1.1-1.2 AP Gov Foundations of Democracy

Government

the institution that creates and implements policies and laws that guide the conduct of the nation and its citizens.

Limited Government

government that is restricted in what it can do so the rights of the people are protected.

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights granted to all people by nature or God that cannot be taken away; often associated with life, liberty, and property (John Locke), or life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (Declaration of Independence).

Popular Sovereignty

the theory that government is created by the people and depends on the people for the authority to rule.

Republicanism

A form of government in which leaders are elected for a specific period by the citizenry and laws are passed by these elected leaders for the benefit of the republic.

Social Contract

an agreement between people and their leaders in which the people agree to give up some of their liberties so that their other liberties are protected.

Federalism

a structure of governance that places the people's authority in two or more levels of government.

Separation of Powers

a design of government that distributes powers across institutions to avoid making one branch too powerful on its own.

Checks and Balances

Checks and balances is a system that lets each part of a government or group limit the power of the other parts. This system makes sure that no single person or group gets too much power.

Democracy

A system of government in which the people have the authority to choose their governing legislation or leaders.

Direct Democracy

a structure of government in which citizens discuss and decide policy through majority rule.

Indirect Democracy

sometimes called representative democracy, a system in which citizens elect representatives who decide policies on behalf of their constituents.

Participatory Democracy

Depends on direct participation of many people in a society, not only in government but in public life as well.

People vote directly for laws instead of voting for people to represent them.

Participatory democracy strength

High responsiveness, political efficacy, and legitimacy through direct citizen involvement.

Participatory democracy danger

Participation is unevenly distributed, and majority passion can move quickly.

Participatory democracy examples

Ballot initiatives, referenda, town halls, protests, and grassroots movements.

Pluralist Democracy

Non-government groups try to exert influence on political decision-making

Interest groups (ex. Labor Unions, NRA) are the most influential

Pluralist democracy strength

Prevents single-faction dominance and encourages compromise through group bargaining.

Pluralist democracy danger

Groups possess unequal resources, leaving unorganized citizens unrepresented.

Pluralist democracy examples

Interest groups, coalitions, lobbying, and amicus briefs.

Elite Democracy

Individuals with the most money, time, education, and access to government will take more action than the less privileged and b/c of their resources will be heard

People who serve in the leadership of a political party are usually from a higher socioeconomic level and are usually better educated (Why is this Important?)

Elite democracy strength

Expertise, decisiveness, and insulation from momentary public passion.

Elite democracy danger

Government can become unresponsive to ordinary citizens.

Elite democracy examples

Electoral College, Concentrated wealth, institutional access, revolving doors, and Super PACs.

U.S. Constitution

The supreme law of the United States, ratified in 1788, that outlines the framework of the federal government and enumerates its powers and limitations.

The Declaration of Independence (1776)

A 1776 document written primarily by Thomas Jefferson declaring the 13 colonies independent from British rule. It outlines the philosophical justification for independence based on natural rights and social contract theory.

Unalienable Rights: Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Happiness

Governments get their powers from the consent of the governed

People have the right to abolish governments if their natural rights are violated

The Gettysburg Address (1863)

The Nation's Foundation: Lincoln began by recalling 1776 ("four score and seven years ago"), reminding listeners that the U.S. was built on liberty and the idea that all people are created equal

The Civil War Test: He explained that the ongoing Civil War was a test of whether a democratic nation founded on those ideals could survive.

Honoring the Dead: He noted that the speech itself could not consecrate the ground as effectively as the blood shed by the soldiers who fought there.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who demanded a Bill of Rights and state power.

Federalist 10

Essay by Madison arguing a large republic best controls the danger of factions.

Brutus 1

Anti-Federalist essay arguing a large central government threatens individual liberties and state power.

Shays' Rebellion

1786 armed uprising of farmers highlighting the weak central government under the Articles.