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;
50 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
popular acceptance of the right and power of a govt or other entity to exercise authority
|
legitimacy
|
|
a procedure by which voters can propose a law or constitutional amendment
|
initiative
|
|
a system of govt in which ultimate political authority is vested in the people
|
democracy
|
|
a procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official from office before his or her term has expired
|
recall
|
|
the struggle over power or influence within organizations or informal groups that can grant benefits or privileges
|
politics
|
|
a system of govt in which political decisions are made by the people directly
|
direct democracy
|
|
an ongoing organization that performs certain functions for society
|
institution
|
|
the ability to cause others to modify their behavior
|
power
|
|
a form of govt in which sovereignty rests with the people who elect agents to represent them in lawmaking and other decisions. Also called a republic
|
representative democracy
|
|
the institution in which decisions are made that resolve conflicts or allocate benefits and privileges
|
government
|
|
freedom from fear of the govt
|
liberty
|
|
the right of all adults to vote for their representatives
|
universal suffrage
|
|
a form of govt based on the principle that the powers of govt should be clearly limited either through a written document or through wide public understanding
|
limited government
|
|
rule by the "best"; specifically royalty
|
aristocracy
|
|
a voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules
|
social contract
|
|
british philosopher who believed that govt and religion must be kept separate
|
thomas hobbes
|
|
an electoral device by which legislature or constitutional measures are referred by the legislature to the voters for approval or disapproval
|
referendum
|
|
a system of govt in which political leaders are also religious leaders
|
theocracy
|
|
french philosopher who studied native american ways
|
jean jacques rousseau
|
|
a condition wherein the govt strives to met the needs of interest groups to the extent that it fails to govern
|
hyperpluralism
|
|
advocates positive govt action to improve the welfare of individuals, support for civil rights and tolerance for political and social change
|
liberal
|
|
british philosopher who argued for lige, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
|
john locke
|
|
a theory that views politics as a conflict among interest groups
|
pluralism
|
|
rights held to be inherent in natural law, not dependent on govt
|
natural rights
|
|
sees a limited role for the national govt in helping individuals, support for traditional values and lifestyles and a cautious response to change
|
conservative
|
|
a system of govt consisting of a league of independent states, each having essentially sovereign powers
|
confederal system
|
|
an individual who opposed the adoption of the new constitution in 1787
|
anti-federalists
|
|
overthrow the govt
|
coup d'etat
|
|
a system of govt in which power is shared between a central govt and regional, or subdivisional, govts
|
federal system
|
|
a major principle of american govt whereby each branch of the govt exercises a check on the actions of the others
|
checks & balances
|
|
the principle of dividing govt powers among the executive, legislative and judicial branches of govt
|
separation of powers
|
|
formal approval
|
ratification
|
|
an individual who was in favor of the adoption of the constitution and the creation of a federal union with a strong central govt
|
federalists
|
|
a structure of govt in which the powers of the govt are separated into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial
|
madisonian model
|
|
a centralized governmental system in which local or subdivisional govts exercise only those powers given to them by the central govt
|
unitary system
|
|
a legislature with only one legislative body
|
unicameral legislature
|
|
also known as the connecticut compromise, it created one chamber of congress based on population and one chamber representing each state equally
|
great compromise
|
|
a system of govt in which the states and the federal govt each remain supreme within their own spheres
|
dual federalism
|
|
a model of federalism in which specific programs and policies involve all levels of government
|
picket fence federalism
|
|
a requirement within federal legislation that requires states to comply with some standard
|
federal mandate
|
|
an agreement between two or more states
|
interstate commerce
|
|
the theory that the states and the national govt should cooperate in solving problems
|
cooperative federalism
|
|
powers specifically granted to the national government by the constitution
|
enumerated powers
|
|
grants congress the power to do whatever is necessary to execute its specifically delegated powers
|
elastic clause
|
|
powers held jointly by the national and state govts
|
concurrent powers
|
|
the authority to legislate for the protection of the health, morals, safety, and welfare of the people
|
police power
|
|
gives congress the power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries
|
commerce clause
|
|
asserts the supremacy of natl laws over state or regional laws
|
supremacy clause
|
|
the power of the supreme court or any court to declare unconstitutional federal or state laws or other act of govt
|
judicial review
|
|
a legislature made up of two chambers
|
bicameral legislature
|