Foundations of American Democracy

Vocabulary flashcards focused on the foundational concepts of American democracy as outlined in the notes.

Ideals Of Democracy

Natural Rights- Inalienable rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness), cannot be taken away by government

Social contract- Agreement between people and government, people give up some freedoms for social order and protection

Popular sovereignty-Government power comes from the people's consent, contrasts with divine right of kings 

Limited government-Government power is not absolute, constrained by constitutional provisions and rule of law

Principles Ensuring Limited Government

1. Separation of powers- Division of government into three branches (Legislative, executive, and judicial)

2. Checks and balances- Each branch can monitor and restrain others, prevents concentration of power 

3. Federalism- Constitutional sharing power between federal and state governments 

4. Republicanism- Elected representatives make laws and decisions

Models of Representative Democracy 

Participatory democracy- Emphasizes broad citizen involvement in politics, civil society, and grassroots activism (Ex: Town hall meetings, protests, ballot initiatives, referendums)

Pluralist democracy- Focuses on group-based activism by competition of diverse non-governmental interests (Ex: Lobbying efforts by interest groups like NRA, AARP)

Elite democracy- Restricted participation to select individuals/institutions, governance by societal elites (Ex: Think tanks influencing policy, corporate executives shaping economic policies)

Limited government

A political system where the government's power is restricted by law, usually through a constitution.

Historical Tensions

U.S. Constitution- Political system of more elite than participatory democracy (ex: Electoral College) 

Federalists-. Leaned away from participatory democracy in favor of more pluralist or elite democracy (ex:. Federalist No. 10: argued for filtered participation) 

Anti-Federalists- Preferred more participatory democracy, weaker federal government (ex: Brutus No. 1: warned against centralized power)

Federalist

-Madison's arguments in Federalist No. 10 

1. Superiority of a large republic in controlling factions 

2. Benefits of delegating authority to elected representatives 

3. Importance of dispersing power between states and national government

   Size and scope of government: larger, more centralized 

   Protection of individual rights: through institutional design and checks 

4. Nature of representation: filtered, elite-based

Anti-Federalist

Preference for more power to state governments

1. Arguments in Brutus No. 1 

   1. Advantages of small, decentralized republics 

   2. Dangers to personal liberty from large, centralized government 

   3. Importance of direct citizen participation in governance 

2. Perspective on key issues 

   1. Size and scope of government: smaller, more decentralized 

   2. Protection of individual rights: through local control and limited federal power 

   3. Nature of representation: more direct, citizen-based

1. Impact on Constitutional Design 

1. Incorporation of Federalist elements 

   1. Strong federal structure with enumerated powers 

   2. Separation of powers and checks and balances 

   3. Republican form of government with elected representatives

   4. Incorporation of Anti-Federalist concerns 

      1. Addition of the Bill of Rights 

      2. Reservation of powers to states (10th Amendment) 

      3. Limits on federal power (e.g., specific enumeration of powers) 

   5. Ongoing constitutional debates and impact on political culture: 

      1. Interpretation of federal vs. state powers

      2. Debates over the proper scope of government power

      3. Balance between security and individual libertie

Articles of Confederation

1. First attempt at unified government after American Revolution (1781-1789)

2. Reflected fear of strong central authority after British rule

3. Accomplished uniting the States and paving the way for expansion of the United States

Pluralist democracy

A model focusing on group-based activism with multiple non-governmental interests competing for influence.

