Vocab and Concepts
this is a prescriptive theory; it explains what a democracy ought to look like.
Dahl's Traditional Democratic Theory
You wouldn't pay more for a cheeseburger that was smaller, more expensive, and less tasty. So why would you vote for a candidate who pledged to enact policies you oppose?
Rational-choice theory -- Assumes that voters and political parties act in their own best interest, carefully weighing the costs and benefits of possible alternatives. Voters, for example, are assumed to vote for the party that provides those voters with the most benefits.
Because of the Necessary and Proper Clause, Congress has implied powers not explicitly outlined in the Constitution. And because of the Supremacy Clause, states may not interfere with a legitimate exercise of federal authority.
McCulloch v. Maryland
the layer-cake model
Dual federalism -- A system in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each with a separate set of responsibilities.
To declare War, regulate interstate commerce, To raise and support Armies, To borrow Money
Enumerated or expressed powers -- Powers of the federal government that are specifically listed in the Constitution; for Congress, these powers are listed in Article I, Section 8.
The channels or access points through which issues and people's policy preferences get on the government's policy agenda. The four types are political parties, elections, interest groups, and the mass media.
Linkage Institutions
When people believe that it is their responsibility to vote even if they cannot discern a policy difference between the candidates
Civic Duty
Attempted to balance the rights of the unborn and the rights of the mother
Roe v. Wade (1973)
Federal funds that can be used only for specified purposes, such as education or highways. These often have restrictions, such as nondiscrimination provisions.
Categorical grants
The constitutional source of reserved powers
Tenth Amendment
Hey, this political ideology holds that society is similar to an organism.
Conservatism
When people believe that their participation in democracy makes a real difference. Highest among the elite. People who have this will likely answer yes to questions such as "Public officials care what people like me think and believe."
Political Efficacy
For a law to be valid under the Commerce Clause, there must be some direct connection between the activity being regulated and interstate commerce. This decision restricts the power of Congress under the Commerce Clause.
US v. Lopez (1995)
Hey, Idaho. You want your federal highway funds? You'd better raise your drinking age to 21.
Fiscal federalism -- Through spending, taxing, and providing grants, the the feds can persuade states to do those things which the feds cannot otherwise control.
The new federal government would be too powerful. Objected especially to the necessary-and-proper clause and the supremacy clause.
Brutus No. 1
The legal right to vote. African Americans gained this right with the passage of the 15th Amendment, women got it with the 19th Amendment, and 18-year-olds with the 26th Amendment.
Suffrage
Allowed citizens eighteen and older to vote (1971)
26th Amendment
Used Griswold v. Connecticut to establish a right to privacy.
Roe v. Wade (1973)
The Americans with Disabilities Act is a notable example.
Unfunded mandate -- When the federal government requires state or local action but does not provide the money to pay for that action.
Argues that a large republic is especially suited to controlling the effects of factions due to the greater diversity of interests and the larger potential pool of public-spirited representatives.
Federalist No. 10
A democratic society must be a marketplace of ideas. A free press and free speech are essential to civic understanding. If one group monopolizes and distorts information, citizens cannot truly understand issues.
Enlightened Understanding
Currently (in many states)--Registration requirements, photo ID requirements, limited voting times, felon disenfranchisement.
Previously--Literacy tests, poll taxes, racial and gender restrictions, property and religious requirements.
Structural Barriers to Voting
Speech that presents a clear and present danger to the community may be restricted. Therefore, speech that is protected during peacetime may be restricted during wartime. The protections afforded by the Free Speech Clause are not unlimited.
Schenck v. US (1919)
Federal marijuana policy is one example of this principle.
Devolution -- The national government voluntarily allows states to exercise authority that belongs to the national government.
"Ambition must be made to counteract ambition."
Federalist No. 51 -- Here Madison discusses the need for the separation of powers into three branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial), for giving each branch the power to check the others and for the division of powers between the federal and state levels. These protections are necessary to guard against abuse of power.