AP American Government Unit 1 Vocabulary Definitions

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.

Social Contract

A theory or model that originated during the Age of Enlightenment; it typically posits that individuals consent, either explicitly or tacitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of the government in exchange for protection of their remaining rights.

Republicanism

A form of government in which the country is considered a 'public matter' and the people hold power by electing representatives.

Elite Democracy

A theory that a small group of wealthy or highly educated individuals holds the most political power.

Pluralist Democracy

A model of democracy where multiple groups, interests, or organizations compete to influence government decisions.

Participatory Democracy

A theory that the broad participation of citizens in the direction and operation of political systems is crucial for democracy.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781, which established a weak central government and was eventually replaced by the current Constitution in 1789.

Shays' Rebellion

An armed uprising in 1786-87 by Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices; it highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise)

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that Congress should consist of two houses: the Senate (equal representation for each state) and the House of Representatives (representation based on population).

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement made at the Constitutional Convention where three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives.

Federalists

Supporters of the proposed Constitution who favored a strong central government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the proposed Constitution who favored stronger state governments and feared a too-powerful central government.

Ratify

To formally approve or give consent to a contract, treaty, or agreement, making it officially valid.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units (such as states or provinces).

Dual Federalism

A system where the state and national governments remain supreme within their own spheres of influence, with clearly defined powers.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) to prevent any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Checks and Balances

A system in which each branch of government has the ability to limit the powers of the other branches to prevent any one from becoming too powerful.

Block Grants

Federal funds provided to states or local governments with relatively few restrictions on how the funds are to be spent.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided for a specific purpose, with conditions attached to their use.

Cooperative Federalism

A concept where national, state, and local governments interact cooperatively and collectively to solve common problems.

Marble Cake Federalism

A way to describe cooperative federalism; it illustrates how different levels of government (national, state, and local) are mixed together rather than being distinctly separate.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the U.S. Constitution (Article VI) that establishes that federal law takes precedence over state laws and state constitutions.

Commerce Clause

A clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8) giving Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the states, and with Native American tribes.

Federal Mandates

Requirements imposed by the federal government on state and local governments to comply with federal rules and regulations.

Reserved Powers

Powers that are not granted to the federal government by the Constitution and are therefore reserved for the states.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments, such as the power to tax, build roads, and establish courts.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

A clause in the Constitution (Article IV, Section 1) requiring each state to recognize and honor the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.

Extradition

The process by which one jurisdiction (such as a state or country) surrenders a person accused or convicted of a crime to another jurisdiction.

Devolution

The transfer or delegation of power from a central government to local or regional administrations.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

A clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8) that grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.