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TCC Government > Exam 1 > Flashcards

Exam 1 Flashcards

(74 cards)

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1
Q

Political thinking

A

Critical thinking focused on deciding what can reasonably be believed, and then using this information to make political judgments

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2
Q

Political science

A

The systematic study of government and politics

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3
Q

Political culture

A

The widely shared and deep-seated beliefs of a country’s people about politics

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4
Q

Liberty

A

The principle that individuals should be free to act as they choose, provided they do not infringe unreasonably upon others

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5
Q

Individualism

A

A commitment to personal initiative and self-sufficiency

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6
Q

Equality

A

The notion that all individuals are equal in their moral worth and thereby entitled to equal treatment under the law

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7
Q

Self-government

A

The principle that the people are the ultimate source of governing authority and should have a voice in their governing

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8
Q

Politics

A

The means by which society settles its conflicts and allocates the resulting benefits and costs

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9
Q

Power

A

The ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political developments

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10
Q

Authoritarian and totalitarian governments

A

nondemocratic, repressive regime types

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11
Q

Democracy

A

A system in which the people govern, by direct or representative means

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12
Q

Majoritarianism

A

the majority effectively determines what government does

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13
Q

Pluralism

A

The preferences of special interests largely determine what government does

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14
Q

Authority

A

The recognized right of officials to exercise power

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15
Q

Constitutionalism

A

The idea that there are lawful restrictions on government’s power

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16
Q

Legal action

A

The use of the courts as a means of asserting rights and interests

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17
Q

Free-market system

A

A system that operates mainly on private transactions

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18
Q

Corporate power

A

The influence business firms have on public policy

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19
Q

Elitism

A

The power exercised by well-positioned and highly influential individuals

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20
Q

Inalienable rights

A

Life, liberty, and property

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21
Q

Social contract

A

Government has responsibility to preserve rights

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22
Q

Virginia plan

A

Aka large state plan; representation based on state population size and gives greater power to larger states

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23
Q

New Jersey plan

A

Aka small state plan; each state gets one vote which means equal power

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24
Q

Great compromise

A

A bicameral congress in which there is a house of representatives (proportional representation) and senate (equal representation)

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25
Three-fifths compromise
Three-fifths of the enslaved population counted for apportionment of taxes and political representation
26
Anti-federalists
Those who were against a strong national government
27
Federalists
Proponents of constitution
28
Grants of power
Powers granted to the national government
29
Denials of power
Powers expressly denied to the national and state governments
30
Separation of powers
Powers divided among separate branches rather than investing it entirely in a single individual or institution
31
Separated institutions sharing powers
Aka checks and balances; separate branches interlocked in such a way that an elaborate system of checks and balances is created
32
Bill of rights
The first ten amendments to the constitution
33
Judicial review
The power of the judiciary to decide whether a government official or institution has acted within the limits of the Constitution and, if not, to declare it null and void
34
Tyranny of the majority
The people acting as an irrational mob that tramples on the rights of the minority
35
Sovereignty
Supreme and final governing authority
36
Enumerated powers
Power granted to the national government in the Constitution
37
Supremacy clause
National laws were the supreme law of the land
38
Implied powers
Powers of the national government not expressly written but related to those that are listed
39
Elastic clause
Aka "necessary and proper" clause; the power to make laws in support of enumerated powers
40
Reserved powers
The states’ powers under the Constitution
41
Nationalization
The gradual shift in power from the states to the national government
42
Dual federalism
The separation of national and state authority was both possible and desirable
43
Cooperative federalism
Shared policy responsibilities
44
Fiscal federalism
Federal funds are used for state programs
45
Grants-in-aid
Cash payments to states and localities
46
Categorical grants
Federal funds restricted to certain state programs
47
Block grants
Federal funds for state programs addressed to a general concern
48
Devolution
The idea that American federalism can be strengthened by a partial shift of power from the national government to the states
49
Civil liberties
Specific individual rights that are constitutionally protected against infringement by government
50
Due process clause
Part of the fourteenth amendment that prevents the states from abridging individual rights
51
Libel
Publishing material that falsely damages a person's reputation
52
Establishment clause
Government may not favor one religion over another or support religion over no religion
53
Procedural due process
Procedures that authorities must follow before a person can lawfully be punished for an offense
54
Exclusionary rule
Evidence obtained in violation of the defendants rights cannot be used
55
Equal-protection clause
Forbids states from denying equal protection to citizens
56
Reasonable-basis test
Inequalities are allowed when they are “reasonably” related to a legitimate government interest
57
Strict-scrutiny test
Presumes the law is unconstitutional unless government can provide a compelling basis for it
58
Affirmative action
Deliberate efforts to provide full and equal opportunities in employment, education, and other areas for disadvantaged groups
59
De jure discrimination
Discrimination based on law
60
De facto discrimination
The condition whereby historically disadvantaged groups have fewer opportunities and benefits because of prejudice and economic circumstance
61
When did the ethnic and racial composition of the American population broaden?
Mid to late nineteenth century as new waves of settlers came from southern to Eastern Europe, China, Japan, Ireland and Germany
62
How is political culture transmitted to children?
Public socialization and public schools started flying the flag in 1890
63
Where are the core beliefs and values of Americans regarding government found?
All men are created equal and unalienable rights
64
What is the American Dream?
The ideal that every United States Citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative
65
What is a republic?
A form of government in which sovereign power rests with the people, rather than with a king or monarch.
66
The large and small states conflicted most over what issue?
Representation
67
What was the Mayflower Compact?
Pilgrims in 1620 vowed to "solemnly and mutually in the presence of god, and to one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic... Establish laws for the general good of the colony... And promise all due submission and obedience"
68
What are the Articles of Confederation?
The first constitution that formed a league of friendship among the states and allowed each state to be sovereign and independent
69
What was Shay’s Rebellion and what did it underscore?
The state of massachusetts levied steep taxes that most farmers couldn't pay during the hard times. This made congress express purpose to revise the Articles of Confederation
70
Why did Hamilton express the need for a stronger national government?
He had seen the governments inability to supply and pay its own troops
71
What is Mercantilism?
Economic theory designed to increase a nation's welth through the development of commercial industry and a favorable balance of trade
72
What is judicial interpretation?
When there's a disagreement about the constitution, the judicial branch intervenes
73
How many Amendments are in the U.S. Constitution?
27
74
What did the case of McCullough v. Maryland establish?
In 1819 there was a claim that congress infringed on the states authority by establishing a national bank

TCC Government (1 decks)

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