Foundations & Theories
An agreement where people give up some freedoms in exchange for government protection.
What is the Social Contract?
That the Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land.
What does the Supremacy Clause state?
A weak national government with most power left to the states.
What did the Articles of Confederation establish?
Strengthened federal power and upheld implied powers.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?
The formal accusation of wrongdoing against a public official by the House of Representatives
What is Impeachment?
The idea that political power belongs to the people.
What is Popular Sovereignty.?
Federal requirements imposed on state governments without funding.
What are Unfunded Mandates?
This event exposed the inability of the national government to maintain order under the Articles of Confederation.
What did Shays' Rebellion expose?
Limited Congress's use of the Commerce Clause.
What is United States v. Lopez?
Gives Congress power to regulate interstate commerce.
What is the Commerce Clause?
A theory that a small group of wealthy or influential people control the government.
What is Elite Theory?
Grants Congress implied powers to carry out enumerated powers.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
An agreement for a bicameral legislature: House by population, Senate equal.
What was the Connecticut Compromise?
This Supreme Court case upheld the use of the Necessary and Proper Clause to expand federal power.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?
Federal money given to states with few restrictions.
What is a Block Grant?
A theory that many groups compete for power in a decentralized government.
What is Pluralist Theory?
A power not written in the Constitution but necessary to carry out expressed powers.
What is an Implied Power?
People who opposed the ratification of the Constitution.
Who were the Anti-Federalists?
This principle, reinforced in U.S. v. Lopez, limits the power of the federal government and protects state sovereignty.
What is federalism?
Federal money for specific purposes with strings attached.
What is a Categorical Grant?
A model of democracy in which citizens have direct participation in decision-making.
What is Participatory Democracy?
Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government for the states and the people.
What is the 10th Amendment?
The process to amend the Constitution (2/3 Congress, 3/4 States).
What is Article V about?
This clause, which gives Congress the power to regulate interstate trade, was limited by the ruling in U.S. v. Lopez.
What is the Commerce Clause?
This section of the Constitution outlines Congress's enumerated powers, including taxing, declaring war, and regulating commerce.
What is Article I, Section 8?