- Name two types of democracy
- Define "direct democracy"
- Define "indirect democracy"
- What is the "majority politics" point of view?
- What is the "elite politics" point of view?
- What is the "pluralist" point of view?
- Name 4 fundamental democratic values
- Name 4 fundamental democratic processes
- Describe the Constitutional Convention of 1787
- What was one major problem of the Articles of Confederation?
- What was "Shay's Rebellion" and what did it demonstrate necessity?
- What was Charles Beard's thesis?
- What were the 8 areas of agreement at the Convention?
- What were the names of the three major compromises
- What were the provisions of the "Great Compromise?"
- Who were the Federalists?
- Who were the Anti-Federalists?
- Who wrote the Federalist Papers?
- What was the purpose behind the Federalist Papers?
- What are "Checks and Balances?"
- Name at least 6 of them
- The Constitution divides government but what brings people into government (letter "F", point "1")
- What is "limited government?" Explain Constitutional government, the Bill of Rights and Free elections as examples of "limited government."
- What is judicial review?
- What Supreme Court case established the concept of judicial review: know the facts of the case.
- What were the "effects of judicial review" listed in #4.
- How is the Constitution changed "informally?"-Name four ways that it is done.
- How can the Constitution be changed "formally."
- Name two methods of ratifying the Constitution
- What is the difference between a "simple" majority and a "supermajority?"
- Define "federalism."
- Read the four reasons (A-F) that a federal system was set up in the US.
- What are "unfunded mandates"?
- What is "cooperative federalism?" Why is it referred to as "marble cake" federalism?
- Read Amendment 10
- What does the Tenth Amendment give to the states?
- What does "when in doubt as to which holds a power, matters should be resolved in favor of the states" mean?
- Understand McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) case. Know the details. What was the SC's decision (read 1 and 2 in bold)
- What is the elastic clause?
- What are the provisions of the Commerce clause?
- What was Nixon's "New Federalism?"--which political party more closely aligns with "NF?"
CONSTITUTIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
1. Bicameral legislature: two-house legislature.
2. Block grant: money granted by the federal government to the states for a broad purpose (e.g., transportation) rather than for a narrow purpose (e.g., school lunch program).
3. Categorical grant: money granted by the federal government to the states for a narrow purpose (e.g., school lunch program) rather than for a broad purpose (e.g., transportation).
4. Centralists: those who favor greater national authority rather than state authority.
5. Checks and balances: system in which each branch of government can limit the power of the other two branches (e.g., presidential veto of a congressional law).
6. Commerce clause: gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, with foreign nations, and among Indian tribes. Granted through Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution.
7. Concurrent powers: those held by both Congress and the states, e.g., establishing law enforcement agencies.
8. Confederation: system in which sovereign states are only loosely tied to a central government (e.g., the
9. Decentralists: those who favor greater state authority rather than national authority.
10. Direct democracy: system in which the people rule themselves.
11. Elastic clause: states that Congress can exercise those powers that are "necessary and proper" for carrying out the enumerated powers (e.g., establishment of the first Bank of the
12. Enumerated powers: those that are specifically granted to Congress in Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution (e. g., the power to tax). Also known as expressed powers.
13. Federalism: constitutional sharing of power between a central government and state governments. Different varieties:
Dual federalism: system in which the national government and state governments are coequal, with each being
dominant within its respective sphere.
Cooperative federalism: system in which both federal government and state governments cooperate in solving
problems.
New Federalism: system in which the national government restores greater authority back to the states.
14. Federalist Papers: group of 85 essays written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay for the purpose of persuading the people of
15. Formal amendment: a change in the actual wording of the Constitution. Proposed by Congress or national convention, and ratified by the states.
16. Implied powers: those that are "necessary and proper" to carry out Congress' enumerated powers, and are granted to Congress through the elastic clause.
17. Indirect democracy: system in which the people are rule by their representatives. Also known as representative democracy or republic.
18. Inherent powers: foreign policy powers (e.g., acquiring territory) held by the national government by virtue of its being a national government.
19. Informal amendment: a change in the meaning, but not the wording, of the Constitution (e.g., through a court decisions such as Brown v. Board).
20. Judicial review: power of the courts to rule on the constitutionality of laws and government actions. Established by Marbury v.
21. Mandates: requirements imposed by the national government upon the states. Some are unfunded mandates (they are imposed by the national government, but lack funding).
22. Marbury v. Madison, 1803: established the power of judicial review.
23. McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819: established principle of national supremacy and validity of implied powers.
24. Police powers: powers of the states to protect the public health, safety, morals, and welfare of the public.
25. Popular sovereignty: principle in which ultimate political authority rests with the people.
26. Reserved Powers: powers held by the states through the 10th Amendment. Any power not granted to the
27. Separation of powers: principle in which the powers of government are separated among three branches: legislative, executive, judicial.
28. Shays' Rebellion: 1786 revolt by
29. Supermajority: a majority greater than a simple majority of ½ +1 (e.g., 3/5, 2/3).
30. Unicameral legislature: one-house legislature.
