Foundations of American Democracy
Supported the new Constitution, favored stronger central government
Federalists
Message to Congress rejecting a bill
Veto
Individual personal freedoms
Civil Liberties
Each person is responsible for herself, free to do what she chooses to do
Individualism
The people who officially elect the president. The popular vote doesn’t matter.
Electoral College
Marble cake) Federal and states share responsibilities, costs, and administration of policies; increases federal power
Cooperative federalism
Confirm nominationsRatify treatiesFilibuster: a long speech to prevent a vote on a bill holds: can prevent discussion of the billCloture: a 3/5 vote (60) to end debate/end a filibuster hold Unanimous consent agreements: speed along legislation
Senate
Preferential admissions and hiring policies for minorities; allowed but no quota system, no points awarded for race
Affirmative action
Poll to measure public opinion on a particular issue
Opinion poll
Supporting a party by voting for candidates from one political party for all public offices across the ballot
Party-line voting
Directly written in Constitution. Congress: declare war, raise an army, coin money, regulate interstate commerce
Enumerated powers
Permanent, bills sent here first, edit/revise/markup bills,hold hearings,most bills never advance beyond committee, conduct congressional oversight, investigate executive branch and bureaucratic agencies
Standing committees
Application of Bill of Rights to the states; states become restricted by the guarantees of freedom found in theBill of Rights
Incorporation
All persons in the population have an equal chance of being selected
Random sample
A meeting of party members to choose a party’s candidate for the general election
Caucuses
Power should be held by the people, local governments are more democratic and allow citizens to more directly influence public policy
Brutus No. 1
Have the power of law, don’t require congressional approval; generally used to direct the bureaucracy and foreign policy
Executive orders
Due process, no self-incrimination, no double jeopardy, eminent domain, a grand jury in capital cases
5th Amendment
Government should stimulate the economy during recessions (high unemployment/falling GDP) by increasing government spending to encourage economic activity
Keynesian economics
The voting age reduced to 18
26th Amendment
Separation of powers, checks and balances; “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.”Madison also argued that because Congress would be the strongest branch, having a bicameral legislature would serve as a check within a branch, leading to a slower, more deliberate lawmaking process.
Federalist No. 51
A position of authority that allows the president to speak out on any issue
Bully pulpit
States cannot hold prayers in public schools, even if participation is voluntary and the prayer isn’t tied to a specific religion
Engel v. Vitale(1962)
Favor a dramatic reduction in defense spending, decriminalization of “victimless” crimes, and protecting of rights of the accused
Libertarian
Struck down soft money and ad timing bans in BCRA. Held that corporations are people, therefore corporations have free speech to engage in unlimited independent political expenditures, led to the creation of Super PACs
Citizens United v. F.E.C. (2010)