AP GOV - TOPIC 1 VOCAB

Natural rights

Rights inherent to all humans (life, liberty, property) that governments cannot take away.

Social contract

Agreement where people give up some freedoms to government in exchange for protection of rights.

Popular sovereignty

The idea that government power comes from the consent of the governed.

Limited government

A principle that government has restricted powers and must obey the law.

Separation of powers

Division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and balances

System where each branch can limit the powers of the others.

Federalism

A system where power is shared between national and state governments.

Republicanism

A system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them.

Participatory democracy

A model emphasizing broad participation of citizens in decision-making.

Pluralist democracy

A model where groups compete to influence government policy.

Elite democracy

A model where a small group of elites holds most political power.

Faction

A group of citizens with shared interests that may conflict with others.

Republic

A government where elected officials represent the people.

Central government

A national-level government with authority over the entire country.

Decentralized government

A system where power is spread out, often to state or local governments.

Ratification

The formal approval of a law or constitution.

Bicameral legislature

A lawmaking body with two chambers (House and Senate).

Electoral College

System used to elect the president through state-based electors.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement counting enslaved people as 3/5 for representation and taxation.

Amendment process

The procedure for changing the Constitution requiring proposal and ratification.

Exclusive powers

Powers only given to either the state or national government.

Enumerated powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution.

Implied powers

Powers not listed but inferred from the Constitution.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Clause allowing Congress to make laws needed to carry out its powers.

Reserved powers

Powers given to the states under the Tenth Amendment.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by both state and national governments.

Revenue sharing

Federal funds given to states with few restrictions.

Declaration of Independence

Document asserting natural rights and popular sovereignty to justify independence.

Constitution

Document outlining the structure of government and principles like limited government and social contract.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. government framework with weak central authority.

Federalist No. 10

Argues that a large republic can control factions through representation.

Federalist No. 51

Explains separation of powers and checks and balances.

Federalist No. 70

Argues for a strong, single executive.

Brutus No. 1

Argues against the Constitution, warning of too much central power.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Agreement creating a bicameral legislature with equal Senate representation and population-based House.

Slave trade compromise

Agreement allowing slave trade to continue until 1808.

Bill of Rights promise

Agreement to add protections for individual liberties to secure ratification.

Amendment proposal

Requires 2/3 of Congress or 2/3 of states to propose an amendment.

Amendment ratification

Requires approval from 3/4 of states.

Federalism (concept)

A system dividing power between national and state governments.

Democratic ideals

Core principles like liberty, equality, and participation.

Representation models

Different ways citizens are represented in government.

Faction control

Methods to limit harmful effects of factions.

Centralization vs decentralization

The balance between strong national and strong state power.

Constitutional compromise

Agreements made to create the Constitution despite conflicts.

Federal-state power distribution

How authority is divided between levels of government.

Institutional structure of government

The organization of government branches and roles.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review, allowing courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Confirmed implied powers and federal supremacy over states.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Limited Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to pass laws needed to execute its powers.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that federal law overrides state law.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress power to regulate interstate commerce.

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers not given to federal government to the states.

Implied powers doctrine

The idea that Congress has powers beyond those explicitly listed.

Constitutional interpretation of federalism

The way courts define the balance of power between state and national governments.