Foundations of Democracy
Both of these primary responsibilities of a sound government help to ensure the people's ability to free and safe lives.
Order and Liberty
This founding document includes concepts such as consent of the governed and social contract. It states that government comes from the power of the people and the people have a right to abolish it if it no longer protects the natural rights of the people.
Declaration of Independence
This is the number of Articles and Amendments that are in the Constitution....separately.
Seven and twenty seven
These federal grants give states much more autonomy in how they spend the money provided
Block Grants
Article 1; Section 8 contains this important list which includes the ability to levy taxes, declare war, and regulate commerce.
Enumerated Powers of Congress
These include the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Sometimes the right to property replaces happiness.
Inalienable or natural rights
This constitutional plan mixed elements of the New Jersey (small state) and Virginia (large state) plans to create a lasting structure for our government.
The Great Compromise or Connecticut Compromise
This power is actually stated in Article 3, but was confirmed and applied for the first time in the landmark case, Marbury v Madison (1803)
Judicial Review
This is the basis of cooperative federalism and explains how the federal government interacts with state and local governments through grants.
Fiscal federalism
These are two constitutional concepts that state there are three branches of federal government who have different powers and responsibilities and the power to enact forms of oversight on each other. These were explained by James Madison in Federalist 51
Separation of powers and checks and balances
This type of democracy encourages the inclusion of the people in government and even in policymaking, but falls short of a pure/direct democracy. Examples might include initiatives and referendums (state level), town hall meetings, and even the ability to contact your congressperson.
Participatory democracy
One of the main weaknesses of this early American constitution was Congress' lack of ability to collect taxes.
Articles of Confederation
2/3 of Congress proposes and 3/4 of state legislatures approve
Amendment process
Federalism states that America has different levels of government with the central government at the top. But, everything including the Constitution, is rooted in this.
Natural Rights or the People
This power is found within the 10th Amendment of the Constitution and is considered fundamental to the idea of federalism
Reserved Powers
The second and incredibly important step in the policymaking process which acts a bridge between the people and policymakers. Examples include, the media, political parties, and interest groups.
Linkage institution
This 1786-87 action by farmers proved that America's first attempt at a structured government was failing and needed to be revised
Shay's Rebellion
The first clause in the Constitution which gives Congress its power to make laws.
Legislative Vesting Clause
A landmark federalism case in which the Court ruled that Congress could establish a bank and a state could not tax the federal government. This helped to establish federal and state heirarchy.
McCulloch v Maryland
The Necessary and Proper Clause, or Elastic Clause, gives Congress the power "To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers..."
Implied Powers of Congress
The concept that THE PEOPLE have power over the government through consent of the governed. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, "Government OF the people, BY the people, and FOR the people.
Popular sovereignty
These were two of America's first "political parties" and often conflicted with each other during the Constitutional Convention. One favored a large strong central government while the other favored states rights.
Federalist and Anti-federalists
This constitutional clause ensures that records such as judicial records that are applied in one state, must be respected and applied in all other states
Full Faith and Credit Clause
Landmark case in which the Court ruled that establishing gun laws at schools was not part of Commerce Clause power, thereby reducing the power of Congress and giving it back to the states.
United States v Lopez
Powers that are shared between the federal government and the states. Some examples include, levying taxes, establishing laws, borrowing money, and establishing courts.
Concurrent Powers