AP Gov Unit 1

its all gravy

Federalism

Power is shared between national and state governments

Popular Sovereignty

Government power derived from the people

Decentralization

Power is spread to states/local governments

Confederation

States hold most power; weak central government

Centralization

National government holds most power

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by federal and state governments

Revenue Sharing

Federal government gives money to states with few restrictions

Project Grants

Money given for specific projects, usually competitive

Categorical Grants

Federal funds with strict rules on how to spend them

Block Grants

Federal funds with broad guidelines, more state control

Intergovernmental Politics

Interactions between levels of government

States’ Rights

States have powers not given to the federal government

Constitutionalism

Government must follow the Constitution

Republicanism

People elect representatives to govern

Natural Rights

Basic rights (life, liberty, property) people are born with

Plurality

Most votes, but not over 50%

Majority

More than 50% of votes

Super-Majority

More than usual majority (2/3)

Supremacy Clause

Federal law overrides state law

Necessary and Proper Clause

Congress can make laws needed to carry out powers

Commerce Clause

Congress regulates interstate trade

Pluralism

Many groups compete for political power

Hyper-pluralism

Too many interest groups, causing gridlock

Bicameral Legislature

A two-house legislature

Federalist

Supported strong national government and Constitution

Anti-Federalist

Opposed strong national government; wanted Bill of Rights

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments protecting freedoms

Elites / Political Elites

Small group with most political power

Great Compromise

Created two-house Congress (House, Senate)

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted enslaved people as 3/5 for representation

Checks and Balances

Each branch can limit the others

Judicial Review

Courts can declare laws unconstitutional

Participatory Democracy

People vote directly in Government (Town Hall, Referendum, Initiatives)

Pluralist Democracy

People join groups to influence policy (Interest Groups)

Elite Democracy

People let Elites create policy (Electoral College, Supreme Court)

Habeas Corpus

Cannot be jailed without reason

Bills of Attainder

Banned in U.S. Constitution; Laws punishing without trial

Ex Post Facto Laws

Laws can’t punish actions done before law existed