AP United States Government and Politics Study Guide

These flashcards cover key concepts from the AP U.S. Government and Politics study guide, specifically foundational principles, significant court cases, and government structures.

Foundations of American Democracy

Topic covering 15–22% of AP exam questions; includes types of democracy and founding documents.

Direct Democracy

A system where citizens directly govern and make laws.

Participatory Democracy

A democratic system that values broad public participation in governing.

Representative Democracy

A system where citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf.

Elite Democracy

A system where the most qualified individuals govern in the interest of the country.

Majoritarian Democracy

A system that promotes majority rule and places power in the hands of the majority.

Consensus Democracy

A governance system that promotes the sharing of power and requires compromise among diverse groups.

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights assumed to be possessed by all individuals, as proposed by John Locke.

Popular Sovereignty

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

Social Contract Theory

The idea that individuals consent to form a government for collective protection and benefits.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, created a weak national government.

Shays’ Rebellion

An uprising that highlighted the weaknesses of the national government under the Articles of Confederation.

Constitution of the United States

The supreme law of the United States, established a federal system of government.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Checks and Balances

Mechanisms that allow each branch of government to limit the powers of the others.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution that belong to the federal government.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but inferred from its express powers.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights.

Free Exercise Clause

Part of the First Amendment that guarantees individuals the right to practice their religion.

Establishment Clause

Part of the First Amendment that prohibits the government from establishing an official religion.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to determine the constitutionality of laws.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Dual Federalism

A form of federalism where the state and federal governments operate independently.

Cooperative Federalism

A form of federalism in which the national and state governments work together to complete projects.

Political Participation

The ways in which citizens engage in politics, primarily through voting.

Interest Groups

Organizations of people sharing a common interest that seek to influence public policy.

Public Opinion Polling

The method of surveying a population to gauge public sentiment.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing beliefs.

Keynesian Economics

An economic theory advocating for government intervention to stimulate demand.

Cognitive Dissonance

The mental discomfort experienced when holding two conflicting beliefs.