Unit 1

• Representative Democracy

  A government system with elected officials; a federation
• Participatory View of Democracy

  A government where people (citizens) directly participate in influencing government officials, but don't physically make the policy
• Elitist View of Democracy

  A group of people (inside or outside the government) that have significantly more power because of money, education, status, lineage, etc
• Pluralist View of Democracy


  No one can take advantage of the policymaking; Competition between social groups (factions) balance each other out
• Hyperpluralist View of Democracy

  So many factions that they cancel each other out, making policymaking very difficult
• Bureaucratic View of Democracy

  A government with appointed officials that are typically invisible to most citizens. Policies are based on personal beliefs. Corrupt and biased
• Constitutional Democracy


  Where power is with the people and the government's power is described and limited by the Constitution
• Constitutionalism

  Constitutional government. Created by John Locke, this is the belief that the government should be limited in its powers
• Statism

  A political system in which the state has substantial centralized control over social and economic affairs
• Popular Consent/ consent of the governed

  The idea that the government should be accountable to the people it governs
• Popular Sovereignty


  The notion that authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives
• Selective Incorporation


  A case-by-case, slow application of laws
• Majority

  The greater number
• Plurality

  Not the majority opinion, but still the most popular

  Ex: 40%, 30%, 30%

  40% is the plurality, as it is not the majority opinion, but still the most popular
• Social Capital

  Participation in voluntary associations that strengthen democratic and civic habits
• Ideology

  A system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy
• Theocracy

  A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god (religion-based)
• Articles of Confederation

  A constitutional document that established the framework for the new government and outlined the powers of the federal government (didn't work)
• Shays's Rebellion

  An uprising in Massachusetts (1787) caused by high taxes and strict economic conditions
• Bicameral

  A legislative body of two groups or chambers
• Unicameral

  A legislative body of one group or chamber
• Connecticut Compromise/ The Great Compromise

  The mix of both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans
• Virginia Plan

  A plan for the new government that was proposed by George Mason. Favors larger states
• New Jersey Plan

  States' Representatives are equivalent. This plan favors smaller states
• Three-fifths Compromise

  The compromise that states that a slave is only worth 3/5s of a man
• Federalists

  -Wanted the Constitution to be ratified

  -Large central government

  -Power with the national government
• Anti-federalists

  -Against the Constitution because they thought it was too powerful and would lead to tyranny

  -Large state government

  -Power with the state government
• The federalist papers

  Papers written by John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. Promoted the federalists' idea and ratification of the Constitution
• Separation of Powers

  -The idea that the three branches of government should have different powers and responsibilities

  -Powers are separated to prevent corruption in the national government
• Checks and balances (NEED TO KNOW EXAMPLES TOO)

  -A system of government that ensures that no one branch of government has too much power

  -Ways for the branches to check the other branches
• Divided government

  One party controls the presidency, the other party controls one or both houses of Congress
• Impoundment

  A decision by the President to not spend money appropriated by Congress, now prohibited under federal law
• Direct Primary


  The selection of party candidates through ballots of qualified voters rather than party nomination conventions
• Referendum


  A general vote by voters on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision
• Judicial Review

  The ability of the Supreme Court to declare something unconstitutional
• Impeachment

  An action by the House of Representatives to accuse the President, vice president, or other civil officers of the United States of committing "treason, bribery, perjury, or other high crimes and misdemeanors"
• Executive privilege

  Informal power that allows the President to refuse disclosure of information regarding confidential conversations or national security to the Legislative or Judicial branch (limited by US v. Nixon)
• Custom and Usage

  Custom: a law or general rule that arises from repetition

  Usage: A repetition of acts

  Usage causes custom
• Devolution Revolution

  The effort to slow the growth of the federal government by returning many functions to the states
• Federalism

  When the national government and state government share power