Unit 1 Vocab

agreement providing that enslaved persons would count as three-fifths of other persons in determining representation in Congress

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments.

A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives.

Transferring responsibility for policies from the federal government to state and local governments.

The final paragraph of Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which authorizes Congress to pass all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out the enumerated powers.

A theory of American democracy contending that an upper-class elite holds the power and makes policy, regardless of the formal governmental organization.

Groups such as parties or interest groups, which according to James Madison arose from the unequal distribution of property or wealth and had the potential to cause instability in government.

A way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government have formal authority over the same land and people. It is a system of shared power between units of government.

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system; it is the cornerstone of the national government's relations with state and local governments.

A theory of American democracy contending that groups are so strong that government, which gives in to the many different groups, is thereby weakened.

a social theory favoring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control.

Constitutional clause that gives Congress the right to regulate interstate commerce. This clause has been broadly interpreted to give Congress a number of implied powers.

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.

the political channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the policy agenda

Requirements that direct states or local governments to provide additional services under threat of penalties or as a condition of receiving a federal grant.

Rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include life, liberty, and property. The concept of natural rights was central to English philosopher John Locke's theories about government and was widely accepted among America's Founders.

a theory of democracy that holds that citizens should actively and directly control all aspects of their lives

A theory of government emphasizing that the policymaking process is very open to the participation of all groups with shared interests, with no single group dominating.

A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.

A choice that government makes in response to a political issue. A policy is a course of action taken with regard to some problem.

A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws.

Powers given to the state government alone (10th Amendment)

Groups that have a narrow interest on which their members tend to take an uncompromising stance.

A voluntary agreement between the government and the governed.

The clause in Article VI of the Constitution that makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws as long as the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

A court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner in custody.

Opponents of the US Constitution at the time when states were contemplating its adoption.

Supporters of the US Constitution at the time when states were contemplating its adoption.

Federal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services

Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes, or "categories," of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions.

Features of the Constitution that limit government's power by requiring that power be balanced among the different governmental institutions. These institutions continually constrain one another's activities.

A feature of the Constitution that requires each of the three branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—to be relatively independent of the others so that one cannot control the others. Power is shared among these three institutions.

A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.

A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government.

Powers of the federal government that are specifically addressed in the Constitution.

Powers of the federal government that go beyond those enumerated in the Constitution.

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population.

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for representation of each state in Congress in proportion to that state's share of the US population.

A fundamental principle of traditional democratic theory. In a democracy, choosing among alternatives requires that the party in power's desire be respected.

A principle of traditional democratic theory that guarantees rights to those who do not belong to majorities.

Signed in 1776 by US revolutionaries; it declared the United States as a free state.

The first constitution of the United States, adopted by Congress in 1777 and enacted in 1781; established a national legislature, the Continental Congress, but most authority rested with the state legislatures.

The document written in 1787 and ratified in 1788 that sets forth the institutional structure of US government, the tasks these institutions perform, and the relationships among them.

Argues that liberty is safest in a large republic because many interests (factions) exist. Such diversity makes tyranny by the majority more difficult since ruling coalitions will always be unstable.

Argues that separation of powers within the national government is the best way to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of one person or a single group.

Argued against a strong central government based on the belief that it would not be able to meet the needs of all US citizens.

Confirmed the supremacy of national over state government.

Regulating interstate commerce (commercial activity) is a power reserved to the federal government

Held that Congress had exceeded its commerce clause power by prohibiting guns in a school zone.