Foundations of American Democracy
This Enlightenment idea says government power comes from the people.
What is popular sovereignty?
This system lets each branch limit the others.
What are checks and balances?
This process applies the Bill of Rights to the states through the 14th Amendment.
What is selective incorporation?
This lifelong process shapes a person’s political values.
What is political socialization?
These rules, such as voter ID laws, can raise or lower turnout.
What are voting laws or voter registration requirements?
This failed governing document lacked the power to tax or raise an army.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
These groups in Congress review bills and conduct oversight.
What are congressional committees?
This amendment protects speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.
What is the First Amendment?
This ideology favors more economic regulation and less social regulation.
What is liberalism?
These organizations nominate candidates and mobilize voters.
What are political parties?
This constitutional principle divides authority between national and state governments.
What is federalism?
This large network of agencies carries out federal laws.
What is the federal bureaucracy?
This clause was the basis for ending school segregation in Brown v. Board.
What is the equal protection clause?
This type of poll uses random sampling to measure public opinion.
What is a scientific poll?
These groups influence policy through lobbying, litigation, and campaign support.
What are interest groups?
This compromise created a bicameral Congress to satisfy states of different sizes.
What is the Great (Connecticut) Compromise?
This informal presidential power uses public influence to pressure Congress.
What is the bully pulpit?
This three‑part test evaluates whether a law violates the Establishment Clause.
What is the Lemon test?
This term describes widespread agreement among the public on an issue.
What is public opinion consensus?
This election type lets voters choose a party’s nominee.
What is a primary election?
This Federalist Paper argued that a large republic is the best defense against factions.
What is Federalist No. 10?
This 1803 case established the Court’s power to strike down unconstitutional laws.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
This movement used litigation, protest, and legislation to challenge systemic racial discrimination.
What is the Civil Rights Movement?
This demographic factor—often the strongest—predicts political ideology.
What is family?
This 2010 case expanded independent political spending by corporations and unions.
What is Citizens United v. FEC?