Chapter 6 Quizlet

Representative Democracy

Citizens choose officials(representatives) who make decisions about public policy. This is the system in the most "democratic" of nations.

Direct Democracy

Citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues.

Judicial Review

Courts can determine whether acts of Congress is constitutional

Declaration of Independence

Declaration of independence from the colonies to Great Britain. Written by Jefferson and inspired by Locke

Hyperpluralism

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

Checks and Balances

Each branch is subject to restraints by the other two branches

Three-Fifths Compromise

Each state would count three-fifths of its slave population for purposes of determine both representation and taxation.

Marbury v Madison

Established the principle of judicial review. In 1803, as the Federalists began to lose power, President Adams created many judicial positions and filled them in with Federalists. Jefferson as president withheld the commission of secretary of state to Marbury.

Public Policy

Exercise of government power in doing things necessary to maintain legitimate authority and control over society.

Traditional Democratic Theory

Government depends on the consent of the governed, which may be given directly or through representatives.

Pluralist Theory

Interest groups compete in the political arena, with each promoting its policy preferences through organized efforts.

Ratification

Official confirmation

Popular Soveriegnty

People are the source of government's authority

Separation of Powers

Power is separated among three branches of government; each has its own powers and duties and is independent of and equal to other branches

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

Prohibited from taxing exports from states and banned slave trade for another 20 years

Constitution

Provides details for the structure of a government

Natural Rights

Rights that people are born with

Democracy

Rule by the people.

Connecticut Compromise

Settled the differences between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. Congress would be bicameral, with representation in the lower house based on populations of the state and equal representation of the states in the upper house.

Federalists

Stressed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. They supported a stronger central government with expanded legislative powers.

Government

"Who gets what, when, and how." Composed of formal and informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy.

Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 essays published in New York newspaper written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay. These defended the new government.

Federalism

A division of governmental powers between national government and the states

Elite Theory

A small number of powerful elite (corporate leaders, top military officers, government leaders) form an upper class, which rules in its own self-interest

Federal System

A union of self-governing states

Social Contract

A voluntary agreement between the government and the governed

Which of the following was not a weakness of government under the Articles of Confederation? a) The national judiciary resolved arguments between the states. b) Congress lacked the power to tax c) It lacked a national judiciary d) It was unable to control commercial interests e) unanimous decisions were necessary to amend articles

Answer: A Under the Articles of Confederation, there was no national judiciary. State courts resolved differences among the states.

Amending the Constitution is a multi-step process. Which of the following steps are required to amend the Constitution? I. proposal at the national level II. proposal at the state level III. presidential signature IV. ratification at the state level a) II and III only b) I and IV only c) I, II, and III only d) I, II, III, and IV

Answer: B Article V of the Constitution outlines the formal amendment process, which includes congressional proposal of amendments at the national level and state ratification of amendments

Slavery and the taxation of exports were important topics to the Founding Fathers. Which compromise describes how the Founding Fathers resolved both of these issues? a) Great Compromise b) Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise c) Connecticut Compromise d) Three- Fifths Compromise e) Electoral Compromise

Answer: B Differences between northern and southern interests at the Constitutional Convention led to a compromise concerning the slave trade and the taxation of exports form the states. The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise prohibited Congress form ending the slave trade for a period of 20 years and prohibited the taxation of exports from the states.

The Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v Madison (1803) a) expanded the powers of Congress b) established the principle of judicial review c) allowed Congress to amend the Constitution d) strengthened the power of the states e) supported the concept of national supremacy

Answer: B Marbury v Madison established the principle of judicial review, allowing the courts to determine the constitutionality of acts of Congress

Which of the following documents best describes a government based on unity, natural rights, and the social contract theory? a) Articles of Confederation b) Declaration of Independence c) Mayflower Compact d) U.S. Constitution e) Petition of Rights

Answer: B The Declaration of Independence was based on the writings of John Locke and his theory of social contract between government and the governed. It unified the colonies to fight for independence by advancing the ideas of natural law, which states cannot take away from the people.

