AP gov unit 1 vocab

federal mandate

a requirement the federal government imposes as a condition for receiving federal funds

impoundment

A traditional budgeting procedure by which the President of the United States once could prevent any agency of the Executive Branch from spending part or all of the money previously appropriated by Congress for their use.

referendum

The principle or practice of submitting to direct popular vote a measure passed on or proposed by a legislative body or by popular initiative

autocracy

a system of government by one person with absolute power. Autocracy synonyms include: absolutism, totalitarianism, dictatorship, despotism, tyranny, monocracy, autarchy

articles of confederation

the first constitution of the United States, on November 15, 1777.

the us constitution

established America's national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens.

categorical grant

also called conditional grants, are grants issued by the United States Congress which may be spent only for narrowly defined purposes.

block grant

an annual sum of money that is awarded by the federal government to a state or local government body to help fund a specific project or program

fed 51

addresses means by which appropriate checks and balances can be created in government and also advocates a separation of powers within the national government.

commerce clause

The clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nation.

bicameralism

means "two chambers," and in practice refers to a government structure involving two houses, or two legislative bodies, that are separate in deliberation from one another.

Connecticut compromise or great compromise

combination of Virginia and New Jersey plan

new Jersey plan

suggested same number of representatives from each state to promote equality

interstate compact

a contract between two or more states.

shays rebellion

proof that the Articles were too weak to govern the country. On February 21, 1787, the Confederation Congress did agree to call for a convention of state delegates to meet in Philadelphia for the “sole and express purpose of revising the Articles.”

necessary and proper clause

A clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) setting forth the implied powers of Congress.It states that Congress, in addition to its express powers, has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government.

reserved powers

The 10th Amendment allows the powers not specifically given to the federal government to be given or reserved to the states and people of the states. It allows for states to create specific guidelines and regulations separate from the federal governmen

concurrent powers

powers that the Constitution grants to both state and federal governments. These powers may be exercised simultaneously within the same territory and in relation to the same body of citizens.

Virginia plan

representation based on population

enumerated powers

he powers explicitly given to the Federal Government and specifically to Congress in the Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution

natural rights

a right considered to be conferred by natural law. The fundamental rights to which all humans are entitled without interference. Also referred to as Human Rights.

popular sovereignty

federalism

a system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of government.

limited government

: A political system in which there are restrictions placed on the government to protect individual rights and liberties

pluralist democracy

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

elite democracy

a model of democracy in which a small number of people, usually those who are wealthy and well-educated, influence political decision making

participatory democracy

a model of democracy in which citizens have the power to decide directly on policy and politicians are responsible for implementing those policy decisions.

selective incorporation

the process in which the Supreme Court of the United States ensures that the rights guaranteed in the Constitution are not violated by the states.

expressed powers

powers explicitly named in the Constitution and granted to the federal government.

extradition

A legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one state to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed.

preemption

The right of a federal law or regulation to preclude enforcement of a state or local law or regulation.

eminent domain

power of the government to take private property for public use

double Jeopardy

Trial or punishment for the same crime by the same government; forbidden by the Constitution.

refugee

someone who has fled from his or her home country and cannot return because he or she has a well-founded fear of persecution based on religion, race, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.

impeachment

formal accusation of wrongdoing against a public official.

implied powers

powers exercised by Congress that are not expressly granted to it by the Constitution, but are deemed “necessary and proper” for executing those constitutionally granted powers.