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unit 1: foundations of democracy Flashcards

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1
Q

alexander hamilton

A

founding father of the United States, first Secretary of the Treasury. established the nation’s financial system and advocated for a strong central government

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2
Q

articles of confederation

A

first governing document of the usa, ratified in 1781

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3
Q

bill of rights

A

first ten amendments of the constitution, ratified in 1791

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4
Q

constitution

A

foundational legal document of the usa based around separation of powers, federalism, and individual rights

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5
Q

declaration of independence

A

a historic document adopted on July 4, 1776 that announced the American colonies’ separation from British rule. talks about individual rights and consent of the governed

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6
Q

enlightment philosophers

A

thinkers in the 17th and 18th centuries who emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of authority

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7
Q

fourteenth amendment

A

ratified in 1868, addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law

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8
Q

house of representatives

A

one of the two chambers of the United States Congress, responsible for making and passing federal laws. allows for representation based on population, ensuring that larger states have more influence in the legislative process

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9
Q

james madison

A

aka “father of the constitution,” fourth president of the usa, drafted and promoted constitution and the bill of rights

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10
Q

limited government

A

political principle that restricts the powers and authority of government, ensuring that it cannot infringe upon individual rights and freedoms

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11
Q

majority rule and minority rights

A

Majority rule is a fundamental principle in democratic systems where decisions are made based on the preferences of the majority of voters, while minority rights ensure that the interests and rights of smaller or less powerful groups are protected

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12
Q

natural rights

A

life, liberty, and property; fundamental human rights that are considered to be inherent and universal, not dependent on laws or customs and instead granted by virtue of being human beings

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13
Q

philadelphia convention

A

a pivotal gathering where delegates from twelve of the thirteen original states convened to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and ultimately draft the United States Constitution

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14
Q

popular sovereignty

A

the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives

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15
Q

republicanism

A

the belief that government should be based on the consent of the governed and that representatives should be elected to serve the interests of the people

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16
Q

rule of law

A

all individuals and institutions, including the government, are subject to and accountable under the law

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17
Q

senate

A

one of the two chambers of the United States Congress, composed of 100 members, with each state represented by two senators

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18
Q

social contract

A

a philosophical concept that describes an implicit agreement among individuals to form a society and abide by its rules for mutual benefit. individuals surrender freedom for protection from the government

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19
Q

brutus #1

A

anti-Federalist essay written in 1787 that argues against the proposed U.S. Constitution, warning that a strong central government could threaten individual liberties and state sovereignty

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20
Q

checks and balances

A

ensures no single branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others

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21
Q

factions

A

a group of individuals within a larger entity, often united by shared interests, beliefs, or goals, that seeks to influence or control political decisions

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22
Q

federal system

A

a form of government where power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units, such as states or provinces

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23
Q

large and diverse republic

A

a political entity characterized by a wide range of cultural, ethnic, and ideological differences among its citizens, often spanning a vast geographic area. assumed to be the solution to factionalism

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24
Q

national security

A

protection and defense of a nation’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and interests against external threats

