| A | B |
|---|
| Direct democracy | government controlled directly by the citizens. The people have a direct impact on policymaking and the political process by means of voting. |
| Indirect democracy | a form of government in which people elect representatives to rule in their interest. |
| Egalitarianism | equality of opportunity and respect in absence of a monarchy and aristocracy. |
| Laissez-faire | promotes free markets and limited government involvement in business |
| Populism | a government "of the people" |
| Bicameral legislature | A legislature divided into two houses. The U.S Congress and all state legislatures except Nebraska’s are bicameral. |
| Confederation | national govt. is weak, and most or all power is in the hands of the states. |
| Federalist 51 | an essay by James Madison that addresses means by which appropriate checks and balances can be created in government and also advocates a separation of powers within the national government. |
| Formal amendment | Process for making changes to the actual words of the constitution. |
| Informal amendment | a change to the meaning or interpretation of the Constitution. |
| John Locke | English philosopher and social activist concerned primarily with governance and political theories such as natural rights, purpose of government, equality, consent of the governed, limited government, and right to revolt. His political theories influenced the declaration of independence. |
| Madisonian Model | A model that addresses the dilemma of reconciling majority rule with the protection of minority interest. Includes: Limited majority control, separation of powers, checks and balances, and federal system. |
| Popular Sovereignty | a doctrine in political theory that government is created by and subject to the will of the people. |
| Proposal of an amendment | 1)Congress can propose an amendment by a 2/3 vote in each house OR 2) National convention can propose an amendment requested by 2/3 of the states. |
| ratify | to formally approve |
| Ratification of an amendment | 1)State legislatures can ratify an amendment by a vote of ¾ of states.2)State conventions can ratify an amendment by a ¾ of the states. |
| Supermajority | a majority(as two thirds or three-fifths) greater than a simple majority |
| Centralist | advocating centralism which is the concentration of power and authority in a central organization, as in a political system. |
| commerce clause | the provision of the U.S constitution that gives congress exclusive power over trade activities among the states and with foreign countries. |
| suffrage | The legal right to vote |
| concurrent powers | powers in nations with a federal system of government that are shared by both the State and the federal government |
| Decentralists | those who favor the process of dispersing decision making governance closer to the people and/or citizens. |
| Grants-in-aid | money coming from central government for a specific project |
| Inherent Powers | powers derived from sovereignty |
| federal mandate | An obligation handed down by the national government to a state or lower level of government |
| New Federalism | a political philosophy of devolution, or the transfer of certain powers from the United States federal government back to the states. |
| police powers (of government) | the capacity of the states to regulate behavior and enforce order within their territory for the betterment of the general welfare, health, and safety of their inhabitants |
| Reserved powers | are those given to the states and not the federal government by the United States Constitution. |
