Chapter 1
Democracy-Where public preferences had an affect on who should be the policymakers and how government should be organized.
Ex: Every 4 years the public are eligible to vote in presidential elections.
Ex: Every 4 years the public are eligible to vote in presidential elections.
Direct Democracy- AKA "Pure Democracy", where the people have a direct vote in the decisions that affect them. They vote directly for the changes in government rather than rely on Representatives.
EX: The city of Athens was the first tp set up a system of Direct Democracy, which was also the prime example for other Greek city-states.
EX: The city of Athens was the first tp set up a system of Direct Democracy, which was also the prime example for other Greek city-states.
Egalitarianism- a political doctrine that all people should be treated as equals and have the same political, social, and civil rights. Every one is equal.
Elitism-The upper class elite contains the most power thus, government would be ran by them.
Ex: The wealthy has the opportunity to run a company.
Ex: The wealthy has the opportunity to run a company.
Government-The process and institutions through what public policies made for society.
Gross Domestic Product-The amount of all goods that were produced in a year.
Hyperpluralism-There are many strong groups who government wants to please but results in getting weakened.
Indirect Democracy- A system of government that gives citizens the opportunity to vote for representatives who will work on their behalf.
EX: America has an Indirect democracy because we elect senators to voice our opinions in government elections.
EX: America has an Indirect democracy because we elect senators to voice our opinions in government elections.
Laissez-Faire- a doctrine opposing governmental interference in economic affairs beyond the minimum necessary for the maintenance of peace and property rights
EX:A person is growing food to sell in their front yard but the government can't get involved. (However, in America, the government would likely get involved in that.)
EX:A person is growing food to sell in their front yard but the government can't get involved. (However, in America, the government would likely get involved in that.)
Linkage Institutions-The concerns of the people becomes the issues that are described in the political agenda. It includes interests group, political parties, and the media.
Ex: Immigrants want to become citizens and stage a march to get the attention of the media so that Congress and the President understand their demands.
Ex: Immigrants want to become citizens and stage a march to get the attention of the media so that Congress and the President understand their demands.
Majority Rule-A traditional democratic theory, to chose among alternatives the majority needs to be in favor of it.
Ex: Popular Sovereignty in a state was what determines if it would be a free or slave state.
Ex: Popular Sovereignty in a state was what determines if it would be a free or slave state.
Minority Rights-Rights guaranteed to the people who aren't categorized as the majority.
Ex: When African Americans were categorized as the minorities, they were later on given the right to become citizens and practice their rights.
Ex: When African Americans were categorized as the minorities, they were later on given the right to become citizens and practice their rights.
Pluralism-A variety amount of groups compete against each other in order for their preferred policies would be passed.
Ex: There are many different interest groups but they must compromise for policy action to occur.
Ex: There are many different interest groups but they must compromise for policy action to occur.
Policy Agenda-Public officials get attracted to the issues that occur in the Unites States.
Ex: In the 20th century, whether African Americans receive rights or not.
Ex: In the 20th century, whether African Americans receive rights or not.
Policy Gridlock-When an interests conflict doesn't have the majority on their side which results in nothing being done.
Ex: The National Debt Ceiling
Ex: The National Debt Ceiling
Policy Impact-Problems and people being effected by a policy. The effect gets studied on if the goal was achieved and the expenses.
Ex: Males being drafted to the Vietnam War lead to a negative effect to the government.
Ex: Males being drafted to the Vietnam War lead to a negative effect to the government.
Policymaking Institutions-The U.S. Constitution established the three policymaking institutions which would be executive, judicial, and legislative branch.
Ex: The branches have different responsibilities which allows the government to contain control.
Ex: The branches have different responsibilities which allows the government to contain control.
Policymaking System-The process it takes in order for policies to actually be made.
Political Culture-Society sharing an overall set of values.
Ex: Every citizen contains the equal right to practice their voting rights on ballots.
Ex: Every citizen contains the equal right to practice their voting rights on ballots.
Political Participation-By activities, citizens impacts the selection of political leaders. This may involve by voting, protest, and civil disobedience.
Ex: Richard M. Nixon won the presidential votes easily by telling citizens what they wanted to hear about the Vietnam War.
Ex: Richard M. Nixon won the presidential votes easily by telling citizens what they wanted to hear about the Vietnam War.
