Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
46 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
Democracy |
Government by the people both directly or indirectly with free and frequent elections |
|
|
Direct democracy |
Government in which citizens vote on laws and select officials directly |
|
|
Representative democracy |
Government in which the people elect those who govern and pass laws; also called a republic |
|
|
Constitutional democracy |
Government that enforces recognized limits on those who govern and allows the voice of the people to be heard through free, fair, and relatively frequent elections |
|
|
Constitutionalism |
The set of arrangements including checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, rule of law, due process, and a bill of rights that requires our leaders to listen, think, bargain, and explain before they act or make laws. We then hold them politically and legally accountable for how they exercise their powers. |
|
|
Statism |
The idea that the rights of the nation are supreme over the rights of the individuals who make up the nation |
|
|
Popular consent |
The idea that a just government must derive it's powers from the consent of the people it governs |
|
|
Majority rule |
Governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority |
|
|
Majority |
The candidate or party that wins more than half the votes cast in an election |
|
|
Plurality |
The candidate or party with the most votes cast in an election; not necessarily more than half |
|
|
Theocracy |
Government by religious leaders who claim divine guidance |
|
|
Articles of Confederation |
The first governing document of the confederated states; it was drafted in 1777 and ratified in 1781 and replaced by the present constitution in 1789 |
|
|
Annapolis Convention |
A convention held in September 1786 to consider problems of trade and navigation, attended by 5 states and it was important because it issued the call to Congress and the states for what became the Constitutional Convention |
|
|
Shay's Rebellion |
A rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787 protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out. |
|
|
Constitutional Convention |
The convention in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787 that debated and agreed upon the Constitution of the U.S. |
|
|
Politician |
People who fulfill the tasks of running the government |
|
|
Political science |
Study of principles, procedures and structures of government and the analysis of political ideas, institutions and practices |
|
|
Natural law |
God's or nature's law that defines right from wrong and is higher than human law |
|
|
Separation of powers |
Division of powers among the legislative (make laws), executive (enforce laws), and judicial (interpret laws) |
|
|
Checks and balances |
A constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the 3 branches of government to check some acts of the others and therefore ensure that no branch dominates |
|
|
Divided government |
One party controls one/both houses of Congress and the other holds the presidency |
|
|
Partisanship |
Strong allegiance to one's own political party, often leading to unwillingness to compromise with members of the opposing party |
|
|
Direct primary |
Election in which nominations of candidates for office are made by direct vote |
|
|
Initiative |
Procedure where a certain number of voters may, by petition, propose a law or constitutional amendment and have it submitted to the voters. |
|
|
Referendum |
Procedure for submitting to popular vote measures passed by the legislature or proposed amendments to a state constitution |
|
|
Recall |
Procedure for submitting to popular vote the removal of officials from office before the end of their term |
|
|
Judicial review |
Power of a court to refuse k enforce a law or a government regulation that, in the opinion of the judges, conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or state constitution. |
|
|
Writ of Mandamus |
Court order directing an official to perform official duties |
|
|
Congressional elaboration |
Congressional legislation that gives further meaning to the constitution based on (sometimes) vague constitutional authority, such as necessary and proper clause |
|
|
Impeachment |
Formal accusation by the lower house of a legislature against a public official; the first step in removal from office |
|
|
Executive order |
Directive issued by a president or governor that has the force of law |
|
|
Impoundment |
Presidential refusal to allow an agency to spend funds that Congress authorized and appropriated |
|
|
Free and fair elections |
This allows those who abuse powers to be thrown out of government |
|
|
Bicameralism |
The principle of a 2-house legislature |
|
|
Virginia plan |
The initial proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by the Virginia delegation for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature dominated by the big states |
|
|
New Jersey Plan |
Proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by William Patterson for a central government with a single-house legislature in which each state would be represented equally |
|
|
Connecticut Compromise |
Agreement by states at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature with a lower house in which representation would be based on population and an upper house in which each state would have two senators |
|
|
Three-fifths compromise |
Compromise between northern and southern states at the Constitutional Convention that 3/5 of the slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives |
|
|
Federalists |
Supporters of ratification of the constitution and of a strong central government |
|
|
Antifederalists |
Opponents of ratification of the constitution and of a strong central government |
|
|
Government |
Procedures and institutions by which people rule themselves |
|
|
Politics |
Process by which people decide who shall govern |
|
|
The Federalist Papers |
A collection of 85 articles and essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution |
|
|
Democratic Consensus |
Widespread agreement of fundamental principles of democratic governance and the values that come with it |
|
|
Balanced Government |
The distribution of powers among the several branches and parties of the government (this definition is not definitive) |
|
|
Supremacy Clause |
Article VI, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. This provides that the laws of the U.S. shall be the "supreme law of the land." This means the federal government, when enforcing laws, must prevail over any conflicting state exercise of power |
