American Politics and the US
Constitution - C963
Social Contract
Agreement with people and gov, citizens consent to be governed as long as gov protects their natural
rights
State of Nature
An acknowledged fiction: A theory on how people might have lived before societies came into existence
...
American Politics and the US
Constitution - C963
Social Contract
Agreement with people and gov, citizens consent to be governed as long as gov protects their natural
rights
State of Nature
An acknowledged fiction: A theory on how people might have lived before societies came into existence
00:3101:24
Open Primary Election
Party-nominating election in which any qualified voter can take part
Natural Rights
The right to life, liberty, and property; believed to be given by God; no government may take away
Sovereignty
Full right & power of a governing body over itself, without any interference from outside sources or
bodies
Consensual Political Rule
Social Contract based on consensus (implies uniformity) Social Contract breaks down, results in
inequality
Enlightenment
A period of Western European history following the Middle Ages. The source of our ideas about natural
rights.
Powers of Government Under the Articles of Confederation
(1) Borrow and Coin Money
(2) Declare War
(3) Make Treaties/Alliances with Other Nations
(4) Regulate Trade with Native Americans
(5) Settle Disputes among States
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederations
(1) Couldn't Impose Taxes on Citizens
(2) Couldn't Regulate Foreign Trade/Interstate Commerce
(3) Couldn't Raise an Army
(4) Each State had only one vote in Congress regardless of its size
,(5) Articles could not be changed without a unanimous vote to do so
(6) There was no national judicial system
New Jersey Plan Vs. Virginia Plan
Major Compromises During the Constitutional Convention
Federalist's Vs. Anti-Federalist
Federalists (Big Government)
* YES Constitution (YES Ratification)
* YES Strong Central Government
* NO Bill of Rights
* Who: Elites, property owners, merchants, upper class
Anti-Federalists (Small Government)
* NO Constitution (NO Ratification)
* NO Strong Central Government
* YES Bill of Rights
* Who: Small farmers, shopkeepers, debtors, common folk
00:1901:24
Purpose/Arguments In Federalist #10
Purpose: Ease fear of power of factions, encourage citizens to promote liberty of opinions and ideas.
Argument: No need to fear factions because country's large diversity would not allow development of
political interest groups.
Argument: Representative government would be the best way to control against the detrimental effects
of factions
, Purpose/Arguments In Federalist #51
Purpose: Ease fear of gov abusing power with separation of powers and checks and balances.
Argument: Anti-Federalists feared gov would be too powerful, leading to tyrannical gov that would
abuse power & people
Gerrymandering
The re-drawing of electoral districts to give an advantage or disadvantage to either a particular political
party or group
Census
A population count. The United States completes a census every 10 years. Its population determines
each state's number of seats in the House of Representatives.
Reapportionment
The reallocation of seats in the House or Representatives based on changes in a state's population since
the last census.
Executive Order
Force of law. Don't need congressional approval.
Executive Agreement
Agreements made with foreign countries. Don't require Senate approval
Recess Appointment & Its Purpose
An appointment by the president of a federal official when the Senate is in recess.
Purpose: To give president power to temporarily fill vacancies during times when Senate was not in
session and could not act
Original Vs. Appellate Jurisdiction
Original Jurisdiction: Court hears cases for the first time
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