AP Gov Unit 1 flashcards

Magna Carta

a foundational document listing liberties of the English government

Iroquois Confederacy

powerful alliance of native tribes

Baron De Montesquieu

French political philosopher who advocated for the separation of powers in government

Natural Rights

the idea that individuals are entitled to life, liberty, and property (John Locke)

Social Contract

individuals surrender some freedom in exchange for protection by the goernment, consent of the governed

Republicanism

representational and participatory political ideology

Popular sovereignty

the people are the ultimate source of political power

John Locke

English philosopher that outlined natural rights and consent of the governed

Continental Congress

convention of delegates during the American revolution aimed to declare independence

Participatory Democracy

politics directly influenced by citizens

Pluralist Democracy

multiple groups compete for power/policy

Elitist Democracy

small number of individuals with money/education lead government

Brutus 1

anti-federalist essay, key points:

• elastic and supremacy clauses will give central gov too much power

• the federal gov power of taxation will cause states to be unable to collect taxes

• federal courts will render state courts unnecessary

• a republic is not suited for the size of our nation, trust comes from personally knowing our leaders

Baron De Montesquieu

French philosopher who advocated for the separation of power, checks and balances, and small republics

Federalist 10

one of the Federalist Papers that addresses factions, key points:

• factions are inevitable in a free society

• we can either remove their causes (impossible) or control their effects (through a large republic)

• factions are most dangerous at the local level

Unitary System

power is concentrated in a central leader, tyrannical and no representation (US under British rule)

Confederal System

power is held in individual states, central gov has little power (US under the AOC)

Federal System

system that divides power between national and state governments

Articles of Confederation

weak central gov, power concentrated in state govs

• unicameral legislature

• one vote per states

• 2/3 of states to pass legislation

• unanimous state votes to amend

• fed gov cannot forcibly tax

• no executive or judicial

Shays Rebellion

armed uprising by farmers in response to MA economic conditions

Territorial Dispute

conflict between regions or states over the ownership or control of land under the AOC

Economic Recession

states paid back taxes to the wealthy, trade with British, damage to the economy under the AOC

Madisonian Model

gov structure proposed by james madison to avoid tyranny thru checks and balances

Federalist 51

essay written by James Madison that addresses the fears of Brutus 1 thru checks and balances and a bicameral legislature, as well as federalism

legislative powers

• make laws

• declare war

• collect taxes

• regulate commerce

• coin money

Executive powers

• make treaties

• commander in chief

• grant pardons

• fill vacancies during senate recess

House of reps check on executive

impeachment

Senate checks on executive

confirmation of appointments and treaties, impeachment trials

Executive check on legislative

veto legislation

Stakeholders/institutions

voters, interest groups, businesses, etc… that have an interest in policy and outcomes

Access point

opportunities for stakeholders to interact with parts of gov/policy

Lobbying

the process of influencing government policy and decision-making by stakeholders, typically through direct interaction with lawmakers.

gridlock

branches are unable to cooperate/compromise

10th amendment

powers not granted to the federal gov and not prohibited are granted to states

exclusive powers

federal gov powers

Reserved powers

state powers

full faith and credit

all official acts/documents are valid in all states

Privileges and immunities

states must treat citizens of other states equally

Extradition

the process of returning a fugitive to the state where they committed a crime

Revenue sharing/cooperative federalism

federal gov distributes some tax money back to the states, shared responsibilities/functions (marble cake)

Devolution

the transfer/shift of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states

Categorical grant

grant with a specific purpose and conditions

Block grant

larger grants with broader purposes and less guidelines

Dual federalism

fed and state has clearly separated powers that do not overlap

McCulloh v MD

necessary and proper clause allowed congress to create a federal bank, supremacy clause does not allow states to tax the federal government