AP Government Key Terms Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering foundational concepts of American democracy, constitutional principles, and federalism from AP Government sources.

Federalism

A system that divides and shares governing authority between national and state governments.

Unitary system

A system where the central govt. has all of the power over subnational governments.

Confederal system

A system where the subnational governments have most of the power.

Enumerated or expressed powers

Powers explicitly granted to the national govt. through the Constitution; authorities specifically listed in the nation's governing charter.

Exclusive powers

Powers that only the national govt. may exercise.

Implied powers

Powers not granted specifically to the national govt. but implied from the necessary and proper clause to carry out the enumerated powers.

Commerce clause

Clause that grants Congress the authority to regulate interstate business and commercial activity.

Necessary and proper clause

Clause (also called the Elastic Clause) that grants the federal govt. the authority to pass laws required to carry out its enumerated powers.

Supremacy clause

Clause that establishes the Constitution and the laws of the federal govt. passed under its authority as the highest laws of the land, taking precedence over conflicting state law.

10th Amendment

Clause that reserves powers not delegated to the national govt. but to the states and the people; the basis of federalism.

Reserved powers

Powers not given to the national govt., which are retained by the states and the people.

Concurrent powers

Powers granted to both states and the federal govt. in the Constitution.

Full faith and credit clause

Constitutional clause requiring states to recognize the public acts, records, and civil court proceedings of another state.

Extradition

The requirement that officials in one state return a defendant to another state where the defendant allegedly has committed a crime.

Privileges and immunities clause

Constitutional clause that prevents states from discriminating against people from out of state.

13th Amendment

Constitutional amendment that outlaws slavery.

14th Amendment

Constitutional amendment that provides that persons born in the United States are citizens and prohibits states from denying persons due process or equal protection under the law.

15th Amendment

Constitutional amendment that prohibits the denial of voting rights on the basis of race, color, or previous condition of servitude, which gave Black Male citizens the right to vote.

Dual federalism

A system of government where the national and state governments operate independently within their own separate spheres of authority, with very little overlap.

Selective incorporation

The process through which the Supreme Court applies fundamental rights in the Bill of Rights to the states on a case-by-case basis.

Cooperative federalism

A system of government in which national and state governments share responsibilities, costs, and policy administration instead of keeping their powers strictly separated.

Grants-in-aid

Federal money provided to states to implement public policy objectives.

Categorical grants

National funding to the states where spending is specifically restricted to certain categories.

Fiscal federalism

The pattern of spending, taxation, and providing grants-in-aid by the federal government to influence state and local government policies.

Unfunded mandate

A rule or requirement that the federal government forces state or local governments to follow without giving them the money to pay for it.

Block grant

A type of grant preferred by states that gives state officials more authority over how federal funds are spent.

Revenue sharing

When the federal govt. apportions tax money to the states with no strings attached.

Devolution

The transfer of political power, responsibilities, and program management from the national federal government down to state and local governments.

Democracy

In which power is held by the people.

Natural rights

Life, liberty, and property.

Social contract

People give up some freedoms in exchange for the government's ability to ensure an orderly and functioning society.

American political culture

the debates and differing interest of groups within our country

Popular sovereignty

The idea that the government's right to rule comes from the consent of the people. All of the government's power comes from the citizens, and when the citizens are unhappy, they can replace the government through regular, free, and fair elections.

Republicanism

A principle of government where citizens elect representatives to make laws and govern on their behalf, rather than voting on laws directly.

Inalienable rights

Rights government can NOT take away. Included life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Inherent, self-evident rights.

Liberty

Social, political, and economic freedoms. May mean freedom from interference by a government or a freedom to pursue one's dreams.

Participatory democracy

Included joining civil society groups and believe in the importance of citizen involvement.

Civil society groups

Independent associations outside the government's control.

Pluralist theory

Emphasizes the role of groups in the policymaking process.

Elitist theory

Political belief that a small, wealthy, and well-connected group of people holds the actual power in society and makes major government decisions, rather than the general public.

Political institutions

The structure of government, including the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

Constitutional republic

A democratic system with elected representatives in which the Constitution is the supreme law.

Declaration of Independence

A foundational text that justified the 13 colonies' separation from Great Britain.

Constitution

A written framework that establishes a government and defines its powers and limits.

Republic

A system in which authority comes from citizens and is exercised through elected representatives.

Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union

The first national governing framework that created a weak central authority and strong state governments.

Unicameral

Having a legislature with only one lawmaking chamber.

Bicameral

Having a legislature composed of two separate lawmaking chambers.

Shay's Rebellion

An uprising that exposed weaknesses in the nation's first governing framework.

Constitutional Convention

A meeting of delegates that produced a new framework for the national government in 1787.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

A court order requiring authorities to justify a person's imprisonment.

Bill of Attainder

A legislative act that punishes someone without a judicial trial.

Ex Post Facto Laws

Measures that make an action illegal after it has already occurred.

Virginia Plan

A proposal that favored representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal that favored equal representation for each state.

Grand Committee

A group formed to develop a compromise over legislative representation.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

An agreement combining population-based and equal state representation in the national legislature.

3/5s Compromise

An agreement counting a portion of the enslaved population for representation and taxation purposes.

Compromise of Importation

An agreement delaying federal restrictions on the transatlantic slave trade.

Separation of Powers

The division of governmental authority among distinct institutions.

Checks and Balances

A structure allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

Legislative Branch

The institution responsible for making laws.

Executive Branch

The institution responsible for enforcing and carrying out laws.

Judicial Branch

The institution responsible for interpreting laws and resolving legal disputes.

Amendment

A formal change or addition to the nation's governing charter.

Federalists

Supporters of a stronger national government and ratification of the new framework.

Antifederalists

Opponents who feared concentrated national power and sought stronger protections for liberties.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written to persuade the public to support ratification.

Federalist No. 51

An essay explaining how institutional design protects liberty through checks and balances

Faction

A group united by shared interests that may act against the rights of others or the common good.

Federalist No. 10

An essay arguing that a large republic can better control the effects of factions

Brutus No. 1

An essay warning that a powerful national government could threaten individual and state freedoms.