AP GOV Unit 1

Declaration of Independence

A document written by Thomas Jefferson and the Continental Congress that declared the colonies' separation from Great Britain, emphasizing natural rights and the consent of the governed.

Natural Rights

The fundamental rights entitled to all individuals, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, which created a confederation of states with limited powers for the central government.

Brutus 1

An anti-federalist essay that opposed the proposed U.S. Constitution, voicing concerns about a centralized government undermining individual liberties.

Federalist No. 10

An essay by James Madison that argued a large republic would mitigate the dangers posed by factions.

Checks and Balances

A system intended to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

Strong Executive

The argument for having a single executive (the President) to ensure accountability and swift action in governance.

Judicial Review

The power of the judiciary to invalidate laws that are deemed unconstitutional.

Direct/Participatory Democracy

A form of democracy where citizens directly participate in decision-making rather than electing representatives.

Pluralist Democracy

A form of democracy where political power is distributed among various competing interest groups.

Self-Governance

The principle that the settlers agreed to create laws for the general good through majority rule as seen in the Mayflower Compact.

Social Contract

An agreement among individuals to form a government that ensures mutual protection and cooperation.

Federalism

The division of power between the national and state governments.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed in the U.S. Constitution granted to the federal government.

Reserved Powers

Powers not granted to the federal government but retained by the states or the people.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments, such as the authority to tax.

Three-Fifths Compromise

A constitutional agreement that counted enslaved persons as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

Sovereignty

The supreme authority of a government to create and enforce laws within its territory.

Unitary System

A government system where power is centralized in the national government.

Confederation

A system of government where regional governments hold most of the power and the national government has limited authority.

Dual Federalism

A model of federalism where the federal and state governments operate in separate spheres of influence.

Grants-in-Aid

Funds provided by the federal government to state or local governments for specified projects.

Categorical Grants

Specific grants given to state or local governments for narrowly defined purposes with strict conditions.

Block Grants

Funds given by the federal government for broad purposes, allowing states flexibility in allocation.

Mandates

Requirements placed by the federal government on state or local governments as a condition to receive federal funds.

Devolution

The transfer of power from the federal government to state or local governments.

Factions

groups of individuals within a larger entity, often united by shared interests, beliefs, or goals, that seeks to influence or control political decisions.

Federalist No. 51

An essay by James Madison that stated the need for checks and balances and separation of powers.

Federalist No. 70

An essay by Alexander Hamilton that argued for a strong single executive for decisiveness and speed in decision making.

Federalist No. 78

An essay by Alexander Hamilton that focuses on the judicial branch as independent from the other branches. He agrees for judicial review and lifetime tenure.

Representative Democracy

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf in government. Practical for larger populations.

Class View

Economic elites control the government and society to protect their wealth.

Power Elite View

A small, interconnected group of political, military, and corporate elites who control major decisions in society.

Bureaucratic View

Un-elected government officials exercise real power due to their control over policy implementation.

Pluralist View

Sees power as spread out among competing interest groups, with no single group dominating the political system.

Majoritarian Politics

Policies that benefit the majority of the public, with widespread costs and benefits.

Interest Group Politics

Policies that benefit a specific group, with the costs borne by the general public.

Client Politics

Policies that benefit specific groups or industries, with costs spread across the public.

Entrepreneurial Politics

Policies that benefit society at large but impose costs on specific, well-organized groups or industries.

Mayflower Compact

Often cited as a symbol of the settlers' commitment to democratic governance and self-rule

John Locke- The Natural Law

people have the power to REBEL unjust government 

Jean-Jacques Rousseau- The Social Contract

popular sovereignty, ELECTED government

Thomas Hobbes- The Leviathan

God-given, NATURAL RIGHTS

Baron de Montesquieu- The Spirit of the Laws

checks and balances, LIMITED POWER

Articles of Confederation

1st draft of the Constitution, weak central government (Congress of the Confederation), with no power to tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws.

Shays’ Rebellion

Farmers who fought in the Revolution faced high taxes and were unable to pay their debts, they did not receive the compensation promised. This exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

The Virginia Plan

Favored representation based on population, led to the House of Representatives in The Great Compromise (435 members, 2 year terms)

The New Jersey Plan

Favored equal representation, led to the Senate in The Great Compromise (50 members, 2 per state, 6 year terms)

Elastic Clause

Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution that grants Congress the authority to pass all laws that are "necessary and proper"

Nullification

the idea that a state has the right to invalidate any federal law which it deems unconstitutional

Cooperative Federalism

the federal and state governments work together to solve common problems and address policy issues

Waiver

a legal provision that allows a state or local government to be exempted from a specific federal requirement or regulation

Conditions of Aid

terms set by the federal government that a state or local government must meet in order to receive federal funds

Referendum

In a direct democracy, citizens vote on a specific issue, law, or policy proposed by the government or other authorities, rather than electing representatives to decide on their behalf

Ballot Initiative

In a direct democracy, allows citizens to propose new laws or amend existing laws directly