AP US Government and Politics, Chapter 1

natural rights

Rights that individuals are born with, which include the right to life, liberty, and property.

popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

republicanism

A political philosophy where a government is based on elected representatives and an elected leader, emphasizing the importance of citizen participation and limited governmental power.

social contract

An implicit agreement among individuals to form a society and abide by its rules in exchange for protection of their rights.

Participatory democracy

A model of democracy in which citizens have the power to decide directly on policy and politicians are responsible for implementing those policy decisions.

Pluralist democracy

A model of democracy that recognizes the diversity of interests and groups in society, allowing for multiple voices and perspectives.

Elite democracy

A model of democracy that emphasizes the role of a small number of individuals or groups in making decisions on behalf of the larger population.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch with the means to limit the powers of the others.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Limited Government

A political system in which legalized force is restricted through delegated and enumerated powers.

Brutus 1

An essay arguing against the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, emphasizing the dangers of a large central government.

Federalist #10

An essay by James Madison arguing for the ratification of the Constitution, discussing the dangers of factions and how a large republic can mitigate those dangers.

faction

A group of individuals, such as a political party or interest group, that seeks to influence public policy.

sources of factions

Factors that lead to the formation of factions, including differing opinions, interests, and economic conditions.

controlled factions

Methods to manage or limit the influence of factions, such as through a representative government.

ideal number of representatives and voters in a republic

The optimal ratio that ensures effective representation and prevents tyranny of the majority.

Anti-Federalist writings

Adhered to popular democratic theory that emphasized the benefits of a small decentralized republic while warning of the dangers to personal liberty from a large, centralized government.

Articles of Confederation

Created debate over granting the federal government greater power that was formerly reserved to the states.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

A compromise that established a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution to elect the President and Vice President of the United States.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement that counted three out of every five slaves as persons for the purposes of representation and taxation.

Compromise on the importation of slaves

An agreement that allowed the importation of slaves to continue for a period of time before Congress could act on it.

Commerce Clause

A clause that grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states.

Elastic Clause

A clause that allows Congress to make laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Implied powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are inferred from the enumerated powers.

Reserved powers

Powers that are not granted to the federal government nor prohibited to the states, thus reserved for the states.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

A clause requiring states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

A clause that prevents a state from treating citizens of other states in a discriminatory manner.

Extradition

The process of delivering an individual from one jurisdiction to another for prosecution or punishment.

Federalist No. 51

An essay that explains how the structure of government must furnish the proper checks and balances between the different departments.

Amendment Process

The process by which changes can be made to the Constitution, including proposal and ratification methods.

Policy Agenda

The set of issues that policymakers prioritize and address.

Power

The ability to influence or outright control the behavior of people.

Authority

The legitimate right to wield power.

Legitimacy

The recognized right to govern, often based on legal or moral grounds.

Majoritarian politics

Politics in which the majority's preferences dominate.

Client politics

Politics that benefits a small group while imposing costs on a larger group.

Entrepreneurial politics

Politics in which a small group benefits while the majority pays the costs.

Interest group politics

Politics in which one small group benefits at the expense of another small group.

Tea Act/Stamp Act

Significant events that contributed to colonial dissatisfaction with British rule.

Publishing of Common Sense

A pamphlet by Thomas Paine that advocated for American independence from Britain.

First and Second Continental Congress

Assemblies of delegates from the colonies that coordinated resistance against British policies.

Shays Rebellion

An armed uprising in 1786-1787 aimed at protesting economic injustices and the lack of government response.

Constitutional Convention

The gathering that drafted the Constitution of the United States in 1787.

VA Plan

A proposal for a bicameral legislative branch based on population.

NJ Plan

A proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

CT Compromise

A compromise that combined elements of the Virginia and New Jersey Plans.

3 ways Constitution addressed slavery

The Three-Fifths Compromise, the Compromise on the importation of slaves, and the prohibition of slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Roche and Beard thesis

A theory on the motivations of the framers of the Constitution and how they justified their decisions.

Necessary and proper clause

A clause that grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.

Powers of President

The authority vested in the President, including enforcing laws, commanding the military, and conducting foreign policy.

Supreme Court original v. appellate jurisdiction

Original jurisdiction refers to the power of a court to hear a case for the first time, while appellate jurisdiction refers to the power to review decisions made by lower courts.

Direct democracy

A form of democracy in which people decide on policy initiatives directly.

Indirect democracy

A form of democracy in which people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Bill of Rights debate

The discussion between Federalists and Anti-Federalists regarding the necessity of a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.