AP US Government Unit One

Unit One: Foundations of Democracy

participatory democracy

a system of democracy in which all members of the community participate in making decisions

pluralist democracy

a theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policy making process

elitism/elite theory

A theory of American democracy in which the upper-class/elite hold the power over policy

republicanism

A form of government in which people elect representatives to create and enforce laws

popular sovereignty

A government in which the people rule by their own consent.

natural rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

checks and balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

social contract

An agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed

John Locke

English philosopher who advocated the idea of a "social contract" and "natural rights"

Thomas Hobbes

English philosopher believed that people are inherently selfish and need a strong central authority

Separation of Powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches

Baron de Montesquieu

French aristocrat who believed government should have separation of powers

Declaration of Independence Main Points

Natural rights, right to representation, and the right of people to institute a new government.

Articles of Confederation weaknesses

weak union, cant tax, could not regulate trade, no enforcement mechanisms, and unicameral

Shay's Rebellion

Rebellion led by Daniel Shays in Massachusetts, protesting foreclosures and high taxes. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.

Economic crisis post-revolution

Shortage of hard money (gold and silver). National and personal debt high, money depreciation, and high taxes.

Virginia Plan

"Large state" proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress

New Jersey Plan

"Small state" proposal that would have given each state one vote in a new congress

CT (Great) Compromise

Compromise at Constitutional Convention which created the bicameral legislature

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House

Compromise on Importation

Congress could not restrict the slave trade until 1808

writ of habeas corpus

A court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner in custody.

Bill of Attainder Clause Article I, §9, clause 3

Congress cannot pass a law that singles out a person for punishment without trial.

ex post facto law clause

Congress cannot pass a law that makes an act criminal although the act was legal when it was committed

Legislative Branch

Makes laws

Executive Branch

Enforces laws

Judicial Branch

Interprets the laws

enumerated powers

The powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Implied Powers or Elastic Clause)

Clause of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) in addition to its express powers, congress has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government

Supremacy Clause

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

Amendment Process

Proposal by 2/3 vote of both houses of congress

Ratification by 3/4 of the 50 state legislatures

Federalist beliefs

supported a strong federal government, supporting industry and trade, and feared tyranny of the majority

Anti-federalist beliefs

Against ratification of the constitution, wanted a Bill of Rights, and feared a powerful executive with standing army

Federalist 51

Argues that separation of powers within the national government is the best way to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of one person or a single group.

Federalist 10

Argues that the dangers of factions and tyranny of the majority can be mitigated by a large republic

Brutus 1

Argues a centralized gov. in a large republic wouldn't be able to cater to the needs of all. Too much power is being given to the national gov. (ex. standing army)

Federal Negative

James Madison's proposed safeguard against unchecked power at the state level, gave Congress the authority to veto any law passed by a state legislature

Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. Proposed to assuage the fears of Anti-Federalists, protects individual liberties.

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Unitary systems

political systems in which all power is concentrated in a central government

confederal systems

a system where the subnational governments have most of the power

enumerated powers

Powers specifically given to Congress in the Constitution; including the power to collect taxes, coin money, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and declare war.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Clause of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) setting forth the implied powers of Congress. It states that Congress, in addition to its express powers, has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out enumerated powers

the commerce clause

The clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations.

supremacy clause

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

tenth amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution are reserved to the States or to the people.

reserved powers

Powers given to the state government alone

concurrent powers

powers shared by the national and state governments

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Section of Article IV of the Constitution that ensures judicial decrees and contracts made in one state will be binding and enforceable in any other state.

Extradition Clause Article IV, Section 2, Clause 2

An accused person who flees to another state must be returned to the state in which he/she allegedly committed the crime.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Part of Article IV of the Constitution guaranteeing that the citizens of each state are afforded the same rights as citizens of all other states.

Dual Federalism

Layer cake: A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own separate spheres

Cooperative Federalism

Marble cake: A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. They may also share costs, administration, and even blame for programs that work poorly.

selective incorporation

the process through which the Supreme Court applies the Bill of Rights to the states on a case-by-case basis

grants-in-aid

federal money provided to states to implement public policy objectives

fiscal federalism

the federal government's use of grants-in-aid to influence policies in the states

categorical grants

Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions.

unfunded mandate

federal requirements that states must follow without being provided with funding

block grants

federal grants-in-aid that allow states considerable discretion in how the funds are spent

revenue sharing

federal sharing of a fixed percentage of its revenue with the states

devolution

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states