American Government and Civic Engagement

Key terms and definitions from the lecture notes.

Government

The means by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority in order to accomplish collective goals.

Politics

The process by which we decide how resources will be allocated and which policies the government will pursue.

Democracy

A form of government where political power rests in the hands of the people.

Direct Democracy

People participate directly in making government decisions.

Representative Democracy

Voters elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Monarchy

One ruler, usually hereditary, holds political power.

Oligarchy

A handful of elite society members hold political power.

Totalitarianism

Government is all-powerful and citizens have no rights.

Elite Theory

Political power rests in the hands of a small, elite group.

Pluralist Theory

Political power rests in the hands of groups of people.

Private Goods

Provided by private businesses, used only by those who pay.

Public Goods

Provided by government, available to all without charge.

Toll Goods

Available to many, but used only by those who pay.

Common Goods

All people may use, but are of limited supply.

Majority Rule

The majority should have the power to make decisions binding upon the whole.

Minority Rights

Protections for those not in the majority.

Partisanship

Strong or blind allegiance to a political party.

Political Power

Influence over government’s institutions, leadership, or policies.

Ideology

Beliefs and ideals that shape political opinion and policy.

Social Capital

Connections with others and willingness to interact and aid them.

Latent Preferences

Beliefs not deeply held; change over time.

Intense Preferences

Strongly held beliefs that persist over time.

Declaration of Independence

1776 document proclaiming U.S. independence and listing grievances against Britain.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. government framework (1781); alliance of sovereign states with weak central power.

The Federalist Papers

85 essays supporting ratification of the Constitution (by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay).

Federalists

Supported ratification of the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed ratification.

Bicameral Legislature

Two houses (e.g., Congress).

Unicameral Legislature

One house.

Republic

Power rests in the people and is exercised by elected representatives.

Social Contract

Agreement where citizens consent to be governed in exchange for protection of natural rights.

Natural Rights

Life, liberty, and property; God-given and cannot be taken away.

Veto

President’s power to reject a law proposed by Congress.

Enumerated Powers

Explicit powers given to the federal government (Article I, Section 8).

Elastic Clause

"Necessary and Proper" clause that gives Congress flexibility to carry out enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is superior to state law (Article VI).

Reserved Powers

Powers not given to the federal government or prohibited to states are reserved for the states.

Virginia Plan

Two-house legislature; representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

One-house legislature; equal representation for states.

Great Compromise

Two-house Congress – population-based House and equal-representation Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted 60% of enslaved people for representation and taxation.

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments; protect fundamental rights and liberties.

Separation of Powers

Division among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and Balances

Each branch limits the power of the others.

Federalism

Two autonomous levels of government with power granted by a national constitution.

Federal System

Power divided between state and national governments.

Unitary System

Centralized system; subnational governments depend on central government.

Confederation

Decentralized; states form a union for mutual defense.

Concurrent Powers

Shared by states and federal government (e.g., taxing, enforcing laws).

Implied Powers

Not listed but allowed via the Elastic Clause.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must accept court decisions and contracts from other states.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

States can’t discriminate against out-of-staters on legal protections.

Dual Federalism

States and national government exercise exclusive powers in separate spheres (layer cake).

Cooperative Federalism

All levels of government work together to solve problems (marble cake).

New Federalism

Decentralization to enhance efficiency and reduce public spending.

Devolution

Transfer of power from central government to subnational units.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Established implied powers and national supremacy.

Nullification

States could invalidate federal laws deemed unconstitutional (advocated by John Calhoun).

Immigration Federalism

States taking on immigration policy, once federal-only.

Categorical Grant

Federal funds with strict rules and spending criteria.

Block Grant

Less strict; more local discretion.

Creeping Categorization

Block grants gradually gaining categorical rules.

General Revenue Sharing

Minimal restrictions on federal grants.

Unfunded Mandates

Federal laws requiring state action without funding.

Race-to-the-Bottom

States lower taxes/regulations to attract business, possibly hurting workers.

Venue Shopping

Groups pick the most favorable branch or level of government for their policy goals.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Petition for a judge to review the legality of detention.

Bill of Attainder

Declares someone guilty without trial; unconstitutional.

Ex Post Facto Law

Retroactively criminalizes acts; unconstitutional.