Ideas that shape American politics
Americans who value cultural diversity, government programs for the needy, public intervention in the economy, and individuals’ right to a lifestyle based on their own social and moral positions. Also known as left or left-wing.
What are Liberals?
In the Declaration of Independence’s statement of principles what are the three rights that cannot be taken away
What is life, liberty, pursuit of happiness?
National government powers implied by, but not specifically named in, the Constitution.
What are implied powers?
The theory that describes how people influence government through the many interest groups that spring up to champion everything from fighting global warming to banning abortions.
What is Pluralist theory? (Pluralists suggest that interest groups give most people a voice)
A statement of fundamental principles that governs a nation or an organization.
What is a Constitution?
The Freedom from constraints or the interference of others AND the ability to pursue one’s goals, which requires basic resources and power are known as these two terms
What is negative and positive liberty?
Articles 1-3 of the Constitution that discuss these components.
What are the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary?
The constitutional declaration (in Article 1, Section 8) that defines Congress’s authority to exercise the “necessary and proper” powers to carry out its designated functions.
What is the Necessary and proper clause?
The theory that maintains that power rests in the hands of a small number of wealthy and powerful individuals.
What is the Elite theory?
A principle of legal interpretation that relies on the original meaning of those who wrote the Constitution.
What is originalism?
The view that the United States is uniquely characterized by a distinct set of ideas, such as equality, self-rule, and limited government.
What is American exceptionalism?
Congress consists of two chambers, the House of representatives and the Senate so it would be described as
What is a bicameral legislature?
A version of cooperative federalism, but with stronger emphasis on state and local government activity versus national government.
What is New Federalism?
This theory argues that the real control lies with the millions of men and women who carry out the day-to-day operations of modern government. These experts establish policy regardless of popular views.
What is bureaucratic theory?
A principle of legal interpretation based on the idea that the Constitution evolves and that interpretations of the Constitution must be framed in the context of contemporary realities.
What is pragmatism?
An approach to political behavior that views individuals as rational, decisive actors who know their political interests and seek to act on them.
What is Rational Choice Theory?
This government official is the president of the Senate
What is the VP?
The constitutional guarantee (in the Tenth Amendment) that the states retain governmental authority not explicitly granted to the national government.
What are reserved powers?
This theory emphasizes the power citizens can wield when they organize and rise up in protest– regardless of who is in control of day-to-day politics.
What is social movement theory?
The first ten amendments to the Constitution, listing the rights guaranteed to every citizen.
What is the Bill of Rights?
Name the eight big ideas
What are
Liberty
Self-rule (a Democratic Republic)
Limited government
Individualism
The american dream
Equality
Religion
Diversity
The number of states required to ratify the Constitution
What is 9 out of 13?
The invalidation of a U.S. state law that conflicts with federal law.
What is preemption?
One of these emphasizes a weak central government that had to rely on the states to implement its decisions WHILE THE OTHER wanted to create a national government superior to and independent of the states.
What are the Articles of Confederation and the Constitutional Convention (1787)?
Representatives follow the expressed wishes of the voters.
What is delegate representation?