AP Government Big Ideas and Outline

Natural Rights

Inalienable rights stated in the Declaration of Independence, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.

Social Contract

An implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, as by sacrificing some individual freedom for state protection.

Republicanism

An ideology of governing a nation as a republic, with an emphasis on liberty and the rights of citizens.

Federalists

Supporters of a strong central government who advocated for the ratification of the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of a strong central government who favored a weaker government and stronger state governments.

Congressional Oversight

The review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to declare an act of Congress or the President unconstitutional.

Federalism

The mixed or compound mode of government, combining a general government with regional governments in a single political system.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution that guarantee individual liberties and rights.

Selective Incorporation

The legal doctrine that ensures that certain protections in the Bill of Rights are applied to state governments through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Commerce Clause

A clause in the Constitution giving Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the states.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Also known as the Elastic Clause, it grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.

Gerrymandering

The practice of manipulating the boundaries of electoral districts to favor one party over another.

Political Polarization

The extent to which political opinions in a population diverge toward the extremes.

Incumbency Advantage

The electoral edge afforded to those already in office.

Iron Triangle

The stable, mutually beneficial relationships between interest groups, congressional committees, and bureaucratic agencies.

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging favors, especially in politics by reciprocal voting for each other's proposed legislation.

Pork Barrel Spending

Public funds allocated for projects that are intended primarily to benefit a particular constituency.