Foundations of American Democracy

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and terms from the Foundations of American Democracy lecture.

Characteristics of Democracy

Key elements that define a democratic political system, including free and fair elections, rule of law, and civil liberties.

Free and Fair Elections

Elections that are open, competitive, and honest, where the transition of power occurs peacefully.

Rule of Law

The principle that law applies equally to all individuals, regardless of wealth or status.

Accountable, Separated Powers

Power divided among different branches of government, ensuring that no one group holds all authority.

Majority Rule with Minority Rights

The principle that while the majority can decide issues, the rights of minority groups are still protected.

Civil Liberties

Fundamental freedoms guaranteed to individuals, such as speech, religion, and privacy.

Judicial Independence

The principle that courts can make decisions free from political pressure or influence.

Political Pluralism

A democratic framework that allows multiple voices and political movements to coexist.

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher who advocated for a strong government (Leviathan) and an irrevocable social contract.

John Locke

Philosopher who supported natural rights and the idea that the social contract can be broken if government fails.

Charles Montesquieu

Philosopher who advocated for a divided government to protect citizens' rights.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Philosopher who championed popular sovereignty and the concept of direct democracy.

Natural Rights

Rights that individuals are born with, including life, liberty, and property.

Social Contract

An implicit agreement among individuals to form a government, consenting to limit their freedoms for protection.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the power belongs to the people, rather than a monarch.

Republicanism

A political system where representatives are elected to make decisions on behalf of the populace.

Bicameral Legislature

A two-chamber legislative system, such as the U.S. Congress.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, establishing a unicameral legislature.

Virginia Plan

Proposal for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

Plan for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for all states.

Great Compromise

Merging of the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, creating a bicameral legislature.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement counting enslaved persons as three-fifths of a person for representation in Congress.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing individual freedoms and rights.

Checks and Balances

The system that prevents any branch of government from gaining too much power.

Federalism

The division of powers between national and state governments.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both state and national governments, such as taxation.

Impeachment

The process by which government officials are charged with misconduct.

Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Groups that supported or opposed the ratification of the Constitution, respectively.

McCulloch v. Maryland

A Supreme Court case affirming federal supremacy and the implied powers of Congress.

Federal Grant

Funding from the national government to state and local projects.

Mandates

Requirements imposed by the federal government on state and local governments, which can be funded or unfunded.

Municipality

A city or town that has its own local government. Municipal governments are no sovereign and get authority only at the discretion of the state and/or national governments (Dillon’s Rule).

Bill of Attainder

A law declaring an act illegal without a judicial trial. These are not constitutional.

Ex Post Facto Law

A law that retroactively makes an act illegal or increases the penalties for a crime after it was committed, which is prohibited by the Constitution.

stakeholder

Any individual or group that has an interest in or is affected by a particular policy, decision, or issue

Reserved powers

States keep powers not delegated to the national government by the Constitution, as laid out in the Tenth Amendment.

Exclusive powers

 only for either the states or national government. Example: control of the military by the national government.

Removal

Conviction from office based on impeachment; Senate-conducted.

Brutus I

A 1787 Anti-Federalist Paper written by Robert Yates. Yates is concerned that the new Constitution gives the national government too much power. Yates especially warns about the Necessary and Proper Clause, the national courts, and that the size of the proposed republic is large to represent the people’s interests.

Federalist 10

A 1787 Federalist Paper written by James Madison. Madison contends that factions are undesirable, but inevitable, in a free republic. He says that large factions can be controlled in a large republic where many viewpoints will compete many factions will always vie for power. This will protect the minority because no faction can remain in power indefinitely and factions will be forced to compromise for the good of the whole country. Plus, one half of the legislature (the Senate) is designed to be focused on the good of the whole country instead of just a group from one state or another.

Mcculloch v Maryland

The Second Bank of the United States was subject to a state tax. McCulloch, from the bank, refused to pay the tax. The Court said that the Necessary and Proper Clause gave Congress the power to establish the bank and, importantly, that the Supremacy Clause gave priority to the U.S. Constitution and federal laws over state laws.

Categorical Grant

Given by the federal government to state and local governments with strict limitations on spending.

Block Grant

National funding with minimal restrictions to the states on its use. Preferred by the states because it involves fewer restrictions than does a categorical grant.

Incentive

A benefit that motivates people or organizations to act in a certain way. Incentives like grants can encourage compliance with laws or policies.

