Exam 1 Flashcards
(59 cards)
Equal Opportunity
every American has an equal chance to succeed
10th Amendment
The powers of the Feds are listed in the constitution and the rest should be left up to the states and the people
Federalism
Power divided between national and state government. Each has its own independent authority and its own duties.
Virginia Plan
Madison’s plan, embraced by larger states, strengthened the national gov relative to state govs
- -bicameral - reps based on state pop
- -citizens would vote for house of reps, who would vote for senators
- -congress would elect pres
- -national judiciary
- -national government would have powers in all cases where states were incompetent
New Jersey Plan
Put forward at constitutional convention by the small states, left gov authority with state govs
- -congress would be unicameral - one vote in congress regardless of size
- -congress would elect committee to serve as federal exec for one term
- -Exec committee would select Supreme Court
- -national gov could tax the states and would have excluded right to tax imports
Bicameral
Having two legislative houses or chambers – like house and senate
Unicameral
Having a senile legislative branch
Democracy
A gov in which citizens rule and directly make government decisions for themselves
Connecticut Compromise
- -bicameral congress, house vote on pop, senate every state has two votes,
- Feds control interstate commerce
- -congress has ability to declare war
Institutions
The organizations, norms, and rules that structure government and public action
Electoral College
The system established by the Constitution to elect the president; each state has a group of electors (equal in size to its members of house and senate);
The public in each state votes for electors who then vote for president;
Equality
All citizens enjoy the same privates, status, and rights before the laws
Political equality
All citizens have the same political rights and opportunities
Economic equality
A situation in which there are only small differences in wealth among citizens
Social equality
All individuals enjoy the same status in society
Checks and balances
The principle that each branch of government had the authority to block other branches, making it more difficult for any one branch or individual to exercise too much power. This usher makes passing by legislation far more difficult in the U.S. than in most other democracies.
Republic
Citizens rule indirectly and make government decisions through their elected representatives
Confederation
Group of independent states or nations that yield some of their powers to a national gov, though the states retain a degree of sovereign authority.
Bill of rights
The first ten amendments to the constitution, listing the rights guaranteed to every citizen.
Selective Incorporation
The Supreme Court decides case by case which rights apply to state governments.
New Federalism
A version of a cooperative federalism but with stronger emphasis on state and local government activity vs national gov
Devolution
The transfer of authority from national government to state and local
Concurrent Powers
Government authority shared by national and state powers, such as power to tax residents.
Full faith and credit clause
The constitution requirement that each state recognize and uphold laws passed by any other state.
