AP US Government and Politics - Unit 1 Vocabulary (Foundations of American Democracy)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy.

natural rights

Inherent rights that governments protect; traditionally life, liberty, and property (or the pursuit of happiness in the U.S. framing).

pluralism

A theory that many groups compete for influence in policymaking, preventing any single group from dominating.

faction

A group of citizens united by a common interest that may oppose the rights or interests of others or the public good.

centralized

Power concentrated in a central government rather than at local or state levels.

decentralized

Authority dispersed among multiple levels of government or among branches, not concentrated.

amendment

A formal change or addition to the Constitution.

commerce

Trade and economic activity; the Constitution's Commerce Clause gives Congress power to regulate interstate and international trade.

surveillance

Close observation or monitoring by authorities, often for security or policy purposes.

legislative

Relating to the making of laws; the Congress is the legislative branch.

executive

Relating to the enforcement of laws; the President and the executive branch.

judicial

Relating to the interpretation of laws; the court system.

public policy

A plan of action adopted by government to solve public problems.

concurrent

Powers shared by state and federal governments, such as taxation and law enforcement.

enumerated/delegated

Powers expressly granted to the federal government in the Constitution.

democracy

A system of government where the people hold power directly or through elected representatives.

ratification

The formal approval and adoption of a constitution, amendment, or treaty by appropriate authorities or states.

grants

Transfers of money from the federal government to states or individuals for specified purposes.

mandates

Requirements imposed by the federal government on states or individuals, sometimes with funding conditions.

stakeholders

People or groups with an interest or stake in government decisions and outcomes.

allocation (Constitution)

Distribution of powers between national and state governments.

popular sovereignty

The authority of the people to govern; government derives legitimacy from the people.

republicanism

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf.

social contract

The idea that government authority comes from an implicit contract with the governed, consent of the governed.

Participatory Democracy

A form of democracy where citizens have direct involvement in decision making.

Pluralist Democracy

A model where many groups compete for influence and policy outcomes reflect compromise.

Elite Democracy

A theory that political power rests in the hands of a small, educated, and wealthy elite.

Federalists

Supporters of the U.S. Constitution who favored a strong central government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the U.S. Constitution who favored states' rights and a Bill of Rights.

Federalist #10

James Madison essay arguing that a large republic and a system of factions can control the effects of factions.

Federalist #51

Madison essay arguing the necessity of separating powers and establishing checks and balances to prevent tyranny.

Brutus #1

Anti-Federalist argument opposing the proposed Constitution, warning about centralized power and advocating states' rights.

Shays’ Rebellion

1786-87 uprising by Western Massachusetts farmers protesting foreclosures and taxes; highlighted weakness of the Articles.

Great Compromise (Connecticut)

Plan combining Virginia and New Jersey plans; created a bicameral Congress with representation by population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Bicameral

A legislative body composed of two chambers.

Electoral College

A body of electors chosen by states to elect the President; representation depends on state population.

⅗ Compromise

Clause counting enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation and taxation.

Slave Trade Compromise

Compromise allowing the continuation of the slave trade for a period while Congress could regulate it; banned after 1808.

Separation of Powers

Division of government power among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and Balances

Each branch can limit the powers of the other two to prevent tyranny.

tyranny

Oppressive, autocratic rule; a government that abuses power and curtails rights.

impeachment/removal

Process by which a public official can be charged (impeachment) and potentially removed from office (removal).

Necessary and Proper Clause/Elastic Clause

Congress can make laws necessary and proper to execute its enumerated powers, expanding federal authority.

Article V

The part of the Constitution describing the process to amend the document.

Declaration of Independence

1776 document declaring independence from Britain and outlining natural rights and grievances.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. constitution; a weak central government with limited powers; eventually replaced by the Constitution.

Philadelphia Convention/grand committee

1787 meeting to draft a new framework of government, often referred to as the grand committee in its early stages.

U.S. Constitution (Federalism)

The supreme law establishing a federal system that divides power between national and state governments.

McCulloch v Maryland

1819 Supreme Court decision affirming federal supremacy and implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause.

US v Lopez

1995 Supreme Court ruling that limited Congress's Commerce Clause power by restricting federal regulation of intrastate activity.

Commerce Clause

Constitutional provision granting Congress power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, states, and Indian tribes.

Supremacy Clause

Constitutional provision declaring federal law the supreme law of the land over state laws.

10th amendment/Reserved Powers

Amendment specifying that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.

14th amendment

Amendment guaranteeing equal protection and due process; incorporation of rights to the states.

Federalism

Distribution of power between national and state governments; coexistence of separate spheres of authority.

Categorical Grants

Federal grants for a specific purpose with strict conditions and reporting requirements.

Block Grants

Federal grants with broad purposes and fewer restrictions, giving states more discretion.