AP Gov Midterm

Enlightenment

Enlightenment

An 18th century philosophical movement advocating the use of reason over tradition in solving social problems.

Thomas Hobbes

Believed in absolute monarchy and that people are incapable of self-governing, advocating for a social contract for protection.

John Locke

Philosopher who argued that natural rights (life, liberty, property) must be protected by government, asserting the right to revolution.

Charles de Montesquieu

Proposed the separation of powers in government into three branches to maintain checks and balances.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Argued that people are inherently good but are corrupted by society, emphasizing the importance of acting for the greater good.

Federalism

A system of government where power is shared between a national government and state/local governments.

The Great Compromise

Agreement to create a bicameral legislature, balancing representation between populous and smaller states.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement that enslaved individuals would be counted as three-fifths of a person for representation in Congress.

Federalist Papers

A collection of essays arguing for the ratification of the Constitution, promoting a strong central government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who feared it would create a too powerful central government and threaten personal liberties.

Checks and Balances

A system designed to prevent any branch of government from becoming too powerful by requiring cooperation among branches.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Also known as the elastic clause, it allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws or actions by the executive branch unconstitutional.

Electoral College

A body established by the Constitution to elect the president and vice president; composed of electors from each state.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing personal freedoms and rights against government infringement.

Marbury v. Madison

The 1803 Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, asserting the court's authority to overrule laws.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments, such as taxation and law enforcement.

Separation of Powers

A foundational principle of American government where the legislative, executive, and judicial branches have distinct responsibilities.

Proposed Amendment Process

An amendment must be approved by 2/3 of both houses of Congress and ratified by 3/4 of state legislatures.

Line-item veto

The power of a governor to reject specific provisions of a bill; not permitted for the president by the Supreme Court.

Shays’ Rebellion

An uprising in 1786-87 by Massachusetts farmers protesting loan foreclosures; highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Voltaire

A writer who advocated for freedom of thought and expression, often criticizing the Church and government.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another.

Preamble to the Constitution

The introductory statement that outlines the purposes and guiding principles of the Constitution.

Constitutional Convention

The 1787 meeting in Philadelphia where the Constitution was drafted, replacing the Articles of Confederation.

Shaw v. Reno

A 1993 Supreme Court case that ruled racial gerrymandering unconstitutional, requiring that redistricting must comply with the Voting Rights Act without discrimination.

McCulloch v. Maryland

The 1819 Supreme Court case that established federal supremacy over state law and confirmed the implied powers of Congress through the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Federalist No. 10

An essay by James Madison arguing that a large republic can best control factions and protect individual liberties.

Federalist No. 78

An essay by Alexander Hamilton discussing the role of the judiciary and the importance of an independent judiciary in protecting rights.

Brutus No. 1

An anti-Federalist essay that argues against the ratification of the Constitution, expressing concerns over the loss of states' rights and individual liberties.

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

A Supreme Court case that limited the power of Congress under the Commerce Clause, ruling that carrying a gun in a school zone is not an economic activity.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

A landmark Supreme Court case that addressed the issue of redistricting and established the principle of 'one person, one vote' in electoral districting.

Federalist No. 70

An essay by Alexander Hamilton arguing for a strong, energetic executive leader for effective governance.

Roe v. Wade

The 1973 Supreme Court case that ruled the Constitution protects a woman's right to choose to have an abortion, emphasizing the right to privacy.

Iron Triangles

The stable, mutually beneficial relationships between Congress committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that influence policymaking.

Delegated Discretionary Authority

The ability of bureaucrats to make choices within the boundaries of their authority for rulemaking and implementation, allowing flexibility in policies.

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights inherent to all individuals; life, liberty, and property, as articulated by John Locke.

Social Contract Theory

Philosophical theory that posits individuals consent to form governments for protection of their natural rights.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Checks and Balances

Mechanisms built into government to ensure that no single branch becomes too powerful, requiring cooperation and oversight among branches.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units, like states.

Republicanism

A political ideology that emphasizes the role of citizens in governance through elected representatives.

Participatory Model

A model of democracy that emphasizes broad participation of constituents in the direction and operation of political systems.

Pluralist Model

A model of democracy that acknowledges diversity of interests and argues that policy outcomes are the result of competition between various interest groups.

Elite Model

A theory that suggests a small number of elites hold the most power in political systems, often at the expense of the majority.

Delegate Model

A representation model where elected officials act in accordance with the wishes of their constituents.

Trustee Model

A representation model where elected officials act in the best interest of their constituents, regardless of their specific preferences.

Politico Model

A representation style that combines elements of both delegate and trustee models, depending on the issue at hand.

Partisan Model

A representation model where elected officials align closely with the interests and demands of their political party.

Differences between Chambers of Congress

The House of Representatives is larger, with shorter terms and stricter rules, while the Senate is smaller, with longer terms and more flexible rules.

Proper and Necessary Clause

Part of the Constitution that grants Congress the power to make all laws necessary for executing its delegated powers.

Supremacy Clause

A clause stating that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties take precedence over state laws.

Power of the Purse

The constitutional power granted to Congress to raise and spend money, influencing governmental action through funding.

Block Grants

Federal funds provided to state or local governments with fewer restrictions on how the money can be spent, allowing for broader use.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided to state or local governments for specific purposes or projects, often with strict guidelines.

Mandates

Federal requirements that states must comply with, often associated with funding and specific policies.

14th Amendment

An amendment to the Constitution that addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law, significant for civil rights.

Stare Decisis

The legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent; essentially, let the decision stand.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to examine the actions of the legislative and executive branches and to invalidate laws and actions deemed unconstitutional.