AP Gov Unit 1 Vocab

Block grant

money granted by the federal government to the states for a broad purpose (e.g., transportation) rather than for a narrow purpose (e.g., school lunch program).

Categorical grant

money granted by the federal government to the states for a narrow purpose (e.g., school lunch program) rather than for a broad purpose (e.g., transportation).

Checks and balances

system in which each branch of government can limit the power of the other two branches, e.g., presidential veto of a congressional law.

Commerce clause

gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, with foreign nations, and among Indian tribes. Granted through Article 1, section 8; has enabled broad reach of Congressional power.

Concurrent powers

those held by both Congress and the states, e.g., established law enforcement agencies.

Necessary and Proper Clause OR Elastic Clause

states that Congress can exercise those powers that are "necessary and proper" for carrying out the enumerated powers, e.g., establishment of the first Bank of the United States.

Enumerated powers

those that are specifically granted by the Constitution to the governmental branches (i.e. to Congress in Article 1, section 8, e.g., the power to tax). Also known as expressed powers, formal powers, or delegated powers.

Federalism

constitutional system in which power is wielded by both a central government and state governments (powers can be either divided or shared). Different varieties (dual, cooperative, New).

Dual federalism

system in which the national government and state government are co-equal, with each being dominant within its respective sphere.

Cooperative federalism

system in which both federal government and state governments cooperate in solving problems.

Federalist Papers

group of 85 essays written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay for the purpose of persuading the people of New York to adopt the Constitution.

Formal amendment

a change in the actual wording of the Constitution. Proposed by Congress or national convention, and ratified by the states, as provided in Article V of the Constitution.

Implied powers

those that are "necessary and proper" to carry out Congress' enumerated powers, and are granted to Congress through the elastic clause.

Informal amendment

a change in the meaning or application, not the wording, of the Constitution, e.g., through a court decision such as Brown v. Board.

Mandates

requirements imposed by the national government upon the states. Some are unfunded mandates, i.e., they are imposed by the national government without accompanying funding to facilitate execution.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

established the power of judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

reinforced principle of national supremacy and validity of implied powers.

Popular sovereignty

principle in which ultimate political authority rests with the people.

Reserved powers

powers held by the states through the 10th Amendment. Any power not granted to the US government or denied to the states is "reserved" for the states.

Separation of powers

principle in which the powers of a government are divided among its various branches: (i.e. legislative, executive, judicial branches each have discrete powers).

Shays' Rebellion

1786 revolt by Massachusetts farmers seeking relief from debt and foreclosure which was a factor in the Constitutional Convention.

Supermajority

a majority greater than a simple majority of one over half (50%+1 vote), e.g., ⅗, ⅔.

Exclusive powers

Powers held by only the federal government (as opposed to reserved powers or concurrent powers)

Grants

Billions of dollars awarded annually by the federal government for programs and projects that carry out a public purpose authorized by U.S. law (rooted in the "Promote the general welfare" provision of the Constitution).

Natural Rights

Rights that accrue to an individual simply by virtue of existing. The concept of natural rights was articulated by John Locke in the late 17th century. Thomas Jefferson referred to them as "inalienable rights" in the Declaration of Independence.

Participatory Democracy

emphasizes broad and active citizen participation in politics and civil society.

Pluralist Democracy

emphasizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision making

Ratification

Formal approval and adoption of a document or amendment (Constitutional amendments must be ratified by ¾ of states after being proposed by 2/3 of Congress in order to be added to the Constitution

republic/republican government/republicanism

system in which the people are ruled by their representatives. Also known as representative democracy or Indirect democracy . (PLEASE NOTE THE LOWERCASE R. :) Republican with a capital R has a different meaning :) )

Social contract

The decision by people to live together in society with agreement on moral and political rules of behavior; the ruled and the rulers agree on the rights and responsibilities of each party. Articulated prominently by Enlightenment philosophers.

Subsidy

federal financial aid to individuals, e.g., welfare, food stamps, agricultural subsidies.

Elite Democracy

Emphasizes limited participation in politics and civil society

Tenth Amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Passed by Congress in 1991, this act banned discrimination against the disabled in employment and mandated easy access to all public and commercial buildings.

revenue sharing

the distribution of a portion of federal tax revenues to state and local governments.

Impeachment

House action that formally charges an official with wrongdoing with a simple majority. Conviction (the penalty for which is removal from office) requires ⅔ vote from the Senate.

Federalist #51 (Madison)

Explains and defends the checks and balances system in the Constitution. Each branch of government is framed so that its power checks the power of the other two branches.

Supremacy Clause

Part of 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 (Article V)

step 1: amendment proposed by 2/3 vote of both houses of congress OR a constitutional convention called by congress on petition of 2/3 (38) out of 50 states. THEN amendment ratified by 3/4 (38) of the 50 state legislatures OR 3/4 of special constitutional conventions called by 2/3 (34) of the 50 states THEN the new amendment!

Privileges and Immunities Clause

A clause in Article IV, Section 2, of the Constitution - "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States;"

Full Faith and Credit Clause

A clause in Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution - "Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State."

Electoral College

a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president

bill of attainder

legislation that imposes punishment on a specific person or group of people without a judicial trial.

ex post facto law

a law that makes an act criminal although the act was legal when it was committed

Slave Trade Compromise

Part of Article 1 Section 9 of the US Constitution - "The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person." - It was designed to protect the slave trade until 1808.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Part of Article 1 Section 2 of the US Constitution - "Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons." - Counted each slave as three fifths of a person toward the population count and therefore the number of representatives that would be awarded to that state in the House of Representatives.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

provided for a bicameral legislature, with representation in the House of Representatives according to population and in the Senate by equal numbers for each state

The Virginia Plan & The New Jersey Plan

Virginia Plan—Called for bicameral (Two House) legislature based on population and both the chief executive and judiciary to be chosen by legislature

New Jersey Plan—Called for unicameral (One House) legislature with equal representation

Limited Government

A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

Declaration of Independence

1776 statement, issued by the Second Continental Congress, explaining why the colonies wanted independence from Britain.

Articles of Confederation

1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 that ultimately failed (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade, gather a combined military force)

Constitutional Preamble

Introductory statement at the beginning of the US Constitution - "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

U.S. Constitution

"The supreme law of the land." Written in 1787 to replace Articles of Confederation and create stronger central government. Outlines structure & power of 3 branches of national government. Oldest written constitution still in use (but amended 27 times plus myriad informal amendments).

Federalist #10 (Madison)

addresses the problem of faction, which Madison defines as a group of citizens who have a common interest contrary to the rights of other citizens or the good of the whole community, he argues that a large and diverse republic is the best form of government to guard against the danger of factions, as it makes it more difficult for any one faction to gain control

Brutus #1

To argue against a strong central government. The country would be too large for one central government and the government would have too much power in addition it is argued that the central government will have too much power under the new constitution - The "necessary and proper clause" and "supremacy clause" gives too much power to the central government.

Federalists

A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption.

central government

a government that acts for all the states within the country

Devolution

Transferring responsibility for policies from the federal government to state and local governments.

Writ of mandamus

court order directing a party to perform a certain action.

Fiscal Federalism

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