AP GOVERNMENT UNIT ONE VOCABULARY

Politics

The process of influencing government actions and policies.

Government

The system or organization through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.

Democracy

A government ruled by the people, either directly or through elected representatives.

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights all humans are born with—life, liberty, and property (Locke).

Social Contract

An agreement among people to create a government that will protect their rights.

American Political Culture

The shared set of beliefs and values about how the government should function.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of government is derived from the people.

Republicanism

A political ideology in which people elect representatives to make decisions for them.

Inalienable Rights

Rights that cannot be taken away or denied; rooted in the Declaration of Independence.

Participatory Democracy

A model emphasizing broad, direct participation by citizens in policy making.

Civil Society Groups

Independent organizations that allow citizens to advocate and express interests.

Pluralist Theory

The idea that many groups compete to influence policy, leading to compromise and balance.

Elitist Theory

The idea that a small, powerful elite group dominates politics and policymaking.

Political Institutions

Structures in a government (e.g., Congress, presidency, judiciary) that perform political functions.

Constitutional Republic

A government where the people elect representatives to govern under a constitution.

Constitution

A written or unwritten document that outlines government structure, powers, and limits.

Republic

A form of democracy in which elected officials represent the people.

Unicameral Legislature

A legislature with only one legislative chamber (e.g., Nebraska’s state legislature).

Writ of Habeas Corpus

A court order requiring the government to justify a prisoner’s detention.

Bills of Attainder

Legislative acts that declare someone guilty without a trial (unconstitutional).

Ex Post Facto Laws

Laws that criminalize past actions that were legal at the time (unconstitutional).

Universal Suffrage

The extension of voting rights to all adult citizens.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing individual freedoms (e.g., speech, religion, fair trial).

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. government framework, which had a weak national government and gave most power to states.

Shay’s Rebellion

A farmer uprising that exposed weaknesses in the Articles and helped push for a stronger federal government.

Constitutional Convention

1787 meeting in Philadelphia to revise the Articles; resulted in the U.S. Constitution.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong central government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who feared central power and demanded a Bill of Rights.

Federalist Papers

Essays written to support ratification of the Constitution.

Federalist No. 51

Argues for separation of powers and checks and balances to prevent tyranny.

Federalist No. 10

Argues that a large republic can guard against the dangers of faction.

Brutus No. 1

Anti-Federalist paper warning against a too-powerful national government.

The Virginia Plan

Proposal for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.

The New Jersey Plan

Proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal state representation.

Grand Committee

Group of delegates that crafted compromises at the Constitutional Convention.

The Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Blended the VA and NJ plans by creating a bicameral Congress (House by population, Senate equal).

3/5ths Compromise

Agreement to count 3 out of 5 slaves for population and taxation purposes.

Compromise on Importation

Allowed the slave trade to continue until 1808 in exchange for Southern support of the Constitution.

Amendment (B.o.R.)

Formal changes to the Constitution; the first 10 are known as the Bill of Rights.

Separation of Powers

Division of government into three branches (legislative, executive, judicial).

Checks and Balances

Each branch of government can limit the powers of the others.

Expressed/Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution.

Necessary & Proper/Elastic Clause

Gives Congress the power to pass laws needed to carry out its duties.

Implied Powers

Powers not stated directly but suggested by the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Executive Branch

Enforces laws; headed by the President.

Legislative Branch

Makes laws; includes the House of Representatives and Senate.

Judicial Branch

Interprets laws; includes the Supreme Court and other federal courts.

Supremacy Clause

Declares the Constitution and federal laws supreme over state laws.

Federal Systems

Power is divided between national and state governments.

Unitary Systems

All power is held by a central authority.

Confederal Systems

States hold the majority of power; national government is weak (e.g., Articles of Confederation).

Exclusive Powers

Powers given only to the federal government (e.g., coining money, declaring war).

The Commerce Clause

Gives Congress the power to regulate trade between states and other nations.

The Supremacy Clause

Establishes that federal laws and the Constitution overrule conflicting state laws.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not given to the federal government to the states or people.

Reserved Powers

Powers kept by the states (e.g., education, local law enforcement).

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both state and federal governments (e.g., taxing).

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must recognize the public acts, records, and proceedings of other states.

Extradition

Returning a suspect or criminal to the state where the crime was committed.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Established national supremacy and upheld implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Gibbons v. Ogden

Expanded federal power over interstate commerce.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery in the U.S.

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship and equal protection under the law.

15th Amendment

Grants voting rights regardless of race, color, or previous servitude.

Dual Federalism

States and federal governments operate independently in separate spheres (layer cake).

Selective Incorporation

The process of applying the Bill of Rights to the states via the 14th Amendment.

Cooperative Federalism

National and state governments share responsibilities (marble cake).

Grants-in-Aid

Federal funds given to states for specific purposes.

Fiscal Federalism

The use of federal funds to influence state policies.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds with specific conditions attached (e.g., Medicaid).

Unfunded Mandates

Federal requirements without funding (e.g., ADA).

Block Grants

Federal money given for broad purposes, with fewer restrictions.

Revenue Sharing

Federal distribution of tax money to states with minimal restrictions (mostly phased out).

Devolution

The transfer of power from the federal government to state governments.

US v. Lopez

Limited Congress’s use of the Commerce Clause; ruled a federal gun law unconstitutional.

Loving v. Virginia (1967)

Struck down state laws banning interracial marriage.

US v. Windsor

Struck down the Defense of Marriage Act’s definition of marriage as only between a man and woman.

Obergefell v. Hodges

Legalized same-sex marriage nationwide under the 14th Amendment.

Gonzalez v. Raich

Upheld federal power to ban marijuana even when states permit medical use.