AP GOPO Unit 1 Vocab

Grant Block

Block of money given to the states, and they have freedom on how to use it. 

Categorial Grants

National Funding to the states where spending is specifically restricted to certain categories.

Checks and Balances

A design of government in which each branch has powers that can prevent the other branches from making a policy.

Concurrent Powers

Powers granted to both states and the federal government in the Constitution.

Elitist Theory

A theory of democracy based on the premise that participation in politics and civil society is limited because elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policymaking process.

Expressed Powers

Authority specifically granted to the national government through the Constitution.

Federalism

The sharing of powers between the states and national government.

Implied Powers

Powers not granted specifically to the national government but implied from the necessary and proper clauses to carry out the expressed powers.

Natural Rights

The right to life, liberty, and property, which the government cannot take away.

Participatory Theory

They theory that individual participation in politics and civil society is essential to democratic government.

Pluralist Theory

The theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of nongovernmental group-based activism in an effort to impact the policy-making process.

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that the government’s right to rule comes from the consent of people

Republicanism

A system in which the people elect representatives to carry out their wishes.

Reserved Powers

Powers not given to the national government, which are retained for the states and people.

Separation of Powers

The design of government that distributes powers across institutions in order to avoid making one branch too powerful.

Unfunded Mandate