ap gov - chapter 1 & 2 & 3

democracy

a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state

politics

the activities associated witht he governance of a country or other area

republic

a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives

government

the governing body of a nation, state, or community

critical period

The time in american history following the revolutionary war when the nation faced significant challenges in establishing a stable government and unity among the states.

enumerated powers

the powers granted to the federal government, and specifically congress

federalism

a system of government that divides power between a central government and regional government

federalists

a person who advocates or supports a system of government in which several states unite under a central authority

the federalist papers

a collection of essays written to support the ratification of the U.S. constitution

full faith and credit clauses

that state courts respect he laws and judgments of courts from other states

great compromise

promised the creation of a bicameral legislature composed of the house of representatives and the senate

implied powers

political powers that are not explicitly stated int he constitution but are necessary to carry out the powers.

necessary and proper clause

authorizes congress to use the “necessary and proper” powers to carry out its other powers.

new jersey plan

a proposal for the structure of the US government for a central government with a single-house legislature in which each state would be represented equally

virginia plan

proposed a strong central government composed of 3 branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

separation of powers

an act of vesting the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government in separate bodies.

social contract theory

an agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed.

supremacy clause

establishes that federal laws/ US constitution take precedence over state laws/state constitutions

three-fifths compromise

enslaved people were counted as three-fifths of a person

extradition clause

provides for the extradition of a criminal back to the state where he or she has committed a crime

federal system

one where the power is shared between the national government and the regional governments

new federalism

a policy decentralizing power from the federal government to state and local governments

nullification

states had the right to proclaim federal laws unconstitutional if the states viewed the laws to be so

privileges and immunities clause

to place the citizens of each state upon the same footing with citizens of other states

progressive federalism

a practical approach to federalism that views relations between national and state government as both coercive and cooperative

reserved powers

the powers that are not specifically granted to the federal government by the consitution and are instead reserved for the states

17th amendment

established the direct election of US senators by popular vote, instead of being appointed by state legislatures.

unitary system

a political system where the national government holds most or all of the power, and delegates authority to lower units.