AP GOVERNMENT SUMMER READING

Government

The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.

Public Policies

All of the things a government decides to do, covering issues like taxation, defense, education, and healthcare.

Executive Power

The power to execute, enforce, and administer laws.

Judicial Power

The power to interpret laws, determine their meaning, and settle disputes.

Constitution

The body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures, and processes of a government.

Limited Government

The principle that government must obey the law and is restricted in its powers.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to determine the constitutionality of governmental actions.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee individual rights.

Amendment

A formal change or addition to the Constitution.

Ratification

The official approval of an amendment by the states.

Direct Democracy

A form of democracy where the people directly participate in decision-making.

Representative Democracy

A form of democracy where elected officials represent a group of people.

Senatorial Courtesy

An unwritten rule that the Senate will approve only those presidential appointees who are acceptable to the senators of the President's party from the state involved.

22nd Amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that limits the President to two terms in office.

25th Amendment

An amendment that addresses presidential succession and disability.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are reasonably suggested by the expressed powers.

Inherent Powers

Powers that belong to the National Government because it is a sovereign state in the world community.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in Article VI of the Constitution stating that the Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

A clause in Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution requiring states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Extradition

The legal process by which a fugitive from justice in one state can be returned to that state.

Continuous Body

A term used to describe the Senate, which is never entirely up for election at the same time, ensuring stability.

Incumbent

A current officeholder who is seeking reelection.

Reapportionment

The process of redistributing seats in the House of Representatives based on changes in population.

Congressional District

A specific area from which a member of the House of Representatives is elected.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A clause in Article I, Section 8, allowing Congress to make laws deemed necessary and proper to execute its powers.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units (states).

McCulloch v

An 1819 Supreme Court case that established the principle of national supremacy and implied powers of Congress.

Expressed Powers

Powers specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution, primarily found in Article I, Section 8.

Interstate Compacts

Agreements between states that require congressional approval, allowing states to cooperate on shared issues.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

A clause in the Constitution that prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states.

Term of Congress

The period during which Congress meets, lasting two years, with each term divided into two sessions.

Gerrymandering

The practice of drawing congressional district boundaries to favor one political party over another.

Commerce Clause

A clause in the Constitution granting Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states.

Bankruptcy Power

The authority granted to Congress to establish uniform laws on bankruptcy throughout the United States.

Legal Tender

Money that must be accepted if offered in payment of a debt, as established by Congress.

Deficit Financing

The practice of funding government spending by borrowing rather than through revenue.

Public Debt

The total amount of money that a government owes to creditors.

Contract Clause

A provision in the Constitution that prohibits states from passing laws that impair the obligation of contracts.

State

A body of people living in a defined territory with an organized political structure, possessing the authority to make and enforce laws independently of any higher authority.

Sovereignty

The supreme and absolute authority within a state's territorial boundaries, meaning the state has full control over its internal and external affairs without interference.

Force Theory

The state was born when an individual or group claimed control over a territory and its population, compelling them to submit to their rule by force.

Evolutionary Theory

The state evolved naturally from early family structures, with the head of the family becoming the leader and forming a government.

Divine Right Theory

The state is created by God, and those chosen by God have the divine right to govern, with the expectation of obedience from the people.

Social Contract Theory

The state arose from a voluntary act of free people who agreed to form a government for protection and social order, foundational to modern democracy.

Dictatorship

A form of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a small group or a single individual who is not accountable to the people.

Democracy

A system of government where supreme authority rests with the people, based on the will of the majority and accountability to citizens.

Indirect Democracy

Also known as representative democracy, where elected officials represent a group of people and make decisions on their behalf.

Autocracy

A system where a single person holds unlimited power, often maintaining authority through control of the military and police.

Oligarchy

Power held by a small, often self-appointed elite based on wealth, family ties, or military control.

Authoritarian

A government that exerts absolute control over the lives of its citizens, often centralized in a single leader or small group.

Totalitarian

An extreme form of authoritarianism where the government seeks to control every aspect of public and private life.

Unitary Government

A centralized government where all powers are held by a single central agency, with local governments existing only with delegated powers.

Confederate Government

An alliance of independent states with a central government that has limited power, often restricted to defense and trade.

Presidential Government

A system featuring a separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, with an independently elected President.

Parliamentary Government

A system where the executive branch is made up of the prime minister and cabinet, who are accountable to the legislature.

Republic

A form of government where the country is considered a "public matter" with an elected or nominated president as head of state.

Checks and Balances

A system ensuring no single branch of government becomes too powerful, allowing each branch to restrain the actions of the others.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent the concentration of power.

Formal Amendments

Changes or additions to the Constitution that are written directly into the document, requiring significant support for proposal and ratification.

Informal Amendments

Changes to the interpretation or application of the Constitution that occur through judicial interpretation, legislative action, executive actions, or custom.

Preamble

The introduction to the Constitution stating its purposes, including establishing justice and securing the blessings of liberty.

Articles

The Constitution is divided into seven articles outlining the structure and powers of government, including the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches.

Amendments

Changes to the Constitution, with the first ten known as the Bill of Rights, guaranteeing essential freedoms and rights.

Delegated Powers

Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution, such as coining money and declaring war.

Reserved Powers

Powers not granted to the federal government nor prohibited to the states, reserved for the states or the people.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments, including the power to tax and build roads.

House of Representatives

The lower house of Congress, with membership based on state population, where representatives serve two-year terms.

Senate

The upper house of Congress, with two members from each state, regardless of population, serving six-year terms.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislative structure composed of two houses, allowing for a balance of power between smaller and larger states.

Legislative Powers

Powers of Congress to make laws, frame public policies, declare war, and oversee spending.

Impeachment

The process by which the House can impeach federal officials, while the Senate tries the impeachments.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws, including Congress. (Article 1)

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws, headed by the President. (Article 2)

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws, including the Supreme Court and other federal courts. (Article 3)