power
government is forcing people to do something and keeping people to do something
sovereignty
the power to rule
legitimacy
the right to rule
autocracy
rule by 1, constitutional- strict limit on government power
oligarchy
group, authoritarian- no formal limits but has non government that keeps it in check
Democracy
the people, totalitarian- no limit of any kind but on political power
condfederation
a system of government in which retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government
Virginia plan
plan provided for a system of representation in the national legislature based upon the population of each state f the proportion of each states revenue contribution to the national government, or both
Great compromise
the first chamber of congress, the house of representatives, the representatives would b apportioned according to the population in each state
New Jersey plan
called or equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population
3/5 compromise
the seats in the house of representatives would be apportioned to a population in which 5 slaves would count for 3 free persons
bicameralism
having a legislative assembly composed of two chambers or houses
checks and balances
mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches
electoral college
presidential electors from each state who meet after the popular election cast ballots for president and vice president
bill of rights
the first 10 amendments to the constitution
separation of powers
the division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision makeig
federalism
a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution between a central gov and regional government
expressed powers
specific powers granted to congress in the constitution
elastic clause
signified that the enumerated powers were meant to be a source of strength to the national government, no a limitation on it
judicial review
the power of the courts to review and if necessary, declare actions of the legislative and executive branches invalid or unconstitutional
supreme clause
provided that national laws and treaties "shall be the supreme law of the land" and superior to all laws adopted by any state or any subdivision
Characteristics of a nation
land
culture
history
institutions
historical inevitability
4 clauses of colonization
religion
economics
imperialism
philosphy
continental congress
writes articles of confederation
problem of faction
divisions of society that wants power (ex. republican and democrats)
federalism
divisions of powers and functions between the national governments and the state governments
unitary system
the central government makes the important decisions and lower levels of government primarily implement decisions made by the central government
federal system
the central government shares powers or functions with lower levels of government
expressed powers
powers specifically granted to congress and the president in the constitution
implied powers
enable congress to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers
reserved powers
aims to reserve the powers of the states
police power
a states authority to regulate the health, safety and morals of its citizens
concurrent powers
authority possessed by both state and national government
home rule
powers delegated by the state to a local government to manage its own affairs
dual federalism
most fundamental governmental powers were shared between the federal and state government
commerce clause
regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several states and with the indian tribes
states rights
the principle that states should oppose the increasing authority of the national government
grants in aid
programs through which congress provided money to state and local governments on the condition that the funds be employed for purposes defined by the federal government
categorical grants
grants given to states and localities by the national government
devotion
programs are removed from the level of government by delegating it for passing it down to a lower level of government
preemption
the principal that allows the national government to override state or local actions in certain policy areas
unfunded mandates
regulations or new conditions for receiving grants that impose costs on state and local governments for which they are not reimbersed by the national government
general revenue sharing
federal government provided money to local governments and counties with no strings attached
new federalism
returning power to the states through block grants
Ratification
each state needs to vote independently
federalists
people for the constitution
antifederalists
people against the constitution, stronger state and local gov.
unitary system
central government makes all important decisions
confederalism
state and local governments make all decisions (least common form)
benefits of federalism
limits every layer of government
civil liberties
individual rights and personal freedoms with which governments are constrained from interfering
civil rights
protections of citizen equality provided by the government
due process of law
right of every citizen to be protected against arbitrary action by national or state governments
selective incorporation
process by which different protections in the Bill of rights were incorporated or applied to the states using the 4th amendment
free exercise clause
protects the citizens right to believe and proactive whatever religion he chooses
strict scrutiny
places a heavy burden of proof on the government if it seeks to regulate or restrict speech
clear and present danger
test for when government intervention or censorship can be permitted
speech plus
speech accompanied by conduct or physical activity such as sit ins, picketing, and demonstrating
prior restraint
efforts by a governmental agency to block the publications of material if it deems libelous or harmful in some other way
libel
if a written statement is made in reckless disregard of the truth and is considered damaging to the victim because it is malicious, scandalous, and defamatory
slander
if an oral statement of libel is made
fighting words
expressive speech
exclusionary rule
ability of courts to exclude evidence obtained by violation of the 4th amendment
double jeopardy
a protection to prevent a person from being tried more than once for the same crime
eminent domain
power of any government to take private property for public use
4th amendment
guaranteeing equal protection and due process and states ratified in the after math of civil war
13th amendment
abolished slavery
10th amendment
guaranteed voting for black men
defacto
by fact where in races are till segregated even though the law does not require it
affirmative action
government policies or programs that seek to redress past injustices against specified groups by making special efforts to provide members of these groups with access to educational and employment opp.
Amendment 1
limits congress
Amendment 2-4
limits executive
Amendment 5-8
limits judiciary
Amendments 9 and 10
limits whole national government