Unit 1 AP GOV Vocab

Limited government

A political system in which government powers are restricted by law, usually in a written constitution, to protect individual rights and freedoms.

Natural rights

The right to life, liberty, and property, which the government cannot take away

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that the government right to rule comes from the people

Republicanism/republic

A system in which the government’s authority comes from the people through their representatives

Social contract

People allow their government to rule over them to ensure an orderly functioning society

Declaration of Independence

A document adopted on July 4, 1776, declaring the thirteen American colonies as independent states and no longer part of the British Empire. It outlines the principles of individual rights and the justification for separation from British rule.

US Constitution

A document that sets out the fundamental principals of governance and establishes the institutions of government

Democracy

A system of government where power is held by the people

Participatory democracy

A theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic government

Pluralist democracy

A theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policymaking process

elite democracy

A theory of democracy that the elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policymaking process

Federalist

Supporters of the proposed constitution, who called for a strong national government

Anti-federalist

Those opposed to the proposed constitution, who favored stronger state governments

Federalist 10

An essay in which Madison argues that the dangers of factions can be mitigated by a large republic and republican government

Brutus 1

An anti federalist paper arguing that the country was too large to be governed as a republic and that the constitution gave too much power to the national government

faction

A group of self-interested people who use the governments to get what they want, trampling the right of other in the process

Articles of confederation

A governing document that created a unit on of thirteen sovereign states in which the states, not the national government, were supreme

Shay’s rebellion

A popular uprising against the government of Massachusetts

Great Compromise

An agreement for a plan of government that drew upon both Virginia and New Jersey plans; it settled issues of state representation by calling for a bicameral legislature with a house of representatives apportioned proportionately and senate apportioned equally

Electoral college

A body of electors established by the United States Constitution, which is responsible for formally electing the President and Vice President of the United States. Each state appoints electors equal to its number of senators and representatives in Congress.

3/5 compromise

An agreement reached by delegates at the constitutional convention that a slave would count as three-fifths of a person in calculating a state’s representation

Ratification

The formal approval of an agreement, treaty, or constitutional amendment, typically requiring a vote by a governing body or the electorate.

Central government

The national governing authority that holds the primary power over a nation, typically responsible for various functions such as defense, diplomacy, and economic policy

separation of powers

A design of government that distributed power across institutions in order to avoid making one branch too powerful on its own

Checks and balances

A design of government in which each branch has power that can prevent the other branches from making policy

Federalist 51

An essay in which Madison argues that desperation of poets and federalism will prevent tyranny

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body, such as the House of Representatives, brings charges against a government official, including the President, for misconduct, which can lead to removal from office

Exclusive power

Powers only the constitution government may exercise

Concurrent power

Powers granted to both states and the federal governments in the constitution

Grants

Federal money provided to states to implement public policy objectives

Incentives

Factors or motivations that encourage individuals or groups to take certain actions or make specific choices

Aid programs

Government initiatives designed to provide financial assistance, resources, or services to individuals, groups, or communities in need, often aimed at addressing social, economic, or health-related issues.

Federal revenue sharing

When the federal government apportions tax money to the states with no strings attached

Mandates

Federal requirements that states must follow without being provided with funding

Categorical grants

Grants-in-aid provided to states with specific provisions on their use

Block grants

A type of grant-in-aid that gives state officials more authority in the disbursement of federal funds

10th amendment

Reserves power not delegated to the national government to the states and the people; the basis of federalism

14th amendment

Constitutional amendment that provides that persons born in the United States are citizens and prohibits states from denying persons due process or equal protection under the law

Commerce clause

Grants congress the authority to regulate interstate business and commercial activity

The necessary and proper clause

Grants the federal government the authority to pass laws required to carry out its enumerated powers also called the elastic clause

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly granted to the national government through the Constitution; also called expressed powers

Implied powers

Powers not granted specifically to the national government but considered necessary to carry out the enumerated powers

McCulloch V Maryland (1819)

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of federal supremacy over state laws and affirmed the constitutionality of the Second Bank of the United States, ruling that states could not tax federal institutions.

US V Lopez (1995)

A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that Congress had exceeded its authority under the Commerce Clause when it passed a law prohibiting guns in school zones, affirming that the regulation of guns in schools was not an economic activity that affected interstate commerce.