APGOV Unit 1

Natural Rights

these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

limited government

the idea that the government only has as much power as the people give them, which ultimately leads to a restrained government

social contract

the people give their consent to the government to have authority over them as long as the government provides them order in return

Shay’s rebellion

farmers band together when exceedingly high taxes lead to them losing their farms. They block court houses and use protests to attempt to stop their government and the banks from this abuse

participatory democracy

Emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society

pluralist democracy

Recognizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision making

elite democracy

Limited participation in politics and civil society

federalist

this group of people support the ratification of the constitution

anti-federalist

this group of people do not support ratification of the constitution as it was 

federalist paper #10

this document shows that a strong federal government can protect liberty because it guards against the dangers of control by a narrow interest. Madison also called these dangers "factions." It supported the federalist cause and the constitution.

federalist paper #51

this document states that not only does the Constitution provide the necessary means to check each branch of government and maintain the balance of power, BUT it also contains separation of powers AND checks and balances that control abuse from the majority.

Brutus 1

this document argues that a free republic cannot exist in such a large territory as the United States. He uses the examples of the Greek and Roman republics that became tyrannical as their territory grew. He states that a true free republic comes from the people, not representatives of the people.

the great compromise

this agreement was reached at that Constitutional Convention of 1787, where Larger states wanted Congressional representation to be based on population and Smaller states wanted equal representation

the electoral college

this compromise made states choose electors when it came time to vote for the president

3/5 compromise

this agreement stated that for taxation and representation purposes, 3/5ths of the enslaved population would be counted

exclusive powers

these are powers that are either reserved for the federal government or for the states 

concurrent powers

these powers are used by both the states and the federal government at the same time

reserved powers

these powers were not expressly given to the federal government, so they are left over for the states to handle

supremacy clause

if there are conflicting laws between state gov and fed gov, federal always wins

necessary and proper clause

congress can do whatever they need to do in order to fulfill their duties

commerce clause

congress has authority over all things having to do with interstate trade and international trade

dual federalism

practice of state and federal government having separate jobs that do not flow together

cooperative federalism

the state and federal government working together on certain issues and jobs

categorical grants

money granted by the federal government to state and local governments (specific restrictions)

block grants

money granted by the federal government to broad areas, like social services or community development (fewer restrictions)

project basis grants

a type of categorical grant that involves funds given to state and local governments on the basis of merit

formula basis grants

a type of categorical grant that involves distributed money to all states based on a mathematical formula

federal revenue sharing

a portion of the federal tax revenue is distributed to state and local governments

mandates

a command given by a higher authority (court or office)

10th amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

14th amendment

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States 

McCulloch v Maryland

supreme court case dealing with federalism, a national bank, and the right of a state to tax a federal structure

US v Lopez

supreme court case dealing with the Gun Free School Zones Act and its relativity to commerce