AP GOV UNIT 1

declaration of independence

written by Thomas Jefferson, statement of colonies grievances against GB, idea of limited government and popular sovereignty

equality

all citizens are equal under the law and have the right to participate in political processes

freedom

citizens have the freedom to express opinions, make their own decisions, and participate in political processes

representation

citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf and are accountable to the people

majority rule and minority rights

decisions are made by the majority, but minority rights are protected

accountability

officials and government institutions are accountable to the people and can be held accountable for their actions

transparency

government decisions are open and accessible to the public

rule of law

all citizens and government institutions are subject to the law and justice system

responsiveness

government is responsive to needs and interests of citizens, and is able to adapt

constitution

established framework for political democracy, strengthened central government, supreme law of the land

natural rights

inherent rights necessary for all humans including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

popular sovereignty

power of government comes from consent of the governed, and is expressed through elections of representatives

republicanism

form of government where power is held by the people, either directly or through representatives

social contract

the agreement between government and people, in which people give up some rights in exchange for the protection of individual freedoms and safety

direct democracy

citizens directly participate in the decision-making process through direct voting on proposals or laws

representative democracy

citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf

parliamentary democracy

executive branch is accountable for the legislative branch, and the head of the state is usually a ceremonial figure

presidential democracy

executive branch is separate from the legislative branch and the president is both head of state and head of government

federal democracy

power is divided between a central government and states/provinces

Brutus No. 1

raises concerns about concentration of power in the national government, and potential for elected representatives to become an elite class, disconnected from those they have to represent, in conclusion it argues that the constitution represents a threat to rights and should not be ratified

Federalist No. 10

addressed factions in a large republic, madison argued that a large republic would prevent any faction from gaining complete control, while also recognizing factions could lead to suppression of minority groups, asserts a federal system as the best solution

participatory democracy

form of direct democracy where citizens have a direct/active role

pluralist democracy

form of representative democracy where power is distributed to many different interest groups

elite democracy

form of representative government where power is held by a small/select few

pluralist theory

emphasizes the importance of balancing interests of different groups

hyper pluralism

situation where number of interest groups becomes too much and it is difficult for one to have power

articles of confederation

first constitution of the US, weak central gov with limited powers and a loose confederation of states, unable to tax/regulate commerce effectively/enforce laws/no separate exec or judicial branches/requirements of unanimity for changes

shay’s rebellion

series of uprisings in Massachusetts, in response to economic hardship/political instability post american revolution, contributed to a call for a stronger central gov and constitution

Great (Connecticut Compromise)

established a two-chamber legislature, with house of reps (pop based) and senate (2 per)

electoral college

each state gets a certain number of electors based on population

3/5 compromise

counted slaves as 3/5 person for purpose of determining representation in congress

slave trade compromise

allowed transatlantic slave trade to continue for 20 years, after then congress would have the power to regulate slave trade (meaning the south could still rely on it for that period of time)

checks and balances

system of power and responsibilities divided among the three branches to prevent any one from having too much power

seperation of powers

the three branches should be separate and unique, with specific powers/responsibilities

federalism

power is divided between a central authority and other political units (like states)

bill of rights

first 10 amendments to the constitution, outline fundamental rights and freedoms

federalist 51

essay by James Madison (pseudonym Publius), written to explain/promote idea of US constitution, writes about seperation of powers and checks and balances, which he believes are essential to protecting liberties and preventing abuse of power

exclusive powers

powers just given to the federal government

concurrent powers

powers shared by federal government and the states

article 4

establishes relationship between states and federal government

full faith and credit clause

states are required to give ‘full faith and credit” to acts of other states

extradition clause

states are required to surrender individuals who have fled from one state to another to face criminal charges

privileges and immunities clause

citizens in each state are entitled to the same as in other states

state sovereignty

states retain power not specifically granted to the federal gov by the constitution

commerce clause

clause in constitution that gives congress the power to regulate commerce between states and with foreign nations

14th amendment

prohibits states from denying any person "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law" and requires equal protection under the law.

dual federalism

system of gov where both state and nat’l gov have separate and distinct powers/responsibilities

necessary and proper clause

aka the elastic clause, congress has authority to make laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out their enumerated powers

enumerated powers

powers specifically listed in constitution that are granted to the national government

10th amendment

powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people

McCulloch v Maryland

supreme court case that confirmed federal supremacy and established authority of national gov to use its implied powers, maryland attempted to tax a bank of united states (chartered by congress), supreme court ruled that tax was unconstitutional, decision was significant because it strengthened the national government

US v Lopez

lopez brought a gun to school, and argued it was unconstitutional because it exceeded congress'‘ power under the commerce clause, court rules that act dod not have substantial effect on interstate commerce and was beyond scope of clause, established principle that there are limits to the commerce clause and defined balance of power between federal gov and states