Foundations of American Democracy
A system where citizens elect officials to represent them under a constitution.
What is a constitutional republic?
Powers not given to the federal government and kept by the states.
What are reserved powers?
The first ten amendments to the Constitution.
What is the Bill of Rights?
The process of redrawing district lines after a census.
What is redistricting?
Women gain the right to vote.
What is the 19th Amendment?
This theory says democracy works best when many people participate directly.
What is participatory democracy?
This clause makes national laws more powerful than state laws.
What is the supremacy clause?
This clause protects religious expression.
What is the free exercise clause?
A delay tactic in the Senate to prevent a vote.
What is a filibuster?
People vote for candidates based on what they promise to do.
What is prospective voting?
The government cannot take away these rights, like life and liberty.
What are inalienable rights?
A federal grant given with specific conditions.
What is a categorical grant?
Untrue spoken words that harm someone’s reputation.
What is slander?
Money set aside for local projects in a representative’s district.
What is pork barrel spending?
A payment required to vote, made illegal by the 24th Amendment.
What is a poll tax?
A system in which people allow the government to rule over them in exchange for protection.
What is the social contract?
The clause that allows Congress to stretch its power.
What is the necessary and proper clause?
Evidence obtained illegally cannot be used in court.
What is the exclusionary rule?
A vote by 60 Senators to end debate on a bill.
What is cloture?
A system where the candidate with the most votes wins all electoral votes.
What is the winner-take-all system?
This concept means the people are the source of governmental power
What is popular sovereignty?
A form of federalism where the national and state governments remain separate in their responsibilities.
What is dual federalism?
A judge’s authorization to search someone’s property.
What is a warrant?
The House committee that controls how bills are debated and amended.
What is the Rules Committee?
A state where presidential election results are consistently close and shift between parties.
What is a swing state?