AP GOV VOCAB FULL

checks and balances

Each branch limits the others

Constitution

Highest law that sets up government

Declaration of Independence

Said colonies were free and have natural rights

federalism

Power shared between national and state governments

limited government

Government has restricted power

natural rights

Basic rights (life, liberty, happiness)

popular sovereignty

Power comes from the people

republicanism

People elect representatives

separation of powers

3 branches with different jobs

social contract

People give up some freedom for protection

Articles of Confederation

Weak first government

Brutus No. 1

Against strong national government

Federalist No. 10

Controls factions with a large republic

Federalist No. 51

Explains checks and balances

Federalist No. 70

Supports a strong president

Federalist No. 78

Supports independent courts

Anti-Federalists

Against Constitution, wanted stronger states

Federalists

Supported Constitution and strong national government

central government

National government

decentralized republic

Power spread out to states

large republic

Big country with representation

small republic

Smaller, closer-to-people government

bicameral

Two legislative houses

Great Compromise

House by population, Senate equal

Three-Fifths Compromise

Enslaved counted as 3/5

Electoral College

System to elect president

ratification

Official approval

amendment process

How Constitution is changed

Congress

Makes laws

president

Enforces laws

courts

Interpret laws

executive branch

Carries out laws

judicial review

Courts can strike down laws

judicial independence

Courts act without pressure

life tenure

Judges serve for life

jurisdiction

Court’s authority to hear cases

representative democracy

People elect leaders

participatory democracy

High citizen involvement

pluralist democracy

Groups compete for power

elite democracy

Small group holds power

faction

Group with shared interests

stakeholders

People affected by policy

public policy

Government action

policymaking

Creating policies

enumerated powers

Listed powers of Congress

implied powers

Not listed but necessary

exclusive powers

Only one level has it

concurrent powers

Shared powers

reserved powers

Powers for states

Necessary and Proper Clause

Gives Congress flexibility

Commerce Clause

Congress regulates trade

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is highest

Tenth Amendment

Powers go to states if not listed

mandates

Federal requirements for states

block grants

Money with few rules

categorical grants

Money for specific purposes

civil liberties

Freedom from government interference

civil rights

Equal treatment under law

Due Process Clause

Government must act fairly

Equal Protection Clause

Everyone treated equally

selective incorporation

Rights applied to states

First Amendment

Speech, religion, press, assembly

Second Amendment

Right to bear arms

Fourth Amendment

No unreasonable searches

Fifth Amendment

Due process, no self-incrimination

Sixth Amendment

Fair trial rights

Eighth Amendment

No cruel punishment

Ninth Amendment

Rights not listed still exist

Fourteenth Amendment

Citizenship and equal protection

symbolic speech

Actions expressing ideas

prior restraint

Stopping speech before it happens

clear and present danger

Speech limited if dangerous

time, place, manner

Limits on speech conditions

defamation

Harming reputation

libel

Written defamation

slander

Spoken defamation

stare decisis

Follow past rulings

case precedent

Past decisions guide new cases

judicial activism

Courts actively change policy

judicial restraint

Courts stick to existing law

exclusionary rule

Illegal evidence not used

Miranda rule

Must be told your rights

right to counsel

Right to a lawyer

speedy and public trial

Fast and open trial

unreasonable searches

Illegal searches

political ideology

Beliefs about government

liberal ideology

More government involvement

conservative ideology

Less government involvement

libertarian ideology

Minimal government

rule of law

Everyone follows the law

individualism

Self-reliance

free enterprise

Limited government in economy

equality of opportunity

Equal chance to succeed

political culture

Shared beliefs about government

political socialization

How people form beliefs

generational effects

Views shaped by generation

life cycle effects

Views change with age

public opinion

What people think

margin of error

Possible error range