PSC 101 UPDATED CORE POLITICAL SCIENCE
CONCEPTS REVIEW 2026
◉ Popular Sovereignty.
Answer: principle of democracy in which authority ultimately rests
in the hands of the people
◉ Majority Rule, Minority Rights.
Answer: democratic principle that government follows preference of
majority, but protects interests of the minority
◉ Articles of Confederation.
Answer: America's first written constitution
◉ Confederation.
Answer: system of government where states retain sovereign
authority except for a few powers given to national government
◉ Virginia Plan.
Answer: led to creation of House
◉ New Jersey Plan.
,Answer: led to creation of Senate
◉ Great Compromise.
Answer: combined the two plans
◉ 3/5 Compromise.
Answer: for apportionment of congressional seats, every slave was
counted as 3/5 a person
◉ Checks and Balances.
Answer: president vetos congress, senate approves appointments,
judges review congress
◉ Electoral College.
Answer: electors from each state meet to cast ballots
◉ Bill of Rights.
Answer: first 10 amendments to the constitution
◉ Separation of Powers.
Answer: division of governmental power among several institutions
, ◉ Federalism.
Answer: government is constitutionally divided between central and
regional governments
◉ Expressed Powers.
Answer: specific powers granted by the constitution
◉ Elastic Clause.
Answer: necessary and proper clause
◉ Bicameral.
Answer: legislative assembly has two houses
◉ Judicial Review.
Answer: courts can declare legislative or exec actions invalid or
unconstituional
◉ Supremacy Clause.
Answer: laws passed by national government are supreme to
regional laws
◉ Federalists.
CONCEPTS REVIEW 2026
◉ Popular Sovereignty.
Answer: principle of democracy in which authority ultimately rests
in the hands of the people
◉ Majority Rule, Minority Rights.
Answer: democratic principle that government follows preference of
majority, but protects interests of the minority
◉ Articles of Confederation.
Answer: America's first written constitution
◉ Confederation.
Answer: system of government where states retain sovereign
authority except for a few powers given to national government
◉ Virginia Plan.
Answer: led to creation of House
◉ New Jersey Plan.
,Answer: led to creation of Senate
◉ Great Compromise.
Answer: combined the two plans
◉ 3/5 Compromise.
Answer: for apportionment of congressional seats, every slave was
counted as 3/5 a person
◉ Checks and Balances.
Answer: president vetos congress, senate approves appointments,
judges review congress
◉ Electoral College.
Answer: electors from each state meet to cast ballots
◉ Bill of Rights.
Answer: first 10 amendments to the constitution
◉ Separation of Powers.
Answer: division of governmental power among several institutions
, ◉ Federalism.
Answer: government is constitutionally divided between central and
regional governments
◉ Expressed Powers.
Answer: specific powers granted by the constitution
◉ Elastic Clause.
Answer: necessary and proper clause
◉ Bicameral.
Answer: legislative assembly has two houses
◉ Judicial Review.
Answer: courts can declare legislative or exec actions invalid or
unconstituional
◉ Supremacy Clause.
Answer: laws passed by national government are supreme to
regional laws
◉ Federalists.
