Unit 1 Topics, Terms, Concepts

State - Political community occupying definite territory, organized government which make and enforce laws.

Nation - Independent state United by bonds of race and binding forces such as language, customs and religion.

Sovereignty - State has absolute power within territorial boundary

Government - Institution; maintains order, public service, enforces decisions

Federal System - Power nation and has state sovereignty.

Constitution - Plan provides rules for government, keeps government in check.

Monarchy - King, Queen, emperor has supreme power (inherent power)

Oligarchy - Small group (wealthy, military, social) holds the power.

Democracy - Government rule is by the people. People hold sovereign power directly: individuals physically make representatives: vote for president.

Republic - Voters are source of government power. Vote people in and out of office.

Capitalism - Productive economy free individuals choose ~ similar to free enterprise

Communism - One class evolves, property held in common, no need for government.

Socialism - Government owns basic means of economics - provides the basics.

Separation of Powers - Distribution of power between groups of government (or governor vs. colonel)

Judicial Review - Power of the courts to declare laws, most important supreme.

Checks and Balances - sharing control between branches of government.

Social Contract - People surrender some rights to state, state in turn protects the people.

Supremacy Clause - Federal regulation (similar to state laws)

Articles of Confederation - Structure / operations of a government

Declaration of Independence - Principles government and people are based on

Magna Carta - Basis for limited government, not absolute power

Constitution - Plan provides rules for government, keeps government in check

Elastic Clause - Congress passing all laws needed for carrying out powers

Legislative Branch - Makes the laws, controls taxing and foreign commerce

Executive Branch - President, advisors and agencies. Enforces the laws of land.

Judicial Branch - Supreme court, evaluates laws, applies laws to individuals.

Impeach - Charging a government official, individual may be removed

Ratify - Approval or formal sanction as a confirmation

British Taxes on Colonies: Financial levies imposed by Britain on its American colonies, such as the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts, which led to increased colonial discontent and eventually the American Revolution.

Federal division of powers: The allocation of authority and responsibilities between national and regional governments in a federal system.

The Federalist: A collection of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay advocating for the ratification of the United States Constitution.

Popular sovereignty: The principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.

Enlightenment: An intellectual and philosophical movement of the 18th century emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional doctrines.

Natural rights: Fundamental rights that every person is born with, such as life, liberty, and property, which are not contingent on laws or beliefs.

Absolutism: A political system in which a single ruler holds absolute power and authority, typically without legal or constitutional constraints.

Virginia Plan: A proposal during the Constitutional Convention advocating for a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population.

New Jersey Plan: A proposal during the Constitutional Convention advocating for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

Bicameral legislature: A legislative body composed of two separate chambers or houses, typically an upper and a lower house.

Unicameral legislature: A legislative body composed of a single chamber or house.

Great Compromise: An agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention that established a two-house legislature, with proportional representation in the lower house and equal representation in the upper house.

First Amendment: An amendment to the United States Constitution that protects freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Enlightenment Writers: Thinkers such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Montesquieu who promoted ideas of liberty, reason, and the separation of powers during the Enlightenment.

10th Amendment: An amendment to the United States Constitution stating that powers not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or the people.

Shay’s Rebellion: An armed uprising in 1786-1787 by Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices and the lack of economic relief.

Locke, Voltaire, Montesquieu: Influential Enlightenment philosophers known for their contributions to political theory, advocating for concepts such as natural rights, freedom of expression, and the separation of powers.

Unit 2 Topics, Terms, Concepts

Senate: The upper chamber of the United States Congress, consisting of two senators from each state.

House of Representatives: The lower chamber of the United States Congress, with representation based on state population.

Freedom of Speech: The right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint.

Powers of President under Constitution: The President's constitutional powers include executing laws, commanding the military, making treaties, and appointing officials.

Filibuster: A prolonged speech or series of speeches made to delay legislative action in a legislative assembly.

Pardon: An executive action that forgives a person for a crime and eliminates the associated penalties.

Precedent: A previous court decision or legal ruling that is used as an example in deciding similar future cases.

Gerrymandering: The manipulation of electoral district boundaries for political advantage.

Ambassador: An official representative of a country sent to a foreign nation to conduct diplomatic affairs.

Jurisdiction: The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.

Spoils System: A practice in which a political party rewards its supporters with government jobs and contracts.