Structure of the Articles of Confederation 

1. Confederation of sovereign states 

2. Unicameral Congress as central governing body 

3. No separate executive or judicial branches 

4. Each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of population

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation 

No authority to raise a national army, reliance on state militias for defense 

Absence of executive branch- no central authority to enforce laws, difficulty in conducting foreign policy 

No national court system- Inability to settle disputes between states, lack of uniform interpretation of laws 

Inability to regulate interstate commerce- states imposed tariffs on each other, hindered economic growth and unity 

Lack of power to tax- Reliance on voluntary state contributions, chronic financial instability 

Requirement of unanimous consent for amendments- Made changes nearly impossible preventing adaptation to emerging challenges

Ending the Articles

1. Shays' Rebellion (1786-1787)- Armed uprising of farmers in Massachusetts, exposed inability of central government to maintain order 

2. Trade disputes between states 

3. Difficulties in negotiating foreign treaties

4. Convening of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787-  Original purpose to revise Articles of Confederation, ultimately resulted in drafting an entirely new Constitution

 Key Compromises for Ratification

Great (Connecticut) Compromise-. Bicameral legislature,  House of Representatives based on population, Senate with equal representation for each state

Electoral College- Compromise between popular vote and congressional selection 2. Electors appointed by each state 3. Preserves state influence in presidential selection

Three-Fifths Compromise- Counting enslaved persons as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation, balanced interests of Northern and Southern states

Slave Trade Compromise- Postponement of slave importantion ban until 1808, yet internal slave trade continued until CIvil War

Amendment Process

Proposal by two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or. National convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures

Affirmed by three-fourths of state legislatures must approve- high threshold ensures stability and consensus

1. Ratification Process (Article V) 

Understanding during the convention that some issues unresolved and needed future changes

Ratification- Required three-fourths of states to ratify, sparking debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Bill of Rights Agreement (became the first 10 Amendments)

Promise to add amendments protecting individual liberties 

Addressed Anti-Federalist concerns about potential tyranny

Separation of Powers 

Legislative (Article I): Makes laws

Executive (Article II): Enforces laws

Judicial (Article III) Interprets laws - Resolves disputes under federal law - Limited description in Constitution

Supremacy Clause (Article VI

Federal law takes precedence over conflicting state law

Checks and Balances 

Federalist No. 51

Legislative branch checks - Override presidential vetoes (2/3 majority) - Impeachment and removal of officials - Control over budget - Ratify treaties and confirm appointments

Executive branch checks - Veto legislation - Appoint judges and officials (with Senate approval) - Pardon federal criminals - Negotiate treaties

Judicial branch checks - Judicial review

Three Branches Purpose and Effects

1. Prevents concentration of power 

2. Creates multiple access points for policy influence 

3. Enables accountability of public officials 

4. Balances efficiency with prevention of tyranny

Federalism

Exclusive powers:

Concurrent powers

Power constitutionally shared between national and state governments

Held by only one level of government

Shared by both levels

Enumerated powers

Implied powers

Reserved powers

 Explicitly listed in Constitution 

Derived from Necessary and Proper Clause 

10th Amendment (powers not delegated to federal government)

 Fiscal Federalism

 Federal influence on states through funding

Forms of federal funding

Revenue sharing

Block grants

Categorical grants

Categorical grants

Federal funds provided for specific purposes with strict regulations.

Fiscal federalism

The financial relationship between national and state governments, influencing state policies through funding.

Impact Of Federalism on Policy Making

1. Multiple access points for stakeholders to influence policy 

2. National policy making constrained by shared powers

Privileges and Immunities Clause

A clause prohibiting states from discriminating against citizens of other states.

Key Constitutional Clauses Affecting Federalism

Due Process Clause

Equal Protection Clause

Commerce Clause

Necessary and Proper Clause

Supremacy Clause

Full Faith and Credit Clause

SCOTUS Federalism

McCulloch v. Maryland

United States v. Lopez

Direct citizen participation

A democratic process that emphasizes the role of citizens in governance and decision-making.

Civil liberties

Individual rights protected from government interference, primarily outlined in the Bill of Rights.

Tyranny

Oppressive government rule; a central concern addressed by the principles of checks and balances.

Enumerated powers

Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

Reserved powers

Powers not delegated to the federal government, which are reserved for the states.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments, like taxation and law-making.

Federalism's constraints

Limitations on national policymaking due to the distribution of powers between national and state governments.

Elastic Clause

Another name for the Necessary and Proper Clause, allowing flexibility in Congressional powers.