ap government review - textbook
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366 Terms
What is direct democracy?
A system where citizens directly make laws and govern themselves
What is a major criticism of direct democracy?
It is chaotic, inefficient, and can allow majority rule to violate minority rights
What is participatory democracy?
A system emphasizing broad public participation in governing
How does participatory democracy differ from direct democracy?
It encourages involvement but not direct decision-making on every issue
What is representative democracy (republicanism)?
A system where citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf
Why is representative democracy considered efficient?
A smaller group makes decisions more quickly and effectively
What is elite democracy (elitism)?
A system where the most educated and qualified individuals govern
What is the main argument in favor of elitism?
Experts are better equipped to make informed decisions
What is majoritarian democracy?
A system that emphasizes majority rule and decisive elections
What is a criticism of majoritarian democracy?
It can marginalize minorities and create a winner-take-all system
What is consensus democracy?
A system where power is shared and groups must compromise
What is a drawback of consensus democracy?
It is slow and inefficient in decision-making
Compare majoritarian vs consensus democracy
Majoritarian focuses on speed and majority rule; consensus focuses on inclusion and compromise
What did the Declaration of Independence establish?
The colonies were free and independent from Britain
Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
What ideas influenced the Declaration of Independence?
Natural rights, popular sovereignty, and social contract theory
What are natural rights?
Rights that exist without government including life, liberty, and property
Who proposed natural rights?
John Locke
What are the three natural rights?
Life, liberty, and property
What does it mean that natural rights are negative rights?
They require others not to interfere with your freedoms
What is popular sovereignty?
The idea that power comes from the people
How does government gain legitimacy under popular sovereignty?
Through the consent of the governed
What is social contract theory?
The idea that people give government power in exchange for protection and services
Who proposed social contract theory in Leviathan?
Thomas Hobbes
How is a constitution related to social contract theory?
It represents an agreement between the people and the government
What was the Articles of Confederation?
The first constitution of the United States
What type of government did the Articles create?
A confederation where states held most of the power
What is a confederation?
A system where states are sovereign and grant limited power to a national government
How many branches existed under the Articles of Confederation?
One branch, Congress
How was representation structured under the Articles?
Each state had equal representation
What powers did Congress have under the Articles?
Declare war, borrow money, create currency, raise an army, conduct foreign relations
What major powers were missing under the Articles?
No executive, no judiciary, no taxing power, no enforcement power
Why was the lack of taxing power a problem?
The government could not raise money to function or pay debts
What are expressly delegated powers?
Powers specifically written in the Articles
What problems did the U.S. face under the Articles?
Economic depression and weak national government
What was Shays’ Rebellion?
An uprising of farmers protesting taxes and debt in Massachusetts
Who led Shays’ Rebellion?
Daniel Shays
What did Shays’ Rebellion reveal?
The weakness of the national government
What was a consequence of Shays’ Rebellion?
It led to the Constitutional Convention
Why might large countries avoid direct democracy?
It is impractical and inefficient for large populations
Which democracy best protects minority rights?
Consensus democracy because it requires compromise
Why did the Founders include natural rights and social contract theory?
To justify independence and forming a new government
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
The national government was too weak
How did Shays’ Rebellion influence the Constitution?
It showed the need for a stronger national government