Federal revenue sharing

A program that distributes a portion of federal tax money to state and local governments, let them use the funds for various purposes without strict federal oversight.

Aid program

A government initiative designed to help specific groups, such as low-income individuals or certain sectors of the economy. Examples include welfare programs and unemployment benefits.

United States v Lopez

Congress passed the Gun Free Schools Zone Act of 1990 to minimize gun violence. The Supreme Court made this a significant case in that it halted a seemingly limitless use of the Commerce Clause to justify what Congress did. The Court said that Congress could not use the Commerce Clause to make possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime, and thereby invalidated the law. The Court said that the Commerce Clause only may be used with respect to (1) channels of commerce (like roads and rivers), (2) instrumentalities of commerce (like trucks, ships, or planes), or (3) activities that have a substantial impact on commerce. The 1990 law was neither of the first two, and there was no background to the legislation suggesting gun violence or ownership substantially affected commerce.

Progressive Federalism

Allows states to act flexibly as "laboratories of democracy," encouraging innovation and experimentation with policies at the state level while still following federal guidance. Obama-era.

Dual Federalism

Popular until the 1930s - emphasizes clear separation of powers between national and state governments. Each level of government operates within its own sphere of authority. Layer Cake Federalism.

cooperative Federalism

Emerging in the 1930s, the national and state governments share functions and responsibilities. Both levels of government work together, sharing powers and resources.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments (not local governments - Dillon’s Rule).

Marbury V madison

President Jefferson’s administration refused to honor appointments made at the last minute by President Adams. The Supreme Court believed that, in principle, Marbury should have his appointment, but it declared the law upon which Marbury’s case rested to be unconstitutional. This established the principle of judicial review in the United States system, empowering the Supreme Court to nullify an act of the legislative or executive branch that violates the Constitution.

Ratification

Official acceptance of a change to the Constitution; requires ¾ of the states.

Amendment 17

United States Senators are no longer elected by state legislatures and instead are elected directly by the people of each state.

Amendments 1-10 Bill of rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, which guarantee individual rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial.

Article 7 ratification

The Constitution requires approval from nine states for it to take effect.

Supremacy clause

The Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws.

Article 6 debt and supremacy

Establishes the supremacy of federal law over state law and confirms the validity of public debts incurred under the Articles of Confederation

Article 5

Outlines amendment process, allowing for changes as society evolves. Two-thirds of each chamber of Congress must approve of an amendment before three-quarters of the state legislatures also do so, OR a convention may be called by two-thirds of the states to introduce amendments, but three-quarters of the states still must approve of any amendment.

Fugitive slave clause

A provision requiring that escaped enslaved individuals be returned to their owners, reflecting the historical context of the Constitution.

Privileges and immunities

Ensures that citizens of each state are entitled to the same privileges and immunities as citizens of other states.

Full Faith and credit

Requires states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Article 4

Addresses the powers and responsibilities of the states and the national government

Civilian control of the military

Generals follow – they don’t lead. Leaders who are elected by the people run the government, and the government controls the armed forces.

Transparency and independent media

The population has access to facts and data that allows for understanding of what the government is doing. Governments share information, and a free press holds governmental officials accountable.

Unitary system

The national government has sovereignty and regional or state governments have power only at the central government’s discretion.

oligarchy

Power resides in the hands of a small, elite group of individuals or families, often distinguished by wealth, education, or military control. They rule in their own self-interest.

Kleptocracy

A form of oligarchy in which the elite individuals and groups who have power actively use public funding and resources to enrich themselves financially.

Monarchy

A single ruler, usually a king or queen, holds supreme authority, often inherited through family lineage. Ideally rules with the interest of the entire society.

Mercantilism

 An economic theory that emphasized accumulating wealth, primarily gold and silver, through a favorable balance of trade. It advocated for economic regulation to achieve these goals.

Declaration Of independence

Shows philosophical influences in the Preamble and tallies Crown’s violations. Breaks the social contract with the King.

Iroquois Confederacy

Tribes had own leadership, but the Grand Council of Chiefs made joint decisions. This confederation influenced the Founders’ notion of confederate governance.

Northwest Ordinance

1787 law that set the precedent for new states to join the union. Also banned slavery in the territory and laid the groundwork for free states joining the union.

United States Constitution

The foundational legal document of the United States, outlining the framework of government. Replaced the Articles of Confederation. Ratified in 1788.