AP Gov Required Terms Flashcards
Federalism
A system of government that divides power between a national government and regional governments
Republicanism
System that replaces (or accompanies) inherited rule
Democracy
A system of government elected by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives
Social contract
Agreement between citizens and a government- we give up some freedoms to be protected by the state
Elite democracy
A small number of people, usually wealthy/well-educated, influence politics
Pluralist democracy
Multiple groups govern, direct, and manage society
Participatory democracy
Citizens directly participate in politics and government decisions
Articles of Confederation
Established a weak central government primarily focused on coordinating the states’ efforts in wartime and foreign affairs
Shay’s Rebellion
Armed uprising in Massachusetts; stemmed from economic hardship and debt among farmers who struggled to pay high taxes and debts incurred during the war
Legislative branch
Responsible for making laws; comprised of the House of Representatives and the Senate
Executive branch
Responsible for enforcing and carrying out laws; led by the President
Judicial branch
Responsible for interpreting laws and applying them to individual cases; includes the Supreme Court and other federal courts
Block grants
Federal funds provided to state and local governments for broad, specific purposes; offers more flexibility in how they use the funds
Categorical grants
Federal funds given to state and local governments for specific purposes; detailed guidelines and often reports on their use
Grants-in-aid programs
Federal funds provided to fund a certain project or program
Regulatory preemption
When a higher level of government prevents a lower level of government from enacting/enforcing laws in a particular area
Dual federalism
Also known as layer-cake federalism or divided sovereignty; a political arrangement in which power is divided between the federal and state governments in clearly defined terms, with state governments exercising their powers without interference from the federal government
Selective exclusiveness
The federal government has the power to regulate commerce but doesn’t necessarily need to exercise it for all aspects of commerce-states can regulate local commerce as long as it doesn’t conflict with federal law
Selective incorporation
Specific rights from the Bill of Rights are applied to state governments as well as federal
Popular sovereignty
Governments get their power from the consent of the people, they have the right to change their government if it doesn’t meet their needs
Delegated powers
Specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution
Reserved powers
Not specifically given to the national government, reserved for the states
Exclusive powers
Granted either to the federal or state government, but not both
Concurrent powers
Shared by both the federal and state government in different ways
