AP Gov. & Politics (Beginner Terms)

Anti-federalist

Faction who refused to ratify the Federal Constitution

Articles of Confederation

Governing document prior to the U.S. Constitution

Block Grant

Federal aid granted to rural communities

Bureaucracy

State officials maintain primary power and decision making

Categorical Grant

Federal aid granted to specific parts of a community

Commerce Clause

Clause regulating interstate and international commerce

Concurrent Powers

(Power) delegated to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution

Enumerated Powers

Detailed power delegated to the federal Government, prohibits states under the constitution to exercise it

Supremacy Clause

Recognizes treaties, and laws to be supreme law of land (regardless of state law)

Elite Democracy

Democratic decisions highly influenced by the wealthy/elite

Federalist

Advocate for the distribution of power

Bill of Rights

Non-negotiable guaranteed rights

Executive Power

Power delegated to the executives of a functioning government

Impeachment

Misdemeanor or crime charge leading to misconduct in office

Great Compromise

Agreement establishing the biameral legislature

Pluralist Democracy

Group of people competing to make an inclusive government model

Necessary and Proper Clauses

Empowers Congress to make necessary laws in order to execute power across the federal Government

Electoral College

Body of presidential electors, specifically formed every four years for the purpose of presidential elections

Legislature (Public Policy)

Makes policies by passing laws or statutes

Executive (Public Policy)

Makes policies by setting rules and regulations

Judicial (Public Policy)

Can influence policy by court decision/ruling