Foundations of American Democracy and Interactions Among Branches

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering U.S. Government Unit 1 (Foundations of Democracy) and Unit 2 (Interactions Among Branches) based on lecture notes.

Natural Rights

The principle that people are given political rights by a creator just by virtue of existing.

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that the right to govern resides in the hands of the people.

Social Contract

The concept where people give consent to be ruled, retaining the right to overthrow and replace a government that fails to serve their needs.

Republicanism

A form of government characterized by the separation of political power into Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches to check political tyranny.

Limited Government

A government restricted by the laws passed and the powers of checks and balances, illustrated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy characterized by direct participation where states can move their own laws as long as they do not conflict with federal laws.

Elite Democracy

A model of democracy that prefers as few people as possible involved, historically involving specific races or land owners, where elected representatives legislate for the people.

Pluralist Democracy

A model where various interest groups compete to influence policy and laws, often requiring compromise between groups to pass legislation.

Federalists

Supporters of a strong central government who argued that the Constitution was a federal creation, often through the Federalist Papers.

Anti-Federalists

Advocates for weak central power and strong state governments who feared centralized tyranny and believed it could not represent a diverse nation.

Federalist 10

An essay discussing how to mitigate the mischief of factions within the government.

Brutus 1

An Anti-Federalist document arguing that the Necessary and Proper Clause and Supremacy Clause allow a strong central government to tyrannize states.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the U.S. that failed because federal power was too weak, lacking judicial and executive branches and the power to tax.

Shay's Rebellion

An uprising by Massachusetts farmers and Revolution veterans over unpaid debts, demonstrating the weakness of the Articles of Confederation.

The Great Compromise

Also known as the Connecticut Compromise, it established representation through a bicameral legislature consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Electoral College

The system where states receive electors equal to their congressional representatives to elect the President.

Three-fifths Compromise

Determined that $3/5$ of the enslaved population would count for representation in the House, granting the South outsized power until the Civil War.

Article V

The section of the Constitution that establishes the two-stage process for amendments through proposal and ratification.

Federalist 51

Argues for separation of powers and checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power by majorities.

Federalism

A system of government characterized by the sharing of power between national and state governments.

Exclusive Powers

Powers delegated by the Constitution solely to the federal government, such as minting currency and declaring war.

Reserved Powers

Powers kept exclusively by the states via the 10th Amendment, including things like education, elections, and police powers.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds given to states specifically on the condition that they comply with certain federal standards and criteria.

Block Grants

Federal money provided for a broad purpose, allowing states to use the funds as they see fit.

Mandates

Federal directives that states are required to follow, such as the environmental standards of the Clean Air Act.

Tenth Amendment

Constitutional provision stating that any powers not explicitly given to the federal government are reserved for the states.

Fourteenth Amendment

Applies the Bill of Rights to the states and ensures equal protection of the law and privileges and immunities for all citizens.

Commerce Clause

A clause used by the federal government to regulate trade, often used to expand federal power or return it to states.

Necessary and Proper (Elastic) Clause

Allows Congress to make any law necessary to uphold its enumerated powers, even if the power is not specifically mentioned in Article I Section 8.

McCulloch v Maryland (1819)

SCOTUS case establishing that federal law trumps state law based on the Necessary and Proper and Supremacy clauses.

United States v Lopez (1995)

SCOTUS case ruling that carrying guns in school is not related to the Commerce Clause, serving as a win for state power.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly stated in Article I Section 8, such as raising revenue, passing the federal budget, and declaring war.

Implied Powers

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

House of Representatives

The chamber of Congress with $435$ voting members apportioned by population to represent specific districts.

Senate

The chamber of Congress with $100$ members ($2$ per state) who represent their entire state.

Speaker of the House

The top leader of the House of Representatives, elected by a vote of the members.

Whips

Party leaders responsible for ensuring that party members remain in line with party goals during policymaking.

Senate Majority Leader

The most powerful position in the Senate; determines the legislative agenda and which bills reach the floor.

Standing Committee

Permanent committees in Congress that are always present, such as the Budget or House Judiciary committees.

Conference Committee

A temporary committee formed to resolve differences when the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill.

Pork Barrel Spending

Funds earmarked in a bill for special projects that benefit a specific representative's district.

Logrolling

An exchange of votes between representatives to ensure the passage of legislation.

Mandatory Spending

Federal payments required by law, such as Social Security.

Discretionary Spending

The portion of the budget remaining after mandatory spending is allocated.

Trustee Model

A representation model where a representative votes based on their own best judgment of what is best for the public.

Delegate Model

A representation model where a representative votes according to the will of their constituents, even against their own judgment.

Gerrymandering

Drawing congressional districts in a way that benefits one party or group over another.

Baker v Carr (1962)

SCOTUS case that established the 'one person, one vote' principle regarding redistricting and the 14th Amendment.

Shaw v Reno (1993)

SCOTUS case ruling that drawing districts solely based on race is unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.

Veto

A presidential power to reject a bill passed by Congress, which can be overridden by a $2/3rds$ vote in both houses.

Executive Orders

Informal presidential powers that have the force of federal law, used to direct the bureaucracy or military.

Federalist 70

Argues for a single executive for 'energy' and decisive, quick leadership.

Federalist 78

Argues for the independence of the judicial branch through lifetime appointments and the power of judicial review.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

The Supreme Court case that established the power of judicial review.

Stare Decisis

The principle of 'let the decision stand,' placing importance on legal precedents.

Judicial Activism

When the court establishes policy by considering the broad effects of its decisions on society.

Judicial Restraint

The belief that judges should only strike down laws that violate the literal word of the Constitution, leaving policy-making to the legislature.

Iron Triangle

The relationship between bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups to create policy.

Delegated Discretionary Authority

The authority given to the bureaucracy by Congress to interpret broad laws and make specific rules to execute them.

Power of the Purse

The congressional check on the bureaucracy through the allocation of funds to different agencies.