AP Gov Quiz 1

slay pop off so political and stuff

Liberty

Social, political, and economic freedoms

Often sparks debate when attempting to balance with security - good examples are Second Amendment rights v.s. gun safety measures, national security v.s. free speech

Freedom from the gov v.s. freedom to pursue your goals or interest

Democracy

\-Greek term meaning a system of gov. where power comes from the people

Natural Rights

\-Idea coined by John Locke, British Enlightenment thinker

\-The rights to life, liberty, and property (MATERIAL GORL)

\-People are born with inherent rights, gov. should not be able to limit or violate these rights - this would be corruption

Social Contract

\-John Locke/Rousseau

\-Consent of the governed: people agree to be governed for a functional society, in turn receiving a gov. that respects their natural rights - if the contract is broken, they have the right to instate a new gov

American Political Culture

Beliefs, customs, values, etc. that Americans share in regards to politics

Main points include liberty, equality, and rights

Montesquieu

French Enlightenment philosopher

Hell to spell

Asserted that power should be divided among different branches of gov to mitigate corruption (checks and balances)

Wrote “The Spirit of Laws”

July 4th, 1776

Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, the colonies’ carefully drafted break-up text (all of Jefferson’s besties weighed in)

Here are our values and they don’t align, grievances, we want out

Popular Sovereignty

A philosophy in the American gov

The gov’s right to rule comes from the people

Example: When people are unhappy with a leader, they can elect someone else (like Abigail Sullivan)

Republicanism

Political system in the U.S., population elects representatives

Gov’s authority comes from the people

More efficient than a direct democracy

Inalienable Rights

Similar to and inspired by Locke’s Natural Rights

Jefferson, in the Declaration of Independence

“Self-evident” rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Exemplifies the “American Dream”

Again, god-given rights that the gov cannot take away w/o justified repercussions

Majoritarian

Direct democracy, will of the majority becomes the law

Pluralist

Belief that democracy is a competition among interest groups - examples like unions, big business, the AARP, the NRA

\-Some argue that too many competing groups could lead to hyperpluralism, where niche interest groups win a disproportionate amount of the time

Power Elite Theorists

\-Belief that democracies are disproportionately influenced/run by powerful figures such as military leaders, politicians, millionaires, corporate leaders

\-Oligarchy

Class Theory

Theory that rich people with loads of moolah disproportionately influence democracy

\-Plutocracy

Bureaucratic Theory

Theory that power in democracy lies in the hands of political experts/pundits, usually highly-educated people/departments or agencies within politics

Creedal Passion View

Rich elites with money and strong political beliefs drive political changes

Participatory Democracy

\-Belief that wide-spread political participation (voting, lobbying, etc.) is key to a functioning democracy

\-Supporters of this theory tend to value Civil Society Groups as hallmarks of a successful democracy, private (non-gov) groups/communities - think bowling leagues, church choirs, local debate clubs, idek

Political institutions

The structure of the gov - ex. how the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches are set up

Constitutional Democratic Republic with a Strong President

How Mr. French defines the U.S. gov

Constitutional Republic

U.S., democracy with elected representatives

Constitution is the supreme law

What makes a democracy function?

Free and fair elections

A free economic system

Rule of law

Popular Sovereignty

Civil Liberties

\-freedom of speech

\-freedom of religion

\-freedom from want? FDR’s more progressive idea of liberty

Monarchy

Type of gov.

A group/family represents an aristocracy, embodies national identity

Monarch=leader, sovereign

Sometimes symbolic (crowned republic)

restricted power (constitutional _____)

autocratic (absolute ____)

Authoritarianism

One/small (I promise it’s average!!!) group of leaders hold real power

Citizens do not have a real voice in affairs, regardless of elections

Fascism, one-party rule, non-competitive democracy

Can lead to totalitarian state

Theocracy

Style of gov. guided by religious/moral codes

Religious leaders in charge, no separation of church and state

Enlightenment shifted the West away from this style, remains fairly common in the Middle East

Direct Democracy

People directly decide on legislation/policy, as opposed to voting for representatives

Parliamentary Democracy

Party with majority representation in parliament (legislature) forms gov

Party leader = prime minister, who appoints people to the cabinet to help with executive functions

\
PM loses power when party loses majority (through voting) - otherwise, somewhat lacks checks and balances, even with opposing party

Representative Democracy with a Strong President

Voters elect representatives to vote on issues like legislation

Judicial branch is independent

Executive and legislative power branches in power do not have to be of the same party

Rousseau

Philosopher: government is a contract between rulers and people - a social contract

Wrote “The Social Contract”

Voltaire

Philosopher: religious toleration

Separation of church and state

Freedom of speech

Wrote “Candide”

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher: The state must have a central authority to manage behavior

Humans look to government for self-protection

Wrote “Leviathan” (so Sufjan Stevens coded) (he used that word once in a song)

John Locke

Monarchs are not chosen by God (oh em gee!!! promiscuous)

Consent of the governed for the protection of natural rights

Wrote “Two Treaties on Government”

Political Culture

The dominant set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that define the relationship between citizens and government

Individualism

Individuals should be responsible for themselves and for the decisions they make

Free-Enterprise System

Government intrudes as little as possible in the economic transactions among citizens and businesses. 

Rule of Law

The principle that no one, including public officials, is above the law. 

Political Socialization

Experiences and factors that shape an individuals political values, attitudes, and behaviors.

Political Ideology

Individual's coherent set of beliefs about government and politics.

Generational Effect

The impact of historical events experienced by a generation upon their political views.

Life-Cycle Effect

The impact of a person's age and stage in life on his or her political views. 

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence, headed The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, is the founding document of the United States. It was adopted on July 4, 1776 by the Second Continental Congress meeting at the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, in Philadelphia