AP Government- Unit 1 Foundations of American Democracy

Participatory Democracy

emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society

Pluralist Democracy

recognizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision making

Representative Democracy

governmental structure based upon citizens electing representatives to serve on their behalf

Elite Democracy

decisions are made by elected representatives acting as trustees

Direct Democracy

people rule by majority

Republic

A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting

Democratic Republic

people's voices are heard through those they elect to represent them

Shay's Rebellion

a 1786 revolt in Massachusetts led by farmers in reaction to high taxes

Pluralist Theory

the idea that many groups try to pressure voters and elected officials

Pluralism

competing groups negotiate and compromise, eventually reaching agreement

Hyper-pluralism

competing groups pull the government in different directions, resulting in gridlock

Divine Right

The belief that a ruler's power comes from God

Natural Rights Philosophy

the main purpose of government is to protect individual rights as they would be in a state of nature

Social Contract

an unofficial agreement shared by everyone in a society in which they give up some freedom for security

Sovereignty

ultimate governing authority

Popular Sovereignty

the idea that the government's authority comes from the people

Separation of Powers

principle by which the powers of government are divided among separate branches

Confederation

form of political organization in which sovereign states delegate power to a central government

Delegated Powers

Powers specifically given to the federal government as written in the Constitution

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically given to the federal government as written in the Constitution

Exclusive Powers

also called delegated powers, are those that are reserved solely for the federal or national government

Implied Powers

powers that the government requires to carry out the expressed constitutional powers

Concurrent Powers

powers shared by the state and federal governments

Bicameral

made up of two houses

Federalism

a system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Articles of Confederation

the first written constitution of the United States. States remained sovereign and independent, with Congress serving as the last resort on appeal of disputes

Equality

quality or state of being equal

Centralized Authority

all or most decisions and orders come from a centralized source, usually the members from the top levels of the organizational structure. Centralized authority comes from the top of the organization, flows down, and radiates out.

Democratic Ideals

denote either personal qualities or standards of government behavior that are felt to be essential for the continuation of a democratic policy.

Ratification

process a proposed bill has to undergo in order for in to be in effect. In the U.S. government, there are two types of ratification, ratification of a foreign treaty and ratification of a constitutional amendment.

Great Connecticut Compromise

compromise adopted at the Constitutional Convention, providing the states with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives

3/5 Compromise

at the Constitutional Convention, which was a meeting of states whose delegates were formulating plans for the National government counted every five slaves as three individuals in terms of the apportionment of representation and taxes.

Electoral College

US a body of electors chosen by the voters who formally elect the president and vice president

Article V of Constitution

describes the process whereby the Constitution, the nation's frame of government, may be altered. (Amended)

Amendment Process

requires a Constitutional Convention to be called by two-thirds of the legislatures of the States or

2/3 Vote of both Houses

Ratification occurs with a 3/4 vote of the state legislatures or a 3/4 vote of state conventions made up of delegates

Public Policy

means by which a government maintains order or addresses the needs of its citizens through actions defined by its constitution

Impeachment

process by which a legislative body formally levels charges against a high official of government. (does not necessarily mean removal from office; it is only a formal statement of charges.)

Recall

procedure that allows citizens to remove and replace a public official before the end of a term of office

Initiative

process that enables citizens to bypass their state legislature by placing proposed statutes and, in some states, constitutional amendments on the ballot.

Popular Referendum

a measure that appears on the ballot as a result of a voter petition drive

Legislative referendum

Legislature refers a measure to the voters for their approval,

Grants

non-repayable funds or products disbursed or gifted by one party

Incentives

something of value offered by a mass membership of organizations

Aid Programs

any type of federal project, service, program or activity provided by the federal government

Federal Revenue Sharing

a government unit's apportioning of part of its tax income to other units of government (Intergovernmental revenue)

Block Grants

large sum of money granted by the national government to a regional government with only general provisions as to the way it is to be spent

Categorical Grant

federal money by Congress to a state or local government to fund a specific program or a specific category with strict & specific guidelines

Federal control over the spending of money & Congressional oversight.

Mandates

requirement or an order from the central government that all state and local government must comply with

Commerce Clause

describes an enumerated power listed in the United States Constitution (Article 1 Section 8)

Necessary & Proper Clause

allows Congress "To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the [enumerated] Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof." (Article I, Section 8)

Allocation

the act of distributing by allotting or apportioning; distribution according to a plan

Constraint

limitation or restriction

National Policy Making

A broad course of action or statements of guidance adopted by the government at the national level in pursuit of national objectives.

Federalist #10

Madison- strongest arguments in favor of the Constitution is the fact that it establishes a government capable of controlling the violence and damage caused by FACTIONS.

Factions

A group formed to seek some goal within a political party or a government.

Brutus No. 1

Supported emphasizing the benefits of small decentralized republic while warning of the dangers to personal liberty from a large,centralized government.

Declaration of Independence

Foundation of popular sovereignty

Limited government

one whose legalized force and power is restricted through delegated and enumerated powers. found in the Constitution.

Implications

significance (importance)

United States V. Lopez

Congress can't use the Commerce Clause to make possession of a gun in school zone a federal crime. (State sovereignty & local control)

McCulloch V. Maryland

Supreme Court case that strengthened the national government's power over the states power (National Supremacy)

10 the Amendment

powers not delegated to the US Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

4th Amendment

right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause.

Balance of Power

The power between National and State governments