Unit 1 Foundations of American Democracy

AP GOV

Participatory democracy/direct democracy

A structure of government in which citizens discuss and decide policy through majority rule.

Pluralist Democracy

Emphasizes group based activism by non-governmental interests trying to impact political decision making

Elite democracy

a small wealthy,educated set of citizens making political decisions

Brutus No.1

Against the ratification of the Constitution. (written by anti-federalists)

Limited Govenment

government that is restricted in what it can do so that the rights of the people are protected

Social contract theory

idea that individuals possess free will, and every individual is equally entitled with their God-given right of self-determination and the ability to consent to be governed

Natural Law

rights possessed by all humans as a gift from nature, or God including the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (unalienable rights)

Popular sovereignty

theory that the government is created by the people and depends on the people for the authority to rule.

Liberty

most essential quality of American democracy; is both the freedom from governmental interference in citizens lives and freedom to pursue happiness.

Declaration of Independence

American statement wrote in 1776 that declared their separation from Great Britain

Shay’s Rebellion

1786 revolts by Massachusetts farmers seeking relief from debt and foreclosure that was a factor in the calling of the Constitutional convention

Articles of Confederation

1st Constitution of the U.S 1781-88

—Weaknesses: no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, and no power to regulate trade—

Supremacy clause

the clause that states that the U.S Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and that national laws are supreme over state laws, found in article Vl

Separation of powers

divided government among three branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial) so that no one group of government officials controls all the governing functions.

Checks and balances

system where each gov branch can monitor and limit the functions of the other branches

Virginia Plan

initial proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by the Virginia delegation for a strong central gov with a bicameral legislature dominated by the bug states

New Jersey Plan

Proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by William Paterson of New Jersey for a central government with a single-house legislature in which each state would be represented equally.

Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise)

Compromise between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan that created a bicameral legislature with one chamber’s representation based on population and the other chamber having 2 members for each states.

Electoral College

established system of selected representatives in each state for selecting president, balancing state and population interests

3/5 Compromise

negotiated agreement by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention to count each slave as 3/5 of a free man for purpose of representation and taxes

Veto

president’s rejection of a bill, which is sent back to Congress with the president’s objections noted

Judicial review

power of the court to determine the constitutionality(if it goes against the Constitution), of laws

—established by the Supreme Court in 1803 Marbury v. Madison

Federalist

supported a stronger central government presented in 1787; authored Federalist No.10 and No.51

Anti-federalists

opponents of a stronger central government—suspicious of the powers it gave to the national government and the impact on its citizens—, who demanded a Bill of Rights (Brutus No. 1)

Federalist Paper No.10

argues that a large Republic can control factions and prevent tyranny of the majority

Federalist No.51

argues for checks and balances and separation of powers to limit governmental power.

Bill of Rights

first 10 amendments to the Constitution ratified in 1791, lists an individual's liberties that the gov is forbidden to interfere with

Amendment Process

Proposal by Congress

-2/3 of both house of representatives and Senate approve

-2/3 of state legislature if requested, not required

Ratification by States

-3/4 of states must approve

Certification

Federal system

a system of government with dual sovereignty

Concurrent powers

powers shared by both federal and state governments; power to make policy, raise revenue, implement policies and establish courts.

Enumerated powers

powers specifically granted to the federal government in the Constitution

Implied powers

the powers assumed by the government that are not specifically listed in the Constitution (from necessary and proper clause)

Necessary and proper clause (elastic clause)

allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out enumerated powers (specific listed powers of the federal U.S government, Article I Section 8 basis for the implied powers)

Reserved powers (10th amendment

powers not delegated to the federal gov, are reserved to the states or the people

McCulloch v. Maryland 1819

Supreme Court decision upholding implied powers and federal supremacy over state taxation.

Commerce Clause

clause giving Congress power to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations

United States v. Lopez 1995

limited federal power under the Commerce Clause;reinforced states’ authority

Judicial Federalism

concept how U.S federal government’s judicial power is distributed and interacts with state court systems; judiciary of the federal government

Revenue sharing (Cooperative Federalism)

marble-cake federalism; national and state governments share responsibilities. (Marble-cake federalism- programs and authority mixed among the national state, and local gov)

Devolution

the transfer of power and responsibilities from the federal gov to the states

Fiscal Federalism

use of grants to influence state policy and behavior.

Categorical formula grants

federal funds for specific purposes with strict conditions

Block grants

federal funds for broad purposes with greater state flexibility

Funded mandates

laws or regulations given to states or local gov by the government, but they also provide the needed funds to do these actions.

Unfunded mandates

laws or regulations given to states or local gov by the government, without any financial funds given.

Access Point

any places where people can participate in or influence the government; voting, political organizations, public forums, etc.