The original purpose of the Constitutional Convention was to a) write a new constitution b) review the problems of the state governments c) revise the Articles of Confederation d) deal with the issue of slavery e) deal with the unsuccessful economic chaos and violence that resulted from the conferences at Mt. Vernon and Annapolis

Answer: C Because of the problems among the states under the Articles of Confederation, the Constitutional Convention was convened to revise the Articles and to strengthen the power of the government. Dealt with the problems of the national government and not those of the states.

Compared to government under the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution I. can more easily be amended II. created a federal republic III. called for separation of powers among three branches of government IV. created a league of friendship among the states a) I only b) I and III only c) II and IV only d) I, II, and III only e) I, II, III, and IV

Answer: D The Constitution created a federal system of government, allowed for an easier amendment process, and created three separate branches of government--legislative, executive, and judicial.

All of the following are examples of checks and balances EXCEPT a) presidential veto b) impeachment of the president c) appointment of Supreme Court justices d) ratification of treaties e) declaration of war by Congress

Answer: E A declaration of war by Congress is an expressed power of Congress under Article I of the Constitution.

The Bill of Rights includes a) the Preamble b) the Article of Confederation c) the articles of the Constitution d) all the formal amendments e) the first 10 amendments

Answer: E The Bill of Rights, adopted in 1791, includes only the first 10 amendments

Those who support the pluralist theory of democracy believe that a) government depends on the "consent of the governed" b) democracy is a hierarchical structure with bureaucrats holding the real power c) democracy is based on choosing officials to run the government d) a small number of powerful corporate and military leaders rule in their own self-interest e) interest groups compete to promote their preferences

Answer: E Robert Dahl's theory is based upon the idea of competing interest groups vying for power

Limited Government

Belief that government is not all-powerful; government has only power given to it

Antifederalists

Believed that the new Constitution gave too much power to the national government at the expense of the state governments.

Virginia Plan

Bicameral legislation in which representation in each house was based on population

Articles of Confederation

The first national constitution for governing the American states. Written by the Second Continental Congress in 1777

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments. Written by Madison in order to appease the Anti-Federalists

Bureaucratic Theory

The hierarchical structure and standardized procedures of modern governments allow bureaucrats, who carry out the day to day workings of government

Amendment 24

abolishes poll taxes

Amendment 13

abolishes slavery

Amendment 27

addresses congressional pay

Amendment 25

addresses presidential succession, disability, and vice-presidential vacancies

Amendment 5

addresses protections against self- - incrimination, guarantees of due process, eminent domain, and grand jury indictment for capital crimes

Amendment 23

allows for voting rights in District of Columbia in presidential elections

Amendment 16

authorizes federal income tax

Amendment 17

election of senators by popular vote

Amendment 8

ensures no excessive bails or fines, nor cruel and unusual punishment

Amendment 2

esures right to keep and bear arms

Amendment 26

gives 18 year olds the right to vote

Amendment 15

guarantees citizens' right to vote regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude

Amendment 1

guarantees freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition

Amendment 14

guarantees rights of citizenship, due process, and equal protection

Amendment 6

guarantees rights to a speedy, public trial, and an impartial jury, to confront witnesses, and to have an attorney

Amendment 22

limits presidential terms of office

Amendment 7

preserves right to a jury trial in civil cases

Amendment 18

prohibits intoxicating liquors

Amendment 12

provides for election of president and vice-president by separate ballot in electoral college

Amendment 4

regulates search,seizure, and warrants

Amendment 21

repeals prohibition

Amendment 10

reserves powers of the states and the people

Amendment 11

restricts lawsuits against states

Amendment 3

sets conditions of quartering troops in private homes

Amendment 20

sets terms and sessions of executive and legislative branches; "lame duck"

Amendments

statements that are added to a document or bill (e.g. revises or improves a proposal or document (a bill or constitution etc.)

Amendment 9

unenumerated rights of the people

Amendment 19

women's suffrage