AP Gov Unit 1 Terms

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.

Participatory Democracy

A democratic government in which citizens are directly involved in making choices about government policy through some form of referenda

Pluralist Democracy

A democratic government in which each citizen has an equal amount of influence over government policy

Elitist Democracy

A democratic government in which some citizens (such as wealthy, better educated, or certain social groups) have disproportionate influence over government policy.

Liberty

Freedom from government control

Equality

The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.

Monarchy

A government ruled by a king or queen

Shays Rebellion

Massachusetts farmers rebelled in order to protest oppressive laws and gain payment of war debts (called for a new Constitution)

Republicanism

A government in which elected leaders would represent the views of the people

Consent of the Governed

The idea that government derives its authority by sanction of the people.

Natural Rights

"Unalienable" rights that the people are born with; Life, Liberty, and Property

Social Contract

The people providing their consent to be governed if the state protects their rights

Federalists

Favored a strong national government and a system of separated powers (for the Constitution)

Anti-Federalists

Favored strong state governments and feared that a strong national government would be a threat to individual rights (against the Constitution)

Pluralism

The idea that having a variety of parties and interests within a government will strengthen the system, ensuring that no group possesses total control.

Virginia Plan

Representation based on population; wanted a strong national government

New Jersey Plan

Maintaining equal representation for every state; wanted a weak national government

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Establish a Congress with 2 houses: the Senate would have 2 senators from each state, and the number of reps. in the House of Reps. was based on the state's population

Parliamentary System

The executive branch depends on the support of the legislative branch (legislative chooses president)

Reserved Powers

Powers given only to the state government

National Supremacy Clause

Any national law is the supreme law of the land and takes precedence over any state law that it conflicts with

Three-Fifths Compromise

A slave counts as 3/5s of a free person

Necessary and Proper Clause

Constitution grants Congress the power to pass all laws related to its expressed powers (in order to carry about it's powers)

Impeachment

An action by the House of Representatives to accuse the president, vice president, or other civil officers of the United States of abusing their power

Power of the Purse

Constitutional power given to Congress to raise and spend money

Marbury v. Madison

Case where the practice of judicial review was established

Judicial Review

The ability of the Supreme Court to strike down a law or an executive branch action as unconstitutional

Executive Powers Clause

The power given to the president of the U.S

Commerce Clause

Congress is given the power to regulate commerce among the several states (given the power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries)

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress, the president, or the Supreme Court (national government)

Implied Powers

Powers supported by the Constitution that are not expressly stated in it