AP US Government – Institutions, Systems, and Power (Week 2) – Vocabulary Flashcards

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50 Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on natural rights, sovereignty, republicanism, democracy models, and constitutional principles.

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66 Terms

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Natural rights

Inherent rights to life, liberty, and property (pursuit of happiness) that government exists to protect.

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Life

A core natural right; the right to exist.

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Liberty

Freedom from oppressive restraint; a fundamental natural right.

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Property

Ownership of possessions and resources; a natural right.

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Pursuit of happiness

The right to seek personal fulfillment; included as a natural right.

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Social contract

An agreement among the governed to form a government that protects rights.

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Popular sovereignty

Power derives from the people; government legitimacy rests on the consent of the governed.

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Consent of the governed

Legitimacy of government depends on the people’s agreement to be governed.

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Republicanism

Government based on elected representatives who govern on behalf of the people.

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Elected representatives

Citizens choose individuals to make policy decisions.

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Direct democracy

Citizens participate directly in policy decisions themselves.

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Participatory democracy

A form of democracy emphasizing direct citizen involvement in decision-making.

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Direct citizen involvement

Active participation by citizens in lawmaking or policy decisions.

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Town halls

Local meetings where citizens discuss and influence policy.

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Ballot initiatives

Citizens vote directly on proposed laws or policy changes.

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Elite democracy

Governance by a small, informed leadership elite.

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Informed leaders

Leaders with expertise who guide public policy.

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Electoral College

A body that formally elects the president; an example of elite democracy.

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Pluralist democracy

Governance through competition and cooperation among many interest groups.

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Interest groups

Organized groups advocating for specific policy outcomes.

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Policy influence

The ability of groups to shape government decisions.

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Majority rule

Policy decisions tend to reflect the preferences of the majority.

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Minority rights

Legal protections for individuals or groups in the minority.

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Checks and balances

Each branch can limit the powers of the others to prevent abuse.

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Separation of powers

Division of government into separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

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Rule of law

Government operates under a system of laws, not arbitrary power.

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Limited government

Government power is restricted by the constitution and laws.

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Tyranny

Oppressive or unjust use of power; prevented by checks, balances, and limits.

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Government legitimacy

Widespread belief that the government has the right to govern.

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Direct vs indirect democracy

Direct involves citizen voting on policy; indirect uses elected representatives.

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Republic

A government where the people rule through elected representatives under the rule of law.

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Representative democracy

Citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions.

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Constitution

Foundational legal framework outlining powers, limits, and rights.

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Declaration of Independence

1776 document asserting natural rights and grievances that shaped American political philosophy.

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Enlightenment

Intellectual movement emphasizing reason, rights, and government by consent.

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John Locke

Enlightenment thinker whose ideas about natural rights and social contract influenced the U.S.

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Large republic

A broad, diverse political system Madison argued can prevent faction-driven tyranny.

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Three models of democracy

Participatory, Elite, and Pluralist models of how democracy functions.

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Participatory democracy examples

Town halls and ballot initiatives as direct citizen involvement examples.

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Elite democracy examples

Presidential appointments and the Electoral College as elite governance examples.

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Pluralist democracy examples

Competition among many groups shaping policy outcomes.

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Mob rule

Tyranny of the majority when minority rights are ignored; a risk in unchecked democracy.

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Framers’ fear

Concern that direct democracy could lead to mob rule in large republics.

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Town hall importance

Illustrates participatory democracy through direct citizen involvement.

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Ballot initiative importance

Mechanism for direct citizen input into policy.

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Authority from the people

Source of government power and legitimacy rooted in popular consent.

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Declaration’s role in natural rights

Documents articulate inherent rights that justify government.

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Constitution’s role in limiting government

Outlines structure, powers, and constraints to prevent abuse.

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Consent as basis for legitimacy

Legitimacy arises from the people’s agreement to be governed.

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Governance through institutions

Power exercised via established political institutions with checks.

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Enlightenment influence on U.S. government

Rational rights, social contract, and consent principles shaping governance.

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Framers’ design principles

Structures like checks, balances, and separation of powers to prevent tyranny.

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Public policy formation

Process by which government decides on laws and actions.

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Majority protection of rights

Systems ensure minority rights are protected despite majority rule.

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Mob rule avoidance

Guardrails to prevent opportunistic, unrestrained majority power.

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Consent-based legitimacy

Authority that rests on the voluntary agreement of the governed.

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Influence of institutions on power

Institutions allocate and constrain power, shaping policy outcomes.

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Democratic legitimacy sources

Legitimacy stems from consent, rule of law, and representation.

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Enlightenment thinkers in America

Philosophers like Locke who influenced rights and government ideas.

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Representative vs direct democracy

Difference between electing representatives and direct citizen voting.

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Lockean rights theory

Idea that individuals possess intrinsic rights requiring protection by government.

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Constitutional checks on power

Mechanisms that prevent any one branch from dominating government.

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Citizen participation in policy

Active involvement of the public in policy decisions and governance.

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Legitimacy through consent

Public approval and acceptance as the basis of governmental authority.

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Citizens as political agents

People have the power to influence policy through vote and participation.

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Representative institutions

Structures like Congress and courts that mediate between people and policy.