Units 1, 2, and 3- AP Government

Anti-Federalists

Opposed the Constitution; wanted stronger state governments.

Federalists

Supported the Constitution and a strong national government.

Confederation / Confederal system

System where states hold most power and the national government is weak.

Federal system / Federalism

Power divided between national and state governments.

Unitary system

Power concentrated in a central government.

Great Compromise

Created a two-house legislature balancing state population and equality.

Madisonian Model

Structure that prevents tyranny through separation of powers and checks.

Natural rights

Rights people are born with (life, liberty, property).

Ratification

Formal approval of a document.

Supremacy doctrine / Supremacy clause

Federal law is supreme over state law.

State

A political unit with population, territory, government, and sovereignty.

Bicameral legislature

Two-house legislature.

Unicameral legislature

One-house legislature.

Representative assembly / Representative democracy / Republic

Citizens elect officials to govern.

Separation of powers

Government divided into branches with different roles.

Checks and balances

Each branch limits the others’ power.

Horizontal control

Power shared across branches.

Vertical control

Power shared between national and state governments.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress power to regulate interstate trade.

Elastic (Necessary & Proper) Clause

Allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out powers.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by federal and state governments.

Delegated (Enumerated/Expressed) powers

Powers specifically given to the federal government.

Reserved powers

Powers kept by the states.

Prohibited powers

Powers denied to governments.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must respect other states’ laws and decisions.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

States must treat out-of-state citizens fairly.

Extradite

Return a criminal suspect to another state.

Dual federalism

State and national governments have separate roles.

Cooperative federalism

State and national governments work together.

Devolution

Transfer of power from national to state governments.

New judicial federalism

Courts expanding state rights using state constitutions.

Police powers

State authority over health, safety, and morals.

Block grants

Broad federal funding with few restrictions.

Categorical grants

Federal funding with specific conditions.

Formula grants

Funding based on a set formula.

Federal mandate

Federal requirement imposed on states.

Anarchy

Absence of government.

Aristocracy

Rule by elites or nobility.

Oligarchy

Rule by a small group.

Democracy

Rule by the people.

Authoritarianism

Strong central authority with limited freedoms.

Totalitarian regime

Government controls all aspects of life.

Divine right of kings

Belief rulers get authority from God.

Elite theory

Society ruled by a small elite.

Pluralism

Power spread among competing groups.

Capitalism

Private ownership of property and markets.

Liberalism

Supports government action for equality.

Conservatism

Supports tradition and limited government.

Libertarianism

Emphasizes individual freedom and minimal government.

Ideology

Set of political beliefs.

Liberty

Freedom from excessive government control.

Property

Ownership of possessions.

Universal suffrage

Right of all adults to vote.

Majority

More than half.

Majority rule

Decisions made by more than half.

Majoritarianism

Policy reflects the majority’s will.

Initiative

Citizens propose laws.

Referendum

Citizens vote on laws.

Recall

Citizens remove an elected official.

Congress

National legislature.

House of Representatives

Lower chamber based on population.

Senate

Upper chamber with equal state representation.

Cloture

Procedure to end a filibuster.

Filibuster

Extended debate to delay legislation.

Committee of the Whole

House acting as a large committee.

Standing committees

Permanent committees.

Select committees

Temporary committees.

Joint committees

Committees with members from both chambers.

Conference committees

Resolve House–Senate differences.

House Rules Committee

Controls debate rules in the House.

Constituencies

People a representative serves.

Delegate

Votes based on constituents’ wishes.

Trustee

Votes based on personal judgment.

Representation

Acting on behalf of voters.

Casework / Constituent service

Helping voters with problems.

Oversight

Congress monitoring executive agencies.

Logrolling

Vote trading.

Gridlock

Government unable to act.

Divided government

Different parties control branches.

Reapportionment

Redistributing House seats after census.

Redistricting

Redrawing district boundaries.

Gerrymandering

Drawing districts to favor a party.

Cracking

Splitting opposing voters.

Packing

Concentrating opposing voters.

Racial gerrymandering

Districts drawn based on race.

Speaker of the House

Leader of the House.

Majority leader

Leads majority party.

Minority leader

Leads minority party.

Whip / Party whips

Enforce party discipline.

President pro tempore

Presiding Senate officer.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. constitution; weak national government.

Federalist Papers

Essays supporting ratification.

Federalist 10

Addresses factions.

Federalist 51

Checks and balances.

Federalist 70

Strong executive.

Brutus 1

Anti-Federalist critique.

Factions

Groups united by common interests.

Legislative branch

Makes laws.

Executive branch

Enforces laws.

Judicial branch

Interprets laws.