American Government & the Constitution Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary and key concept flashcards covering the origins of democracy, the Articles of Confederation, the Constitutional Convention, and political ideologies.

Classical Liberalism

A belief system supporting individual autonomy and economic liberty.

Political Ideology

A collection of ideas or beliefs regarding political values and government outcomes.

Utilitarianism

The doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority.

Liberty

The ability or right to do as one pleases; the power to pursue opportunity based on personal skills and talents.

Equality

The principle where the legal system ignores social status when ruling, or where everyone has equal opportunity to succeed.

Majority Rule

The system where the candidate or idea with the most votes wins, and the party with a legislative majority controls policy.

Constitution

A system of fundamental principles according to which a state, nation, or society is governed.

Unicameral

A legislative branch consisting of only one chamber.

Bicameral

A legislature consisting of two chambers.

Federal System

A system of government where national and state governments share power.

Separation of Powers

The division of government into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

Checks and Balances

The principle where each branch of government has some power over the other branches.

Direct Democracy

A system, also called "pure democracy," where citizens themselves discuss, debate, and decide issues directly.

Indirect Democracy (Republic)

A system where government derives power from the people who elect representatives to govern on their behalf.

Cleisthenes

The Greek statesman known as the "Father of Democracy" who established direct democracy in Athens around $507$ BC.

Articles of Confederation

America's first constitution, in effect from $1777$ to $1788$, which created a weak central government with a unicameral Congress.

Shays' Rebellion

A $1786$-$1787$ revolt by Western Massachusetts farmers that convinced leaders the national government needed to be strengthened.

Virginia Declaration of Rights

A document written by George Mason that established Virginia as the first state with a bill of rights.

Great Compromise

A resolution by Roger Sherman establishing a bicameral legislature with the Senate having equal votes ($2$ each) and the House based on population.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement that $5$ slaves would count as $3$ free citizens for representation purposes.

Virginia Plan

James Madison's proposal for a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population, favored by large states.

New Jersey Plan

William Paterson's proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal representation per state, favored by small states.

Supremacy Clause

Found in Article VI, it declares that the Constitution is "the supreme Law of the Land."

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that political power derives from the people.

Thomas Jefferson

A political figure who championed liberty, supported an economic vision of agriculture, and feared tyranny.

Alexander Hamilton

A political leader who championed order, supported shipping and manufacturing, and feared anarchy.

Conservative

An ideology supporting less government interference in the economy but more interference in social and moral issues.

Liberal

An ideology supporting more government interference in the economy but less in social and moral issues.

Populists

A political group that fought for "the little guy" and sought a return to a simpler farming life.

Libertarians

Individuals who believe any public policy affecting personal decisions or behavior compromises individual liberty.

Political Culture

Commonly shared attitudes or values about government and civic life within a specific state or region.

Moralistic Political Culture

A view that government is a positive force and that broad civic participation in community service is valued.

Individualistic Political Culture

A utilitarian view of government where its role should be limited mainly to supporting private initiative.

Texas State Income Tax

Texas is one of $7$ states that currently has no state income tax.

Illinois Local Government

The state with the highest number of local government units, totaling $6,963$.