AP Government Unit 1: Vocabulary

Checks and Balances

Design of government where each branch has power over the others

Inalienable Rights

Fundamental rights that cannot be taken away by the government because all people are born with them (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness).

Limited Government

A principle stating that the government’s power is restricted by the Constitution, and leaders can only act within the authority the people give them.

Natural Rights

Rights that all people inherently possess simply because they are human — including life, liberty, and property (John Locke).

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that government gets its power from the people, and the people can alter or abolish the government if it stops serving them.

Republicanism

A political principle that says the people elect representatives to make laws and govern on their behalf, rather than ruling directly.

Separation of Powers

A constitutional principle that divides government authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with each branch having its own powers and responsibilities.

Social Contract

The idea that people give up some freedom to the government in exchange for protection of their natural rights, and if the government fails, the people can change or replace it.

Elite Democracy

A model of democracy where a small, powerful group of people (political, economic, or social elites) make most major decisions, because they are seen as more informed or capable than the general public.

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy that emphasizes broad, direct involvement of citizens in politics and policymaking, rather than leaving decisions mainly to elected officials or elites.

Pluralist Democracy

A model of democracy where many competing interest groups influence policymaking, and government decisions result from bargaining and compromise among these groups rather than from a single elite or direct citizen participation.

Delegations of Authority

When a higher level of government assigns specific powers to another person, group, or agency to act on its behalf.

Federalism as Distributions of Power

The idea that government power is divided between the national government and the state governments, with each level having its own distinct powers.

Mischiefs of Factions

The problems caused when interest groups pursue their own agendas in ways that harm the rights of others or the common good (Madison, Federalist No. 10).

Delegated Powers

Powers that the Constitution gives to the federal government, such as declaring war or regulating interstate commerce.

Interstate Powers

Powers involving activities or issues that cross state lines, which fall under federal authority.

Intrastate Powers

Powers involving activities within a single state, which are handled by state governments.

Articles of Confederation

America’s first national government, which created a weak central government with most power left to the states.

Shay’s Rebellion

A 1786–87 uprising of Massachusetts farmers protesting debt and taxes, which showed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger national government.

Connecticut (Great) Compromise

The agreement at the Constitutional Convention that created a bicameral Congress with the House based on population and the Senate with equal representation for each state.

Electoral College

The system used to elect the president, where states choose electors who then cast the official votes for president and vice president.

Importation of Slaves Compromise

A Constitutional Convention agreement that allowed the slave trade to continue until 1808, after which Congress could ban it.

The Philadelphia Convention

The 1787 meeting where delegates gathered to rewrite the Articles of Confederation and ultimately created the U.S. Constitution, establishing a stronger national government.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement at the Constitutional Convention that counted each enslaved person as three‑fifths of a person for purposes of representation and taxation.

Executive Powers

The powers of the president to enforce laws, command the military, negotiate treaties, and appoint officials.

Impeachment

The process by which the House of Representatives charges a federal official (including the president) with misconduct; the Senate then holds the trial to decide removal.

Judicial Powers

The powers of the courts to interpret laws, apply the Constitution, and resolve disputes, including the ability to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional.

Legislative Powers

The powers of Congress to make laws, control federal spending, declare war, and approve appointments and treaties.

Bills of Attainder

Laws that punish a person or group without a trial; the Constitution forbids them.

Block Grants

Federal money given to states for a broad purpose with few restrictions, giving states more flexibility in how they spend it.

Categorical Grants

Federal money given to states for a specific, narrowly defined purpose, with strict rules on how it must be used.

Commerce Clause

A clause in Article I, Section 8 giving Congress the power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, which has been used to expand federal authority over economic activity.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that both the federal government and state governments share and can exercise at the same time.

Delegated Powers

Powers that the Constitution gives specifically to the federal government, such as declaring war, coining money, and regulating interstate commerce.

Devolution

The process where the federal government shifts power and responsibility back to the states, giving them more control over programs and policy decisions.

Dual Federalism

A system where the national and state governments operate separately, each with distinct powers, like a “layer cake” model of federalism.