AP US Government - Unit 1 Vocabulary

Natural Rights

All people have certain rights that cannot be taken away

Checks and Balances

Prevents the concentration of too much power in a single branch of gov't. Each branch can limit the other

Separation of Powers

Spreads power among 3 branches of gov't which have distinct and independent powers

Federalism

Sharing power between national and state gov't

Social Contract

An agreement of free and equal people to abandon certain natural rights in order to find secure protections for society

Popular Sovereignty

The people as the ultimate ruling authority

Limited Government

Kept under control by laws, checks, and balances, Respects peoples' individual liberties and steps in only when necessary. Gov't power is not absolute.

Republicanism

Citizens elect leaders for a limited time. The leader makes and executes laws in the public's interest.

New Jersey Plan

Assured states of their sovereignty through a national gov't with limited and defined powers

Great Compromise

Created 2 houses of congress composed of a House of Representatives and a Senate

Virginia Plan

3 branch system of gov't and bicameral legislature

Participatory Democracy

Emphasizes broad involvement of citizens in politics. Citizens vote directly for laws.

Elite Democracy

Elected representatives make decisions and act as trustees for the people who elected them. Limited participation in society.

Pluralist Democracy

People with widely varying interests find others who share their interests and organize and unite into nongovernmental groups to exert influence on political decision making

Anti-Federalists

Wanted more power reserved to state gov't opposed ratification of the Constitution

Federalists

Strong national gov't. Support ratification of the Constitution.

Impeachment

An accusation or wrongdoing : House charges and Senate convicts

Enumerated Powers

Exclusive powers listed in the Constitution

Implied Powers

Exclusive powers not specifically written in the Constitution but inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause

Exclusive Powers

Powers delegated only to the federal gov't

Executive Branch

Enforces the laws: president and VP

Judicial Branch

Interprets the laws : lower courts and 9 justices on the Supreme Court

Legislative Branch

Makes the laws : 435 reps and 100 Senators

Electoral College

A system for electing the president by electors from each state rather than by popular vote or Congressional vote

⅗ Compromise

Counts a slave as a partial person to determine representation in the House.

Extradition

The return of a criminal fugitive back to the state in which he fled

Block Grants

Federal money given to the states for broadly defined reasons

Trustees

Elected representative who has autonomy to act as they see fit even if it goes against the desires of the constituents

Mandates

Strings attached as states receive money in exchange for following guidelines. Requires states to comply with federal directive sometimes with money and sometimes without

Revenue Sharing

National funding with almost no restrictions to the states on its use.

Categorical Grants

Grants with particular congressional guidelines or requirements. Strings or conditions of aid

Reserved Powers

Any power not specifically listed remains with the states

Concurrent Powers

Powers held by authorities at both the state and federal levels