Key Terms Exam 1 Ginsberg Chapters 1 2 3 Bowers Chapters 1 2 Chapter 1 09 11 2014 Government Institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled Politics Conflict over the leadership structure and policies of Political Efficacy The ability to influence government and politics Citizenship Informed and active membership in a political governments community Autocracy A form of government in which a single individual a king queen or dictator rules Oligarchy A form of government in which a small group landowners military officers or wealthy merchants controls most of the governing decision 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 Constitutional Government A system of rule in which a formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of the government 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 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 Politics Conflict over the leadership structure and policies of government policies Power Influence over a government s leadership organization or Representative Democracy Republic A system of government in which the populace selects representatives who play a significant role in governmental decision making Direct Democracy A system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies 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 values of liberty equality and democracy Liberty Freedom from governmental control Limited Government A principle of constitutional government a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution 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 governmental interference 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 Political Equality The right to participate in politics equally based on the principle of one person one vote Popular Sovereignty A principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people Majority Rule Minority Rights The democratic principle that a government follows the preferences of the majority of the voters but protects the interests of the minority Articles of Confederation America s first written constitution served as the basis for America s national government until 1789 Confederation A system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government Virginia Plan A framework for the Constitution introduced by Edmund Randolph that called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state New Jersey Plan A framework for the Constitution introduced by William Paterson that called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population Chapter 2 Great Compromise The agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that gave each state an equal number of senators regardless of population but linked representation in the House of Representation to population Three Fifth s Compromise The agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that stipulated that for purposes of the apportionment of congressional seats every slave would be counted as three fifths of a person Checks and Balances Electoral College The presidential electors from each state who meet after the popular election to cast ballots for president and vide president Bill of Rights the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution ratified in 1791 they ensure certain rights and liberties to the people Separation of Powers The division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision making Federalism A system of government in which power is divide by a constitution between a central government and regional governments Expressed Powers Specific powers granted by the Constitution to Congress and to the president Elastic Clause The necessary and proper clause which enumerates the powers of Congress and provides Congress with the authority to make all laws necessary and proper to carry them out Bicameral Having a legislature assembly composed of two chambers or houses distinguished from unicameral Judicial Review The power of the courts to review and if necessary declare actions of the legislative and executive branches invalid of unconstitutional the Supreme Court asserted this power in Marbury v Madison Supremacy Clause Article VI of the Constitution which states that laws passed by the national government and all treaties are supreme law of the land and superior to all laws adopted by any state or any subdivision Chapter 3 Pg 80 Federalists Those who favored a strong national government and supported the Constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787 Antifederalists Those who favored strong state governments and a weak national government and who were opponents of the Constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787 Federalist Papers A series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton James Madison and John Jay supporting ratification of the Constitution Tyranny Oppressive government that employs a cruel and unjust use of power and authority Limited Government A principle of constitutional government a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution Federalism A system of government in which power is divided by a constitution between a central government and regional governments Unitary System A centralized government system in which lower levels of government have little power independent of the national government Federal System A system of government in which the national government shares power with lower levels of government such as
View Full Document
Unlocking...