american government

principle of democracy where political authority is in the hands of the people.

right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of "one person, one vote."

principle of constitutional gov. a gov. whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

freedom from gov. control

broadly shared values, beliefs and attitudes about how government should function. American political culture emphasizes the values of liberty, equality and democracy.

system of rule that lets citizens vot directly on laws and policies

system of gov. which the populace selects representatives, who play a big part in gov. decision making.

conflict over leadership, structure & policies of gov.

system of rule which gov. recognizes no formal limits on power and seeks to eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it.

gov. recognizes no formal limits but may nevertheless by restrained by power of other social institutions

system of rule that with formal and effective limits placed on the powers of gov.

system of rule that lets citizens play a role, through elections of public key officals

gov. in which a small group rules/makes decisions-landowners, military officers wealthy merchants.

• form of gov. which a single individual rules
• ex: king, queen, dictator

institutions & procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled

informed and active members of the community

system of gov. in which power is divided by a constitution, between a central gov. and regional governments

division of gov. power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision making.

first 10 amendments to the constitution. Ensuring certain rights and liberties.

each branch of the government is able to participate in and influence activities of other branches.

agreement reached at constitutional convention that stipulated for purposes of apportionment of congressional seats that every slave would be counted as 3/5 of a person

having a legislative assembly composed of two chambers or houses

agreement reached at the constitutional convention of 1787 that gave each state an equal number of senators regardless of population, but linked representative in the house of rep's to population

framework for constitution introduced by William Paterson, which called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population

framework for constitution, introduced by Edmund Randolph, which called for representation in national legislature based on population of each state.

system of government in which states retain authority except for powers expressely delegated to the national government.

america's first written constitution, was the basis of america's national government until 1789

ability to influence government and politics

democratic principle that government follows the preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests of the minority

regulations or conditions for receiving grants that impose costs on state and local governments for which they are not reimburst by federal government.

attempts by president Nixon and Reagan to return power to states through block grants

policy to remove a program from level of government by delegating it or passing it down to a lower level of government, such as from the national governmetn to the state and local governments.

type of federalism existing since the new deal era in which grants in aid have been used strategically to encourage states and localities, without commanding them, to pursue nationally defined goals. Also known as "intergovernmental cooperation."

congressional grants given to the states and localities on the condition that expenditures be limited to a problem or group specified by law.

federal grants in aid that allow states considerable discretion in how the funds are spent

states that laws passed by national government and all treaties are the supreme law of the land and superior to all laws adopted by any state or any subdivision.

power of the courts to and if necessary, declare actions of the legislative & executive branches invalid or unconstitutional. The supreme court asserted this power in marbury vs. madison.

those who favored a strong national government and supported the constitution proposed at the american constitutional convention of 1787

aka "necessary and proper clause." Which enumerates the powers of congress & provides congress with authority to make all laws "necessary and proper" to carry them out.

principle that states should oppose increasing authority of the national government. This principle was most popular in the period before the civil war

delegates to congress the power " regulate commerce w/ foreign nations, and among the several states and with the indian tribes." This clause was interpreted by the supreme court in favor of national power over the economy.

system of voernment that prevailed in the U.S. from 1789 to 1937 in which most fundamental governmental powers were shared between the federal and state governments.

requires states normally honor public acts and judicial decisions that take place in another state

provides congress with the authority to make all laws "necessary and proper," to carry out it's expressed powers

system of government which the national government shares power with lower levels of government such as states.

a changed added to a bill, law or constitution

a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

series of essays written by alexander hamilton, james madison and john jay supporting the ratification of the constitution

those who favored strong state governments and a weak national government & who were opponents of the constitution proposed at the American constitutional convention of 1787.

farmers rebelled against foreclosures on debt ridden land.

protestors scared gov., which led to reform and protestors eventually got some of their demands.

-created by legislatures to take on some responsibilites of state gov's.

-power comes from state constitution and laws

-but has no status in constitution.

to have a share/say in composition of governments leadership and how the government is organized or what it's policies are going to be.

gives congress power to "regulate commerce with foreign nations, among several states w/ indian tribes." This commerce clause was consistently interpreted in favor of ntl. power by the supreme court for most of the 19th century over economy.

lost trust and faith in the government because of lack of action on Hoover's end until FDR took over.

can result in reverse discrimination and there are beliefs that a society that promotes true equality shouldn't even acknowledge race or gender.

People don't believe they have any influence anymore.

leads to apathy, lack of political action and undermining gov.

result of lack of knowledge about how ppl and politics are related.

declaration was first, then constitution, then articles.

d.c= "unalienable right," life, liberty and the pursuit..couldn't be abridged by gov. found focus on problems, grievances, aspirations.

a.c=first written constitution, limited gov. power, relationship between ntl gov & states, congress has little power.

conf=gave US checks & balances, electoral college, bill of rights, separation of powers & federalism.

to decrease debt created by the french and indian wars and expenses for protection and for the british navy.

there are no clear, definable lines/layers in the branches. There mold together like a marble cake

liberty, equality, democracy

knowledge, to be informed, able to participate in a political debate, to be an active member of their community.

• the relationship between the ntl gov & states was called the confederation.
• -Articles have congress very little power to be exercised. Congress could declare war & make peace to make treaties & alliances. To coin and borrow $ and regulate trade with native americans and could appoint officers of the US army.

northern states opposed this. some believed that if slaves were going to be counted as citizens they should be treated as such. but if slaves were property then why wouldn't other property count towards apportionment.

• legislative-
• house-2 yr terms, elected directly by the ppl.
• senate-6 yr terms (staggered so only 1/3 of the senate changes)

• -collect taxes, borrow $, regulate commerce, declare war, maintain army and navy, all powers belong to the states, unless deemed otherwise by the elastic clause (aka necessary and proper clause)
• -state's can't issue paper money, tax imports/exports, regulate trade outside their borders, impair obligation of contracts because these are all NATIONAL gov's domain.

• executive-president-4 yr terms (elected indirectly by electoral college)
• -can recognize other countries, negotiate treaties, grant pardons & reprieves, convene congress in special sessions and veto congressional enactments.

• Judicial- supreme court-lifetime terms/appointed by president with an approval of senate.
• -resolve conflicts between federal & state laws, determine whether power belongs to ntl/state gov's. and settle controversies between citizens and other states.

unprecedented federal intervention in public education, traditionally a state and local responsibility. It's an unfunded mandate requiring the states to develop assessments in basic skills to be given to all students.

powers not delegated to the u.s. by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

through the passage of 2/3 house & senate approval/vot. Then gets sent out to the states and 3/4 of the state's legislatures.

the enumeration in the constitution of certain rights, shall not be constricted to deny or disparge others retained by the people.

with a stronger federal role in the states.

individual liberty above all by championing liberty by guaranteeing equality & democracy.