AP Gov Vocab Unit 1

Elite Democracy

A political system in which the privileged classes acquire the power to decide by a competition for the people's votes and have substantial freedom between elections to rule as they see fit.

Pluralist Democracy

a theory of democracy that holds that citizen membership in groups is the key to political power

participatory democracy

a system of government where rank-and-file citizens rule themselves rather than electing representatives to govern on their behalf

Federalists

supporters of the Constitution

Anti Federalist

people who opposed the Constitution

NJ Plan

in favor of smaller states. didn't want central gov, unicameral equal representation. congress can regulate trade and tax

VA Plan

favored large states in proportional representation

Great Compromise

agreement providing a dual system of congressional representation

3/5 Compromise

each slave would count for 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation purposes

Limited Government

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

Rule of Law

principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern

Popular Sovereignty

A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.

State Sovereignty

the concept that states have the right to govern themselves independent of the federal government

Federalism

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

Bill of Attainder

a law that punishes a person accused of a crime without a trial or a fair hearing in court

Ex Post Facto Law

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

Writ of habeas corpus

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

Loose construction

belief that the government can do anything that the constitution does not prohibit

Strict construction

way of interpreting the Constitution that allows the federal government to take only those actions the Constitution specifically says it can take

expressed powers (enumerated powers)(delegated powers)

the notion that the constitution grants the federal government only those powers specifically named in its text

Concurrent powers

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments.

Reserved powers

Powers given to the state government alone

Necessary and proper clause

allows congress to pass laws that they believe are necessary in order to perform their responsibilities

Supremacy clause

Constitution is the supreme law of the land

Commerce clause

Clause stating that Congress can regulate interstate and international commerce.

Full faith and credit clause

Constitution's requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state

Equal protection clause

14th amendment clause that prohibits states from denying equal protection under the law, and has been used to combat discrimination

Due process clause

14th amendment clause stating that no state may deprive a person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law

Selective incorporation

The process by which provisions of the Bill of Rights are brought within the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment and so applied to state and local governments.

Mandate

(n.) an authoritative command, formal order, authorization; (v.) to issue such an order

Block grant

Money given to states for general programs within a broad category

Categorical grant

Funds provided for a specific and clearly defined purpose.

Fiscal federalism

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system; it is the cornerstone of the national government's relations with state and local governments.

Cooperative federalism

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.

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