Civics Midterm Vocabulary

political socialization

the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions

liberal ideology (democrat)

belief that government should intervene in the economy and provide a broad range of social services to ensure well-being and equality across society; belief that the government should NOT REGULATE private sexual or social behaviors

public opinion polls

scientific efforts to estimate what an entire group thinks about an issue by asking a smaller sample of the group for its opinion

random sample

a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

political spectrum

a system to characterize and classify different political positions in relation to one another

political ideology

a coherent set of values and beliefs about public policy

poll

the process of voting in an election

conservative ideology (republican)

belief that government should be small, operating mainly at the state or local level, favoring minimal government interference in the economy; believe that government should uphold traditional morality & should impose restrictions on contraception, abortion, and same-sex marriage

autocracy

a system of government in which the power to rule is in the hands of a SINGLE INDIVIDUAL

dictatorship

a type of government in which one leader has absolute control over citizens’ lives

elite democracy

a type of democracy in which no one group dominates politics and organized groups compete with each other to influence policy

sovereignty

the power to make laws

popular sovereignty

a belief that ultimate power resides in the people

purpose of government

to PROTECT people from each other

Virginia Plan

the number of state representers in congress depends on a state’s population (House of Representatives)

representative democracy

a type of government in which citizens elect leaders to represent their rights and interests in government

participatory democracy

a system of government where rank-and-file citizens rule themselves rather than electing representatives to govern on their behalf

Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise)

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

democracy

a type of government in which citizens hold the political power

3/5 compromise

each slave would count for 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation purposes

natural rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property (John Locke)

Federalist #10

an essay composed by James Madison which argues that liberty is safest in a large republic because many interests (factions) exist; such diversity makes tyranny by the majority more difficult since ruling coalitions will always be unstable

Articles of Confederation

1st Constitution of the United States: 1781-1788 (weaknesses include no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade)

Federalists

supporters of the US Constitution at the time the states were contemplating its adoption; believed in a STRONG CENTRAL GOVN. in order to suppress corruption and factions

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption; believed in a WEAK CENTRAL GOVN. with more state powers than federal powers

monarchy

a type of government in which a king or queen rules a country

pluralist democracy

a type of democracy in which no one group dominates politics and organized groups compete with each other to influence policy

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments to the Constitution

social contract

an arrangement where people give up their rights in exchange to be protected by the government

Federalist #51 (Madison)

addresses means by which appropriate checks and balances can be created in government and also advocates a separation of powers within the national government

New Jersey Plan

each state gets an equal number of votes in congress (SENATE)

Brutus #1 (1787)

opposed to constitution- It’s not democratic enough; Constitution will create weak form of government; should only have government on a small scale- by small local control; small territory- can have a republic government; can fix faction by having all of the people believe in the same things (sameness)

Full Faith & Credit Clause

Constitution’s requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state

cooperative federalism

a system of government in which powers of policy assignments are shared between states and the national government; the may also share costs, administration, and even blame programs that work poorly

unitary system

a government that gives all key powers to the national or central government

McCulloch v Maryland

Supreme Court ruling (1819) confirming the supremacy of national over state government

** Declared that Congress has IMPLIED POWERS

Concurrent powers

powers held jointly by the national and state governments

confederal system

a system consisting of a league of independent states; each having essentially sovereign powers; the central government created by such a league has only limited powers over the states

federalism

a system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

fiscal federalism

how federal, state, and local governments share funding and administrative responsibilities within our federal system

Necessary & Proper Clause

states that Congress has the power to make all laws which are necessary and proper for carrying out the powers of the constitution

Commerce Clause

the clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations

reserved powers

powers that the Constitution does not give to the national government that are kept by the states

implied powers

powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution

expressed powers

powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution

10th amendment

the powers not delegated to the US by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people

( conducting elections, establishing local governments; establishing local schools; licensing drivers, doctors, lawyers, etc.)

US v. Lopez (1995)

Gun Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress’ authority to regulate interstate commerce

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

block grants

federal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services

categorial grants

federal grants for specific purposes; (ex. building an airport)

supremacy clause

states that federal law generally takes precedence over state laws

Who are your TWO senators?

Elizabeth Warren & Ed Markey

Who represents North Reading in Congress?

Seth Moulton

political parties

an organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular country’s elections

lobbying

the process of seeking to influence a politician or a political issue

interest groups

a group of people who seek to influence public policy on the basis of a common interest or concern; they do this by lobbying, forming PAC’s to donate to campaigns, OR by providing testimony

media framing

the process in which the media positions the audience to view something a certain way

party platform

a set of principles, goals, and strategies designed to address pressing political issues