ap government - vocab

Constitutional Convention

Also called the Philadelphia Convention. A meeting of delegates from 12 of the 13 states to revise or replace the Articles of Confederation with a new Constitution featuring a stronger central government.

limited government

A political system in which the government’s power is restricted by laws or a written Constitution.

natural rights

The right to life, liberty, and property, which no government may take away.

republicanism

The principle of governing through elected representatives.

social contract

An agreement between people and government in which citizens consent to be governed so long as the government protects their natural rights.

John Adams

Massachusetts statesman and leader in the movement for American independence. Adams aided Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence.

Ben Franklin

Pennsylvania statesman and leader in the movement for American independence. Franklin aided Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence.

Alexander Hamilton

New York statesman who promoted replacing the Articles of Confederation with a stronger central government. He coauthored the Federalist Papers, which argued in favor of ratifying the Constitution.

Thomas Jefferson

Principal author of the Declaration of Independence.

James Madison

Virginia statesman and major contributor to the US Constitution. He coauthored the Federalist Papers and wrote the Bill of Rights.

George Washington

Revolutionary War general who presided over the Constitutional Convention.

The Declaration of Independence

This document explains the reasons why the Thirteen Colonies in North America desired independence from Great Britain and inspired American democratic values.

democracy

A system of government in which the power of the government is vested in the people, who rule directly or through elected representatives.

participatory democracy

A form of democracy that emphasizes broad, direct participation in politics.

pluralist democracy

A form of democracy in which political power rests with competing interest groups.

elite democracy

A form of democracy in which a small number of people influence political decisionmaking.

Federalist No. 10

An essay by James Madison arguing that a strong representative government can control factions.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti-Federalist essay arguing against a strong central government.

Constitution (1787)

The fundamental laws and principles that govern the United States.

Articles of Confederation

The first government system of the United States (1776–1789) with most power held by states.

Confederation Congress

The central government under the Articles where each state had one vote.

Shays' Rebellion

An uprising that revealed weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

amendment

A change to the United States Constitution.

Article V

The section of the Constitution outlining the amendment process.

Great Compromise

A compromise creating a bicameral legislature with proportional and equal representation.

Electoral College

A body that formally elects the president and vice president.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement counting enslaved people as three-fifths for representation.

access point

A point where citizens can influence policymaking.

checks and balances

A system requiring branches to share power.

faction

A group seeking to influence government for its interests.

majority

The largest group sharing an opinion.

minority

A smaller group with differing views.

impeachment

Formal charges against a government official.

removal

Removing an official after conviction.

separation of powers

Division of government responsibilities into branches.

stakeholder

A person with an interest in a political issue.

block grants

Federal grants for broad purposes.

categorical grants

Federal grants for specific purposes.

concurrent powers

Powers shared by federal and state governments.

exclusive powers

Powers reserved to one level of government.

federalism

A system dividing power between national and state governments.

federal revenue sharing

Sharing federal tax revenue with states.

mandate

A requirement for states to receive federal aid.

commerce clause

Allows Congress to regulate interstate commerce.

enumerated powers

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution.

implied powers

Powers inferred from enumerated powers.

necessary and proper clause

Allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out powers.

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers to states or people.

Fourteenth Amendment

Guarantees citizenship, due process, and equal protection.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments protecting liberties.

Federalist No. 51

Essay explaining checks and balances.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Established federal supremacy.

US v. Lopez (1995)

Limited Congress’s commerce clause power.

American political culture

Shared beliefs about government and politics.

equality of opportunity

Belief everyone should have equal chances.

free enterprise

Economic system with minimal government interference.

ideology

A set of beliefs shaping political views.

individualism

Emphasis on personal responsibility and rights.

rule of law

Law applies equally to all.

demographic characteristics

Socioeconomic traits influencing political views.

globalization

Increasing global interconnectedness.

party identification

Loyalty to a political party.

political socialization

Process of developing political beliefs.

Generational effects

Shared experiences shaping attitudes.

Lifecycle effects

Changes in attitudes over time.

Period effects

Events affecting all citizens’ views.

formative age

Age when political views are formed (18–24).

party realignment

Major shift in party support.

public opinion

People’s views on issues.

population

Group being studied.

sample

Subset of population surveyed.

sampling technique

Method of selecting respondents.

sampling error

Difference between sample and population results.

random sample

Equal chance of selection.

representative sample

Reflects broader population accurately.

benchmark polls

Early polls for campaign comparison.

opinion polls

Polls measuring public attitudes.

tracking polls

Repeated polls over time.

entrance polls

Polls conducted as voters enter.

exit polls

Polls conducted as voters leave.

mass survey

Large-scale polling method.

focus group

Small group discussion for opinions.

conservative ideology

Favors limited government and traditional values.

Democratic Party

Political party aligned with liberal ideology.

liberal ideology

Favors government intervention for equality.

progressive ideology

Focuses on reforming systemic inequalities.

Republican Party

Political party aligned with conservative ideology.

communitarian

Emphasizes community over individual rights.

Green Party

Party focused on environmentalism and social justice.

Libertarian Party

Favors minimal government involvement.

nationalists

Prioritize national interests.

policy mood

Public preference on policies.

position issue

Divisive political issue.

valence issue

Widely agreed-upon issue.

fiscal policy

Government taxation and spending decisions.

monetary policy

Control of money supply and interest rates.

The Federal Reserve

Agency managing US monetary policy.

Keynesian economics

Supports government spending for growth.

supply-side economics

Supports tax cuts and deregulation.

government intervention

Regulation of social/economic decisions.