AP U.S. Government Vocabulary

Social Contract

an agreement between citizens and their government, where individuals willingly give up some of their freedoms in exchange for protection and the promotion of the common good (e.g., enforceable state laws against murder, theft, slavery, etc.)

Natural Rights

fundamental human rights that are inherent to all individuals, such as the rights to life, liberty, and property, which are considered universal

Popular Sovereignty

the principle that ultimate political authority and power reside with the people, who have the right to participate in the decision-making processes

Limited Government

the concept that governmental power should be restrained and defined by a constitution or a set of laws, ensuring that the government's authority is not absolute and that individual rights are protected from other individuals and the government

Federalism

contributes to limited government by sharing power between the central government and regional governments, allowing for a distribution of authority that prevents excessive concentration of power in any one entity

Republicanism

as a system of government where power is held by the people and exercised through elected representatives, provides mechanisms for popular participation and accountability

Separation of Powers

divides the government into three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—each with distinct powers and responsibilities, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful

Checks and Balances

further guarantee limited government by establishing a system where each branch has the ability to restrain and oversee the actions of the other branches, ensuring that no single branch can dominate or abuse its power

Consent of the Governed

the authority of government should be based on the will and consent of the people, further reinforcing the concept of popular sovereignty

The Ideals of the Declaration of Independence

all individuals are endowed with certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

The Constitutional Convention

1787 - Where the U.S. Constitution was drafted by James Madison with the help of Alexander Hamilton and members of the Grand Committee

The Bill of Rights

A series of amendments included in the constitution which protect individual rights and liberties, thereby further limiting the government's authority over personal freedoms

The democratic ideals that the U.S. Government is based on

Social Contract, Natural Rights, Popular Sovereignty, and Limited Government

The Ideal of Limited Government is ensured by the interaction of these principles

Federalism, Republicanism, Separation of Powers, and Checks and Balances