AP Government & Politics - Unit 1

Unit 1 Vocabulary and Definition for AP Government Unit 1 -- Updated every time I get new ones.

America with Disability Act (1990)

A federal law that required reasonable accommodations and equal access for people with disabilities (i.e. transportation, employer, public facilities) - provides an example of a federal mandate

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution (1787-88) who feared a central government: demanded a Bill of Rights

Bicameral Legislature

A law making body with two chambers (e.g. US Congress with House of Representatives and Senate)

Bill of Attainder

Law declaring someone guilty without a trial (forbidden by Congress)

Block Grants

Federal money given to states for several purposes with few restrictions (e.g. education, health, etc…)

Categorical Grants

Federal money for specific purposes. (i.e. highway construction) Comes with strings attached (e.g. drinking age limit).

Central Government

National, federal government - has power over all nation

Checks and Balances

A constitutional system where each branch of the government limits the powers of others

Clean Air Act (1970)

Federal law regulating air pollution nationwide - example of cooperative federalism and federal mandate

Commerce Clause

Article I, Section 8: gives congress powers to regulate trade among states and with foreign nations

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both state and federal governments (e.g. taxing, borrowing money)

Conditions of Aid

Federal requirements attached to grants that states must meet to obtain funds

Cooperative Federalism

Federal, state, and local governments share responsibility in policy areas. Began with the New Deal (1930s)

Direct Democracy

System where citizens directly vote on laws and policy decisions - not practiced at federal levels in US but others.

Dual Federalism

An early model of federalism (1789-1930s) where federal and state governments were seen as separate spheres with little overlap.

Elastic Case

Article I, Section 8: allows Congress to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out enumerated powers. Basis for implied powers and expansion of federal authority.

electoral College

An indirect method for electing U.S. president where each state gets electors equal to its numbers of representatives and senators.

Elite Democracy

A model of democracy where a small group of wealthy, educated elites dominates politics and decision making.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution for Congress (e.g. levy taxes, coin money)

Ex Post Facto Law

Law that makes an action illegal after committed - Prohibited by the Constitution

Exclusive Powers

Powers only the federal government holds (e.g. declaring war, printing money, making treaties)

Factions

Groups of people united by common interest that may harm others rights - discussed in Federalist No. 10

Federalism/Federal System

Division of power between national and state governments - central principle of US Constitution

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored strong government (leaders: Hamilton, Madison, Jay)

Fiscal Federalism

Federal use of money (grants, mandates, etc..) to shape state policy - allows feds to influence states who directly commanding them.

Formal Amendment

Actual written change to the Constitution - requires 2/3 of Congress and ¾ of States

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Article IV, section 1: states must recognize laws, records, and count decisions of other states

Grants

Federal funds distributed to states, either categorical, block, or revenue sharing - key tool of fiscal federalism

Great (Connecticut) Compromises

Constitutional Conventions compromise creating bicameral Congress // House - representatives by 2 people // Senate - Equal representatives (2 per state)

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly written but derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause (e.g. establishing IRS)

Incentive

A federal tool used to encourage state compliacnce

Indirect Democracy

Same as representative democracy - citizens elect officials to make policy

Informal Amendment

Changes in meaning/application of Constitution without altering text (through court rulings, etc..) (ex: Maybury vs Madison)

Inherent Powers

Powers that belong to any sovereign nation’s government (ex. control of borders, acquiring new territory, etc…)

Judicial Review

Points of courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional

“Layer Cake” Federalism

Same as dual federalism - clear separation of federal and state powers.

Limited Government

Government powers restricted by law; ensures protection of individual liberties

Mandates

Federal orders requiring states/local governments to comply with rules. Can be funded/unfunded with money

“Marble Cake” Federalism

Same as cooperative federalism - national and states responsibilities interwined

Natural Rights

Rights people are born with (life, liberty, property/pursuit of happiness). Philosophy of John Locke; foundation of the Declaration of Independence.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Seen in “Elastic Clause”. Key for implied powers and congressional flexibility

New Federalism/Devolution

Effort to return powers to the states (1980s - 2000s). Associated with Nixon, Reagan and conservative policies (ex. welfare reform)

New Jersey Plan

Constitutional convention proposal for equal representation in a unicameral legislature. Favored by small states.

Participatory Democracy

Model emphasizing broad citizens involvement in politics.

Pluralist Democracy

Model where many interest groups compete to shape policy, preventing domination by one group

Popular Soverignity

Principle that government’s legitimacy comes from the people. Expressed in “We the People” and applied through elections.

Privileges and Immunitions Clause

Article IV: states must treat citizens of other states equally

Ratification

Formal approvement of the Constitution or amendments

representative Democracy

Citizens elect representatives to make laws on their behalf - foundation of US government

Republic

System where people elect representatives and government is limited by law - distinguished from direct democracy

Reserved Powers

Powers not given to federal governments and kept by states. (10th amendment) (ex. regulating education, marriage laws, etc…)

Revenue Sharing

Federal funds distributed to states with no conditions - popular in 1970s; ended under Reagan

Separation of Powers

Division of government into all three branches, prevents concentration of power

Shay’s Rebellion

Armed uprising of farmers in Massachusetts over debts and taxes. Exposed weakness of Articles of Confederation. Pushed for a stronger Constitution

Slave Trade Compromise

Constitutional compromise: Congress couldn’t ban slave trades in 1808. Secured support from southern states.

Social Contract

People consent to government authority in exchange for protection of rights - Basis of Declaration of Independence

Supremacy Clause

Article VI: Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are supreme over state laws (ex. McCulloch v. Maryland)

Super Majority

requirement of more than a simple majority (ex. 2/3 of Congress for amendments, 2/3 of Senate for ratify treaties)

Three-Fifths Compromise

Constitutional agreement counting each enslaved person as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation. Balanced between North and South.

Unicameral Legislative

Legislature with one chamber (ex. Articles of Confederation Congress)

Virginia Plan

Constitutional convention proposal for representation based on population. Favored by large state; became basis for House of Representatives.