AP GOV Unit 1

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Checks and Balances

A principle that prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights that all individuals possess, typically life, liberty, and property.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy emphasizing broad public participation in politics.

Pluralist Democracy

A political system where power is distributed among multiple groups, each competing for influence.

Elite Democracy

A model of democracy in which a small number of individuals, often wealthy and educated, hold political power.

Great Compromise

The compromise reached during the Constitutional Convention that created a bicameral legislature.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement stating that each enslaved person would be counted as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays promoting the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

Brutus No. 1

An anti-Federalist paper arguing against the ratification of the Constitution and warning about the dangers of a powerful national government.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, added to protect individual liberties from government overreach.

Dual Federalism

A clear separation of powers and responsibilities between national and state governments.

Cooperative Federalism

A model of federalism in which national and state governments work together to solve problems.

Commerce Clause

The clause in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce.

Supremacy Clause

The clause stating that federal laws take precedence over state laws.

10th Amendment

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