Unit 1 - Foundations of American Democracy

Social Contract

An agreement between the people and the government in which people give up some freedoms in exchange for protection of their natural rights and order in society.

Natural Rights

Basic rights that all people are born with, such as life, liberty, and property, which governments are created to protect

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that the government’s power comes from the consent of the governed (the people).

Republicanism

A system of government that divides power between a notational government and state governments

Separation of Powers

The division of government power into three branches- legislative, executive, and judicial; to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful

Checks and Balances

A system in which each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches

Factions

Groups of people who share common interests and seek to influence government policy

Pluralism

A theory of democracy that states political power is spread among many competing groups

Elite Democracy

A theory that political power is held by a small group of wealthy and influential people

Participatory Democracy

A theory that emphasizes broad participation by citizens in political decision making

Enumerated Powers

powers specifically listed in the Constitution for the federal government

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause

Reserved Powers

Powers not given to the federal government that are reserved to the states (10th amendment)

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments, such as taxing and law enforcement

Commerce Clause

Gives congress the power to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that the Constitution and federal laws are the highest law of the land

Tenth Amendment

States that powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people

Declaration of Independence

Argues that the colonies should separate from Britain. And explains that government exists to protect natural rights

Articles of Confederation

Created a weak national government that emphasized state sovereignty; ultimately failed due to lack of central power

U.S. Constitution

Established a stronger federal government with separation of powers, checks, and balances, and federalism

Federalist No. 10

Argues that a large republic can control factions better than a small one

Brutus No. 1

Argues against ratifying the Constitution, claiming it gives too much powers to the national government

Federalist No. 51

Madison explained how separation of powers and checks and balances protect against tyranny

Dual Federalism

A system where state and federal governments have separate and distinct powers (layer cake federalism)

Cooperative Federalism

A system where state and federal governments work together to solve problems (marble cake federalism)

Fiscal Federalism

The use of federal funding to influence state policies

Categorical Grants

Federal grants with strict restriction on how to spend it ex: education programs)

Block Grants

Federal grants given to states with fewer restrictions on use (ex: welfare programs)

Revenue Sharing

Federal funds distributed to states with no specific conditions (largely discontinued)

Mandates

Requirements imposed by the federal government on states

Unfunded Mandates

Federal requirements that states must follow without receiving federal money

Devolution

The transfer of power and responsibility from the federal government to the states

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Facts: Maryland tried to tax a federal bank

Holding: Congress has implied powers and states cannot tax the federal government

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Facts: Congress banned guns near schools using the Commerce Clause

Holding: The law was unconstitutional because it exceeded Congress’s commerce power