AP Gov Unit 1- Foundations of American Democracy

Participatory Democracy

emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society

Pluralist Democracy

recognizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision making

Elite Democracy

decisions are made by elected representatives acting as trustees

Direct Democracy

people rule by majority

Republic

a government in which elected representatives make the decisions

Democratic Republic

people's voices are heard through those they elect to represent them

Elite Democracy Theory

the idea that a small group of "ruling elite" manipulate society and government to benefit themselves

Pluralist Theory

the idea that many groups try to pressure voters and elected officials

Pluralism

competing groups negotiate and compromise, eventually reaching agreement

Hyperpluralism

competing groups pull the government in different directions, resulting in gridlock

Divine Right

The belief that a ruler's power comes from God

Natural Rights Philosophy

the main purpose of government is to protect individual rights as they would be in a state of nature

Social Contract

an unofficial agreement shared by everyone in a society in which they give up some freedom for security

Sovereignty

ultimate governing authority

Popular Sovereignty

the idea that the government's authority comes from the people

Separation of Powers

principle by which the powers of government are divided among separate branches

Confederation

form of political organization in which sovereign states delegate power to a central government

Delegated Powers

Powers specifically given to the federal government as written in the Constitution

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically given to the federal government as written in the Constitution

Implied Powers

powers that the government requires to carry out the expressed constitutional powers

Concurrent Powers

powers shared by the state and federal governments

Bicameral

made up of two houses

Federalism

a system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Deliberative Body

an assembly of people for the purpose of unhurried consideration and discussion

Judicial Review

the power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action

Extradition

return of a fugitive from one state to the state from which he fled

Ex Post Facto

law that punishes actions that took place before the law was approved

Bill of Attainder

an act of a legislature that declares a person, without a trial, to be guilty of a crime

Jurisdiction

a court's authority to hear and decide cases

Habeas Corpus

the right not to be held in prison without first being charged with a specific crime

Revenue

money that a government collects

Faction

a group of people with a common interest who deny other people their rights

Formal Amendment

changes or additions that become part of the written language of the constitution itself

Informal Amendment

changes to the constitution without changes to its written words

Fiscal Federalism

the federal government using money (grants) to influence & control states.

Interstate

between states

Intrastate

within a state

Commerce

buying and selling of goods; trade

Public Policy

the course of action the government takes in response to an issue or problem

Impeachment

a formal document charging a public official with misconduct in office

Federalist

people who supported ratification of the Constitution.

Anti Federalist

people who opposed the ratification of the Constitution as it was

Ratify

to vote approval of

Legislation

the act of making laws

Checks and balances

shared and separated powers to prevent one branch of government from becoming too powerful

Separation of powers

divides the federal government into three branches, with each branch having its own duties