Unit 1 and 2 vocab AP US GOV

Political Culture

Political Culture

Widely shared political beliefs and values held by citizens of a society.

Civic Duty

The belief that one has a responsibility to be involved in political affairs, such as voting.

Political Efficacy

A belief that one’s voice can affect government policies.

Individualism

The idea that each person has significance, worth, and rights that exist independently from the government.

Equality of Opportunity

The principle that each person is guaranteed the same chance to succeed.

Limited Government

The government is restrained in its lawful use of power and may only exercise those powers assigned to it in the Constitution.

Free Enterprise

An economic system based upon private ownership, individual initiative, profit, and competition.

Political Socialization

The process by which political views and values are passed on to younger generations.

Public Opinion

Citizens’ attitudes about societal and political issues, leaders, and events.

Poll

A survey of public opinion.

Random Sample

Method of selecting individuals from a population in which each person has an equal probability of being selected.

Sampling Error

The margin of inaccuracy that results from polling a random sample as opposed to the entire population.

Exit Polls

Polls based on interviews conducted on Election Day with randomly selected voters.

Political Ideology

A set of beliefs about the role of government and public policy.

Liberal

Ideological view that favors greater government involvement regarding the economy, social welfare, and equality; and a progressive view regarding social values.

Conservative

Ideological view that favors limited government involvement, fewer economic regulations, and traditional social values.

Libertarian

Ideological view that favors limited government involvement in all areas, from economic regulations to social values.

Keynesian Economics

The belief that the government must manage the economy by spending more money during a recession and cutting spending when there is inflation.

Supply-Side Economics

The belief that lower taxes and fewer regulations will stimulate the economy.

Fiscal Policy

Managing the economy by the use of tax and spending laws.

Monetary Policy

Managing the economy by adjusting the supply of money and interest rates; responsibility of the Federal Reserve.

Federal Reserve

The central banking system of the United States.

Mandatory Spending

Spending that has been written into law that the government must pay out each year.

Discretionary Spending

Spending not required to pay for interest on the national debt or entitlement programs; can be adjusted from year to year.

Budget Deficit

The annual shortfall between what the government has spent in one year and what they have collected in taxes.

National Debt

The total amount the U.S. government owes from the foundation of the country to the present.

Surplus

An excess in revenue after all expenses have been paid in a fiscal year.

Ideals of Democracy

Principles that guide the governance and political systems, emphasizing individual rights, popular sovereignty, and limited government.

Enlightenment Thought

Philosophical ideas from the Enlightenment period that influenced democratic principles, including the works of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu.

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher who argued that a governed state is necessary for societal order and that individuals must surrender some rights for the common good.

John Locke

Philosopher who believed in natural laws governing society and that government should be based on the consent of the governed.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Philosopher known for the concept of the "Social Contract," where free individuals commit to the general good.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Baron de Montesquieu

Philosopher who advocated for a republican government with separated powers among three branches.

Republicanism

A political ideology where citizens elect representatives to make laws and govern on their behalf.

Representative Democracy

A system of government where elected officials represent a group of people in decision-making.

Declaration of Independence

A foundational document adopted on July 4, 1776, that justified the American colonies' separation from Britain and emphasized limited government.

US Constitution

The foundational document that outlines the structure and powers of the government, established a system of checks and balances, and includes the Bill of Rights.

Federalists

Supporters of a strong federal government who believed it would prevent factions from overpowering the nation.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of a strong federal government who feared it would infringe on individual liberties and lead to tyranny.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, which created a weak federal government with limited powers.

Shay’s Rebellion

An uprising of impoverished farmers in Massachusetts that highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Great Compromise

An agreement that established a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution to elect the President and Vice President of the United States.

Commerce Clause

A provision in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee individual rights and liberties.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

Veto

The power of the executive branch to reject a bill passed by the legislative branch.

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official, including the President, for misconduct.

Federalism

The division of power between the national government and state governments.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the Constitution stating that federal law takes precedence over state law.

Exclusive Powers

Powers that are reserved solely for the federal government.

Reserved Powers

Powers that are not specifically granted to the federal government and are reserved for the states.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided to states for specific purposes with strict regulations.

Block Grants

Federal funds provided to states with fewer restrictions, allowing for broader use.

Mandates

Requirements imposed by the federal government on state governments to comply with certain laws or regulations.

McCulloch v Maryland

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of federal supremacy and the implied powers of Congress.

United States v Lopez

A Supreme Court case that limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause, reinforcing state authority.

National Environmental Policy Act

A law that requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impact of their proposed actions.

Federalist 10

Madison argued that the large size of the country would actually make it more difficult for factions to gain control over others.

the existence of liberty is worth the trouble of factions.

Argued for double protection from tyranny.

• separation of powers in the federal government

• sharing of power between the federal and state government

Federalist 51

Madison addresses means by which appropriate checks and balances can be created in government and also advocates a separation of powers within the national government.

Brutus 1

the model of democracy described is the Anti-Federalist model. was an essay written by an Anti-Federalist writer who opposed the ratification of the Constitution.

• did not like the supremacy clause or necessary and proper clause because they believe it gave the federal government too much power

Article I.

Legislative Branch.

Article II.

Executive Branch

Article III.

Judicial Branch

Article IV.

Relationships Between the States.

Article V.

Amending the Constitution.

Article VI.

Prior Debts, National Supremacy Clause, and Oaths of Office.

Article VII.

Ratification

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Preamble

Federalism

System in which power is divided between national and state or local governments.

Enumerated/Expressed Powers

Powers written into the Constitution that have been given to the national government.

Reserved Powers

Powers given to the state governments alone.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the national and state governments.

Implied Powers

Powers given to the federal government that have been reasonably inferred from the Constitution.

“Necessary and proper” clause

Section of the Constitution allowing Congress to pass all laws essential to carrying out its expressed duties.

Nullification

The doctrine that a state can void a federal law that, in the state’s opinion, violates the Constitution.

Commerce Clause

Constitutional provision that gives the federal government the power to regulate interstate and foreign trade.

United States v Lopez

Ruling that declared the national government’s power under the commerce clause does not permit it to regulate matters not directly related to interstate commerce.

McCulloch v Maryland

Ruling that declared the federal government had the power to establish a national bank under the “necessary and proper” clause.

Unitary System

System in which power is centralized in one body, with state or regional governments deriving authority from the central government.

Confederal/Confederate System

System in which power is held by a loose union of independent states, with a weak central government.

Initiative

Process that permits voters to put state legislative measures directly on the ballot.

Referendum

Procedure that allows voters to reject a measure passed by the state legislature.

Recall

Procedure whereby voters can remove an elected official from office.

Federal Revenue Sharing

The distribution of a percentage of federal tax income to state and local governments.

Categorical grants

Federal grants given to states for specific purposes, often with strings attached.

Block grants

Federal grants given to states for broader purposes, such as healthcare or education.

Conditions of aid

Strings attached by the national government that states must meet to receive certain federal funds.

Mandates

Terms set by the national government that states are required to meet, regardless of federal grants.

14th Amendment

Constitutional provision that guarantees citizenship, equal protection, and due process.

10th Amendment

Provision stating that powers not given to the federal government nor prohibited to the states are reserved for the states.

Direct (Participatory) Democracy

A government in which the people govern themselves and vote on policy matters.

Indirect (Representative) Democracy

A model of democracy where people are represented by elected leaders.

Elite Democracy

Model of democracy where a small number of wealthy or influential people control political decisions.

Pluralist View/Pluralism

Belief that effective public policy results from competition among various interests and groups.

Natural Rights

Rights inherent to all people, not dependent on government.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the U.S., characterized by a weak central government.