First AP Gov Test

politics

the process of influencing the actions and policies of government

government

the institutions that make up the system of policymaking

democracy

a system of government where power is held by the people, including free and fair elections and civil rights and liberties

liberty

social, political, and economic freedoms

natural rights

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

social contract

an agreement between the people and the government where the people give up some freedoms and allow their government to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society

popular sovereignty

the idea that the government’s right to rule comes from the consent of the people

limited government

a system in which the authority of the government is not absolute

republican government

a system in which the people elect representatives to carry out their wishes

participatory democracy

a theory that widespread participation in politics and civil society is essential for democratic government

civil society groups

independent associations outside the government’s control

pluralist theory/hyper-pluralism

a theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of nongovernmental group-based activism in an effort to impact the policymaking process

elite theory

a theory of democracy that participation in politics and civil society is limited because elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policymaking process

political institutions

the structure of government, including the executive branch, the legislature, and the judiciary

Declaration of Independence

authoritarianism/totalitarianism

republic

a government in which the people elect representatives to carry out their wishes

Articles of Confederation

a governing document that created a union of thirteen sovereign states in which states, not the union, were supreme

unicameral

having a one-house legislature

Annapolis Convention

Shay’s Rebellion

an uprising of debtors against the government of Massachusetts

Constitutional Convention

The Constitution

writ of habeas corpus

bills of attainder

ex post facto laws

bicameral

Great Compromise

N

new jersey plan

vi

virginia plan

t

three-fifths compromise

compromise on importation

federalist no. 10

brutus 1

federalist 51

separation of powers

checks and balances

federalism

legislative branch

express/enumerated powers

necessary and proper clause/elastic clause

implied powers

executive branch

judicial branch

supremacy clause

amendment

Antifederalists

federalists

federalist papers

faction

federalist 39

federalist 70

federalist 78

n

unitary systems

confederal systems

federal systems

exclusive powers

implied powers

due process clause

equal protection clause

commerce clause

supremacy clause

tenth amendment

reserved powers

concurrent powers

full faith and credit clause

extradition

privileges and immunities clause

McCulloch v Maryland

Gibbons v Ogden

g

grants-in-aid

categorical grants

mandates

block grants

revenue sharing

United States v Lopez

constitution

a document that sets out the fundamental principles of governance and establishes the institutions of government