AP Civics Key Concepts

Question 1

Politics

Answer 1

The process of influencing the actions and policies of the government

Question 2

Government

Answer 2

The rules and institutions that make up the system of policymaking

Question 3

Democracy

Answer 3

Power is held by the people

Question 4

Natural Rights

Answer 4

A God-given right to be king and have absolute power.

Question 5

Social Contract

Answer 5

People give to their governments the ability to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society.

Question 6

American political culture

Answer 6

The ideas of liberty, equality and rights shape the shared set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that define the relationship of Americans to their government.

Question 7

Popular sovereignty

Answer 7

The idea that the government’s right to rule comes from the people.

Question 8

Republicanism

Answer 8

The authority of the government comes from the people.

Question 9

Inalienable rights

Answer 9

Rights the government can’t take away (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are evident).

Question 10

Liberty

Answer 10

Social, political, and economic freedoms

Question 11

Participatory demoncracy

Answer 11

Theory that widespread participation is essential for a democratic government

Question 12

Civil Society groups

Answer 12

Independent associations outside of the governments control

Question 13

Pluralist theory

Answer 13

Theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of multiple groups in the policymaking process

Question 14

Elitist theory

Answer 14

Small minority with most economic power control the government and politics

Question 15

Political institutions

Answer 15

Structure of our government, including legislative, judicial, and executive branches.

Question 16

Constitutional republic

Answer 16

A democratic system with elected representatives in which the Constitution becomes laws

Question 17

Federalists

Answer 17

Supported the ratification of the Constitution

Question 18

Antifederalists

Answer 18

Was in opposition to the Constitution

Question 19

Federalists Papers

Answer 19

The Federalist Papers were written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. This influenced the ratification of the Constitution.

Question 20

Federalists No. 51

Answer 20

Madison talked about the structure of the government. This explains the separation of powers between the branches and the national/state governments, plus the checks and balances.

Question 21

Faction

Answer 21

A group of self interest individuals who form groups to use the government to get what they want.

Question 22

Federalists No. 10

Answer 22

Touches on the topics of factions, which are groups of people who use the government to get what they want. He claimed the Constitution would eliminate factions.

Question 23

Brutus No. 1

Answer 23

Papers by anti-federalists who who were worried about representations of the people’s interests wouldn’t be maintained as the country grew.