authoritarian government
a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits but may nevertheless be restrained by the power of other social institutions
autocracy
a form of government in which a single individual - a king, queen, or dictator - rules
constitutional government
a system of rule in which formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of the government
democracy
a system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials
direct democracy
a system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies
equality of opportunity
a widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential
government
institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled
laissez-faire capitalism
an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government interference
liberty
freedom from government control
limited government
a principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution
majority rule, minority rights
the democratic principle that a government follows the preferences of the majority but protects the interests of the minority
oligarchy
a form of government in which a small group - landowners, military officers, or wealthy merchants - controls most of the governing decisions
pluralism
the theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government. The outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation
political culture
broadly shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the government should function. American political culture emphasizes the value of liberty, equality, and democracy
political efficacy
the ability to influence government and politics
political equality
the right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of "one person, one vote
politics
conflict over the leadership, structure, and policies of governments
popular sovereignty
a principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people
power
influence over a government's leadership, organization, or policies
representative democracy/republic
a system of government in which the populace selects representatives who play a significant role in governmental decision making
totalitarian government
a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits on its power and seeks to absorb or eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it
Amendment
a change added to a bill, law, or constitution
Antifederalists
those who favored strong state governments and a weak national government, and were opponents of the constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787
Articles of Confederation
America's first written constitution; served as the basis of America's national government until 1789
bicameral
a two-cambered legislature; opposite of unicameral
Bill of Rights
the first 10 amendments to the Constitution which guarantee certain rights and liberties to the people
checks and balances
mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches
confederation
a system of government with a weak national government but strong states or provinces
elastic clause
(necessary and proper clause) which provides Congress with the authority to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out the other powers given to Congress
electoral college
the presidential electors from each state who meet after the popular election to cast ballots for president and vice president
expressed powers
specific powers granted to Congress in the Constitution
federalism
a system of government in which power is divided by a constitution between the central (national) government and regional (state) governments
Federalist papers
a series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay supporting the ratification of the Constitution
Federalists
Those who favor a stronger national government and supported the constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention in 1787
Great Compromise
the agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 where representation in the House of Representatives would be apportioned according to the number of inhabitants in each state, but in the Senate each state would have an equal vote regardless
judicial review
the power of the courts to rule on the constitutionality of actions of the legislative and executive branches, or the states. The Supreme Court asserted the power in Marbury v. Madison (1803)
New Jersey Plan
a framework for the Constitution, introduced by William Paterson, which called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population
separation of powers
the division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision making
supremacy clause
laws passed by the national government and all treaties "shall be the supreme law of the land" and superior to all laws adopted by any state or subdivision
Three-fifths Compromise
the agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention that stipulated that for purposes of the apportionment of congressional seats, five slaves would count as three free persons
tyranny
oppressive and unjust government that employs cruel and unjust use of power and authority
Virginia Plan
a framework for the Constitution, introduced by Edmund Randolph, which provided for a system of representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state
block grants
federal grants-in-aid that allow states considerable discretion in how the funds are spent
categorical grants
congressional grants given to states and localities on the condition that expenditures be limited to a problem or group specified by law
commerce clause
delegates to Congress the power "to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States and the Indian tribes." This clause was interpreted by the Supreme Court in favor of national power over economy
concurrent powers
authority possessed by state and national governments, such as the power to levy taxes
cooperative federalism
a 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. "Intergovernmental cooperation
devolution
a policy to remove a program from one level of government by delegating it or passing it down to a lower level of government, such as from the national government to the state and local governments
dual federalism
the system of government that prevailed in the U.S. from 1789-1937, in which most fundamental governmental powers were shared between the federal and state governments
federal system
a system of government in which the national government shares power with lower levels of government, such as the states
formula grants
grants-in-aid in which a formula is used to determine the amount of federal funds a state or local government will receive
full faith and credit clause
requires that the states normally honor the public acts and judicial decisions that take place in another state
general revenue sharing
the process by which one unit of government yields a portion of its tax income to another unit of government, according to an established formula. This typically involves the national government providing money to state governments
grants-in-aid
programs in which Congress provides money to state and local governments on the condition that the funds be employed for purposes defined by the federal government
home rule
power delegated by the state to a local unit of government to manage its own affairs
implied powers
powers derived from the necessary and proper clause of the Constitution. Such powers are not specifically expressed, but are implied through extensive interpretation of delegated powers
New Federalism
attempts by Presidents Nixon and Reagan to return power to the states through block grants
police power
power reserved to the state government to regulate the health, safety, and morals of its citizens
preemption
the principle that allows the national government to override state or local actions in certain policy areas
privileges and immunities clause
a state cannot discriminate against someone from another state or give its own residents special privileges
project grants
grant programs in which state and local governments submit proposals to federal agencies and for which funding is provided on a competitive basis
redistributed programs
economic policies designed to control the economy through taxing and spending, with the goal of benefiting the poor
regulated federalism
a form of federalism in which Congress imposes legislation on states and localities, requiring them to meet national standards
reserved powers
powers, derived from the 10th Amendment, that are not specifically delegated to the national government or denied to the states
states' rights
the principle that the states should oppose the increasing authority of the national government. Most popular during the Civil War
unfunded mandates
regulations or conditions for receiving grants that impose costs on state and local governments for which they are not reimbursed by the federal government
unitary system
a centralized government system in which lower levels of government have little power independent of the national government