Census: An official count or survey of a population, typically recording various details of individuals.

Expressed Powers: Powers directly stated in the Constitution.

Implied Powers: Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but suggested through the necessary and proper clause.

Executive Order: A directive issued by the President that has the force of law.

Majority Opinion: A judicial opinion agreed to by more than half of the members of a court.

Speaker of the House: The presiding officer of the House of Representatives.

Lobbyist: A person who seeks to influence political decisions on behalf of a group or individual.

Cabinet: A group of advisors to the President, consisting of the heads of the executive departments.

Electoral College: The body of electors established by the Constitution to elect the President and Vice President.

Commander in Chief: The role of the President as the leader of the military forces.

Foreign Policy: A government's strategy in dealing with other nations.

Marbury v. Madison: The 1803 Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

Majority Party: The political party that holds the most seats in a legislative body.

Madison called this the first branch: Refers to the legislative branch, which James Madison considered the most important in the government.

# of House of Representatives: 435 members.

# of Senators: 100 members.

Qualifications of President: Must be a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years.

Cases usually heard by Supreme Court: Cases involving constitutional issues, federal law, disputes between states, and appeals from lower courts.

Filibuster: A tactic used in the Senate to prevent a vote on a bill by extending debate.

President's Cabinet: The group of department heads and advisors appointed by the President to assist in decision-making.

Vice President Balance Ticket: Selecting a vice presidential candidate who complements the presidential candidate to appeal to a broader range of voters.

Pork Barrel Projects: Government spending for localized projects secured primarily to bring money to a representative's district.

Unit 3 Topics, Terms, Concepts

Ballot: A paper or electronic document used to cast a vote in an election.

Political Party: An organized group of people with similar political goals and opinions that seeks to influence public policy by getting its candidates elected.

Proposition: A proposed law or amendment to the constitution submitted to the voters for approval.

Referendum: A direct vote by the electorate on a particular proposal or issue.

Initiative: A process that allows citizens to propose and enact laws directly by voting.

Recall: A procedure that allows voters to remove an elected official from office before their term is completed.

Republican Party: One of the two major political parties in the United States, traditionally associated with conservative and right-leaning policies.

Democratic Party: One of the two major political parties in the United States, traditionally associated with liberal and left-leaning policies.

Precinct: A geographic area within a city or town that is used for organizing voting and elections.

Absentee Ballot: A ballot submitted by a voter who is unable to be physically present at their polling place on election day.

Ideological Party: A political party based on a particular set of beliefs or ideology.

Third Party: Any political party in the United States other than the two major parties (Republican and Democratic).

Two Party System: A political system dominated by two major parties.

Electorate: All the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election.

Political Action Committee (PAC): An organization that collects political donations from members and donates them to candidates, parties, or other political campaigns.

Platform: A formal set of principal goals supported by a political party or candidate.

Propaganda: Information, especially biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or point of view.

Incumbent: The current holder of a political office.

Civic Responsibility: The duties and responsibilities of citizens, such as voting, serving on a jury, and participating in the democratic process.

Volunteerism: The practice of offering time and services to others without payment.

Foreign Policy Goals: Objectives that a country seeks to achieve in its relations with other countries, such as national security, economic prosperity, and the promotion of values.

Washington on Foreign Policy: George Washington advised the United States to avoid entangling alliances and to remain neutral in foreign conflicts.

Ambassadors: Official representatives of a country sent to foreign nations to manage diplomatic relations.

Sec of State Role in Foreign Policy: The Secretary of State is the chief foreign affairs advisor to the President, overseeing the implementation of foreign policy and international relations.

Interest Groups: Organizations that seek to influence public policy based on particular interests or issues.

Public Opinion Poll: A survey used to measure the public's views and opinions on various topics and issues.

National Committee: The central governing body of a political party, responsible for overseeing party activities and strategies.

Open Primary: A primary election in which voters are not required to declare party affiliation and can choose any party's primary to vote in.

Closed Primary: A primary election in which only registered party members can vote in their party's primary.

Public Opinion: The collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on certain issues or topics.

Public Policy: Government actions and strategies designed to address public issues and problems.

Liberal v. Conservative: Liberals generally advocate for social equality and government intervention in the economy, while conservatives emphasize personal responsibility, limited government, and free market principles.

Democratic-Republicans: An early American political party founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, advocating for states' rights and agrarian interests.