AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS NOTES

Limited Government

Government restricted by law; heavily influenced by the Enlightenment.

Natural Rights

Rights given by a creator that cannot be taken away, influenced by philosophers like John Locke and Thomas Hobbes.

State of Nature

A hypothetical human condition without government.

Popular Sovereignty

Power to govern resides with the people, who grant some power to the government for protection.

Republicanism

A political ideology where people elect representatives to make laws.

Separation of Powers

Distribution of government powers among three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

Federalist 10

Written by Madison, it warns against 'mischief of factions' and argues a large republic would control factions.

Brutus 1

An Anti-Federalist paper favoring power retention with the states.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. constitution that established a 'firm league of friendship' among the states.

Shays' Rebellion

An uprising that highlighted the weaknesses of the national government under the Articles of Confederation.

Great Compromise

Created a bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Electoral College

A compromise system for electing the president.

Amendment Process

A way to change the Constitution requiring supermajorities.

Checks and Balances

System ensuring that no branch of government becomes too powerful.

Federalism

The distribution of power between national and state governments.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds given for specific purposes with strict rules.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to declare laws or actions unconstitutional.

Iron Triangle

The relationship between congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups.

Selective Incorporation

The process of applying the Bill of Rights to the states via the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause.

Right to Privacy

Implied rights from various amendments protecting individual privacy, exemplified in Roe v. Wade.

Civil Rights

Protections against discrimination based on race, gender, and other characteristics.