AP U.S. Government and Politics: Foundations of American Democracy Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms and CED-based definitions for Topics 1.5 through 1.9 of U.S. Government and Politics.

Amendment process

The Article V process for changing the Constitution, involving proposal by two-thirds of Congress or two-thirds of state legislatures, followed by ratification by three-fourths of the states.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, added to address Anti-Federalist concerns about individual rights.

Constitutional Convention

The meeting in Philadelphia where the Constitution was drafted and compromises were made over the structure of government.

Great Compromise / Connecticut Compromise

A compromise that created a bicameral Congress, with House representation based on population and Senate representation equal for each state.

Ratification

Formal approval of the Constitution.

Three-Fifths Compromise

A compromise that created a formula for counting enslaved persons for representation in the House and taxation.

Checks and balances

A constitutional principle in which each branch can limit the power of the other branches so no one branch becomes too powerful.

Institutions

Organized political structures that shape government action and policymaking.

Separation of powers

A constitutional principle that gives Congress, the president, and the courts separate powers.

Block grants

National funding with minimal restrictions on how states use the money, generally preferred by states.

Categorical grants

National funding restricted to specific categories of spending, generally preferred by the national government and the most commonly used form of funding.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by both the national and state governments.

Enumerated powers

Powers written in the Constitution and given to the national government.

Exclusive powers

Powers held by only one level of government.

Federalism

The system of government in which power is shared between national and state governments.

Implied powers

Powers not specifically written in the Constitution but inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Mandates

Requirements placed on states by the national government.

Reserved powers

Powers not delegated to the national government and reserved to the states under the Tenth Amendment.

Revenue sharing

National funding with almost no restrictions on its use by states, and the least used form of funding.

Tenth Amendment

The amendment stating that powers not delegated to the national government are reserved to the states.

Commerce Clause

Gives the national government the power to regulate interstate commerce, though Supreme Court interpretation affects the extent of this power.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Gives Congress power to make laws related to carrying out its enumerated powers, though Supreme Court interpretation affects the extent of those powers.

Supremacy Clause

Gives the national government and its laws general precedence over state laws, though interpretation may affect when national action exceeds constitutional power.

Multiple access points

Opportunities created by separation of powers and federalism for stakeholders and institutions to influence government and public policy through different branches and levels of government.

Policymaking

The process of creating public policy, shaped by the distribution of power between national and state governments.

Public policy

Government action or decisions intended to address public issues.