APGOV Unit 1

Pluralism

A theory of democracy where many groups compete for influence, and no one group dominates government.

Elitism

A theory of democracy that a small group of wealthy and powerful elites control government decisions.

Declaration of Independence ideas

Written by Thomas Jefferson; emphasizes natural rights, social contract, consent of the governed, and right to revolt against tyranny.

Natural rights

Rights all people are born with (life, liberty, property/pursuit of happiness); cannot be taken away by government.

John Locke

Enlightenment thinker; promoted natural rights and social contract theory; heavily influenced the Declaration of Independence.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. government; weak central government, most power in the states; failed because it could not tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws.

Shay’s Rebellion

1786 uprising of farmers against debt and taxes; showed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation and need for a stronger national government.

Purpose of the Constitution

To create a stronger federal government, protect individual rights, and provide structure (Preamble: “form a more perfect Union…”).

Articles I-III of the Constitution best represent the idea of

Separation of Powers:

Article I = Legislative Branch (makes laws)

Article II = Executive Branch (enforces laws)

Article III = Judicial Branch (interprets laws)

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Supreme Court case that established judicial review (the Court can strike down laws as unconstitutional).

Federalist 51

Written by Madison; argues separation of powers and checks and balances are necessary to control government power.

Federalist 10

Written by Madison; argues factions are inevitable, but a large republic best controls them by diluting their influence.

Factions

Groups of people with common interests (often political/economic) that may harm the rights of others or the common good.

Harmful: they can create tyranny of the majority.

Best solution: large republic with many factions so no single one dominates.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments.

Popular Sovereignty

Government’s power comes from the people; people are the ultimate source of authority.

Checks and Balances

System where each branch of government limits the others to prevent abuse of power.

Separation of powers

Divides government power into three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) so no one branch becomes too powerful.

Brutus I argues for

More state sovereignty, a smaller republic, and limiting the power of the national government

The Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Created the House and the Senate

To propose a Constitutional Amendment, what fraction of Congress has to vote for it?

2/3

In order for a constitutional amendment to be ratified what fraction of state legislatures must approve it?

3/4

The key component of a republic is

Representatives who speak for the people

The Constitutional Convention was called

To fix the problems in the AOC

3/5 compromise

A compromise which allowed the south to have more representation in the new government

The Antifederalists pushed for

The Bill of Rights, the 10th amendment, and a smaller republic

The Necessary and Proper Clause

Gives Congress implied powers to make laws needed to carry out its expressed powers (Article I, Section 8).

Supremacy Clause

Set up a hierarchy in which laws passed by the national government take precedent over state laws

Hyperpluralism

Theory that too many competing groups weaken government, leading to gridlock and ineffective policy.

The Federalist Papers

Encouraged citizens to vote for the Constitution

The Virginia Plan

Proposal at the Constitutional Convention for representation in Congress based on population; favored large states (both red and blue)

Reserved Powers

The powers granted to the states

Rule of law

Principle that no one, not even government officials, is above the law

The New Jersey plan

Proposal at the Constitutional Convention for equal representation in Congress; favored small states

DOI- Complaints against the King

Colonists listed grievances (e.g., taxation without representation, dissolving legislatures, quartering troops, cutting off trade)

Judicial review (Marbury v. Madison)

Supreme Court power to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional

AOC weaknesses

Couldn’t tax, no national army, no executive, no national courts, hard to amend (needed unanimous approval)

Why was the AOC “destined to fail”?

Too weak to govern a growing nation; gave nearly all power to states, leaving national government powerless

What did Shay’s Rebellion have to do with this government?

Showed the AOC’s weakness (couldn’t raise an army to stop rebellion), proving need for a stronger government

Why was the AOC set up the way they were?

Colonists feared a strong central government after British rule, so they gave more power to the states

Participatory democracy

Emphasizes broad citizen involvement in politics (e.g., voting, protests, initiatives)

Elite democracy

Argues a small, wealthy, educated group makes the best decisions for the public

Bicameral legislature

Two-house legislature (U.S. Congress = House of Representatives + Senate)

Limited government

Government powers are restricted to protect individual rights; officials must follow the Constitution

Social contract theory

People agree to form government, giving up some freedom in exchange for protection of rights

James Madison

“Father of the Constitution”; author of Federalist Papers, including Federalist 10 & 51; helped design separation of powers and checks and balances

Unicameral legislature

One-house legislature (used under the Articles of Confederation)

US v. Lopez (1995)

When the Supreme Court determined this act to be an unconstitutional stretch of the commerce clause. The Gun-Free School Zones Act made it illegal for individuals knowingly to carry a gun in a school zone.