AP U.S. Government Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy

Practice flashcards covering the foundations of American democracy, constitutional principles, federalism, and democratic theories based on lecture notes.

Government

The rules and institutions that make up the system of policy making within a country.

Politics

The process of influencing the actions and policies of a government.

Natural rights

The principle that all people have certain rights that cannot be taken away—life, liberty, and property (established by John Locke).

A social contract

An implicit agreement among the people to give up some freedoms to maintain social order.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that all government power comes from the consent of its people.

Limited government

The principle that a government’s power cannot be absolute.

John Locke’s Ideas

Introduced in the Second Treatise of Civil Government (1690), asserting that all men are born free and equal and that political power requires consent.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Idea

Found in The Social Contract (1762), stating free individuals give up certain rights for collective security and greater freedom for all.

Declaration of Independence

The document providing the moral and legal justification for revolution, serving as the foundation for popular sovereignty.

Committee of 5

The group responsible for the Declaration of Independence: Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Sherman, and Livingston.

Articles of Confederation

The initial U.S. governing document that was weak and not properly enforced, leading to chaos rather than order.

Republicanism

A system in which the people govern through elected representatives.

Separation of powers

The division of power among the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches.

Checks and balances

A system where each branch of government has ways to limit the actions of the others.

Federalism

A system where power is divided between the National government and State governments.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments, which were not part of the original Constitution and provide protection for individual liberties.

Federalists

A group consisting of wealthy merchants and landowners who supported a strong national government and a government by the elite.

Anti-Federalists

Also known as Democratic-Republicans, they included laborers and small farmers who preferred a weak national government and protection for individual liberties.

Participatory Democracy

A theory where policymaking institutions are influenced by citizens directly through activities like voting, jury duty, and protests.

Pluralist Democracy

A theory where policymaking institutions are influenced by non-governmental groups or special interest groups.

Elitist Democracy

A theory where policymaking institutions are influenced by the wealthy and powerful.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to encourage ratification of the Constitution.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the Constitution establishing that the Constitution is the law of the land and takes supremacy over all other laws.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Also known as the Elastic Clause, it allows Congress to make laws not specifically in the Constitution that are necessary to execute federal powers.

Great Compromise

An agreement establishing a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives (representation by population) and a Senate (two seats per state).

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement that for every five enslaved African Americans, three would count toward representation in Congress and the Electoral College.

Dual Federalism

Also known as "Layer Cake Federalism," it is based on a clear delineation of authority and programs between the levels of government.

Cooperative Federalism

Also known as "Marble Cake Federalism," it is based on a pragmatic mixing of authority and programs among national, state, and local governments.

Reserved powers

Exclusive powers belonging to the states as outlined in the 10th Amendment.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the National and State governments, such as levying taxes, borrowing money, and creating courts.

Full faith and credit

The requirement that official documents like marriage licenses and birth certificates are valid in all states.

Privileges and Immunities

A constitutional protection that prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states.

Extradition

The requirement that a state return a person who committed a crime in another state to the state where the crime occurred.

Devolution

The process of giving control of certain programs or revenue sharing back to the states.

Categorical grants

Money given to states with specific congressional guidelines or "strings attached."

Block grants

Large sums of money offered for broad purposes like education without the strict guidelines found in categorical grants.

Unfunded mandates

Federal regulations that require states to comply but do not provide any funding to do so.

Enumerated (expressed) powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution, such as the power to borrow money or declare war.

Implied powers

Powers not listed in the Constitution but considered necessary, such as establishing a federal reserve or drafting an army.

Commerce Clause

Found in Article I, Section 8, it grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states.

Electoral College

The body created by the founding fathers where states select electors to vote for the President and Vice President.