APGOV Unit 1

Social Contract

An agreement between the people and their government in which citizens consent to be governed in exchange for protection of their natural rights.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of the government comes from the people through their elected representatives.

Republicanism –

A political system in which the people elect representatives to make laws and govern on their behalf.

Participatory Democracy –

A model of democracy in which citizens have direct influence on political decisions through voting and civic participation.

Pluralist Theory –

The idea that multiple competing interest groups influence policy, ensuring no single group dominates the government.

Elitist Theory –

The theory that a small, wealthy, and powerful elite controls government decisions, rather than the general public.

Articles of Confederation –

The first constitution of the United States, which created a weak national government that lacked the power to tax or regulate trade.

Shay’s Rebellion –

A 1786-1787 uprising of Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices, highlighting weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation.

Virginia Plan –

A proposal for a strong national government with a bicameral legislature based on population, favoring large states.

New Jersey Plan –

A proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, favoring small states.

Great Compromise –

An agreement creating a bicameral Congress with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with equal representation.

Bicameral –

A legislature consisting of two houses, such as the U.S. Congress with the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise –

A compromise stating that enslaved people would count as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

Separation of Powers –

The division of government into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Necessary and Proper/Elastic Clause –

A clause in Article I, Section 8, allowing Congress to make laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

Implied Powers –

Powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution but derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Supremacy Clause –

A constitutional clause stating that federal laws and the Constitution are the supreme law of the land, overriding state laws.

Federalists –

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong central government, such as Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.

Antifederalists –

Opponents of the Constitution who feared a strong national government and demanded a Bill of Rights.

Federalist No. 51 – .

An essay by James Madison arguing for checks and balances and separation of powers to prevent tyranny

Federalist No. 10 –

An essay by James Madison arguing that a large republic can control factions and prevent tyranny of the majority.

Brutus No. 1 –

An Antifederalist essay warning that a strong central government would overpower states and threaten individual rights.

Federalism –

A system of government in which power is divided between national and state governments.

Enumerated or Expressed Powers –

Powers explicitly granted to the federal government by the Constitution, such as coining money and declaring war.

Exclusive Powers –

Powers that belong only to the national government, such as conducting foreign relations and regulating interstate commerce.

Commerce Clause –

A clause in Article I, Section 8, giving Congress the power to regulate trade between states and foreign nations.

Tenth Amendment –

An amendment stating that any powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people.

Reserved Powers –

Powers that are not granted to the federal government and are instead left to the states, such as regulating education.

Concurrent Powers –

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments, such as the power to tax and enforce laws.

Full Faith and Credit Clause –

A constitutional requirement that states recognize the legal documents, contracts, and judicial decisions of other states.

Extradition –

The process of returning a fugitive from one state to another to face criminal charges.

Fourteenth Amendment –

An amendment granting citizenship to all born in the U.S., guaranteeing equal protection under the law.

Categorical Grants –

Federal funds provided to states for a specific purpose, often with strict conditions attached.

Unfunded Mandate –

A federal requirement imposed on states without providing funds to support its implementation.

Block Grants –

Federal funds given to states with broad guidelines, allowing them flexibility in spending.

Fiscal Federalism –

The system of financial relations between federal and state governments, including grants and mandates.

Natural Rights –

The idea that all people are born with rights, such as life, liberty, and property, as argued by John Locke.

Republic –

A form of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.