AP gov Unit 1- Foundations review

Question 1

Limited Government

Answer 1

The power government has only that the Constitution gives to it.

Question 2

Natural Rights

Answer 2

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are rights that humans are born with that are believed to be necessary.

Question 3

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 3

the idea that the power of a government is obtained from the consent of its people, this is expressed through the election of representatives.

Question 4

Republicanism

Answer 4

A form of government in which the power is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives

Question 5

Social Contract

Answer 5

an agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed. This established the basis of government.

Question 6

Participatory Dem.

Answer 6

A model of democracy in which citizens have the power to decide directly on policy and politicians are responsible for implementing those policy decisions.

Question 7

Pluralist Democracy

Answer 7

a model of democracy in which no one group dominates politics and organized groups compete with each other to influence policy.

Question 8

Elite Dem.

Answer 8

A theory suggesting that a small number of wealthy, influential people make the important decisions in society rather than the majority population.

Question 9

Sep. of powers

Answer 9

The idea that government should be divided into 3 distinct and separate branches, such as the legislative branch, executive branch and the judicial branch

Question 10

Checks & Balances

Answer 10

Constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the three branches of government to check some acts and therefore ensure that no branch can dominate.

Question 11

Federalism

Answer 11

a system of government where power is divided between a national government and states

Question 12

Exclusive Powers

Answer 12

powers held and used by either the federal or state governments

Question 13

Concurrent Powers

Answer 13

Powers that the Constitution gives to both the national and state governments

Question 14

Mandates

Answer 14

a requirement from the central government that all states and local government must comply with.

Question 15

Revenue Sharing

Answer 15

The distribution of tax money to the state governments

Question 16

Categorical Grants

Answer 16

A grant from federal government to local /state government with far stricter regulations

Question 17

Block Grant

Answer 17

A grant from the federal government that a local state government can allocate to a wide range of services

Question 18

Enumerated power

Answer 18

The powers specifically listed in the US constitution

Question 19

Implied power

Answer 19

Powers congress exercise that the congress does not explicitly define

Question 20

Necessary and proper clause/ elastic clause

Answer 20

congress should have the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution.

Question 21

Commerce clause

Answer 21

gives Congress broad power to regulate interstate commerce and restricts states from impairing interstate commerce.

Question 22

Amendment process

Answer 22

A proposed amendment must be passed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress

Question 23

Great Compromise

Answer 23

established the US legislature as a bicameral, or two-house law-making body

Question 24

Supremacy Clause

Answer 24

establishes that federal laws take precedence over state laws/state constitutions.