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Democracy

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a system of government in which all power remains in the hands of the people

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direct democracy

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a form of government in which all citizens participate in the political decision-making

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representative democracy

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a form of government in which the people elect representatives to make political decisions for them

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The Declaration of Independence

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a document declaring the new colonies independence from British rule. Contains 3 parts: Introduction-explains why it is necessary to declare independence, Middle-lists the wrongs that the colonialists suffered at the hands of the king,announces the creation of a new government, Conclusion- announces the creation of a new government

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Declaration of Independence-4 important ideas about government

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All people are created equal and they have certain inalienable rights, The purpose of the government is to safeguard these rights, The right of a government to rule comes from the people, The people have the right to change their government

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U. S. Constitution

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a document establishing the framework of the American government and outlining the rights of the people

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Bill of Rights

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the first ten amendments to the U.S Constitution, added during the debates over ratification at the insistence of the Anti-Federalists, that guarantees specific rights and liberties to the American people

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1 st Amendment

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Freedom of religion, the press, speech, assembly, and separation of church and state (no national religion)

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2 nd Amendment

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Right to keep and bear arms

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3 nd Amendment

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No quarter-right to protection from troops being quartered in homes during peacetime

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4 th Amendment

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Right against unreasonable search and seizure; warrants require cause and must be specific

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5 th Amendment

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Rights of the accused: must be indicted by a grad jury, cannot be tried for the same crime twice, cannot be forced to testify against yourself, right to a fair trial, right to fair compensation when the government takes your property for public use.

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6 th Amendment

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More rights of the accused: right to be informed of the charges against you, right to a speedy and public trial, right to an impartial jury, right to face witnesses against you in court, right to an attorney, right to call witnesses in your defense.

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7 th Amendment

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Right to a trial by jury in a civil (non-criminal) case

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8 th Amendment

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Right to protection against cruel and unusual punishment; right to protection against excessive bails and fines

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9 th Amendment

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Guarantee that rights not enumerated (not listed) in the Constitution are still protected

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10 th Amendment

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Guarantee that the people and the states have all the powers not specifically delegated the federal government (reserved powers)

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Federalism

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the balancing of power between the Federal Government and the State Governments. Within this system, the Federal Government is superior to the State Governments. For example, a state could not pass a law that directly contradicted a law passed on the federal level. However, powers not specifically delegated to the Federal Government are to be reserved or saved for the State Governments.

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limited government

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the Constitution created a "limited government" with clearly delegated powers. The 9th and 10th amendments reminds federal officials that 1) even though the Constitution does not spell out a specific right, that right still exists and must be protected and 2) powers not delegated to the Federal government by the Constitution are reserved for the states and the people.

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Federalists

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The group of colonists who favored the new federal government and ratification of the U.S. Constitution. They believed in a strong centralized government and a government by the aristocracy.

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Anti-Federalists

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The group of colonists that opposed a strong central government; they supported states' and individual rights over a powerful national government. Their main argument against the Constitution was that it gave too much power to the central government. As a result of their stance, the Federalists added the Bill of Rights to the Constitution to ensure the rights of the populace.

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Federalist Papers

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a series of newspaper articles , later published as a book, which argued the case for supporting the Constitution. These reassured many Americans and garnered support for the Constitution, especially with the addition of the Bill of Rights.

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Amendment

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a proposal by a legislative body to change a bill or law or a formal change in the Constitution. There are currently 27 Constitutional amendments. Some important ones include:

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delegated powers

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those powers that are specifically assigned to the Federal Government by the Constitution Examples: regulate interstate and international trade, coin money, declare war, maintain an armed forces, establish a postal system, enforce copyrights, sign treaties

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reserved powers

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all powers not specifically delegated to the Federal Government are to be reserved (or saved) for the people and State Governments Examples: regulate intrastate trade, establish schools, establish local governments, pass state wide laws (ex: seat belt laws), run elections

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concurrent powers

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those powers that both the Federal Government and State Governments have simultaneously Examples: power to tax, maintain courts, borrow money

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implied powers

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powers that are not specifically delegated in the Constitution, but are understood to be necessary or allowed. Allowed by the Constitution through the "Elastic Clause"- a section of the Constitution that gives the government the power to do whatever is necessary and proper to carry out its other responsibilities Example: Congress formed a bank to aid their power to coin money and regulate the economy. Congress regulated interstate transportation in order to regulate interstate trade-one of its delegated powers

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forbidden (or denied) powers

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those powers specifically denied to a government by its constitution. Example: peacetime suspension of habeas corpus (prisoners cannot be held for weeks or months without being arraigned), "ex post facto law"- a crime cannot be made out of an act that was not illegal at the time it was committed.