Politics-The process of how citizens select their leaders and policies. It produces authoritative decisions about issues about the public.
Ex: Citizens are able to select their leaders and the policies they are in favor of by voting.
Ex: Citizens are able to select their leaders and the policies they are in favor of by voting.
Populism- The doctrine that sides with the people rather than the elite.
EX: There are examples of populism in the Wizard of OZ
EX: There are examples of populism in the Wizard of OZ
Public Policy-A political issue impacts the government to create a policy that would become the resolution of the situation.
Ex: No Child Left Behind
Ex: No Child Left Behind
Public Goods- Goods, such as clean air and clean water, that everyone must share.
Representation- A basic principle of traditional democratic theory that describes the relationship between the few leaders and the many followers.
Ex: In CA, we elect our senators and representatives.
Ex: In CA, we elect our senators and representatives.
Single-issue Groups- Groups that have a narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics.
Ex: The NRA's only focus is to protect the right to bear arms or the 2nd Amendment.
Ex: The NRA's only focus is to protect the right to bear arms or the 2nd Amendment.
"State of Nature" - a term in political philosphy used in social contractl theories to describe the hypothetical condition that preceded governments.
Chapter 2
Anti-Federalists- Opponents of the U.S. Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption.
Ex: Patrick Henry believed the Constitution would take too much power away from the states, so he opposed it.
Ex: Patrick Henry believed the Constitution would take too much power away from the states, so he opposed it.
Articles of Confederation- The first Constitution of the U.S., adopted by Congress in 1777 and enacted in 1781. The Articles established a national legislature, the Continental Congress, but most authority rested with the state legislatures.
Ex: National government could not control commerce or levy taxes
Ex: National government could not control commerce or levy taxes
BiCameral Legislature- A Legislature composed of two houses.
EX: The United States Congress has the House of Representatives and the Senate.
EX: The United States Congress has the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Bill of Rights- The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, drafted in response to some of the Anti-Federalist concerns. These amendments define such basic liberties as freedom or religion, speech, and press and guarantee defendants' rights.
Ex: We're allowed to own gun as well as talk bad about the government, because they're our rights.
Ex: We're allowed to own gun as well as talk bad about the government, because they're our rights.
Checks and Balances- Allows for power to be equal among branches because they regulate each other.
Ex: Congress has to approve the President's nominations for Supreme Court judges
Ex: Congress has to approve the President's nominations for Supreme Court judges
Confederation- a permanent union of political units for common action in relation to other units. Confederations tend to be established for dealing with critical issues.
EX: The Confederacy of the United States was started over the debate about nullification of a law that was deemed unconstitutional by the state
EX: The Confederacy of the United States was started over the debate about nullification of a law that was deemed unconstitutional by the state
Connecticut Compromise- compromise reached at Constitutional Convention; established bicameral legislature. The House of Reps. is based on population while the Senate is two representatives per state.
Ex: Each state has 2 Senators while the House of Reps. representatives vary because of different populations.
Ex: Each state has 2 Senators while the House of Reps. representatives vary because of different populations.
Consent of the governed- the idea that government derives its authority by sanction of the people.
Ex: Without the people, the government would crumble because we wouldn't support it.
Ex: Without the people, the government would crumble because we wouldn't support it.
Constitution- A nation's basic law. It creates political institutions, assigns or divide powers in government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens. Written or unwritten.
Declaration of Independence- the document approved by representatives of the American colonies in 1776 that stated their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence.
Ex: they disliked the idea of "taxation without representation"
Ex: they disliked the idea of "taxation without representation"
Equal Rights Amendment- stated that "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex." Wasn't passed by state legislatures.
Factions- parties or interest groups that James Madison saw as arising from the unequal distribution of property or wealth and attacked as having the potential to cause instability in government.
Ex: Political parties are a forms of factions in today's society.
Ex: Political parties are a forms of factions in today's society.
Federalists- supporters of the Constitution at the time the states were contemplating its adoption.
Ex: James Madison, author of the Constitution, favored a strong central government.
Ex: James Madison, author of the Constitution, favored a strong central government.
Federalist Papers- A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the Constitution in detail.
Ex: Paper 51 argues why we need separation of powers.
Ex: Paper 51 argues why we need separation of powers.
Federalist 51- Writen by James Madison. One of the most famous of the Federalist Papers, it addresses means by which appropriate checks and balances can be created in government and also advocates a separation of powers within the national government.
