US GOV unit 1 test

perceived outcome of punishment

the ability of people to act and think as they choose, self-determination

ability to do well for yourself

power by office (executive; president)

citizens have the power to decide on a policy, but the politicians that are elected by the people implement the people’s decisions

Nobody dominates policymaking, but instead, different groups of people compete for influence in the government.

1. pluralist

2. elitist

3. bureaucratic

4. marxist

idea that general population is unable to handle the task due to lack of skills. only educated, wealthy people rule

gov controlled by expert employees, not representatives

whoever owns the means of production controls the government

1. popular participation

2. majority rule

3. liberty

4. equal opportunity

wrote Leviathan, unified authority, consent of governed, covenant, no gov = constant state of war and violence, anti-rebellion

natural rights (life, liberty, property), power comes from the people (legislative assembly, representative), equality, without gov people would be good, people can rebel for their rights

social contract & written constitution

life, liberty, property (locke); can’t be taken away

contract between the government and the governed. With this contract, the governed understands that they must give up some of their natural rights in exchange for protection from the government, alongside other benefits

(rousseau)

the states were not very united and the national government was very weak. The Framers made it like this because they were coming from a very abusive and powerful monarchy under King George III’s rule in Britain, causing the American people to want safeguards to make sure the government wouldn’t abuse their powers.

No central leadership (executive branch)

Congress had no power to enforce its laws.

Congress had no power to tax.

Congress had no power to regulate trade.

No national court system (judicial branch)

Changes to the Articles required unanimous consent of 13 states (difficult to amend).

the outpouring of philosophical, scientific, and political knowledge in Europe at the beginning of the 18th century, inspired constitution (natural rights, consent of governed)

Safeguard the county against attacks, constitutional duty of state; ie military

Participatory (usually local, state referendum)

Pluralist (ie NRA, NWACP)

Elitist (electoral college)

Greek city state

basic unit of government in the U.S.

argued that with so many competing factions in a large republic, liberty would be upheld by their competition; either take away cause of factions or manage their effects; James Madison; argued that there was a double protection against tyranny

championed a broad, participatory model

feared curtailment of personal liberties reflected in a larger republic such as the US

argued that central gov could not represent such a big & diverse people & that democracy would fail in a country such as the US

stronger central gov = tyranny = bad

stronger central gov = more perfect union = good

thought monarchy was better than democracy

"rule of many"

If a government is democratic at all most of its citizens participate, hence "rule of many"

doing the right thing naturally and easily

va plan vs nj plan; compromise = bicameral congress w house and senate

big states vs small states

state representation by population size

favored by bigger states

each state gets same representation

favored by smaller states

each state is given the number of electors that corresponds to the number of congressional representatives they have in the house; state legislatures choose the electors; ex of compromise

north vs south debate

3/5 of slave population would count

congress couldn’t touch the slave trade until 20 years after the constitution was ratified; would be banned then

Article V of constitution

proposal: either by congress or states at special convention, 2/3 vote needed to become official—> sent to states

ratification: ¾ of state legislatures agree or state ratifying conventions

A person who rallies a large group of people based on their belief systems; appeals to emotions, fears, biases

written by Madison, discusses importance of checks and balances and the separation of powers in the constitution

an economic theory that encouraged government regulation of the economy for the purpose of enhancing state power

believed in finite amount of resources, everyone competes for said resources

people who posses a disproportionate share of some valued resource like money or power.

government is a reflection of economic forces, primarily ownership of the means of production

control of the economy = power = control of state

an economic system in which individuals and corporations, not the government, own the principal means of production and seek profits

lower/working class

In Marx’s communist manifesto, he outlines the struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat

Believed that the most important policies are set by a loose coalition of three groups--Corporate leaders, top military officers, and a handful of key political leaders. Developed the "power elite" theory.

c wright mills’ theory that holds that an elite of corporate leaders, top military officers, and key political leaders make most political decisions

a German historian and sociologist; believed that Marx neglected the social and political aspects. Believed that all institutions, governmental and nongovernmental , have fallen under the control of large bureaucracies, whose expertise and specialized competence are essential to the management of contemporary affairs. Developed the Bureaucrats.

