Foundational Documents
This Foundational Document "plagiarizes" from the ideas of John Locke
Declaration of Independence
Viewpoint that each individual person in a democracy has an equal voice and should work to express their views.
Participatory Democracy
This legislative power allows Congress to interview members of the other branches under oath about their actions.
Congressional Oversight
Perspective that there should clear lines between what the Federal Government is in charge of and what State Governments are in charge of
Dual Federalism
This historical event (rioting, violence) convinced many founding fathers that the Articles of Confederation need to be replaced
Shays Rebellion
This document tried to convince Americans NOT to support the Constitution
Brutus
Someone who believes that only the most educated should have the majority of control in a democracy.
Elitism
You need this amount of votes in the Senate to ratify a treaty or remove a president from office.
2/3 or (67)
These allow the Federal Government to "encourage" states to follow Federal Policy without mandating states to agree.
This amendment states that all powers not mentioned in the Constitution are "reserved" to states
10th Amendment
Under this foundational document, you needed 9/13 states to agree in order to pass a law
Articles of Confederation
This philosopher came up with the ideas of "Natural Law" and the Social Contract
John Locke
This informal power allows President to state how they intend to interpret/enforce a law passed by Congress (which may be different from what Congress had in mind!)
Signing Statements
This court case represented a shift by the Supreme Court to restrict Federal Power and return more authority to state governments.
U.S. v Lopez
Both the Federal Government and State Governments have the ability to tax. The name for when both levels of government share a power is called.
Concurrent Powers
This document discusses how the Constitution allows for disagreement/factions but limits how much they can do.
Federalist 10
Potential downside of a democratic society where there are so many factions/interest groups fighting for power that nothing ever gets done.
Hyperpluralism
This (now illegal power) allowed the President to reject specific parts of a spending bill while signing the rest of the bill into law.
Line Item Veto
This specific line in Article 1 of the Constitution has allowed the Federal Government to grow in power compared to states
Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)
This "freedom" listed in the original Constitution says that the Federal Government cannot arrest you without explaining their reasoning. (Sounds like a spell from Harry Potter)
Habeas Corpus
This Compromise between big and small states led to the creation of a bicameral legislature (House, Senate)
Connecticut Compromise or "Great Compromise"
Philosopher who argued democracy was stupid and that the government should be controlled by one king. He also wrote the Leviathan
This resolution passed by Congress (during the Vietnam War) allowed the President to send troops into conflict without needing approval from Congress
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
This line in the Constitution is what allows for the Federal Government to regulate the Internet and Airline industries despite these topics not existing in the Constitution.
Commerce Clause (Interstate)
In order to add an amendment to the Constitution, you need _______ of votes in House & Senate AND _______ Of state governments to agree
2/3 in house and Senate
3/4 of state governments