AP GOV UNIT 1 VOCAB part 1

half of the vocabulary in this unit. paraphrased.

Commerce Clause

it’s a clause in the U.S Consitution that gives Congress the power to regulate commerce ( trade ) with foreign nations, among states and with the indian tribes.

Elite Democracy

it’s a type / model of a democracy in which a small group of people, usually wealthy and well-educated, influence political decision making.

Pluralist Democracy

it’s a type / model of democracy in which no one group dominates politics and organized groups compete with each other to influence policy.

Participatory Democracy

it is a model of democracy where citizens have the power to DIRECTLY decide on policy and politicians are responsible for implementing those decisions.

Republicanism

a representative democracy that slows citizens to elect representatives to govern on their behalf.

Extradition

A legal process where officials of one state hands over an alleged criminal to officials of the state where the crime was committed.

Federalism

a constitutional arrangement that divides power between a central government and state governments.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

this clause requires states to respect each other’s laws and institutions.

• other states’ statues

• other states’ public records

• other states’ court decisions

Three-Fifths Compromise

an agreement made at 1787 Constitutional Convention that three-fifths of a state’s enslaved population towards its total population.

Impeachment

it’s the process of bringing charges against a government official for wrongdoing.

Judicial Review

it’s the Supreme Court’s power to overturn laws on the basis of their constitutionality .

Supremacy Clause

it states that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties stress the “ supreme Law of the Land” and take precedence over conflicting state laws.

Necessary and Proper Clause ( Elastic Clause )

it gives Congress the power to make laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out other federal powers.

Popular Sovereignty

a political theory that a government’s power comes from the people, and that the government is obligated to serve the people’s will.

Representative Republic

a form of government where citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf.

Social Contract

an agreement between the people and their government signifying that they’ll up some of their rights in exchange for protection of their remaining rights.

USA Patriot Act

it was passed by congress in 9/11/2001, signed into law by Pres. Bush in October 2001, that significantly expanded the search and surveillance powers of federal law-enforcement and intelligence agencies. ( TSA . )

Direct Democracy

citizens vote on laws and policies, and directly select officials.

Natural Rights

the idea that ALL humans are BORN with rights:

• life

• liberty

• property.

Limited Government

The government has only the powers that the constitution gives to it.