Weber's idea that government workers really control government.Government agencies will be dominated by those who operate them on a daily basis.

bureaucrat = people employed in a government executive branch unit to implant public policy, civil servants

Social insurance that provides economic assistance to persons faced with unemployment, disability, or old age. It is financed by taxes on employers and employees.

popularly elected legislative body of the bicameral British Parliament

(1765) meeting of 9 colonies in N.Y. that resolved that Parliament had no right to tax the colonists since there was no colonist in parliament and they also sent a petition to parliament to repeal the stamp act

As used in describing a legal system, term refers to the superiority of one set of laws to another. In the natural rights philosophy, "higher law" means that natural law and divine law are superior to laws made by human beings.

natural human right; can’t be taken away

a compact among the colonies to boycott British goods beginning on December 1, 1774, unless parliament should rescind the Intolerable Acts.

meeting that convened Philadelphia on May 10, 1775, at which it was decided that an army should be raised and George Washington of Virginia was named commander in chief

pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775-76 that inspired people in the Thirteen Colonies to declare and fight for independence from Great Britain in the summer of 1776.

document drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1776 that proclaimed the right of the American colonies to separate from Great Britain

1781-1789: US governed under Articles of Confederation. George Washington becomes president, US starts to earn respect of other countries

The convention in Philadelphia, May 25 to September 17, 1787, that debated and agreed upon the Constitution of the United States.

to take away the right to vote by law or intimidation

to give the right to vote

Constitutional arrangement in which sovereign nations or states, by compact, create a central government but carefully limit its power and do not give it direct authority over individuals

elected official who follows pubic opinion and does what the people desire

collection of 85 articles and essays written by Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay in 1787 and 1788. They argued for the ratification of the Constitution and were published under the pseudonym Publius (the Roman Publius helped overthrow the monarchy and establish the Roman Republic)

two houses of congress

Forced labor system where individuals are owned as property, deprived of freedom and rights, and forced to work without consent or fair compensation

debated during constitutional convention

The power of courts to review and invalidate laws or actions that are deemed unconstitutional.

3rd article of constitution

The division of governmental powers among three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Each branch has distinct functions and limits to prevent concentration of power.

advocated for by Federalist 51

The system in which the powers of the government are divided among different branches to prevent one branch from becoming too powerful.

Advocated for by Federalist 51

The powers specifically listed in the U.S. Constitution that are granted to the federal government, such as the power to coin money and regulate interstate commerce.

The authority granted to the U.S. federal government that is not explicitly stated in the Constitution, but necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.

This clause grants Congress the power to make laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out its other powers.

Article 1 Section 8 clause 18

powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution that allows the government to take actions, which are needed to efficiently perform essential duties

Constitutional provision requiring states to recognize and respect the laws, records, and court rulings of other states.

Article IV section 1

States that the Constitution and federal laws are the highest authority in the United States, overriding conflicting state laws.

Article VI section 2

The clause in the First Amendment that prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or favoring one religion over others.

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, protect individual rights and limit government power

A group within a larger organization that holds distinct beliefs or goals and often engages in internal conflict to pursue those interests.

discussed in Federalist 10

A coalition is a temporary alliance or partnership formed by individuals or groups with similar interests or goals. It allows them to work together towards a common objective, pooling their resources and expertise. Coalitions can be formed in various contexts, such as politics, business, or social movements.

Legal term that protects against unlawful detention. Allows individuals to challenge their imprisonment and seek release. Protects civil liberties and ensures due process.

A legislative act that declares a person or group guilty of a crime without a trial. It violates the principle of due process and is prohibited by the US Constitution.

retroactive legal statute that criminalizes or enhances the punishment for an act that was not illegal when it was committed, violating principles of fairness and due process.

act of taking something, typically money or assets, for a specific purpose or use, often with legal authorization or approval.

A dissenter who clashed with the Massachusetts Puritans over separation of church and state and was banished in 1636, after which he founded the colony of Rhode Island to the south

believed in religious tolerance, gender equality, Rhode island became her sanctuary

believed in male suffrage, first representative gov, connecticut

chartered PA, attracted different groups of people

wrote common sense; said it was common sense to go against the British & declare independence; encouraged colonists to do the same

wrote the Declaration of Independence; third president; opposed federalists

wrote federalist 10 and federalist 51; was a federalist

federalist; wrote some of the federalist papers; supported unitary executive and presidential payment

one of the writers of the federalist papers along with Hamilton and Madison

African American and first to die in boston massacre 1770

Led by Daniel Shay + farmers in western massachusetts; protested mortgage foreclosures; highlighted need for strong national gov

proposed Virginia plan

served as fifth vp, gerrymandering

separation of powers; separation of church and state; checks and balances

leviathan, unified authority, consent of governed, covenant

legislative assembly & representative gov

social contract

power= wealth, conflict + class struggle, communism

study of theory and practice of government

study of human society and interactions within