Authority
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
Bureaucratic view
view that the government is dominated by appointed officials
democracy
government ruled by the people
direct democracy
A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives
elite
persons who posses a disproportionate share of some valued resource like money or power
legitimacy
political authority conferred by law or by a state or national constitution
Marxist view
view that the government is dominated by capitalists
Power elite view
view that the government is dominated by a few top leaders, most of whom are outside of government
pluralist view
the belief that competition among all affected interests shapes public policy
power
one possessing or exercising power or influence or authority
power elite
c. wright mills' term for the top people in u.s. corporations, military, and politics who make the nation's major decisions
representative democracy
A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.
Amendment
the act of amending or correcting
antifederalists
those who favor weaker national government
articles of confereration
after the American Revolution this was the first plan of government that did not work
bill of attainder
a law that punishes a person accused of a crime without a trial or a fair hearing in court
Bill of rights
all of the ammendments (1-10)
checks and balances
A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power
coalition
a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose
concurrent powers
powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments
constitutional convention
meeting of delegates in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation, which produced the new U.S. Constitution
enumerated powers
powers given to the national government
ex post facto law
a law that makes an act criminal although the act was legal when it was committed
faction
a group with a distinct political interest
federalism
a form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the states
federalists
supporters of the constitution
great compromise
the agreement by which Congress would have two houses, the Senate (where each state gets equal representation-two senators) and the House of Representatives (where representation is based on population).
habeas corpus
the right not to be held in prison without first being charged with a specific crime
inalienable
A human right based on nature or god.
line-item veto
An executive's ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature.
New Jersey Plan
Proposal to create weak national government.
republic
A government in which elected representatives make the decisions.
Reserved Powers
Powers given to the state governments alone.
separation of powers
Constitutional authority is shared by three different branches of government.
shay's rebellion
a rebellion by debtor farmers in western Massachusetts, led by Revolutionary War Captain Daniel Shays, against Boston creditors. it began in 1786 and lasted half a year, threatening the economic interests of the business elite and contributing to the demi
unalienable
a human right based on nature or God
Virginia plan
Initial proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by the Virginia delegation for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature dominated by the big states.
block grants
Money from the national government that states can spend within broad guidelines determined by Washington
conditions of aid
Terms set by the national government that states must meet if they are to receive certain federal funds.
devolution
the delegation of authority (especially from a central to a regional government)
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.
grants in aid
money given by the national government to the states
initiative
allowed all citizens to introduce a bill into the legislative and required members to take a vote on it
mandates
terms set by the national government that states must meet whether or not they accept federal grants
necessary and proper cause
section of the constititution allowing congress to pass all laws "necessary and proper" to its duties
nullification
the states'-rights doctrine that a state can refuse to recognize or to enforce a federal law passed by the United States Congress
police power
state power to enact laws promoting health, safety, and morals
recall
the act of removing an official by petition
referendum
The practice of letting voters accept or reject measures proposed by the legislature
civic competence
A belief that one can affect government policies
civic duty
a belief that one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs
class consciousness
A belief that you are a member of an economic group whose interests are opposed to people in other such groups
orthodox religion
A belief that morality and religion ought to be of decisive importance.
political culture
A set of basic values and beliefs about one's country or government that is shared by most citizens and that influences political opinions and behaviors
political efficacy
The belief that one's political participation really matters - that one's vote can actually make a difference
progressive religion
A belief that personal freedom and solving social problems is more important than religion.