Types of Democracies (& 1 Random)
Policymaking institutions are influenced by citizens directly
What is Participatory Theory?
Created a federal system of government between national/state government; Congress could tax, regulate commerce; Only federal government can coin money
What is the U.S. Constitution?
Powers that belong to both the national and state governments
What are Concurrent Powers?
States that the Constitution, it’s laws, and treaties shall be the “Supreme law of the land.” Illustrated by McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden
What is the Supremacy Clause?
Power is reserved to the states
What is the 10th Amendment?
A small number of powerful elite form an upper class, which rules in it's own self-interest
What is Elite Theory?
Power is divided among three branches of government; each has its own powers and duties and is independent of an equal to the other branches.
What are the Separation of Powers?
Expressed, or enumerated powers; Specifically given to the national government (Art I-V)
What are Delegated Powers?
States are required to recognize the laws and legal documents of other states, such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, drivers’ licenses, and wills
What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?
Power is reserved to the people
What is the 9th Amendment?
Interest groups compete in the political arena, with each promoting it's policy preferences through organized efforts. Conflict among groups may result, requiring compromise
What is Pluralist Theory?
Bicameral Legislature; Lower house elected by ppl;
Upper house chosen by lower house; Representation based on population; Favored by the Larger States
What is the Virginia Plan?
Each branch is subject to restraints by the other two branches
What are Checks and Balances?
Allows Congress to make all laws that are "needed" to carry out the powers of the Constitution.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
The Marshall Court defined commerce as all business dealings, and the power to regulate interstate commerce belongs exclusively to the national government.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
Democracy is a system of many groups having so much strength that government is often “pulled” in numerous directions at the same time, causing gridlock and ineffectiveness
What is Hyper-Pluralist Theory?
This compromise settled the disputes between the states over the structure of the legislative branch.
Congress would be bicameral, with representation in lower house based on population and equal representation in the upper house
What is the Connecticut (Great) Compromise?
Powers belonging specifically to the state because they were neither delegated to the national government nor denied to the states. (Art IV; Amendment 10)
What are Reserved Powers?
General grants that can be used for a variety of purposes within a broad category with fewer strings attached so the state/local government have greater freedom in how the money is spent.
What is a Block Grant?
League of friendship between the states; Congress could not tax, regulate interstate trade or foreign commerce; Each state had one vote, 9/13 required to pass legislation; Unanimous consent required to amend
Money and resources provided by the federal government to the state and local governments to be used for specific projects or programs (i.e. building canals, roads, and railroads)
What are Grants-in-Aid?
"Resolved" the slavery issue: each state would count three-fifths of it’s slave population for purposes of determining both representation and taxation.
What is the 3/5ths Compromise?
Grants that have a specific purpose defined by law, such as sewage treatment facilities or school lunch programs
What are Categorical Grants?
Money and resources provided by the federal government to the state and local governments to be used for specific projects or programs (i.e. building canals, roads, and railroads)
What are Grants-in-Aid?
Proposed by 2/3 vote of each house of Congress and ratified by ¾ of the state legislature
What is the Formal Constitutional Amendment Process?