AP Gov Unit 1 Vocab

Anarchy

the absence of any form of government or political authority

Aristocracy

ruled by the "best"; in reality, rule by an upper class

Authoritarianism

a type of regime in which only the government is fully controlled by the ruler; social and economic institutions exist that are not under the government's control

Capitalism

an economic system characterized by the private ownership of wealth-creating assets, free markets, and freedom of contract

Conservatism

a set of beliefs that includes a limited role for the national government in helping individuals, support for traditional values and life-styles, and a cautious response to change

Democracy

a system of government in which political authority is vested in the people. Derived from the greek words demos ("the people") and kratos ("authority")

Democratic Republic

a republic in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies

Direct Democracy

a system of government in which political decisions are made by the people directly, rather than by their elected representatives; probably attained most easily in small political communities

Divine Right of Kings

a political and religious doctrine that asserts a monarchy's legitimacy is conferred directly by God and as such a king is not subject to any earthly authority, including his people or the church

Elite Democracy (elitism)

a perspective holding that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interest; type of representative democracy that emphasizes limited participation in politics and civil society

Eminent domain

a power set forth in the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that allows government to take private property for public use under the condition that compensation is offered to the landowner

Equality

as a political value, the idea that all people are of equal worth

Government

the preeminent institution in which decisions are made that resolve conflicts or allocate benefits and privileges. It is unique because it has the ultimate authority within society

Hyperpluralism

when a large number of different groups or factions become so politically influential that the government is unable to function properly

Ideology (Political Ideology)

a comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and about the role of an institution or government

Initiative

a procedure by which voters can propose a law or constitutional amendment

Institution

an ongoing organization that performs certain functions for society

Legislature

a governmental body primarily responsible for the making of laws

Liberalism

a set of beliefs that includes the advocacy of positive government action to improve the welfare of individuals, support for civil rights, and tolerance for political and social change

Libertarianism

a political ideology based on skepticism or opposition toward almost all government activities

Liberty

the greatest freedom of individuals that is consistent with the freedom of other individuals in the society

Limited government

the principle that the powers of government should be limited, usually by constitutional checks

Linkage Institutions

a structure within a society that connects the people to the government or centralized authority. These institutions include: elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media

Majority

more than 50%

Majority rule

a basic principle of democracy asserting that the greatest number of citizens in any political unit should select officials and determine policy

Majority rule with minority rights

we have majority rule, but there are protections for people who are not in the majority

Minority

less than half

Oligarchy

rule by the few in their own interests

Participatory Democracy

type of representative democracy that emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society; citizen participation in as many areas as possible

Pluralist Democracy

type of representative democracy that recognizes group-based activism (group participation) by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision making

Political Culture

the set of ideals, values, and ways of thinking about government and politics that is shared by all citizens

Political Participation

all the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue

Political Socialization

the process through which individuals learn a set of political attitudes and form opinions about social issues. Families and the educational system are two of the most important forces in the political socialization process.

Politics

the process of resolving conflicts and deciding "who gets what, when, and how." More specifically, politics is the struggle over power or influence within organizations or informal groups that can grant or withhold benefits or privileges.

Recall

a procedure allowing people to vote to dismiss an elected official from state office before his or her term has expired

Referendum

an electoral device whereby legislative or constitutional measures are referred by the legislature to the voters for approval or disapproval

Representation

the function of members of Congress as elected officials representing the view of their constituents

Representative Democracy

a form of government in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies; may retain the monarchy in a ceremonial role

Republic

a form of government in which sovereignty rests with the people, as opposed to a king or monarch

Social Contract

a theory of politics that asserts that individuals form political communities by a process of mutual consent, giving up a measure of their individual liberty in order to gain the protection of government

Socialism

a political ideology based on strong support for economic and social equality. Socialists traditionally envisioned a society in which the major businesses were taken over by the government or by employee cooperatives.

Totalitarian regime

a form of government that controls all aspects of the political and social life of a nation

Universal Suffrage

the right of all adults to vote for their representative

Amending Process

The first stage (methods of proposal) can be passed either by two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress, or by a national Constitutional Convention called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures. The second stage (methods of ratification): by legislatures in three-fourths of the states, or by conventions in three-fourths of the states.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the confederate states drafted in 1777, ratified in 1781, and replaced by the present Constitution in 1789

Anti-Federalist

an individual who opposed the ratification of the new Constitution in 1787. The Anti-Federalists were opposed to a strong central government.

