.

Block Grants

Federal grants that provide funds for general areas of public policy with fewer restrictions on how the money can be spent.

Revenue-sharing

The distribution of a portion of federal tax revenues to state and local governments.

Mandates

Requirements imposed by the federal government on state and local governments to comply with federal laws, often with or without funding.

10th Amendment

The constitutional amendment that reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy in which citizens have the direct opportunity to engage in decision-making.

Pluralist Democracy

A model of democracy where multiple groups compete to influence policy, allowing a diversity of opinion and interests.

Elite Democracy

A model of democracy that emphasizes the role of a small number of elected officials and elites in influencing political decisions.

Hyperpluralism Theory

The theory that too many competing groups can lead to a government that is unable to act effectively.

Advantages of Federalism

Includes promoting unity while allowing for regional differences, enabling experimentation, and providing a check on governmental power.

Disadvantages of Federalism

Includes potential for unequal services across states, duplication of efforts, and conflict between state and federal laws.

Unitary System

A centralized government system where all powers are held by the national government.

Confederate System

A union of sovereign states that delegates limited powers to a central authority, with most authority held by the states.

Federal System

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Bicameral

A legislative body composed of two chambers or houses.

Senatorial Courtesy

An unwritten rule that allows senators from a state to block a nomination by simply registering their objection.

Constituency

The body of voters or constituents represented by a particular elected official.

Congressional Committee

A group within Congress that specializes in specific areas of legislation and oversight.

Select Committee

A temporary committee established to investigate specific issues or conduct research.

Conference Committee

A temporary, bicameral committee