AP GOV FULL

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that government’s power comes from the people.

Republicanism

People elect representatives to make decisions for them.

Social Contract Theory

People agree to form a government to protect their rights.

Natural Rights Theory

Rights people are born with (life, liberty, property).

Main Ideas of the Declaration of Independence

Natural rights, government by consent, right to revolt.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

No tax power, no military, weak central government.

Great Compromise

Created a bicameral legislature: Senate (equal) + House (population).

3/5 Compromise

Slaves counted as 3/5 of a person for representation.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments.

Separation of Powers

Divides government into three branches.

Checks and Balances

Each branch limits the powers of the others.

Participatory Democracy

Broad citizen participation (example: town hall meetings).

Pluralist Democracy

Interest groups compete to influence policy.

Elite Democracy

Small group of wealthy/powerful people influence policy.

Role of Congress

Makes laws (legislative branch).

Role of the President

Enforces laws (executive branch).

Role of the Judiciary

Interprets laws (judicial branch).

Necessary and Proper Clause

Congress can make all laws needed to carry out its powers.

Commerce Clause

Congress controls interstate and international trade.

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is the highest law of the land.

Veto

President rejects a bill passed by Congress.

Judicial Review

Courts can declare laws unconstitutional (Marbury v. Madison).

Executive Order

President’s directive that acts like a law without Congress.

Difference Between House and Senate

House = based on population, 2-year terms. Senate = equal per state, 6-year terms.

Filibuster

Senate tactic to delay a vote by speaking endlessly.

Cloture

Vote to end a filibuster (needs 60 votes in Senate).

Pocket Veto

President ignores a bill, and Congress adjourns — bill dies.

Bill of Rights Purpose

Protect individual liberties against government actions.

Selective Incorporation

Applying Bill of Rights protections to the states via the 14th Amendment.

Establishment Clause

Government cannot establish a religion (1st Amendment).

Free Exercise Clause

People can freely practice their religion.

Freedom of Speech

Right to express opinions without government censorship.

Prior Restraint

Government preventing publication — generally not allowed.

Due Process

Fair treatment through the judicial system (5th and 14th Amendments).

Equal Protection Clause

States must protect all citizens equally under the law (14th Amendment).

Right to Privacy

Implied right (Griswold v. Connecticut, Roe v. Wade).

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Banned literacy tests and helped end racial voting barriers.

Political Socialization

How people develop political opinions (family, education, media).

Political Ideology

A consistent set of political beliefs.

Liberal Beliefs

Support social programs, government regulation, progressive values.

Conservative Beliefs

Favor limited government, traditional values, free markets.

Political Efficacy

Belief that your political participation matters.

Public Opinion

The distribution of the population’s beliefs about politics and policy.

Sampling Error

The margin of error in a poll.

Random Sampling

Every person has an equal chance of being selected for a poll.

Political Party

Group organized to win elections and influence government.

Interest Group

Organization seeking to influence government policy.

PAC (Political Action Committee)

Group that raises and spends money for candidates/issues.

Iron Triangle

Alliance among Congress, bureaucracy, and interest groups.

Linkage Institution

Connects people to government (parties, elections, media, interest groups).

Primary Election

Voters choose candidates for a general election.

Caucus

Party members meet to select candidates.

Electoral College

System for electing the President; each state gets votes based on population.

Gerrymandering

Drawing district lines to favor one party.

Divided Government

When one party controls Congress and the other controls the presidency.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must respect other states’ laws and court decisions.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Citizens are treated equally across states.

Establishment Clause

Government cannot favor a religion.

Free Exercise Clause

People can practice religion freely.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Established supremacy of national government and implied powers.

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

Set limits on the Commerce Clause.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

No school prayer (violates the Establishment Clause).

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Free Exercise rights supersede school attendance requirements.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Students have free speech rights at school.

New York Times v. United States (1971)

Prohibits prior restraint on publications.

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Established the 'clear and present danger' test for speech.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Established right to counsel under the 6th Amendment.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Established right to privacy includes right to abortion.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Established that the 2nd Amendment applies to the states.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Declared no segregation in public schools.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Allowed unlimited independent political spending.

Baker v. Carr (1961)

Established that courts can rule on redistricting issues.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Prohibited racial gerrymandering.