ap us gov

declaration of independence

natural rights for all humans, purpose of the government is to protect the rights of the people, popular sovereignty, consent of the goverend

popular soverignty

people are the source of governmental power

consent of the goverend

the only power for the government has the power and right to rule if the people allow it

U.S. constitution

balancing power between the states and & federal level, limited government, representative/republicanism

Participatory democracy

direct & active voices, especially with decisions, ex: protesting, town halls

pluralist democracy

many groups share power and try to influence the government (no group has total control) ex: political parties, interest groups

elite democracy

small elite grups have power, limited citizen participation ex: voting for reps instead of policies

Fed 10

-”majority factions will trample rights of miniorites”, anti-democracy

brutus no.1

anti-federalist, decentralized power, it is a threat to personal liberty when central govt. exists

articles of confederation

-states had power over themselves & a legislative branch only —> too weak & shays rebellion led to us. constituion

us constituion

• small states—> equal representation

• large states—> pop. based rep.

• —> bicameral legelature with house of reps & senate

article 5

amendment process so changes are possible, but 2/3 congress and ¾ states to ratify

fed 51

seperation of powers & checks and balances

legeslative, executive, judical

legeslative branch

makes laws

executive branch

enforces laws (president)

judical

interprets laws

checks & balances

ways to influence or limit other branches. ex:congress has power to impeach president if abusing power

10th amendment

if there is power NOT “delegated” to federal govt, everything else is left for states to have the right to make laws

government grants

congress gives money to states so they have influence on state policies (one way fed. power is growing)

specific purpose

congress tells states how to spend the money

block grants

broader purpose

federal revenue

minimal limitations

supremacy clause

if federal and states are aruging, federal & constitution > states

necessary and proper clause

congress does as necessary as long as it carries out their duties

commerce clause

congress regulates anything with interstate commerce

fed 39

hybrid fed/state system that displays partial centralized govt & cooperation of states

fed 70

single executive that takes accountability and is watched more closely with firm decisions

fed 78

• judical independence that is the least dangerous