AP vocab

Delegate

Trustee

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Lobbyist

person who seeks to influence political events

Commerce clause

Clause stating that Congress can regulate interstate and international commerce.

Social Contract

An agreement where people give up some freedoms to a government in exchange for protection of their natural rights.

Participatory democracy

Focuses on broad citizen involvement in politics

Popular sovereignty

The idea that political power resides with the people.

Republicanism

Citizens elect representatives to make laws and govern on their behalf.

Three-Fifths Compromise

the agreement by which the number of each state's representatives in Congress would be based on a count of all the free people plus three-fifths of the slaves

Bureaucracy

system of government that includes different job functions and levels of authority

Judicial review

allows justices to declare laws unconstitutional

Checks and balances

Each branch of government can limit the power of the others to prevent tyranny

Parcipatory Democracy

Citizens directly participate in decision-making.

Concurrent powers

powers shared by the national and state governments

Shays Rebellion

A 1786 uprising that exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Electoral College

A body of representatives from each state who formally elect the president.

Enumerated powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for the federal government.

Implied powers

Powers not listed but assumed via the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress power to regulate trade among states and with other nations.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes the Constitution and federal laws as the supreme law of the land.

Block grants

Federal money given for broad purposes with fewer restrictions.

Mandates

Rules requiring states to comply with federal standards (can be funded or unfunded)