Unit 1 Gov

Natural rights

Certain rights, such as life and liberty, are inherent to all people and cannot be taken away by the government.

Social contract

Citizens agree to form a government that will protect their rights, and in return, they consent to follow its laws.

Popular sovereignty

Government power originates from the will and consent of the governed.

Republicanism

Political power is exercised by elected representatives who act on behalf of the people.

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Justifies American independence by appealing to natural rights and popular sovereignty.

U.S. Constitution (1787)

Structures government through separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism.

Federalism

Power is shared between national and state governments

Republicanism

Citizens elect representatives to carry out their will

Participatory Democracy

emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society

Pluralist Democracy

Political outcomes are the result of compromise and negotiation between groups.

Elite Democracy

a small number of wealthy, educated individuals ultimately shape political decisions

Direct Democracy

Citizens make decisions directly, rather than through elected representatives.

Representative Democracy

Citizens elect officials to legislate and govern on their behalf.

Parliamentary Democracy

The executive derives authority from the legislative branch.

Presidential Democracy

The executive is elected independently of the legislature.

Federal Democracy

Power is divided between national and regional governments.

Federalist No. 10

James Madison - Argued for a large republic to manage the threat of factions

Brutus No. 1

Anti - Federalsit -Warned that a strong central government would erode state power and citizen influence.

Application of Brutus No.1 Ex.

Post-9/11 policies like the Patriot Act raised questions about the balance between national security and personal liberty.

Application of Fed 10 Example

Debates over gun rights and gun control reflect the tension between opposing interest groups

Shays’ Rebellion (1786–87)

farmers in Massachusetts rebelled against debt-related foreclosures and taxation

Virginia Plan (Large-State Plan)

a proposal for a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population, favoring larger states.

New Jersey Plan (Small-State Plan)

a proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

Hamilton Plan (Strong Executive Model)

a proposal for a strong national government with a central executive, multi-tiered governance, and a system of checks and balances.

The Great (Connecticut) Compromise

a compromise between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans that established a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and representation based on population in the House of Representatives.

The Electoral College

is a body of electors established by the United States Constitution, which formally elects the President and Vice President of the United States. 270/538 win.

Three-Fifths Compromise

each enslaved person would count as three-fifths of a person for both representation and taxation.

Article V of the Constitution, amendments can be proposed by:

A two-thirds vote in both chambers of Congress

The legislative branch (Congress)

Makes laws

The executive branch (headed by the President)

enforces the law

The judicial branch (the courts)

interprets the law

The judiciary’s power of judicial review

strike down unconstitutional laws or executive actions.

Power to override veto’s and impeach officials

Congress authority

power to approve or reject executive appointments and treaties.

Senates power

The House of Representatives has the sole power

to impeach, or formally accuse, an official

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must honor the legal decisions and public records of other states

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Citizens of one state cannot be treated unfairly in another.

Extradition Clause

Fugitives must be returned to the state in which a crime was committed.

Admission of New States

Congress holds authority to admit new states to the Union.

Republican Form of Government

The federal government must guarantee that every state maintains representative democracy.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Upheld implied powers and national supremacy.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Limited the reach of the Commerce Clause, protecting state authority.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Expanded federal control over interstate commerce.

Revenue Sharing

Federal funds with no conditions; states decide how to spend

Block Grants

Federal funds with broad goals and few conditions

Categorical Grants

Funds tied to specific purposes with detailed conditions

Mandates

Federal requirements imposed on states, with or without funding

Necessary and Proper Clause

empowers Congress to make laws deemed "necessary and proper" for executing its enumerated powers.

Tenth Amendment

powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people

14th Amendment

Due Process and equal Protection

Supremacy Clause

federal law takes precedence over conflicting state laws.

Commerce Clause

gives Congress the authority to regulate interstate commerce

Enumerated Powers

These powers are explicitly granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.

Reserved Powers

These are powers not given to the federal government and thus reserved to the states by the Tenth Amendment.

Concurrent Powers

These powers are shared by both levels of government and may be exercised simultaneously.

Implied Powers

not written explicitly in the Constitution but are essential to carrying out enumerated powers.

Federalist No. 78 (1788)

Hamilton defends the judiciary, especially judicial review, as a guardian of the Constitution.

Federalist No. 70 (1788)

Hamilton made the case for a single, energetic executive, arguing that a strong presidency would lead to decisive leadership and greater accountability.

The Bill of Rights (1791)

The first 10 amendments.