ap gov unit 1 vocab

politics

actions taken to influence the governments policies or actions

government

an institution that makes rules and maintains order

democracy

government that is ruled by the people/power held by the ppl

natural rights

rights every person always has- life, liberty, property

social contract

people give permission to the government to rule to maintain order

american political culture

shared american beliefs, culture, traditions, values

popular sovereignty

the people give the government the right to rule

republicanism

rule by representatives; ppl give the gov power

inalienable rights

rights all huamns should have; gov can't take away

liberty

freedoms- social, economic, and political

participatory democracy

democracy where majority rule/participate; participation essential for a democracy

civil society groups

independent groups outside of the government's control

pluralist theory

theory that groups should lead the gov and make policies

elitist theory

theory that elites have a disproportionate amount of power to others in government

political institutions

a government's organizations/structures (the 3 branches)

constitutional republic

democracy with elected officials. the constitution is the supreme law; has more power than the representatives

constitution

a document creating a government's foundation; sets up the main principles and institutions

republic

governments ruled by reps of the people

articles of confederation and perpetual union

the government changed by the constitution at the 2nd continental congress, sovereign states too weak

unicameral

congress with one chamber

shay's rebellion

uprising against Massachusetts gov, made people want to replace AoC

constitutional convention

55 delegates meet to fix the AoC (no RI)

writ of habeas corpus

allows people to know why they're arrested or detained

bills of attainder

declaring guilty with no trial; cant do that

ex post facto laws

no punishment for actions done before they were declared crimes

Virginia Plan

big states; by madison, 3 branches, bicameral legislature, representation by population

New Jersey Plan

small states; by william paterson, unicameral legislature, 1 equal vote per state

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

bicameral, house of reps by population, senate chosen by state legislature 2 per state, direct elections

bicameral

2 house legislature

3/5 compromise

slaves count as 3/5 of a person to find number of reps for house

compromise on importation

congress can't restrict slave trade until 1808. escaped slaves must be returned

separation of powers

influence by montesquieu, limit power of each branch, checks and balances

checks and balances

each branch can stop another branch from making policies

federalism

split power between nation and state govs

legislative branch

congress; makes laws. lower house directly represents the people, senate represents the states

expressed/enumerated powers

powers explicitly given to congress in article 1

necessary and proper (elastic) clause

congress' power to make laws needed to carry out its powers

implied powers

powers given to congress under the elastic clause; not explicitly stated

executive branch

president;carry out and enforce laws made by congress, can veto

judicial branch

federal courts; supreme court, federal courts made by congress. senate votes on justices that are chosen by the president

supremacy clause

nation laws>state laws; supreme law of land (also applies to courts- federal>state)

amendment

change to the constitution 2/3 congress OR convention called by 2/3 states. 3/4 states ratify

federalists

supporters of the constitution, stressed problems with the Aoc. strong economic policy, often wealthy merchants and planters

antifederalists

opponents of the constitution, feared new gov, think itll remove rights. often rural farmers that distrust the elites

federalist papers

85 essays for NY newspapers. propaganda written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay

Federalist 51

separation of powers and federalism in the constitution will prevent tyranny

faction

a group of people with common selfish interests that use the government for their own good and ignore others' rights

federalist 10

problem of factions and how the constitution fixes it with a large republic

Brutus 1

antifederalist, too much power to national gov. country too large to be a republic

federalism

sharing of power between the federal and state gov

unitary system

one central gov has authority over the states- concentrated power

confederal system- states have more power than the national government

federal system- power is divided between the states and national gov

enumerated or expressed powers- explicitly listed powers to the national government in the constitution

exclusive powers

powers only the national gov has- coining money, declaring war, making treaties

implied powers

powers given to congress under the congress under the necessary and proper clause

commerce clause

congress' power to regulate commerce with other nations, between states, and with native american tribes

necessary and proper clause

congress' power to make all laws needed to execute enumerated powers

supremacy clause

the constitution and national governments are the supreme law of the land; fed>state

tenth amendment

protection for state authority; powers not given to the fed gov go to the states

reserved powers

powers reserved for the states in the 10th amendment

concurrent powers

powers given to both the natioonal gov and states- tax, pass laws, borrow money, regulate banks

full faith and credit clause

states must recognize acts, records, and court proceedings from other states

extradition

fugitives must be returned to the state where a crime was commited

privileges and immunities clause

states can't discriminate against people from out of state

13th amendment

ban slavery

14th amendment

all people born in us are citizens, equal protection under laws, and right to due process

15th amendment

african american right to vote

dual federalism

national and state governments are separate and independent of each other; mind own business

selective incorporation

fundamental liberties in the bill of rights are applied to the states on a case by case basis

cooperative federalism

federal and state governments work together in the same areas of public policy

grants in aid

money given to states by the federal government to carry out important policies

fiscal federalism

federal government using grants to affect state policies

categorical crants

money given to states with conditions for a certain goal/policy

unfunded mandate

federal government forces states to do things without providing funds

block grant

reduce national authority; federal money for policies to increase local authority in how money is spent

revenue sharing

federal government gives tax money to the states with no requirements

devolution

giving more authority from federal programs to the states