Foundations of American Democracy
America's first Constitution, which gave the federal government very little power
Articles of Confederation
The process by which people form their ideas about politics and government
Political socialization
increasing ideological difference between the two parties in the US Congress; the Democratic Party is becoming more liberal in its positions and the Republican Party is becoming more conservative
Political polarization
The Supreme Court case that ruled gerrymandering along racial lines is unconstitutional
Shaw v. Reno
In Federalist 10, Madison said that these were the greatest threat to American democracy
Factions
The term to describe the shared powers between federal and state governments
Federalism
Economic philosophy that encourages tax cuts and deregulation in order to promote economic growth
Supply-side economics
a prominent position that provides an opportunity to influence a person's or public views (informal power)
Bully pulpit
The Supreme Court case that ruled "one person, one vote" AND that federal courts have jurisdiction over electoral maps
Baker v. Carr
The foundational document that outlines the vision for the US presidency
Federalist 70
The plan proposed at the Constitutional Convention to have representation in the federal government based on population
Virginia Plan
economic philosophy that encourages government spending (through the creation of jobs or the distribution of unemployment benefits) in order to promote economic growth
Keynesian (demand-side) economics
When two legislators agree to trade votes for each other’s benefit
Logrolling
The Supreme Court case that created implied powers
McCulloch v. Maryland
The foundational document that outlines the vision for the judiciary
Federalist 78
a federal grant given to state or local governments that can only be used for specific, narrowly defined purposes, often with strict regulations attached
Categorical Grant
a citizen’s belief that their vote matters and can influence government policies
Political efficacy
the practice of drawing electoral districts that divide the population of a community or constituency across several districts; in doing so, the influence of the community or constituency may be reduced, preventing the group from forming a voting block within any single district sufficient to elect the group's preferred candidates
Cracking
The Supreme Court case that LIMITED Congress's power to exercise implied powers under the Commerce Clause
US v. Lopez
The foundational document that calls for separation of powers and checks and balances
Federalist 51
A model of democracy in which multiple groups with different interests compete to influence policy, and no single group has complete control
Pluralist democracy
A political philosophy that emphasizes limited government intervention in personal, social, and economic issues
Libertarian
a member of Congress who acts as a delegate on issues that their constituents care about and as a trustee on issues that their constituents don’t care about
Politico model of representation
The Supreme Court case that established judicial review
Marbury v. Madison
The foundational document that criticizes the Constitution for giving the federal government too much power
Brutus I