Key Concepts in American Politics and Government

These flashcards cover essential terms and concepts relevant to American politics and government as outlined in the lecture notes.

American political values

Core principles that include liberty, democracy, and equality.

Checks and balances

System that ensures no branch of government becomes too powerful.

Bicameralism

A legislature consisting of two houses or chambers.

Federalism

A system of government that divides power between a central authority and constituent political units.

Judicial review

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the constitution.

Separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

Electoral college

A body of electors established by the Constitution that elects the President and Vice President.

Monarchy

A form of government with a monarch at the head.

Republic

A form of government in which the country is considered a

American political values

Core principles that include liberty, democracy, and equality.

Checks and balances

System that ensures no branch of government becomes too powerful.

Bicameralism

A legislature consisting of two houses or chambers.

Federalism

A system of government that divides power between a central authority and constituent political units.

Judicial review

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the constitution.

Separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

Electoral college

A body of electors established by the Constitution that elects the President and Vice President.

Monarchy

A form of government with a monarch at the head.

Republic

A form of government in which the country is considered a public matter, not the private concern of a ruler.

Democracy

A system of government where the people directly or indirectly exercise power, often through elected representatives.

Constitution

A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.

Limited government

A political system where the powers of the government are restricted by a constitution or laws, often to protect individual rights.

American political values

Core principles that include liberty, democracy, and equality.

Checks and balances

System that ensures no branch of government becomes too powerful.

Bicameralism

A legislature consisting of two houses or chambers.

Federalism

A system of government that divides power between a central authority and constituent political units.

Judicial review

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the constitution.

Separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

Electoral college

A body of electors established by the Constitution that elects the President and Vice President.

Monarchy

A form of government with a monarch at the head.

Republic

A form of government in which the country is considered a public matter, not the private concern of a ruler.

Democracy

A system of government where the people directly or indirectly exercise power, often through elected representatives.

Constitution

A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.

Limited government

A political system where the powers of the government are restricted by a constitution or laws, often to protect individual rights.

Liberty

A core American political value emphasizing freedom from arbitrary government control.

Equality

A core American political value meaning all individuals are entitled to the same rights and opportunities.

Legislature

The part of government responsible for making laws.

Branches of Government

The distinct divisions of government responsibilities: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Electors

Individuals chosen to cast votes in the Electoral College for President and Vice President.

Monarch

A hereditary head of state, such as a king or queen.

Consent of the governed

The principle that a government's legitimacy and power derive from the people's agreement.

Individual rights

Basic freedoms and protections guaranteed to citizens.

American political values

Core principles that include liberty, democracy, and equality.

Checks and balances

System that ensures no branch of government becomes too powerful.

Bicameralism

A legislature consisting of two houses or chambers.

Federalism

A system of government that divides power between a central authority and constituent political units.

Judicial review

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the constitution.

Separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

Electoral college

A body of electors established by the Constitution that elects the President and Vice President.

Monarchy

A form of government with a monarch at the head.

Republic

A form of government in which the country is considered a public matter, not the private concern of a ruler.

Democracy

A system of government where the people directly or indirectly exercise power, often through elected representatives.

Constitution

A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.

Limited government

A political system where the powers of the government are restricted by a constitution or laws, often to protect individual rights.

Liberty

A core American political value emphasizing freedom from arbitrary government control.

Equality

A core American political value meaning all individuals are entitled to the same rights and opportunities.

Legislature

The part of government responsible for making laws.

Branches of Government

The distinct divisions of government responsibilities: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Electors

Individuals chosen to cast votes in the Electoral College for President and Vice President.

Monarch

A hereditary head of state, such as a king or queen.

Consent of the governed

The principle that a government's legitimacy and power derive from the people's agreement.

Individual rights

Basic freedoms and protections guaranteed to citizens.

Rule of Law

The principle that all persons, institutions, and entities are accountable to publicly promulgated, equally enforced laws.

Constitutionalism

The belief that government power is legitimate only when exercised in accordance with a written or unwritten constitution.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically granted to the federal government, primarily Congress, by the U.S. Constitution (e.g., to declare war, regulate commerce).

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but inferred as necessary to carry out the enumerated powers.

Reserved Powers

Powers belonging to the states by the Tenth Amendment, encompassing those not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments (e.g., taxing, building roads, establishing courts).

Due Process

A constitutional guarantee ensuring fair legal proceedings and the right to notice and a hearing before depriving someone of life, liberty, or property.

Civic Duty

The responsibilities of a citizen, such as obeying laws, paying taxes, and serving on juries.

American political values

Core principles that include liberty, democracy, and equality.

Checks and balances

System that ensures no branch of government becomes too powerful.

Bicameralism

A legislature consisting of two houses or chambers.

Federalism

A system of government that divides power between a central authority and constituent political units.

Judicial review

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the constitution.

Separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

Electoral college

A body of electors established by the Constitution that elects the President and Vice President.

Monarchy

A form of government with a monarch at the head.

Republic

A form of government in which the country is considered a public matter, not the private concern of a ruler.

Democracy

A system of government where the people directly or indirectly exercise power, often through elected representatives.

Constitution

A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.

Limited government

A political system where the powers of the government are restricted by a constitution or laws, often to protect individual rights.

Liberty

A core American political value emphasizing freedom from arbitrary government control.

Equality

A core American political value meaning all individuals are entitled to the same rights and opportunities.

Legislature

The part of government responsible for making laws.

Branches of Government

The distinct divisions of government responsibilities: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Electors

Individuals chosen to cast votes in the Electoral College for President and Vice President.

Monarch

A hereditary head of state, such as a king or queen.

Consent of the governed

The principle that a government's legitimacy and power derive from the people's agreement.

Individual rights

Basic freedoms and protections guaranteed to citizens.

Rule of Law

The principle that all persons, institutions, and entities are accountable to publicly promulgated, equally enforced laws.

Constitutionalism

The belief that government power is legitimate only when exercised in accordance with a written or unwritten constitution.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically granted to the federal government, primarily Congress, by the U.S. Constitution (e.g., to declare war, regulate commerce).

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but inferred as necessary to carry out the enumerated powers.

Reserved Powers

Powers belonging to the states by the Tenth Amendment, encompassing those not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments (e.g., taxing, building roads, establishing courts).