AP Government Unit 1 Terms

Anarchy

Absence of any cohesive principle, such as a common standard or purpose.

Government

The act or process of governing, especially the control and administration of public policy in a political unit.

Politics

The activity by which an issue is agitated or settled.

Sovereignty

The ultimate political author in a system.

Democracy

The rule of the many.

Plutocracy

A government or state in which the wealthy rule.

Articles of Confederation

A weak constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary War.

Public Policy

The public interest or public good as expressed in principles that guide the interpretation and enforcement of the law.

Federalists

Those who favor a stronger national government.

Anti-Federalists

Those who favor a weaker national government.

Categorical Grants

Federal grants for specific purposes, such as building an airport.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by the national and state governments.

Commerce Clause

The provision in Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution that empowers Congress to regulate trade and economic activity with foreign nations, among the several states, and with Indian tribes.

Confederal System

A system of government where state governments are sovereign, and the national government can do only what the states permit.

Federalism

Government authority shared by national and local governments.

Devolution

The transfer of power from the national government to state and local governments.

Reserved Powers

Powers given to the state government alone.

Unitary System

A system of government where sovereignty is fully vested in the national government, not the states.

Mandates

Terms set by the national government that states must meet whether or not they accept federal grants.

Enumerated Powers

Powers given to the national government alone.

"Necessary and Proper Clause"

Section of the Constitution allowing Congress to pass all laws “necessary and proper” to its duties, and that has permitted Congress to exercise powers not specifically given to it (enumerated) by the Constitution.

Supremacy Clause

Section of the Constitution that allows it to stand above all other laws in the case of a legal dispute.