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separation of powers

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the division of the government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

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system of checks and balances

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the ways in which one branch of government influences and limits the action of another branch of government

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"Unwritten Constitution"

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refers to the ideas and processes that are accepted as a needed part of the American government regardless of the fact that they are not actually in the Constitution. Examples: The President's Cabinet, political parties, Congressional Committees, Judicial Review

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Executive Branch

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the division of government that enforces the law and administers its daily activities

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Commander-in-Chief

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The President serves as the supreme commander of all branches f the U.S. military.

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The Presidential Cabinet

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a cabinet of advisors that aids the President in making decisions for the nation. Consists of 14 major departments. Most heads of these departments are called "Secretary of (fill in department)." The Presidential Cabinet is not outlined in the Constitution. Some examples include:

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State Department (Secretary of State)

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helps the President decide and carry out foreign policy.

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Justice Department (Attorney General)

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serves as the chief legal advisory agency to the federal government. Investigates and prosecutes offenses against federal law, and represents the U.S. in cases before the Supreme Court.

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Defense Department (Secretary of Defense)

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responsible for keeping the armed forces ready for any emergency

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Department of Health and Human Services

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responsible for promoting the health, education, and social welfare of every American (includes CDC)

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Judicial Branch

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the division of government that includes the courts and justice system. The judicial branch has the duty of interpreting the law.

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Supreme Court

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The prevailing court in the U.S. and the final decision makers on all questions of federal law.

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Judicial Review

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the power of the courts to examine the actions of the executive and legislative branches of government and the nation's laws and t declare them void if they do not conform to the Constitution.

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Legislative Branch

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the lawmaking body of a government

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Bicameral Legislature

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a lawmaking body made up of two houses

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Congressional Committees

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often referred to the "backbone of Congress." The first to consider specialized legislation on topics such as the military (armed services committee), foreign policy (foreign relations committee), or spending (appropriations committee) before passing bills onto the entire House or Senate for consideration. Each committee holds hearings on matters related to its area of authority to gather information to 1) aid in writing new laws, 2) spotlight a social program such as health care for the poor, or 3) provide insight into the activities of the executive or judicial branches.

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Majority Party

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the political party that holds more than half the seats in that legislative body

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Speaker of the House

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the presiding officer in the House of Representatives, selected by the majority party. Often suggested to be the 3rd most influential political person in the U.S. and the 3rd in line for succession of the Presidency if both the President and Vice President die while in office.

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President of the Senate

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the Vice President serves in this role; however, in practice, the Vice President seldom presides over the Senate unless a close vote on an important bill is expected. The Vice President may not take part in debates but casts the deciding vote in case of ties.

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Majority Leader

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the floor manager of the majority party in both bodies of Congress. The majority leader's job is to supervise the party's handling of legislative business.

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Minority Leader

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the floor manager of the minority party in both bodies of Congress. The minority leader's job is to supervise the party's handling of legislative business.

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Filibuster

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a legislative tactic in which the opponents of a bill speak at length in order to prevent or delay its passage

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Reapportionment

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the periodic redrawing if a state's electoral districts so that all districts will be reasonably equal in population

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Census

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an official enumeration of the population, including data such as age, occupation, race, etc. conducted every 10 years, primarily for the purpose of redrawing legislative districts

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Lobbyist

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a person or group of people who try t influence legislators on behalf of special-interest groups

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Electoral College

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a group of people chosen by the voters in each state to elect the President and Vice-President. This method of indirect election is provided for in the Constitution.

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political party

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an organization of people who join together to achieve their common political goals by electing candidates who share their views

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Political Action Committee (PAC)

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a section of a special interest group created to give campaign funds to favored candidates

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