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25
robert yates
an influential American politician and a key figure during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, known for his opposition to the federal Constitution. believed that the proposed Constitution would create a powerful central government at the expense of state sovereignty and individual liberties
26
federalist papers
85 articles and essays written in the late 18th century to promote the ratification of the U.S. Constitution
27
anti-federalist papers
collection of writings by opponnets of the constitution concerned about the power of the federal government and the loss of individual liberty
28
direct democracy
form of government where citizens directly participate in decision-making rather than through elected representatives
29
elite democracy/elitism
emphasizes the role of a select group of individuals in influencing political decisions and governance, thus concentrating decision making among politicians, business leaders, educated people, etc.
30
federalist #10
essay written by james madison in 1787, advocates for ratification of the constituion and addresses how a large republic can control factions
31
hyperpluralism
suggests the existence of so many interest groups that the government becomes weak and ineffective in responding to the demands of these groups
32
interest group
organized group of individuals who share common objectives and seek to influence public policy accordingly (examples: NAACP, NRA)
33
participatory democracy
emphasizes broad involvement of citizens in decision-making processes, e.g. through civic engagement
34
parliamentary democracy
systme of government where executive branch derives its legitimacy from the legislature. head of government is a member of the legislature/parliament and is elected by legislators
35
pluralism
multiple groups, interests, and factions compete for power and influence
36
pluralist democracy
multiple groups compete for power and influence within the government, allowing negotiation and compromise, and representation of diverse views
37
presidential democracy
president is head of state and head of government, operating independently of the legislative branch and having distinct separation of powers and checks and balances
38
representative democracy
citizens elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on their behalf
39
problems with the articles of confederation
weak central government, no taxation powers, no control over commerce, no executive or judicial branches, requirement of unanimity for changes
40
no taxation powers (under the articles of confederation)
inability of the central government to levy taxes = no revenue, financial instability
41
no executive or judicial branches (under the articles of confederation)
lack of centralized executive or judicial authority meaning no national leader to enforce or interpret laws.
42
no control over commerce (under the articles of confederation)
federal government couldn't regulate trade and commerce between states or with foreign nations. contributed to economic turmoil, trade disputes, tariffs between states, and economic inconsistency
43
requirement of unanimity for changes (under the articles of confederation)
all states had to consent to change the articles of confederation, making the government unable to modify or improve the government or adapt to new circumstances
44
shay's rebellion
armed uprising in 1786-1787 when daniel shay and other farmers in massachusetts protested against economic injustices and lack of government response. resulted in the weaknesses of the articles being exposed and calls for a stronger government
45
anti-federalism
political faction from late 18th century that opposed ratification of the constitution because they thought a strong central govt would threaten individual liberties and states rights. advocated for a bill of rights
46
compromise on the importation of slaves
allowed the continued importation of slaves into the us for 20 years, until 1808. agreed upon during the constitutional convention as a concession to southern states
47
electoral college
system of 538 electors to represent the states in elections of the president and vice president. helps balance state populations
48
great/connecticut compromise
agreement made during the constitutional convention to establish the constitutional convention. combined the virginia plan (house) and new jersey plan (senate) to create a bicameral legislature
49
john jay
founding father of the usa and one of the writers of the federalist papers
50
three-fifths compromise
compromised that determined that slaves would be counted as three-fifths of a person when determining proportional representation in the House based on population
51
charles de montesquieu
french philosopher, believed in separation of powers
52
executive branch
branch responsible for enforcing laws and administering public policy. involved the presidents as the head of state and commander in chief, as well as different departments and agencies
53
fed 51
federalist paper by james madison that talks about the importance of checks and balances
54
judicial branch
branch responsible for interpreting laws, resolving disputes, and upholding the constitutionl
55
legislative branch
responsible for making laws, consists of the house and senate. the voice of the people, shapes public policy
56
separation of powers
divides the government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches. allows no single branch to gain too much power.
57
article IV of the constitution
establishes relationship between states and the federal govt through things like full faith and credit, privileges and immunities, process for admitting new states, etc.
58
concurrent powers
powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments, meaning both levels can exercise such powers independently and simulatenously
59
exclusive powers
powers reserved for the federal government that cannot be exercised by states. including but not limited to regulating interstate commerce and conducting foreign affairs
60
extradition clause
clause that requires states to return individuals who have been charged with crimes in another state
61
full faith and credit clause
requires states to recognize public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state
62
marbury v madison
case from 1803 that established judicial review and allowed the court to invalidate laws and executive actions that seem unconstitutional. occurred when the supreme court decided that they are not constitutionally authorized to issue a writ of mandamus to get marbury his commission as a justice of the peace
63
privileges and immunities clause
prohibits states from discriminating against citizens of other states
64
commerce clause
provision in article i section 8 of the constituion that grants congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among states, and with native tribes. impacts govt regulation of the economy
65
cooperative federalism
fed and state govts work together to solve problems and implement policy through shared responsibility
66
dual federalism
power and responsibilities are divided among national and state govts that operate independently in their respective spheres
67
enumerated powers
powers granted to the fed. govt by the constitution mostly in article i section 8
68
gun-free school zones act
law enacted in 1990 to prohibit possession of guns on school property
69
implied powers
powers not explicity stated in the constitution but inferred from its language
70
mcculloch v maryland
established federal supremacy over states by ruling that the state of maryland cannot tax the national bank
71
necessary and proper clause
Congress can make whatever laws are necessary and proper for carrying out enumerated powers
72
tenth amendment
powers not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to states are automatically reserved to the states or people
73
us v lopez
case decided in 1995 that ruled that Congress cannot overreach its power through the commerce clause to restrict guns
74
fed #10
essay by james madison that addressed factions and why they are dangerous, saying that a large and diverse republic can control factions better than a small republic can
75
2nd continential congress
meeting of delegates from thirteen colonies following outbreak of the revolutionary war
76
energetic executive
strong and active president with the authority and capacity to take decisive actions in policy making and national security
77
fed 70
argues for a strong energetic executive, written by alexander hamilton
78
fed 78
argues for the independence and lifetime tenure of judges as well as the concept of judicial review, written by alexander hamilton
79
supremacy clause
in article VI of the consitution, establishes that the constitution is the supreme law of the land
80

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