AP Gov Summer Work Vocabulary

inalienable

impossible to surrender

Concurrence

A specific number or proportion of people agreeing on a decision

Social Contract

The sovereign would make and enforce the laws to secure a peaceful society, making life, liberty, and ownership of property possible. Agreement among the people to obey the king at all costs

State of nature

condition of humanity before government existed - a situation without laws or rules. All individuals were naturally equal and completely free to do what he or she needed to do to survive.

Bicameral

The term that refers to a legislature comprised of two houses

Jurisdiction

the authority or power of a court or government agency to hear and decide cases

Privilege of the writ of habeas corpus

protects individuals from unlawful detention. (Requires a person being held in custody brought before a court)

Bill of attainder

declares a person or group guilty of a crime without trial . (Allows punishment like loss of property, civil rights, or even life)

Ex post facto law

a law that changes the legal consequences of actions that were committed before the law was enacted. (Punishes someone for an action that was not illegal at the time it was committed)

Commerce

refers to the exchange, buying and/or selling of goods and services across state lines or with other countries.

Delegated

giving someone else the authority or responsibility to do something on your behalf . (Example, the constitution has given powers to the federal government)

Enumerated

listed or specifically mentioned. Powers that are specifically listed or granted to the federal government.

Expressed (powers)

Powers that are specifically stated or written down in the constitution. ( example, powers clearly given to the federal government like the power to declare war or regulate commerce)

Legislate

To create or enact laws

Legislative

Pertaining to the process of making laws

Legislator

An individual who makes laws

Legislature

The institution responsible for law-making

Vacancies

empty and/or unfilled positions

Extradited

sent back to another state and/or country

Supreme Law of the Land

1. The constitution

2. Laws of the United States

3. All treaties make under the authority of the United States

Clause 1

Congress has the power to collect taxes, pay debts, defend the country, provide for the general welfare of the country.

Clause 2

Gives congress the power to borrow money on behalf of the United States

Clause 3

Gives congress the power to regulate commerce in 3 main areas.

1. Foreign commerce

2. Interstate commerce

3. Indian commerce

Clause 4

Gives congress the power to makes rules for how people become a US citizen and create laws about bankruptcy.