American Politics concepts and terms

Rational Choice Theory

Assumes individuals make decisions by weighing costs and benefits to maximize utility.

Free Rider Problem

When individuals benefit from a collective good without contributing to its costs.

Principal-Agent Problem

Issues arising when a principal delegates authority to an agent with differing interests.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. constitution; failed due to a national government too weak to govern.

Federalist Papers

Essays written to advocate for ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Federalism

A system where power is divided between national and state governments.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to favor a specific political party or group.

Constituent Service

Lawmakers helping individual voters back home alongside their national lawmaking duties.

Judicial Review

Court authority to decide if laws or executive actions align with the Constitution.

Democratic Erosion

Gradual weakening of democracy through formal legal changes rather than sudden overthrows.

Bounded Rationality

Cognitive limitations that constrain one's ability to interpret

Tragedy of the Commons

the tendency of a shared

Articles of Confederation

1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive

Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton

Federalist 10

An essay composed by James Madison which argues that liberty is safest in a large republic because many interests (factions) exist. Such diversity makes tyranny by the majority more difficult since ruling coalitions will always be unstable.

Federalist 51

Separation of powers & checks & balances protects against tyranny (Madison)

Federalist 78

written by Alexander Hamilton; talks about the federal judiciary; judiciary must depend on other two branches to uphold its decisions

Democratic Socialism

A socialist form of government that guarantees civil liberties such as freedom of speech and religion. Citizens determine the extent of government activity through free elections and competitive political parties.

American Liberalism

A perspective in the United States that emphasizes individualism

Moderates

persons who do not hold extreme political views

Libertarianism

An ideology that cherishes individual liberty and insists on minimal government

American Conservatism

Support for the US constitution

Reactionaries

extremists who not only oppose change

Collective Action

political action that occurs when individuals contribute their energy

Seven Years War

(1756-1763 CE) Known also as the French and Indian war. It was the war between the French and their Indian allies and the English that proved the English to be the more dominant force of what was to be the United States both commercially and in terms of controlled regions.

Coercive Acts

This series of laws were very harsh laws that intended to make Massachusetts pay for its resistance. It also closed down the Boston Harbor until the Massachusetts colonists paid for the ruined tea. Also forced Bostonians to shelter soilders in their own homes.

Viriginia Plan

James Madison's proposal for a bicameral legislature with representation based upon population

New Jersey Plan

A constitutional proposal that would have given each state one vote in a new congress

Article 1 of the Constitution

Legislative Branch

Article 1 Section 8

lists specific powers of Congress

Article 2

Executive Branch

Article 3

Judicial Branch

Ammendments 1-10

Bill of Rights

Bill of Rights

Basic freedoms like speech

Congressional Authority

ability of federal government to make laws states have to abide by

USA Senate

100 senators - 2 per state

6 year term must be 30'or older to be a senator and must have a 9 year citizenship

USA House of Representatives

435 representatives

2 year term Must be 25 or older and must have 7 year citizenship

Presidential Impeachment

Process where the president is accused of a crime

War Powers Act

1973. A resolution of Congress that stated the President can only send troops into action abroad by authorization of Congress or if America is already under attack or serious threat. Requires Congressional notification within a certain timeframe or congress can intervene

Institutional Pluralism

Small # of important actors

Individual Pluralism

Individual citizens with multiplicity of interests try to influence politics.

• Liberalism / Majoritarian

• Competitive and uncoordinated pluralism

Judiciary Act

a 1789 law that created the structure of the Supreme Court and set up a system of district courts and circuit courts for the nation

Marbury v. Madison

This case establishes the Supreme Court's power of Judicial Review

Supreme Court of the United States

The highest court in the federal judiciary specifically created by the Constitution. It is composed of nine justices and has appellate jurisdiction over lower federal courts and the highest state courts. It also possesses a limited original jurisdiction.

Shadow Docket

The alternative path to the Supreme Court that involves emergency appeals of lower-court decisions. The cases do not involve a full briefing and oral arguments and often are unsigned opinions.

Certiorari

a writ or order by which a higher court reviews a decision of a lower court

Presidential Powers

1.) conduct foreign affairs

2.) appoint ambassadors

3.) command armed forces

4.) veto a bill

Bereaucracy

a highly structured organization managed by officials