Unit 1 Vocabulary Terms: AP US Government and Politics

Natural rights

The right to life, liberty, and property, which the government cannot take away.

Popular sovereignty

The idea that the government’s right to rule comes from the people.

Republicanism

A system in which the government’s authority comes from the people through their representatives.

Social contract

People allow their government to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society.

Declaration of Independence

The founding document of the U.S. that announced the separation of the American colonies from Great Britain in 1776.

Participatory democracy

The theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic government.

Pluralist democracy

A theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policymaking process.

Elite democracy

The theory of democracy that the elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policymaking process.

Shays’ Rebellion

A popular uprising against the government of Massachusetts.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

An agreement for a plan of government that settled issues of state representation by calling for bicameral legislatures.

Electoral College

A constitutionally required process for selecting the president through slates of electors chosen in each state.

Three-fifths Compromise

An agreement that a slave would count as three-fifths of a person for state representation.

Separation of powers

An act of vesting the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government in separate bodies.

Checks and balances

A design of government in which each branch has powers that can prevent the other branches from making policy.

Federalism

The sharing of power between the national government and the states.

Exclusive powers/Enumerated Implied powers

Powers only the national government may exercise.

Concurrent powers

Powers granted to both states and the federal government in the constitution.

Categorical grants

Grants-in-aid provided to states with specific conditions on their use.

Block grants

A type of grant in-aid that gives state officials more authority in the disbursement of federal funds.

Commerce clause

Grants Congress the authority to regulate interstate commercial activity.