Dual Credit Gov Ch. 2 Vocab

Articles of Confederation

Sent to the states for ratification in 1777, these were the first attempts at a new government. It was a later decided that the articles restricted national government too much and they were replaced by the constitution.

Limited government

A political system in which the powers of the government are restricted to prevent tyranny by protecting property and individual rights

Monarchy

A form of government in which power is held by a single person, or monarch, who typically comes to power through inheritance rather than

Republicanism

As understood by James Madison and the framers, the belief that a form of government in which the interests of the people are represented through elected leaders is the best form of government. Our form of government is known as a Republican democracy.

Popular sovereignty

The idea that government gains it’s legitimacy through regular elections, in which the people living under that government participate to elect their leaders

Natural rights

Also known as “ Unalienable Rights” These rights are defined in the declaration of independence as “ Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” The founders believe that upholding these rights should be the government central purpose

Federalists

Those at the constitutional convention who favored strong national government and a system of separated powers

Anti-federalists

Those at the constitutional convention who favored strong state government and feared a strong national government would be a threat to individual rights

Pluralism

The idea that having a variety of parties and interests within a government will strengthen the system, ensuring that no group possesses total control

Virginia plan

A plan proposed by the larger states during The Constitutional Convention that based representation in the national legislature on population. The plan also included a variety of other proposals to strengthen the national government

New Jersey plan

A plan that was suggested in response to the Virginia plan; smaller states at the constitutional convention propose that each state should receive equal representation in the national legislature, regardless of size

Great compromise

A compromise between large and small states, proposed by Connecticut, in which Congress would have two houses: A Senate with two legislators per state and a House of Representatives in which each state’s representation would be passed on by population. Also known as Connecticut Compromise

Parliamentary system

A system of government in which legislative and executive power are closely joined. The legislature (Parliament) Selects The high chief executive (Prime Minister), Who forms the cabinet from members of the parliament

Reserve powers

As defined in the 10th amendment powers that aren’t given to the national government by the constitution, or not prohibited to the states, are reserved to the state states and the people

National supremacy clause

The part of article 6, section 2, of the constitution stating that the constitution and laws and treaties of the United States are the “ Supreme law of the land” meeting that national laws take precedence over state laws, if the two conflict

3/5 compromise

The states decision during the The constitutional convention to count each slaves as 3/5 of a person in a state population for the purpose of determining the number of house members and distribution of taxes

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the constitution; they protect individual rights and liberties

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress, the president, or the Supreme Court in the first three articles of the constitution. Examples include Congress’s power to “raise and support the armies” and the presidents power as a commander-in-chief.

Power of the purse

The constitutional power of Congress to raise and spend money. Congress can use this as a negative or checking power over the other branches by freezing or cutting their funding

Impeachment

A negative or checking power over the other branches that allows Congress to remove the president, the vice president, or other “Officers of the US” (Including federal judges) for abuses of power

Judicial review

The Supreme Court’s power to strike down a law or an executive branch action that it finds unconstitutional

Executive powers clause

The part of article 2, section one of the constitution that states “The executive power shall be vested in a president of the United States of America” This broad statement has been used to justify many assertion’s of presidential power

Commerce clause

The part of article one, section 8, of the constitution that gives Congress “The power to regulate commerce… among several states” The Supreme Court’s interpretation of this clause has been varied, but today it serves as the basis for much of Congress’s legislation

Implied powers

Powers supported by the constitution that are not expressly stated in it