AP Gov Chp 1 Vocab

Thomas Hobbes (The Leviathan)

when humans live in “a state of nature” there is anarchy, the remedy was for people to give up some rights and agree to live in peace, an absolute sovereign would hold society together

Limited Government

type of government kept under control by law, checks & balances, and separation of powers

John Locke (Second Treatise of Civil Government)

natural law is the law of God and is acknowledged through human sense and reason, under natural law people were born free and equal, natural law entitled and obligated people to rebel when rulers did not respect consent of governed

Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws)

one defined and limited power while granting political liberty to citizens, separation of powers w/ legistlative, executive, & judicial branches

Natural Rights

inherent rights necessary for all humans which include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Popular Sovereignty

the people are the ultimate ruling authority

Representative Republic

a collection of sovereign states gathered for the national interest

Republicanism

a form of government in which the power is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives

Rousseau (The Social Contract)

the agreement of free and equal people to abandon certain natural rights in order to find secure protections for society and freedom in a single body politic, he envisioned popular sovereignty

John Adams

part of the “committee of five”

Declaration of Independence

provided a moral and legal justification for American rebellion

Benjamin Franklin

part of the “committee of five” but declined due to shaky health, offered his experience in drafting the Constitution, embodied enlightenment ideals

Grand Committee

made up of one delegate from each state represented at the Constitutional Convention, instrumental in forging compromises needed to work out conflicting interests as new government took shape

Alexander Hamilton

his intellect, drive, and quest to elevate the nation made him instrumental in shaping the new government

Thomas Jefferson

part of “committee of five”, prepared the first draft of Declaration of Independence

James Madison

“Father of the Constitution” due to his influence in creating the plan for the new government & his support of its ratification

US Constitution

establishes a system of checks and balances among branches of government and allocated power between federal and state governments, based on rule of law & balance between majority & minority rights

George Washington

president of the Constitutional Convention

Elite Democracy

elected representatives make decisions and act as trustees for the people who elected them

Interest Group

An organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals

Participatory Democracy

depends on the direct participation of many, if not most, people in a society, not only in government but in public life as well

Pluralist Democracy

people find others who share their interests and organize into nongovernmental groups to exert influence on political decision making

Representative Democracy

government in which the people entrust elected officials to represent their concerns

Anti-Federalists

opposed consolidation of states under a federal government

Federalists

support strong federal government, and full ratification of the Constitution

Initiative

gives the people power to place a measure on the ballot for a popular vote

Referendum

allows citizens to contest the work of the legislature

Factions

term the founders used to refer to political parties and special interests or interest groups

Federalist No. 10

addressed the concern that a few powerful individuals might unite into a faction to dominate political decisions

Brutus No. 1

commentary on the dangers of too large and too consolidated government; argues the necessary & proper clause and supremacy clause give federal government unlimited power, risking personal liberty