Limited government- the idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens
Ex: Bill of Rights adds to our limited government
Ex: Bill of Rights adds to our limited government
Judicial Review- the power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress and, by implication, the executive are in accord with the U.S. Constitution. Was established by Marbury V. Madison.
Ex: B/C of judicial review, "se
Formal Amendment - Changes to the constituition that are actually written down.
Ex: the 21st Amendment was created to cancel out the 18th amendment because it was doing more harm than good
Ex: the 21st Amendment was created to cancel out the 18th amendment because it was doing more harm than good
John Locke- English Philosopher that belived in Natural Rights, and stated that all individuals had the right to life , liberty, and property
Outcome: He had an intense influence on the founders of the constituion during th edrafting period
Outcome: He had an intense influence on the founders of the constituion during th edrafting period
Marbury V Madison- the 1803 case in which Chief Justice John Marshall asserted the right of the Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the U.S. Constitution. Established judicial review.
Ex: When John Adams tried to appoint a last minute judge to the Supreme Court before his sworn out
Ex: When John Adams tried to appoint a last minute judge to the Supreme Court before his sworn out
Informal Amendment - Changes to the interpretation of the government because of circumstance and/or judicial review
ex: before the Privacy Cases, it was perfectly constitutional for a state to forbid married couples from using contraception; for a state to forbid blacks and whites to marry; to abolish abortion. Because of judicial changes in the interpretation of the Constitution, the nation's outlook on these issues changed.
ex: before the Privacy Cases, it was perfectly constitutional for a state to forbid married couples from using contraception; for a state to forbid blacks and whites to marry; to abolish abortion. Because of judicial changes in the interpretation of the Constitution, the nation's outlook on these issues changed.
Madisonian Model- Was focused on the denoted powers of the executive branch
- Checks and Balances system
- 3 Branches of Government
Natural Rights- rights that are entitled to every human being; not dependent on governments. Rights include life, liberty, and property. Idea came from John Locke.
Ex: this creates problems with the death penalty.
Ex: this creates problems with the death penalty.
New Jersey Plan- proposal at the constitutional convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population
Ex: the smaller states with little population supported it
Ex: the smaller states with little population supported it
Republic- a form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws.
Ex: We vote for our representatives
Ex: We vote for our representatives
Separation of Powers- the act of creating the legislative, judicial, and executive branches into 3 separate branches.
Shay's Rebellion- a series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers led by Revolutionary War Captain Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings.
Ex: showed that the Articles of Confederation were weak
Ex: showed that the Articles of Confederation were weak
Popular Sovereignty- The people are the source of the authority of the government. "For the people, By the People."
EX: If the government is not suited to the People's need they can replace it effective immidately.
EX: If the government is not suited to the People's need they can replace it effective immidately.
Virginia Plan- proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for representation of each state in Congress in proportion to that state's share of the U.S. population.
Ex: the bigger states supported this proposal because they had bigger populations
Ex: the bigger states supported this proposal because they had bigger populations
Ratification of an Amendment -
- Ratification by three-fourths by state legislatures
- Convention , still ratified by three-fourths states
Supermajority- a majority greater than a specified number, as 60%, of the total: required to pass certain types of legislation
EX: To pass an amendment the supermajority of the houses have to approve it.
EX: To pass an amendment the supermajority of the houses have to approve it.
Proposal of an Amendment -
- It passes as a Bill in BOTH houses by two-thirds majority
- A Constitutional Convention is called bu two-thirds of the houses t propose
Writ of Habeus corpus- A court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner in custody
Ex: this can be used in cases where a person is being held without charges
Ex: this can be used in cases where a person is being held without charges
Chapter 3
Mandate-The government makes laws that requires the states to do funded or unfunded actions.
Ex: The Americans with Disabilities Acts was unfunded mandates.
Ex: The Americans with Disabilities Acts was unfunded mandates.
New Federalism(aka Devolution)-Give some control of US federal programs to state and local governments.
Ex:This idea was promoted by Richard Nixon.
Ex:This idea was promoted by Richard Nixon.
Centralists- Favor the idea of a strong central government
EX:Federalist also favored a central government
EX:Federalist also favored a central government
Police Powers-Power to tax, borrow money, define crimes, and punish criminals.
