APGov Key Terms U1 (11/3-11/7)

Vocab Quiz for Unit 1 terms for the AP Government class

Unitary

A system where the central government has all of the power over subnational governments

Federal

A system of government where  power is divided between the national government and state/regional governments

Confederate

A system in which independent states unite for limited purposes and retain most governmental power

Presidential

A system where the executive branch is seperate from the legislature and the president is elected independently

Parliamentary

A system where the executive gets its power from and is accountable to the legislature

Autocracy

A government colntrolled by one person with absolute power

Oligarchy

A government controlled by a small group of people, usually to benefit themselves

Seperation of Powers

The division of government authority among legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent the abuse of power

Checks and Balances

A system allowing each branch of government to limit the powers of other branches

Judicial Review

The power of courts to determine whether laws or government actions are constitutional

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that government derives its authority from the consent of the governed

Limited Government

The idea that government powers are restricted by law to protect individual rights

Federalism

The sharing of power between national and state governments

Jeffersonian Democracy

A vision of democracy emphasizing limited central government and educated citizens participation

Jacksonian Democracy

A form of democracy promoting greater political participation and equality for the common man

Expressed Powers

Powers granted specifically to the federal government by the Constitution

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitely stated in the Constitution, but inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments

Necessary and Proper Clause/Elastic Clause

The constitutional provision that allows Congress to make laws required to carry out expressed powers