Gov AP amendments, democracies, and other definitions

First Amendment

Protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.

Second Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms and regulates militia service.

Third Amendment

Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner's consent during peacetime.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; requires warrants based on probable cause. If not, evidence can’t be used

Fifth Amendment

Requires a grand jury except in military cases; provides protections against self-incrimination, double jeapardy, and deprivation of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; ensures compensation for taken private property

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, legal counsel, and to confront witnesses in criminal cases.

Seventh Amendment

Guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases and protects against re-examination of facts tried by a jury.

Eighth Amendment

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

Ninth Amendment

Listing some rights in the Constitution doesn't mean other rights are ignored or taken away

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

Thirteenth Amendment

Prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

Fourteenth amendment

Defines citizenship and guarantees equal protection under the law.

Fifteenth amendment

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Sixteenth amendment

Congress can collect income tax from individuals and businesses

Seventeenth amendment

Voters now elect senators directly

Nineteenth amendment

Grants women the right to vote

22 amendment

Limits the president to two terms in office.

24 amendment

Prohibits the poll tax in federal elections.

25th amendment

Addresses presidential succession and disability.

26 amendment

Grants the right to vote to citizens aged 18 and older.

Participatory Democracy

Emphasizes broad citizenship involvement in politics

Example: Town Hall meetings

Big Idea: The people actively participate in decisions

Pluralist Democracy

Power is spread among many groups (interest groups, unions, etc)

Big Idea: No single group dominates — competition = balance

Elite Democracy

A small group of wealthy or educated elites make most decisions

Interest groups

A group that tries to get the government to do what it wants

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and regional entities, allowing for a distribution of power.

Commerce clause

Grants Congress the power to regulate trade and commerce with foreign nations, among the states, and with Native American tribes.

Establishment clause

Prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or unduly favoring one religion over another.

Free Exercise clause

Protects individuals' rights to practice their religion without government interference.

Iron triangle

A relationship between interest groups, government agencies, and congressional committees that promotes mutual benefit and influence.

Political socialization

The process by which individuals develop their political beliefs and values, influenced by family, education, media, and social environments.

PAC (Political Action Commitee)

An organization that raises and spends money to elect or defeat political candidates.

Retrospective voting

Voting based on the past — how well a candidate or party has done.

Prospective voting

Voting based on the future — what the candidate says they’’ll do

Rational choice voting

Voting based on what benefits you the most