AP Gov- Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy Vocab

limited government

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

natural rights

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

John Locke

took Hobbes reasoning concerning the social contract one step further, he rejected the notion that the rationale for the divine right of kings is based on scripture; paved the way for more radical notions about the rights of individuals

Social Contract

an agreement between people and their leaders in which the people agree to give up some liberties so that their other liberties are protected

Popular Sovereignty

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

The "Grand Committee"

the constitutional convention; representatives from each of the former colonies, except Rhode Island, they helped frame the Constitution

Declaration of Independence

the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain

Articles of the Confederation

the first written constitution of the United States; established the functions of the national government after declaring independence from GB, approved in 1781

Preamble

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

U.S constitution

the fundamental principles of a government and the basic structure and procedures by which the government operates to fulfill those principles; may be written or unwritten

Representative Democracy

a system where citizens of a country vote for government representatives to handle legislation and ruling the country on their behalf

Participatory Democracy

model of democracy in which citizens have the power to make policy decisions, emphasizes the broad participation of people in politics, citizens influence policy decisions, but do not make them

Pluralist Democracy

model of democracy in which no single group dominates politics and organized groups compete with each other to influence policy, individuals work through groups formed around common causes

Elite Democracy

a democracy in which a smaller number of people, usually those who are wealthy or well educated, influence political decision making, argues that participation in politics should be limited to a small group of highly-informed individuals who can make the best decision for all citizens

Federalist #10

Brutus #1

Federalists

Anti-Federalists

Central Government

Reserved powers

Republic

Factions

Shay's Rebellion

Virginia Plan

New Jersey Plan

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Three-Fifths Compromise

Slave Trade Compromise

Ex post facto law

Bill of attainder

Electoral College

Article IV

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Amendment Process

Article V

Article VI

Supremacy Clause

Article VII

Ratification

Checks and balances

Separation of Powers

Federalist #51

Tyranny of the Majority

Multiple policy access points

impeachment

Exclusive powers

concurrent powers

Federal balance of power

dual federalism

"layer cake" federalism

cooperative federalism

"Marble Cake" federalism

fiscal Federalism

Grants

incentives

Conditions-of-aid

Revenue sharing

Mandates

Clean Air Act of 1970

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Categorical Grants

Block grants

tenth amendment

commerce clause

necessary and proper clause

enumerated powers

implies powers

inherent powers

state sovereignty

Supreme Court of the United States

Statute

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

United States vs. Lopez (1995)