AP GOV 1A

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781, that established a national government with limited powers, creating a confederation of sovereign states.

Authoritarian

System of gov in which the gov holds strong powers but is checked by some forces

Autocracy

Ruled by 1 individual (dictator)

Ancient Athens

A city-state known for developing the concept of democracy, where citizens participated in decision-making.

Bourgeoisie

The social class that emerged in the modern era, typically associated with the ownership of capital and the means of production, and often contrasted with the proletariat.

Cesare Bonesana Beccaria

An Italian philosopher and criminologist known for his work on criminal justice and the philosophy of law, particularly his advocacy for the rights of the accused and the abolition of torture.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, which guarantee individual liberties and protect citizens from government overreach.

Capitalism

An economic system where private individuals or businesses own capital goods, and production and pricing are determined by competition in a free market.

Civic Engagement

Individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern

Command Economy

An economic system where the government (central authority) makes all decisions regarding the production, distribution, and pricing of goods and services

Communism

An ideology aiming for a classless, stateless society, implemented through authoritarian, single-party states that control the economy and abolish private property

Consent of the Governd

Idea that in a democracy, the government power derives from the consent of the people

Confederation

Power is distributed among a body of independent, sovereign states. Weak national gov, strong state go

Conservatism

Emphasizes preserving tradition and relying on community and family as mechanism of continuity in society

Constitution

Is the foundational, supreme law of the U.S. government, replacing the Articles of Confederation to create a stronger federal system with separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism

Constitutionalism

The core idea that government power must be limited by a written Constitution, establishing fundamental laws, protecting rights (like liberty), and ensuring the rule of law, balancing federal/state powers (federalism) through checks and balances, and preventing arbitrary rule

Declaration of Independence

Announcing the 13 colonies' separation from British rule

Democracy

the people RULE

Dictatorship

A government where a single leader or small group holds absolute power

Direct Democracy

Everybody votes on every issue

Divine Rights

Monarchies, as a manifestation of Gods will, could rule absolutely without regard to the well-being of their subjects

Economics

Study of human efforts to satisfy seemingly unlimited wants/needs through the use of limited resources.

Keynesian Economics

Governments should spend money during recession and save money during a good period.

Fascism

Authoritarian political ideology characterized by dictatorial power, extreme nationalism and suppression of opposition.

Federalism

The constitutional division and sharing of power between a central national government and regional state governments

Thomas Hobbe

Best known for his work Leviathan, arguing that a strong, centralized, and absolute authority is necessary to prevent a chaotic "state of nature".

The Iroquois Confederation

A powerful, democratic alliance of Northeastern Native American nations

Laissez Faire

Government should stay out of economic affairs

Legitimacy

A quality conferred on Government by citizen who believe that its excessive of power is right and proper

John Locke

Arguing government forms by consent to protect natural rights (life, liberty, property)

Liberalism

Advocates change in social, political, and economic realms to better protect the well-being of individuals and to produce equality within society.

Libertarianism

Believe that government should take a “hands off” approach in most matter.

Liberty

The state of being free from oppressive, arbitrary government restrictions on one's way of life, behavior, or political views

Magna Carta

A foundational English document forcing King John to accept the rule of law, meaning everyone, including the king, is subject to law, establishing early concepts of due process,

Majority Rule

In a democracy, only polices with 50% plus one vote are enacted and only candidates that win 50% plus votes are elected.

Market Economy

An economic system where production, investment, and distribution decisions are based on supply and demand rather than central planning

Mayflower Compact

The first governing document of the Plymouth Colony, signed aboard the Mayflower by Pilgrims and "strangers" to establish a "^[civil body politic]"

Monarchy

Government in which a member of a royal family (queen or king) has absolutely authority over a territory and its government,

Montesquieu

Who championed the separation of powers (dividing government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches) and checks and balances, arguing this structure prevents tyranny and protects liberty, profoundly influencing the U.S. Constitution.

Natural Law

That standards that govern human behavior are derived from the nature of humans themselves and can be applies universally.

Oligarchy

Government in which an elite few hold power

Parliamentary Government

A system where the executive branch (led by a Prime Minister/Head of Government) is drawn from and accountable to the legislative branch (Parliament), creating a fusion of powers

Political Culture

Peoples collective beliefs and attitudes about government and political process

Political Efficacy

Sense that citizens have the capacity to understand and influence political events.

Political Engagement

Citizens actions that are intended to solve public problems through political means

Popular Sovereignty

Government is created by the peaces and depends on the people for the authority to rule

Presidential Government

Democratic system with a separation of powers, featuring an independently elected president as both head of state and government, leading an executive branch separate from the legislature, with fixed terms and distinct powers (like vetoes, executive orders) that check legislative authority, as seen in the U.S. Constitution

Public Goods

Goods for the public use like roads, public transportation.

Public Policy

The intentional actions, laws, regulations, and decisions taken by federal, state, or local governments to address public issues, solve societal problems, or manage resources

Representative/Indirect Democracy (Republic)

The system of limited government where people are the ultimate source of power.

Roman Republic

An ancient Roman state characterized by a mixed constitution replacing monarchy with elected magistrates, the Senate, and popular assemblies.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

An influential Enlightenment philosopher known for advocating popular sovereignty, the "general will," and direct democracy.

Social Contract

Agreement between people and their leaders in which the people agree to give up some liberty’s so that other liberties are protected.

Socialism

Advocates for economic equality, theoretically achieved by having the government or workers own the means of production.

Sovereignty

The supreme, absolute, and independent authority of a state (country) to govern itself, make laws, and manage its own internal and external affairs without interference from external forces

State

1) People

2) Territory

3)Government

4) Sovereignty (control)

Theocracy

System of government where religious leaders hold supreme power,and the state laws are based on religious doctrine

Elite Democracy

A model of representative democracy in which a small number of educated, wealthy, or highly qualified individuals exert significant influence over political decision-making, rather than the general public.

Participatory Democracy

A model that emphasizes broad, direct participation of citizens in politics and civil society to influence policy.

Pluralist Democracy

A model of democracy where political power is dispersed among various organized groups—such as interest groups, unions, and lobbies—that compete to influence policy, ensuring no single entity dominates.

Totalitarianism

System of government in which the government essentially controls every aspect of peoples life

Unitary Government

A system where all key power and sovereign authority reside within a single, central (national) government.

Voltaire

French Enlightenment philosopher and writer crucial to AP Gov for championing civil liberties, specifically freedom of speech, religious tolerance, and the separation of church and state