poli sci test 1

members of the constitution convention who favored strong state gov’t and feared a strong state national gov’t would threaten individual rights

anti federalist

when two “rational” individuals would be better off cooperating, but choose not to because of individual incentives

prisoners dilemma

the landmark Supreme Court case overturning the ‘poesy v. Ferguson” doctrine of “separate but equal” that lead to desegregation of schools

brown v. board of education

the highest level of scrutiny courts can use to establish constitutionality of law (i.e. compelling state interest, narrowly tailored, and least restrictive)

strict scrutiny

what is the name of the current speaker of the house of represen

mike Johnson

an explanation of what the supremacy clause in article VI of the u.s. constitution is and its implications for the states

fed laws trump state laws

the names of Georgias two United States senators

John ossoff and Warnock

services or actions that, once provided to one person (typically through government), become available to everyone

public goods

an explanation of what the “necessary and proper” clause in article I of the u.s. constitution is

Congress has the power to make laws that are necessary and proper to the constitution

five big debts between members of the constitutional convention

Slave states vs free state , big vs small states, national vs state power, majority vs minority rights, legislative vs executive power

the federalist papers are written by who

hamilton john j and madison

what are the powers of the federal government guaranteed by the u.s. constitution

 Declare war, print money, create an army, make treaties

the five civil liberties guaranteed by the 1st amendment to the u.s. constitution

Freedom of speech, religion, press , assembly, petition

the actors and percentages required to amend the u.s. constitution

Both chambers of Congress ⅔ and ¾ states legislatures

a form of federalism in which the federal gov’t pressures states to change their policies via regulations, mandates, and conditions

Coercive federalism

the division of power across the legislative, executives, and judicial branches of government

separation of powers

the agreement between large and small states at the constitutional convention wherein congress became a bicameral legislature

The Connecticut compromise -produced house and senate

a cohesive set of ideas and beliefs used to organize and evaluate the political world

Ideology

powers (such as responsibility over a particular policy area) that are shared by federal, state, and local government

Concurrent powers

the year the Declaration of Independence was adopted and the year the constitution was written

1776, 1787

a constitutional doctrine that ensures states cannot enact laws that take away constitutional rights of American citizens that are in the bill of rights

 Selective incorporation

an expression that is offensive or abusive (particularly in terms of race gender or sexual orientation) but protected under the 1st amendment

Hate speech

powers explicitly granted to congress, the president, or the Supreme Court in the first three articles of the constitution

Ennumerant

three rights expressed in the declaration of independence

life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

the number of votes needed to approve legislation in congress under the articles of confederation

Unanimous

Politics (def)

“The process by which we select our governmental leaders and make decisions about public policy.”

government (def)

“The institutions that make authoritative decisions for society.”

Why do we need government?

We need government to make collective decisions, maintain order, protect rights, provide public services, and resolve conflicts.

public goods def

Goods that can be provided to everyone in society and from which no one can be excluded.

Free Riders

People who benefit from a public good without paying for it or contributing to its provision.

The Prisoners’ Dilemma and how it applies to politics

The prisoners’ dilemma is a situation in which two people or groups would be better off if they cooperated, but each has an incentive to act in their own self-interest instead. Political groups, politicians, or countries may benefit from cooperating, but they may choose not to because they are worried the other side will take advantage of them.

Nash Equilibria

A situation where no player can improve their outcome by changing their strategy alone.

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation in which individuals, acting in their own self-interest, use up a shared resource, harming everyone in the long run.

Rivalrous Goods

A good is rivalrous when one person’s use of it reduces the amount available for others.

Excludable Goods

A good is excludable when people can be prevented from using it if they don't pay or meet certain conditions.

Articles of Confederation

Structure

The Articles of Confederation created a confederation, meaning the states had most of the power and the national government was weak.

• One-house Congress (unicameral)

• Each state had one vote, regardless of population

• No separate executive branch

• No national court system

• Congress handled things like foreign affairs, war, and treaties

• States retained most governing power

Articles of Confederation

Weaknesses

The national government under the Articles was intentionally weak, which caused major problems:

• Congress could not levy taxes directly.

• Congress could not regulate interstate or foreign commerce effectively.

• There was no executive branch to enforce national laws.

• There was no national judiciary to resolve disputes.

• Changing the Articles required unanimous agreement from the states.

• Congress had difficulty raising money to pay debts and support the military.

republicanism (def)

Republicanism is the idea that government should be based on the consent of the people and that citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them.

Federalists

supporters of the U.S. Constitution who favored a stronger national government over the states.

Antifederalists

Opponents of the Constitution who wanted stronger state governments and protections for individual rights.