Ex: The death penalty can be given to a person for creating many crimes.
Ex: The death penalty can be given to a person for creating many crimes.
Commerce Clause - The clause states that the United States Congress shall have power "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes."
Currently: This has become more effective because of the economic situation we as a United States are in.
Currently: This has become more effective because of the economic situation we as a United States are in.
Concurrent Powers : powers in a nation that are shared between nation and state governments over the same land and people.
EX: The power to Tax
EX: The power to Tax
Reserved Powers-Constitution reserves a specific power for a jurisdiction of a specific political authority.
Ex: The Tenth Amendment allowing the state to receive the powers that are not written on the Constitution.
Ex: The Tenth Amendment allowing the state to receive the powers that are not written on the Constitution.
Decentralist- Favor state governments rather than one big central government.
past : This would have been the Anti-Federalist of before
past : This would have been the Anti-Federalist of before
Unfunded Mandate Reform Act-Limit the amount of unfunded federal mandates made by federal government.
Inherent Powers- Powers that are expected outside of Enumerated powers
ex:Acquire new territory, regulate immigration
ex:Acquire new territory, regulate immigration
Block Grant- federal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services
Ex:an example of block grant is social services like childcare, adult daycare and transportation
Ex:an example of block grant is social services like childcare, adult daycare and transportation
Categorical Grants- federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes, or "categories," of state and local spending. they come with strings attached, such ad nondiscrimination provisions.
Ex: the head start program is an example of a categorical grant
Ex: the head start program is an example of a categorical grant
cooperative federalism- A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government
Ex: the american government because power is shared between the federal and state governments
Ex: the american government because power is shared between the federal and state governments
devolution- transferring responsibility for policies from the federal government to state and local governments
Ex:no child left behind act that was started by George Bush.
Ex:no child left behind act that was started by George Bush.
dual federalism- A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies
elastic clause- The final paragraph of article 1, section 8, of the constitution, which authorizes congress to pass all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out the enumerated powers
Ex: the establishment of the national bank
Ex: the establishment of the national bank
enumerated powers- powers of the federal government that are specifically addressed in the constitution; for congress, including the powers listed in article 1, section 8
Ex: coin money and regulate its value and impose taxes
Ex: coin money and regulate its value and impose taxes
extradition- A legal process whereby a state surrenders a person charged with a crime to the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed
Ex: If a person from Canada commits a crime in the United States they could have the courts send that person to the United States
Ex: If a person from Canada commits a crime in the United States they could have the courts send that person to the United States
federalism-A way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government have formal authority over the same land and people. it is a system of shared power between units of government
Ex: The freeways. they are owned and operated by the states, but the federal government sets down some basic guidelines and also provides funding
Ex: The freeways. they are owned and operated by the states, but the federal government sets down some basic guidelines and also provides funding
fiscal federalism- the pattern of spending, taxing and providing grants in the federal system; it is the cornerstone of the national government's relations with state and local governments
Ex: system of transfer payments or grants by which a central government shares its revenues with lower levels of government
Ex: system of transfer payments or grants by which a central government shares its revenues with lower levels of government
formula grant- federal categorical grants distributed according to a formula specified in legislation or in administrative regulations
Ex:
Ex:
full faith and credit- A clause in article IV of the constitution requiring each state to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of all other states
Gibbons v. Ogden-A 1824 case in which the supreme court interpreted very broadly the clause in article 1, section 8, of the constitution giving congress the power to regulate interstate commerce, as encompassing virtually every form of commercial activity
implied powers-powers of the federal government that go beyond those enumerated in the constitution, in accordance with the statement in the constitution that congress has the power to "make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution"
intergovernmental-The workings of the federal system- the entire set of interactions among national, state, and local governments, including regulations, transfers of funds, and the sharing of information
McCulloch v. Maryland-An 1819 supreme court decision that established the supremacy of the national government over state governments. The court, led by chief justice john Marshall, held that congress had certain implied powers in addition to the powers enumerated in the constitution
privileges and immunities- The provisions of the constitution according citizens of each state the privileges of citizens of other states
project grant-federal categorical grants given for specific purposes and awarded on the basis of the merits of applications
tenth amendment- The constitutional amendment stating, "the powers not delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."
unitary government-A way of organizing a nation so that all power resides in the central government. Most national governments today are unitary governments