Foundations of American Government and Political Philosophy

Representative Republic

A collection of sovereign states gathered for the national interest, national needs, and national defense

Limited Government

Includes checks and balances, separation of powers, and restricting the power of the government (as advocated by Locke and Anti-Federalists)

Initiatives

When people place a measure on the ballot for popular vote

Referendum

Allows citizens to contest the work of the legislature

Interest groups

Include AARP (representing retired people), NAACP (representing blacks), and NOW (representing women)

Virginia Plan

Proposed a 3-branch system with a bicameral legislature

New Jersey Plan

Suggested having 1 representative per state, disregarding state population

Great Compromise

Resulted in a two-house Congress, with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate having equal representation

Commerce Compromise

Resolved the North-South dispute on tariffs, allowing Congress to regulate foreign and interstate commerce

Full faith and credit

Requires each state to recognize and respect laws, public acts, and judicial proceedings of other states

17th Amendment

Established the direct election of senators

USA PATRIOT Act

Gave the government the right to surveil post 9/11

No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

Implemented higher standards for schools

Race to the Top

Provided grants to states with good education standards

Checks and balances

Ensures no branch becomes too powerful and each branch limits the power of the others

Veto

Allows the president to reject a bill

Pocket veto

Occurs when the president kills a bill by refusing to sign it at the end of a legislative session

Two-thirds override

Enables Congress to overcome a veto with a ⅔ majority in each house

Senate advice and consent

Involves the Senate confirming certain presidential appointments and ratifying treaties

Impeachment (House)

The House of Representatives accuses officials of wrongdoings

Trial (Senate)

The Senate conducts a trial for impeached officials, requiring a 2/3 majority to be removed

Which philosopher is known for advocating limited government?

Locke

Which philosopher advocated for a strong government?

Hobbes

Which philosopher supported small government?

Mill

Which philosopher is a proponent of the separation of powers?

Montesquieu

Which philosopher focused on the strong overpowering the weak?

Rousseau

Federalist 10

Discusses controlling factions

Federalist 51

Emphasizes separation of powers and checks and balances

Brutus 1

Critiques the Elastic Clause for giving the legislative branch excessive power

Articles of Confederation

Granted most power to states, weakened by events like Shays' Rebellion

Declaration of Independence

Written by Thomas Jefferson, includes PREAMBLE, GRIEVANCES, and RESOLUTION FOR INDEPENDENCE

U.S. Constitution

Drafted by James Madison, established a republican government with separation of powers

Article 1

Details the Legislative branch's functions, including a bicameral legislature and enumerated powers

Article 2

Outlines the Executive branch's responsibilities, such as executing laws and appointing SCOTUS judges

Article 3

Defines the Judicial branch, with the Supreme Court interpreting laws and justices appointed by the president and approved by the Senate