Midterm ap gov

constitutional government

A system of government in which the functions of government are defined by a constitution. It effectively restrains the powers of the government and guarantees certain rights to the people.

democracy

a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

limited government

In this type of government everyone, including all authority figures, must obey laws. Constitutions, statements of rights, or other laws define the limits of those in power so they cannot take advantage of the elected, appointed, or inherited positions.

republic

a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

unwritten constitution

customs, traditions, practices not written in constitution that are part of our system of government

written constitution

A written plan of government that sets forth the structures and powers of government.

common law

(civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions

British Constitution

the principles, procedures, and precedents that governed the operation of the British government. these could be found in no single written document; Parliament and the king made the Constitution by their actions.

precedent

an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time

rule of law

a state of order in which events conform to the law

compact

a signed written agreement between two or more parties (nations) to perform some action

sovereignty

the supreme and absolute authority within territorial boundaries

Articles of Confederation

a written agreement ratified in 1781 by the thirteen original states

confederation

a union of political organizations

Shays' Rebellion

Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.

Great Compromise

Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature and representation based on population in the other house

Three-Fifths Compromise

the agreement by which the number of each state's representatives in Congress would be based on a count of all the free people plus three-fifths of the slaves

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention protecting slave holders; denied Congress the power to tax the export of goods from any state, and, for 20 years, the power to act on the slave trade

civic virtue

notion that democracy depended on unselfish commitment to the public good

common good

the good of a community

divine right

belief that a ruler's authority comes directly from God

natural rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

political legitimacy

Acceptance by the governed that the claim to authority by those who govern is justified.

popular sovereignty

people hold the final authority in all matters of government

right of revolution

right to overthrow the government by the people

consent of the governed

the idea that government derives its authority by the sanction of the people

unalienable rights

These rights are fundamental or natural rights guaranteed to people naturally instead of by the law. They include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

social contract theory

The belief that people are free and equal by natural right, and that this in turn requires that all people give their consent to be governed; espoused by John Locke and influential in the writing of the declaration of independence.

charter

a document incorporating an institution and specifying its rights

constituent

supporter; voter; member of a constituency; component

covenant

a signed written agreement between two or more parties (nations) to perform some action

Mayflower Compact

1620 - The first agreement for self-government in America. It was signed by the 41 men on the Mayflower and set up a government for the Plymouth colony.

suffrage

the right to vote

checks and balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

legislative supremacy

A system of government in which the legislative branch has ultimate power.

veto

a vote that blocks a decision

civil discourse

reasoned discussion as opposed to emotional display

Constitutional Convention

the convention of United States statesmen who drafted the United States Constitution in 1787

delegate

a person appointed or elected to represent others

national government

The organization having central political authority in a nation. The representative unit of political organization.

proportional representation

representation of all parties in proportion to their popular vote

deliberative body

a legislative assembly that meets to debate issues

electoral college

the body of electors who formally elect the United States president and vice-president

necessary and proper clause

Congress, in addition to its express powers, has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government

separation of powers

the division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government

shared powers

powers granted to the national government by the Constitution, but not denied to the states

authority

the right to use power

direct or participatory democracy

A government in which all or most citizens participate directly

legitimacy

undisputed credibility

representative democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.

bureaucrats

the appointed officials who operate government agencies from day to day

power

possession of controlling influence

judicial review

the power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments unconstitutional

federalism

the idea of a federal organization of more or less self-governing units

faction

a dissenting clique

federalists

supporters of the stronger central government who advocated the ratification of the new constitution

anti-federalists

opponents of a strong central government who campaigned against the ratification of the Constitution in favor of a confederation of independent states

Federalist Papers

a series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay (using the name "publius") published in NY newspapers and used to convince readers to adopt the new constitution

coalition

the union of diverse things into one body or form or group

Bill of Rights

a statement of fundamental rights and privileges (especially the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution)

amendments

Official changes, corrections, or additions to the Constitution

Unitary System

a government that gives all key powers to the national or central government

Nullification

The doctrine that a state can declare null and void a federal law that, in the state's opinion, violates the Constitution.

Dual Federalism

A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.

Police Power

state power to enact laws promoting health, safety, and morals

Initiative

process that permits voters to put legislative measures directly on the ballot

Referendum

a legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate

Recall

Procedure for submitting to popular vote the removal of officials from office before the end of their term.

Conditions-of-aid

Terms set by the national government that states must meet if they are to receive certain federal funds.

Mandates

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

Categorical Grants

Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes or "categories," of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions. Compare to block grants.

Block Grants

federal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services

Revenue Sharing

distribution of part of the federal tax income to states and municipalities

Elastic Clause

the part of the Constitution that permits Congress to make any laws "necessary and proper" to carrying out its powers

Expressed Powers

Powers that Congress has that are specifically listed in the Constitution

Implied Powers

Powers that Congress has that are not specifically mentioned in the Constitution

Concurrent Powers

Powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments

Inherent Powers

The powers of the national government in foreign affairs that the Supreme Court has declared do not depend on constitutional grants but rather grow out of the very existence of the national government

Reserved Powers

Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people

Delegated Powers

Powers specifically given to the federal government by the US Constitution.

Federal System

a government that divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments

Devolution

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states

Supremacy Clause

constitutional declaration (Article VI) that the Constitution and laws made under its provisions are the greatest law of the land

Full Faith and Credit

A clause in Article IV, Section 1, of the Constitution requiring each state to recognize the official documents and civil judgments rendered by the courts of other states.

Political Culture

An overall set of values widely shared within a society.

Political Ideology

A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose. It helps give meaning to political events, personalities, and policies.

Civic Duty

A belief that one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs.

Civic Competence

A belief that one can affect government policies.

Class Consciousness

A belief that you are a member of an economic group whose interests are opposed to people in other such groups.

Orthodox

Adhering to what is commonly accepted

Progressive

A belief that personal freedom and solving social problems are more important than religion

Political Efficacy

The belief that one's political participation really matters - that one's vote can actually make a difference.

Internal Efficacy

The ability to understand and take part in politics.

External Efficacy

The willingness of the state to respond to the citizenry.

Equality of Opportunity

A widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential

Equality of Results

The belief that everyone can achieve the same results despite differences in backgrounds if they work hard enough and overcome obstacles.

gender gap

A term that refers to the regular pattern by which women are more likely to support Democratic candidates. Women tend to be significantly less conservative than men and are more likely to support spending on social services and to oppose higher levels of military spending.

liberal

a person who generally believes the government should take an active role in the economy and in social programs but that the government should not dictate social behavior

conservative

a person who believes government power, particularly in the economy, should be limited in order to maximize individual freedom

libertarian

one who favors a free market economy and no governmental interference in personal liberties