Unit 1 AP Gov Vocab

Democracy

A system of government where power is vested in the people.

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that the authority of government comes from the people.

Republicanism

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

Limited Government

The idea that government is restricted by law to protect individual rights.

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights (life, liberty, property) that cannot be taken away.

Social Contract

The agreement between the people and government where people give up some freedom in exchange for protection.

Declaration of Independence (1776)

A document asserting American independence from Britain, emphasizing natural rights and popular sovereignty.

U.S. Constitution

The supreme law of the United States, establishing the framework for government.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written to promote the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Federalist No. 10

Written by James Madison, arguing that a large republic helps control factions.

Federalist No. 51

Discusses separation of powers and checks and balances.

Brutus No. 1

Anti-Federalist paper arguing that a large republic would weaken state power and threaten individual liberties.

Separation of Powers

The division of government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch has powers that can prevent the others from becoming too powerful.

Federalism

A system where power is divided between the national and state governments.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8).

Reserved Powers

Powers not given to the federal government, reserved for the states (10th Amendment).

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Allows Congress to make laws essential to carrying out its enumerated powers (Article I, Section 8).

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that the Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land (Article VI).

Commerce Clause

Grants Congress the power to regulate interstate and international trade (Article I, Section 8).

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Requires states to recognize the legal proceedings and laws of other states (Article IV, Section 1).

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Prohibits states from discriminating against citizens of other states (Article IV, Section 2).

Pluralist Democracy

A theory that multiple interest groups influence policymaking, preventing domination by a single group.

Elite Democracy

A theory that a small, powerful elite controls government decisions.

Participatory Democracy

A theory that emphasizes broad, direct participation by citizens in politics.

Dual Federalism (Layer Cake Federalism)

A system where national and state governments have distinct and separate powers.

Cooperative Federalism (Marble Cake Federalism)

A system where national and state governments work together on issues.

Fiscal Federalism

The use of federal funds to influence state policies.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided to states for a specific purpose (e.g., education, highways).

Block Grants

Federal funds given to states with more flexibility on how to spend them.

Mandates (Funded & Unfunded)

Federal requirements that states must follow, sometimes without financial aid.

Devolution

The process of returning power from the federal government to the states.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Established the supremacy of the federal government and upheld the use of implied powers.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Limited Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause, ruling that the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded federal authority.