Foundations of American Democracy
This document outlined colonial grievances, asserted natural rights, and justified independence from Britain.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
The Constitution is divided into this many articles.
What are seven?
These organizations aim to influence public opinion and government policy.
What are political parties?
This body officially elects the President of the United States.
What is the Electoral College?
This branch of government is responsible for enforcing laws.
What is the executive branch?
John Locke’s ideas most directly influenced this concept found in the Declaration.
What are natural rights (life, liberty, and property/pursuit of happiness)?
Article I, Section 8 lists these powers of Congress.
What are enumerated (or delegated) powers?
The U.S. political system is dominated by these two parties.
What are the Democratic and Republican parties?
This party system dominates U.S. politics and discourages third parties.
What is the two party system?
The President fills cabinet positions and federal judgeships with this body’s approval.
What is the senate?
Federalist No. 10 argues that this is the greatest danger to republican government.
What are factions?
Article I, Section 10 limits these governments from coining money or making treaties.
What are state governments?
This ideology generally favors limited government and free-market economics.
What is conservatism?
These third parties focus on a single issue, such as environmentalism.
What are single issue parties?
These directives allow presidents to manage the executive branch without new legislation.
What are executive orders?
This type of democracy allows citizens to vote directly on laws rather than electing representatives.
What is direct democracy?
This system of government divides power between national and state governments.
What is federalism?
This institution acts as a watchdog by informing the public and holding government accountable.
What is the news media?
Unlike PACs, these groups may not coordinate directly with candidates.
What are Super-PACs?
This constitutional process begins in the House and is tried in the Senate.
What is impeachment?
Federalist 10 claims that a large republic is the best way to control factions because it does this.
What is diluting factional power by increasing diversity of interests?
This formal process requires proposal by Congress or the states and ratification by the states.
What is the amendment process?
This effect occurs when media coverage influences what the public thinks is important.
What is agenda-setting?
This type of party has an ideology made of multiple viewpoints.
What is an ideology party?
The legitimacy of executive orders depends on this constitutional principle.
What is Article II?