AP GOV UNIT 1

Popular Sovereignty

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

Natural Rights

Rights that individuals have under natural law, including the right to life, liberty, and property, as articulated by John Locke.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful, as each branch has measures to limit the powers of the others.

Federalism

A political system where power is divided between a central government and regional governments.

Faction

A group of individuals, such as a political party or interest group, united by a shared belief or interest that is often contrary to the rights of others.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong national government and believed it was necessary to maintain order.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who favored stronger state governments and feared that a large central government would threaten individual liberties.

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body can remove an executive or judicial member from office for misconduct.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing individual liberties and rights.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, establishing a weak central government that lacked the power to tax and regulate commerce.

Federalist No. 10

An essay by James Madison arguing that a large republic can best control factions and prevent any one faction from becoming too powerful.

Brutus No. 1

An anti-federalist paper arguing against the Constitution, emphasizing the dangers of a large, consolidated national government.

Necessary and Proper Clause

The constitutional provision that grants Congress the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

The clause in the Constitution stating that federal law takes precedence over state laws when there is a conflict.

Veto

The power of the President to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Pocket Veto

A special type of veto that occurs when the President does not sign or reject a bill within ten days while Congress is not in session.

Dual Federalism

A model of federalism in which the national and state governments operate independently within their own spheres of authority.

Cooperative Federalism

A model of federalism in which the national and state governments collaborate on policy and funding.

Categorical Grant

Federal funds provided to states for a specific purpose, often with strict limitations on how the money can be spent.

Block Grant

Federal funds provided to states for a broad purpose, allowing states greater discretion in how to spend the money.

Unfunded Mandates

Regulations or conditions imposed by the federal government on state governments without providing federal funds to cover the costs.