AP GOVERNMENT VOCAB Flashcards
Natural rights
Fundamental rights that individuals posses inherently, such as life, liberty, and property.
Popular Sovereignty
The idea that the power of government comes from the people who have the ultimate authority in democracy
Republicanism
A system of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf rather than a direct democracy.
Social Contract
An implicit agreement in which people give up some individual freedoms in exchange for protection and benefits provided by a government
Limited Government
A government whose powers are restricted by a constitution or laws to protect citizens rights
Declaration of Independance
A document declaring the 13 American colonies independence from British rule, adopted on July 4, 1776.
Philidelphia Convention
Also known as the Constitutional Convention, a meeting in 1787 where delegates drafted the U.S. Constitution.
Participatory democracy
A system in which citizens actively participate in decision-making processes and government.
Pluralist democracy
A democracy where various interest groups and organizations compete to influence government policies.
Elite democracy
A form of democracy where a small, privileged group holds significant influence over government decisions.
Shay’s Rebellion
An armed uprising in 1786-1787 by American farmers protesting economic hardships and the lack of government support.
Federalist
Supporters of the U.S. Constitution and a strong federal government.
Anti-Federalist
Opponents of the U.S. Constitution, concerned about a strong central government.
Federalist 10
An essay by James Madison arguing for the benefits of a large republic in addressing the problems of factionalism
Brutus I
An essay by James Madison emphasizing the importance of checks and balances in government.
Federalist 51
An Anti-Federalist essay opposing the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, focusing on concerns about centralized power.
Great (Connecticut) Compromise
A compromise at the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House.
Electoral College
The system used in the U.S. to elect the President, where electors from each state vote for the President based on the state’s popular vote.
Three-Fifths Compromise
An agreement at the Constitutional Convention counting each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.
Importation (slavery) compromise
A clause in the Constitution allowing the importation of enslaved people to continue for a limited time.
Article V of Constitution (process)
The part of the Constitution that outlines the process for amending or changing the Constitution.
Separation of poweres
The division of government into branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) with distinct roles and powers
Checks and balances
The system where each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Federalism
A system of government where power is divided between a central (national) government and regional (state) governments.
Exclusive Powers
Powers reserved solely for the federal government.
Reserved Powers
Powers reserved exclusively for state governments.
Concurrent Powers
Powers shared by both federal and state governments.
Categorical grants
Federal funds given to states for specific purposes, with strict guidelines on how the money must be used.
Revenue sharing
A system where the federal government provides money to states with fewer restrictions on how it’s spent.
Block grants
Federal funds given to states for more general purposes, allowing states more flexibility in how they use the money.
Mandates (unfunded)
Federal requirements imposed on states without providing the necessary funding.
Commerce clause
A clause in the Constitution giving Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce.
Due Process Clause
A constitutional guarantee that individuals cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures.
Equal Protection Clause
A constitutional guarantee that all citizens are treated equally under the law.
Supremcy Clause
A constitutional provision that federal law takes precedence over state law.
Necessary and Proper Clause
A clause that gives Congress the authority to make laws necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.