Constitutional Convention

The meeting held in Philadelphia in 1787 where delegates decided to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new Constitution.

Virginia Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for a strong national government with a bicameral (two-house) legislature, with representation based on population. A plan for Congress where states with larger populations would have more representatives.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for a unicameral (one-house) legislature in which each state would have equal representation, regardless of population.

Every state gets the same number of votes in Congress.

Great Compromise

The House is based on population; the Senate gives every state 2 senators.

Debates at the Constitutional Convention

Majority rule versus minority rights

Small states versus large states

Legislative power versus executive power

National power versus state power

Slave states versus non-slave state

Majority rule versus minority rights

Majority rule = the majority gets to decide.
👉 Minority rights = the majority cannot take away the basic rights of the minority.

Why it matters: The U.S. Constitution tries to balance both—government should reflect the will of the majority while protecting individual and minority rights.

Small states versus large state

• Large states: Wanted representation based on population, as proposed in the Virginia Plan. This would give them more representatives because they had more people.

• Small states: Wanted equal representation for each state, as proposed in the New Jersey Plan, so larger states couldn't dominate them.

👉 House of Representatives = based on population
👉 Senate = 2 senators per state

Legislative power versus executive powe

Legislative = makes the laws
Executive = enforces the laws

National power versus state power

• National power: The power given to the federal government to handle issues affecting the entire country, such as national defense, foreign policy, and interstate commerce.

• State power: The power reserved for state governments to govern matters within their states, such as education, public safety, and local government.

Structure of the Government under the Constitution

The Constitution created a federal system with power divided between the national government and state governments. It also divided the national government into three branches:

• Legislative branch (Congress): Makes laws

• Executive branch (President): Enforces laws

• Judicial branch (Supreme Court and federal courts): Interprets laws

Ratification Process

Ratification: The process of formally approving the Constitution.

👉 2/3 propose it → 3/4 of states approve it → it becomes part of the Constitution.

Amendment Process

The amendment process is how the U.S. Constitution can be changed or added to.

👉 2/3 of Congress proposes it → 3/4 of the states approve it → it becomes an amendment.

Federalism

Sovereign power

Sovereign power = the highest/ultimate power to make and enforce decisions.

Confederation

Confederation = a loose union of states where the states are stronger than the national government.

Unitary government

Unitary government: A system of government in which the national government holds most or all of the governing power, while lower levels of government have only the powers given to them by the national government.

Powers of federal government

The federal government has powers specifically given to it by the U.S. Constitution. These include:

• Regulating interstate and foreign commerce

• Collecting taxes

• Declaring war

• Maintaining the military

• Making treaties

• Coining money

• Conducting foreign policy

Simple version:
👉 Federal powers = powers given to the national government by the Constitution to handle issues affecting the whole country.

Powers of the state government

State governments have powers that are reserved to the states by the Constitution, particularly through the Tenth Amendment.

Examples include:

• Education

• Public safety

• Licensing

• Elections

• Local governments

• Public health and welfare

• Regulating businesses within the state

Simple version:
👉 State powers = powers reserved to the states to govern matters within their own state.

Concurrent powers

Concurrent powers are powers shared by the federal government and state governments.

Examples:

• Collecting taxes

• Borrowing money

• Establishing courts

• Making and enforcing laws

Simple version:
👉 Concurrent powers = powers that both the federal and state governments have.

Federalism in the Constitution

Federalism = power is shared between the federal government and state governments.

How did the Constitution help prevent freeriding states?

The Constitution strengthened the federal government so states couldn't simply benefit from national programs without contributing.

Enumerated powers

Enumerated powers = powers specifically listed in the Constitution for the federal government.

Necessary and proper clause

Necessary and Proper Clause = lets Congress make laws needed to carry out its constitutional powers.

Commerce clause

Commerce Clause = gives Congress power to regulate interstate and foreign trade.

Tenth Amendment and federalism

Tenth Amendment: Powers that are not given to the federal government by the Constitution, and are not prohibited to the states, are reserved to the states or the people.

How it relates to federalism: It helps maintain the division of power between the federal government and the states.

Dual federalism

federal and state governments operate separately in their own areas of power.

States’ rights

the power of state governments to govern themselves in areas the Constitution reserves to them.

Cooperative federalism

federal and state governments work together and share power.

Easy way to remember: 🥧 “Marble-cake federalism” — federal and state responsibilities are mixed together rather than completely separate.

Unfunded mandates

the federal government says states must do something, but doesn't give them the money to do it.

Civil liberties

freedoms the government must protect from government interference

Civil rights

protections that ensure people are treated equally under the law