Political Science Key Terms Quiz

Goods that all people may use but that are of limited supply.

A form of government where political power rests in the hands of the people.

A form of government where people participate directly in making government decisions instead of choosing representatives to do this for them.

<p>Political power rests in the hands of a small, elite group of people.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The means by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority in order to accomplish collective goals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The beliefs and ideals that help to shape political opinion and eventually policy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Beliefs and preferences based on strong feelings regarding an issue that someone adheres to over time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Beliefs and preferences people are not deeply committed to and that change over time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A fundamental principle of democracy; the majority should have the power to make decisions binding upon the whole.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Goods that everyone can use but are limited in supply, like clean air or national parks.

A form of government where the power resides with the people, and they have a say in how they are governed.

A type of democracy where citizens directly vote on laws and policies, bypassing representatives.

A system of government where people choose representatives to make decisions for them, such as electing a president or members of Congress.

The belief that a small, powerful group holds the real control over government and policy-making.

The structures and processes by which a society organizes itself, governs, and allocates power to accomplish goals.

A system of beliefs and ideals that shape political opinions and policy, like liberalism or conservatism.

Strongly held beliefs and preferences about an issue that an individual consistently holds.

Beliefs and preferences that are not firmly held and can change over time, often influenced by new information.

A fundamental principle of democracy where the decision of the majority binds the entire group, even if some disagree.

An agreement between people and government where citizens consent to be governed in exchange for protection of their natural rights.

The statement in Article VI of the Constitution that federal law is superior to state law.

A series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay advocating for the ratification of the Constitution.

A compromise during the Constitutional Convention that counted all free citizens and three-fifths of enslaved people for representation and taxation.

A legislature with only one house, like the Confederation Congress.

The power of the president to reject a law proposed by Congress.

A plan for a two-house legislature with representation in the lower house based on population and equal representation of states in the upper house.

Those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution, fearing a strong central government.

The first governing document of the United States, adopted in 1781, creating a weak central government and a strong alliance of states.

A legislature with two houses, like the US Congress with the House of Representatives and Senate.

The first ten amendments to the US Constitution guaranteeing basic rights like freedom of speech and religion.

A system where different branches of government limit each other's power, creating a balance and preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.

A form of government where independent states form a union for mutual defense or other common purposes.

A document declaring the American colonies' independence from Great Britain in 1776 and outlining grievances against the British king.

Powers specifically given to the federal government by the Constitution, such as regulating interstate commerce, declaring war, and coining money.

A form of government where power is divided between a national government and state governments.

Individuals who supported the ratification of the Constitution and favored a stronger national government.

A compromise between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan, creating a two-house Congress with representation in the House based on population and equal representation in the Senate.

Rights believed to be inherent to all humans and not granted by any government, such as life, liberty, or property.

A plan during the Constitutional Convention for a one-house legislature with equal representation for each state.

A form of government where political power rests with the people and is exercised by elected representatives.

Powers that are not specifically given to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved for the states.

The division of government powers among three branches, legislative, executive, and judicial, to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.