Foundational Documents
Written to explain that separation of powers and checks and balances would prevent tyranny
Federalist 51
Rules that forced segregation of public schools violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment overturning “separate but equal”
Brown vs. Board of Education Topeka
Any powers not specifically given to the federal government or denied to states remain with the states or to people
10th Amendment
The name of powers granted to the national government that are specifically written in the Constitution
Enumerated powers or expressed powers
Philosophy that Justices should be very cautious in overturning precedents and laws
Judicial restraint
A belief that everyone should have a chance to succeed based on their own efforts
Equality of opporunity
Written to advocate for lifetime appointments “during good behavior” for the judicial branch
Federalist 78
The Due Process Clause of Fourteenth Amendment requires the Sixth Amendment to be applied to the states and that states must appoint a lawyer to all defendants if they cannot afford a lawyer to ensure a proper defense.
Gideon vs. Wainwright
Limited the President to two terms or ten years in office moving forward
22nd Amendment
Money given to the states by the national government where states have to spend it in a certain area, but have a lot of discretion on how to do it
Block grants
An opinion in the minority that disagrees with the majority decision
Dissenting opinion
the experiences and factors that shape an individual’s political values, attitudes, and behaviors.
political socialization
Argued that the size of the United States was too large for an efficient strong central government
Brutus 1
Corporate funding of independent political broadcasts in candidate elections cannot be limited because corporations are people and therefore have free speech and that independent expenditures are protected by the first amendment.
Citizens United vs. FEC
People, homes, and possessions cannot be unreasonably searched or items seized. This can only occur with specific warrants of probable cause of people to be searched and items to be seized
4th Amendment
The name of a belief that the national government and state governments often work together in areas of public policy
Cooperative Federalism
The ability of the courts to overturn laws that violate the Constitution
Judicial review
The impact on a person's age and stage of life on his or her political views
life cycle effect
Written to support for a single person as a strong executive in a leadership role for the executive branch
Federalist 70
Starting a school day with a prayer in public schools violates the establishment clause of the first Amendment Freedom of Religion because all students are a captive audience to hearing the prayer regardless of their religious beliefs
Engle vs. Vitale
No longer winner of Electoral College vote becomes President and runner up becomes Vice President, two people now run together as a ticket for President and Vice President
12th Amendment
Powers not given to the national government that are retained by the states
Reserved powers
A higher court hearing a case to review the result that has already been determined by a lower court
appellate jurisdiction
An individual's set of beliefs about government and politics
political ideology
Written to explain how factions can be limited and to argue that the proposed government was not likely to be controlled by a faction.
Federalist 10
Under the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, state legislative districts must be approximately equal in size by population and states must redraw their districts after receiving census data.
Baker vs. Carr
Senators now elected by citizens instead of appointed by state legislatures
17th Amendment
The federal government's use of grants-in-aid to influence policies in the states
fiscal federalism
Philosophy that justices can inject their own views in cases and that laws and precedents can be struck down when deemed appropriate
judicial activism
the impact of historical events experienced by a generation upon their political views
generational effect