ap gov unit 1 terms

block grant

broad federal funds granted to states for policies

categorical grant

federal funds granted to states under specific conditions

checks and balances

system allowing branches to prevent other branches from having too much power

concurrent powers

political powers shared by federal and state governments

cooperative federalism

marble cake federalism- federal, state, and local govs share responsibilities to solve problems (ex: clean air act)

devolution

the tranfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal gov to state govs

direct democracy

a form of government where people vote directly on government officials instead of electing representatives

dual federalism

federal and state govs operate in seperate, distinct ways.

elitism

the theory that a small minority of the economicall elite hold the most power outside of democratic elections

enumerated powers

powers explicitly granted to the federal gov by the consitution

ex post facto law

when a law is passed after a defendant comitts an act to make that act illigal (ex: you drove 55mph last month, and they put up a sign saying the speed limit is now 30mph in that area. they can’t punish you for last month)

federalism

a system of government where power is divided between state govs and the federal gov. main power in fed.

federalist papers

a series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison promiting the ratification of the US Consitution

full faith and credit clause

all states must resoect the acts, judicial proceedings, and records of other states

gibbons v ogden (and commerce clause)

case ruling that congress has the sole authority to regulate interstate commerce and the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines

great compromise

agreement to create a bimerical legislature (house and senate) with different ways to represent states

implied powers

federal powers not explicity stated in the consitution but reasonably inferred (ex: national banks)

judicial review

the power of courts to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national govs invalid if they violate the consitution

limited gov

a political philosophy that the gov’s power is restricted by law

mcculloch v madison

congress has implied powers under the necessary and proper clause

natural rights

life, liberty, and property. cannot be taken or denied by any government

new jersey plan

proposal that each state should have the same amount of representatives (favoring smaller states)

pluralism

an active social and political system where diverse groups with different beliefs, cultures, and political views coexist peacefully and interact with mutual respect (ex: chinatown)

popular soverignty

the power of state and federal govs comes from the consent of the governed

privileges and immunities clause

prevents states from treating citizens of other states discriminatory

republicanism

limited gov, elected representitives, consent of the governed

reserved powers

power not explicit in fed gov goes to the states

seperation of powers

3 branches (judicial, executive, legislative) to assign functions to each/avoid correuption

shays rebellion

uprising of MA farmers exposing the weakness of the AoC

social contract

unspoken agreement that individuals give up certain freedoms in exchange for gov protection

supremacy clause

fed gov takes priority over conflicting states laws

3/5 compromise

decided how enslaved people should be counted for congressional representation

unfunded mandate

a law, rule, or order passed by fed or state govs that requires lower levels of gov to do something but provides no money for them

us v lopez

ruled the 1990 g^n-free school zones act unconsitutional for overstepping for commerce clause

virginia plan

representation in congress based on each states population