AP GOV VOCAB

Checks and balances

System of overlapping the powers of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches to permit each to oversee one another to prevent abuse of power.

concurrent powers

Basic governing functions that are exercised by the national and state governments independently, and at the same time, including the power to make policy, raise revenue, implement policies, and establish courts

confederation

A union of independent states in which each state retains its sovereignty and agrees to work collaboratively on matters the states expressly agree to delegate to a central governing body

conservatism

an ideology that emphasizes preserving tradition and relying on community and family as mechanisms of continuity in society; one who believes government should be limited, except in supporting traditional values and promoting freedom of opportunity

constitution

The body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures, and processes for how a government will operate and relate to its people.

democracy

A form of government in which the supreme authority rests with the people and uses its power for the benefit of all. In this system all citizens participate in governing in some manner so that decision making power is shared.

dual sovereignty

a system of government in which ultimate governing authority is divided between two levels of government with each level having ultimate authority over different policy matters

enumerated powers

Powers directly stated (written) in the Constitution.

federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central/national government and several regional governments; dividing power geographically

grants-in-aid

the transfer of money from the national government to a state or local government that does not need to be paid back

government

The institution through which society makes and enforces public policies.

implied powers

Powers that the government requires to carry out the expressed constitutional powers which are NOT WRITTEN in the Constitution.

legitimacy

a quality conferred on government by citizens who believe that its exercise of power is right and proper; the recognized right to rule

liberalism

An ideology that advocates change in the social, political, and economic realms to better protect the well-being of individuals and to produce equality within society; one who believes the national government should be active in promoting health, education, justice, and opportunity

limited government

constitutional principle that government that is restricted in what it can do so that the rights of the people are protected

monarchy

government in which a member of a royal family, usually a king or queen, has absolute authority over a territory and its government

nullification

a legal theory that state governments have the authority to invalidate national actions they deem unconstitutional

oligarchy

A form of government in which the power to rule is held by a small, usually self-appointed elite; often seen when one political party rules a state.

politics

The process of deciding who gets benefits in society and who does not

popular sovereignty

the theory that government is created by the people and depends on the people for the authority to rule; power comes from the will of the people

preemption

the constitutionally based principle that allows a national law to supersede state and local laws

public goods

things provided by the government and consumed by the all citizens; things whose benefits cannot be limited and that are available to all

ratification

the process by which constitutions and constitutional amendments are formally confirmed, thereby becoming law

republic

a government in which citizens elect government officials to represent them in the processes by which laws are made

reserved powers

the matters referred to in the Tenth Amendment over which states retain sovereignty

separation of powers

Principle of American democracy which divides power into Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches which are each independent and co-equal.

social contract theory

the idea championed by Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean Jacques Rousseau that individuals possess free will, and every individual is equally endowed with the God-given right of self-determination and the ability to consent to be governed

unitary system

a governmental system in which one central governmentis the sovereign government and it creates other, regional governments to which it delegates some governing powers and responsibilities; however, the central government retains ultimate authority