ap gov unit 1 -- foundations of democracy

anti-federalists

faction opposed to the ratification/adoption of the constitution; preferred the articles of confederation with a weak central government and states holding the majority of power; strict constructionists

elite democracy

political system in which a select group of highly educated and wealthy people make decisions for an entire country

factions

groups united by a common goal or belief that seek political change with little regard for others

federalists

faction in favor of the adoption of the new constitution; preferred a stronger central government with power shared between federal and state governments; loose constrictionists

intitiative

a petition to propose amendments to the constitution, national legislation or local ordinances

limited government

natural rights

life, liberty and property the pursuit of happiness; established by john locke (enlightenment)

participatory democracy

a democratic system that involves as much of the public as possible; includes lots of voting and works best on a small scale; ex. town hall meetings

popular sovereignty

enlightenment ideal that designates the final say in government to the people; government based on the consent of the people

pluralist democracy

a mix between elite and participatory democracy; elections are held for representatives that make decisions for the entire country/election of a single executive

referendum

direct vote by the people on a specific issue or policy; can be used to determine public support for constitutional changes, government policies, or major decisions that impact the community

republicanism

political ideology where power is held by the people and their elected representatives.; leaders are chosen through elections, and the government operates within a framework of a constitution that protects individual rights and limits the power of the government

unicameral

legislative branch with one house

bicameral

legislative branch with two houses

declaration of independence

adopted on july 4, 1776; declared the 13 colonies as independent states; emphasizes natural rights, consent of the governed and the social contract

checks and balances

limits on government built into the constitution to prevent one single brach from becoming too powerful

great compromise

compromise made at the constitutional convention; congress would be unicameral, the house would be representative of state population and elected by the people & each state would have 2 senators chosen by the state legislatures (17th amendment)

new jersey plan

plan for a unicameral congress with equal representation of states and an executive selected by the legislature

separation of powers

division of governmental powers among three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial

shays’ rebellion

1786/87 resurrection of massachusetts farmers in response to heavy taxation from the state legislature; alerted the american people of the need for a stronger national government/something different than the articles of confederation

3/5ths compromise

agreement made at the constitutional convention; slave populations would count as 3/5 of their actual size for representation and taxation purposes (large southern states)

virginia plan

james madison’s plan for a three-branch government including a bicameral legislature, elected executive and judiciary

articles of confederation

the first constitution of the united states (1781); established a weak central government with limited powers, such as the ability to declare war and make treaties; lacked the power to tax or regulate trade; replaced with the constitution in 1789

brutus 1

anti-federalist document claiming that the constitution gave the government too much power and that a republican form of government cannot work on a large scale (america is too big + growing); “the greatest and wisest men”

federalist 10

james madison’s argument that a republican government works best on a large scale (montesquieu is wrong) and protects from “mischiefs of factions”

federalist 51

james madison’s explanation of separation of powers and checks and balances; the government cannot gain to much power because of the protections built into it

block grants

federal grants given to states for broad purposes (e.g. “roads” or “education”); less federal oversight/conditions

categorical grants

federal grants given to states for specific purposes (e.g. “fixing bridges” or “school safety”); more federal oversight/more conditional

commerce clause

gives congress the broad power to regulate interstate commerce; often used to push states to create legislation (e.g. drinking age)

concurrent powers

powers shared between the states and federal government (ex. taxation)

devolution

the process of making the government less powerful and giving the states more power (ex. reagan)

elastic clause

aka necessary and proper

enumerated powers

article 1, section 8; powers specifically reserved/outlined for congress in the constitution

exclusive powers

powers reserved specifically for either congress (article 1, section 8) or the states (10th amendment)

extradition

legal process of transferring a person accused or convicted of a crime against government from one country to another for conviction and punishment

federalism

system of government where power is divided between national and state governments; central government handles national issues, while state/local governments handle local matters; promotes a balance of power and protects individual rights.

full faith and credit

ex. a drivers license from michigan is valid in ohio

mandates

federal order for states to establish a program or do something; can be funded or unfunded (typically unfunded)

necessary and proper

article 1, section 8; grants congress the power to make laws needed to carry out its other powers

supremacy clause

article 8; the constitution is the supreme law of the land and anything that says differently is null and void

privileges and immunities

the rights and protections that are granted to all citizens of the united states; ensures that citizens are entitled to these fundamental rights regardless of the state they reside in

10th amendment

any power not specifically given to the federal government is reserved to the states

mcculloch v maryland

congress can establish a national bank with necessary and proper and states cannot interfere with the operation of the bank (supremacy clause)

united states v lopez

congress does not have the authority to regulate guns in schools with the commerce clause because it would allow congress to have too much power and regulate everything as “commerce”