Article I

Legislative Branch and its powers

Article II

Executive Branch and its powers

Article III

Judicial Branch and its powers

Article IV

Relations between states

Article V

Amending process

Article VI

Supremacy and debt

Article VII

Ratification

Bicameral Legislature

a legislature made up of two parts, called chambers. The U.S. Congress, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, is a bicameral legislature

Bill of Rights

the first ten amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791 and guaranteeing such rights as the freedoms of speech, assembly, and worship

Bill of Attainder

legislation that imposes punishment on a specific person or group of people without a judicial trial

Brutus No. 1

anti-federalist paper that proposed that the Constitution represents a threat to the rights and freedoms of citizens and should not be ratified

Central Government

a government that acts for all the states within a country

Checks and Balances

a major principle of the American system of government whereby each branch of the government can check the actions of the others

Confederation

a political system in which states or regional governments retain ultimate authority except for those powers they expressly delegate to a central government. A voluntary association of independent states, in which the member states agree to limited restraints on their freedom of action

Declaration of Independence

The document approved by representatives of the American colonies in 1776 that stated their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence

Electoral College

a group of persons called electors selected by the voters in each state and the District of Columbia; this group officially elects the president and vice president of the United States.

Factions

A group of bloc in a legislature or political party acting in pursuit of some special interest or position.

Federalist

The name given to one who was in favor of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and the creation of a federal union with a strong central government.

Federalist #10

An essay written by James Madison arguing for the ratification of the United States Constitution, stating a republic is superior to a democracy because a democracy cannot prevent the violence in factions.

Federalist #51

Addresses means by which appropriate checks and balances can be created in government and also advocates a separation of powers within the national government.

Federal System

A system of government in which power is divided between a central government and regional, or subdivisional, governments. Each level must have some domain in which its policies are dominant and some genuine political or constitutional guarantee of its authority.

Grand Committee

A committee at the Constitutional Convention that worked out the compromise on representation.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

The compromise between the New Jersey and Virginia plans that created one chamber of the Congress based on population and one chamber representing each state equally.

Impeachment

An action by the House of Representatives to accuse the president, vice president, or other civil officers of the United States of committing 'treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.'

John Locke

17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings and who asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property.

New Jersey Plan

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in a unicameral Congress regardless of the state's population.

Virginia Plan

'Large state' proposal for the new constitution calling for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress.

Three-fifths Compromise

Each slave would count for ⅗ of a person for taxation and representation purposes.

Tyranny of the majority

A weakness to majority rule where the majority is able to pursue its own interest and disregard those of minority factions.

Madisonian Model

A structure of government proposed by James Madison in which the powers of the government are separated into three branches; executive, legislative, and judicial.

Natural Rights

Rights held to be inherent in natural law, not dependent on governments. John Locke stated that natural law, being superior to human law, specifies certain rights of 'life, liberty, and property.' These rights, altered to become 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,' are asserted in the Declaration of Independence.

Popular sovereignty

The idea that people are sovereign; the people are the source of power; choose to give up basic natural rights and give those rights to the government - governed gives power to the government.

Preamble

An introductory statement.

Ratification

Formal approval.

Representative Assembly

A legislature composed of individuals who represent the population.

Separation of Powers

The principle of dividing governmental powers among different branches of government.

Slave Trade Compromise

Congress could not regulate or outlaw slavery or the slave trade until 1808.

Supremacy Clause (Supremacy Doctrine)

The constitutional provision that makes the Constitution and federal laws superior to all conflicting state and local laws — a doctrine that asserts the priority of national law over state laws.

Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS)

The highest federal court in the United States.

Unicameral legislature

A legislature with only one legislative chamber, as opposed to a bicameral (two-chamber) legislature, such as the U.S. Congress.

United States Constitution

Outlines the structure and function of our government and also, through the Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments, guarantees our civil rights and liberties.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or into court, especially to secure the person's release unless lawful grounds are shown for their detention.

Block grants

Federal programs that provide funds to state and local governments for general functional areas, such as criminal justice or mental health programs.

Categorical grants

Federal grants to states or local governments that are for specific programs or projects.

Commerce Clause

The section of the Constitution in which Congress is given the power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries.

Concurrent powers

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments.

Conditions-of-aid

Federal rules that states must follow if they choose to receive the federal grants.

Confederal System

A system consisting of a league of independent states, each having essentially sovereign powers.

Cooperative Federalism

The theory that the states and the national government should cooperate in solving problems.

Devolution

The transfer of powers from a national or central government to a state or local government.

Dual Federalism

A system in which the states and the national government each remains supreme within their own sphere.

Enumerated Powers

A power specifically granted to the national government by the Constitution.

Exclusive powers

Powers that are explicitly given to the national government; enumerated and implied powers.

Extradition

To surrender an accused or convicted criminal to the authorities of the state from which he or she has fled.