AP Government Vocabulary Flashcards

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to American Government that are essential for understanding foundational concepts and principles.

Natural Rights

Rights that individuals are born with, including life, liberty, and property.

Limited Government

A political system in which legalized force is restricted through delegated and enumerated powers.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.

Republicanism

A form of government in which the country is considered a

Social Contract

An implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislature with two houses, or chambers.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch some measure of influence over the other branches.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the constitution.

Elastic Clause

Allows Congress to make laws that are necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties as the supreme law of the land.

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values.

Gerrymandering

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

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution that formally elects the President and Vice President of the United States.

Political Efficacy

The belief that one can make a difference in politics, influencing political affairs.

Majority Rule

A decision rule that selects alternatives which have a majority, or more than half the votes.

Minority Rights

The rights of individuals that are not part of the majority.

Civil Liberties

Individual rights protected by law from government interference.

Civil Rights

The rights of individuals to receive equal treatment and not be discriminated against.

Affirmative Action

Policies that seek to improve opportunities for historically excluded groups in society.

Public Opinion

The aggregate of individual attitudes or beliefs held by the adult population.

Interest Groups

Organizations of people who share common objectives and actively seek to influence policymakers.

What is the purpose of the executive branch in government?

The executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws, conducting foreign policy, and overseeing the federal administration.

What are the primary roles of Congress?

Congress is responsible for creating laws, controlling federal spending, and representing the interests of the citizens.

What is judicial review?

Judicial review is the power of the courts to evaluate the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions.

What are checks and balances?

Checks and balances is a system that ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful by giving each branch some measure of oversight over the others.

What is federalism?

Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units, such as states.

First Amendment

Guarantees freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Second Amendment

Protects the right of individuals to keep and bear arms.

Third Amendment

Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires warrants based on probable cause.

Fifth Amendment

Ensures the right to due process, protects against self-incrimination, and prohibits double jeopardy.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees the rights to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, and legal counsel.

Seventh Amendment

Provides for the right to a jury trial in civil cases involving disputes over more than twenty dollars.

Eighth Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

Ninth Amendment

Affirms that the enumeration of certain rights in the Constitution does not deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Tenth Amendment

Proclaims that powers not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or the people.