AP Gov

A principle that government power is restricted by law, often through a constitution

Rights inherent to all people, such as life, liberty, and property

The idea that government authority comes from the consent of the people

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to govern

An agreement in which people give up some freedoms for protection and order

A democracy in which citizens elect officials to make policy

A system that emphasizes broad participation in politics and civic life

A theory that political power is distributed among many competing groups

A theory that a small group of elites holds most political power

The supreme law of the United States outlining government structure and rights

An essay by James Madison arguing that a large republic best controls factions

An Anti-Federalist essay arguing the Constitution gives too much power to the federal government

The first U.S. governing document with a weak central government

Opposed ratification of the Constitution and favored strong state governments

Supported ratification of the Constitution and a strong national government

A system of government in which power rests with the people

A group united by a common interest that may harm others’ rights

An uprising that exposed weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Established a bicameral legislature with proportional and equal representation

The system used to formally elect the president

Counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation

The 1787 meeting where the Constitution was drafted

Formal approval of the Constitution by the states

Division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches

A system allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others

The process of formally accusing a public official of wrongdoing

Powers shared by federal and state governments

Federal grants with strict conditions on use

Federal grants with broad discretion for states

Federal requirements imposed on states

A system that divides power between national and state governments

Reserves powers not given to the federal government to the states

Guarantees citizenship, due process, and equal protection

Gives Congress power to regulate interstate commerce

Allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its powers

Another name for the Necessary and Proper Clause

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution

Powers not stated but inferred from enumerated powers

The process of making laws and regulations

Established implied powers and national supremacy

Limited Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause

The upper chamber of Congress with equal representation per state

The lower chamber of Congress based on population

A person represented by an elected official

Income collected by the government

Money raised through taxes

A plan for government spending and revenue

Leader of the House of Representatives

A Senate tactic to delay a vote

A procedure to end a filibuster

House committee that controls debate rules

A House procedure to speed debate

A tool to force a bill out of committee

Mandatory government spending programs

Spending set through the annual budget process

Government spending for local projects to benefit constituents

Trading votes between legislators

Strong loyalty to a political party

Drawing districts to favor a political party or group

Redrawing congressional district boundaries

Redistributing House seats among states after the census

Established redistricting as a justiciable issue

Principle requiring equal population districts

Limited racial gerrymandering

Different parties control Congress and the presidency

An official nearing the end of their term

Votes based on personal judgment

Votes based on constituent preferences

Balances trustee and delegate roles

Issues policymakers focus on

Presidential rejection of a bill

Indirect veto when president takes no action and Congress adjourns

Power to reject specific parts of a bill

President’s role as head of the armed forces

An international agreement not requiring Senate approval

A formal international agreement approved by the Senate

A directive issued by the president

Advisors heading executive departments

Presidential comment on a bill’s interpretation

Judges serve for life

Argued for a strong, unified executive

Limits presidents to two terms

Powers explicitly granted by the Constitution

Unwritten powers derived from influence and practice

President’s annual address to Congress

Using the presidency to influence public opinion

Shaping issues the public considers important

Establishes the judicial branch

Defended judicial review and life tenure

Established judicial review

Power to declare laws unconstitutional

A prior court decision used as a guide

Doctrine of following precedent

Authority to hear a case

Reviewing lower court decisions

Courts actively shaping policy

Courts deferring to elected branches

Senate approval of appointments

Loose network of groups influencing policy

Alliance among agencies, Congress, and interest groups

Agencies implementing public policy

Agencies providing services and charging fees

Hiring based on qualifications

Hiring based on political loyalty

Congressional supervision of the executive branch

Congress’s authority over spending

Legislative authorization of spending

First ten amendments protecting individual freedoms

Protections from government interference

Protections against discrimination

Protects religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition

Protects religious practice

Prevents government-sponsored religion

Banned school-sponsored prayer

Protected religious exemptions from school laws

Nonverbal expression protected by the First Amendment

Protected student symbolic speech

Unprotected speech lacking serious value

Standard limiting speech that poses immediate harm

Established clear and present danger test

Limited prior restraint

Government censorship before publication

Protects the right to bear arms

Protects against cruel and unusual punishment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures

Applying Bill of Rights to the states

Incorporated the Second Amendment

Fair legal procedures

Requires police to inform suspects of rights

Protects rights of the accused

Guarantees rights in criminal trials

Expanded surveillance powers after 9/11

Limited bulk data collection

Guaranteed right to counsel

Unable to afford legal representation

Established abortion rights based on privacy

Defended civil disobedience

Ended school segregation

A district where a minority group forms a majority

Outlawed discrimination

Prohibits sex discrimination in education

Protected minority voting rights

Policies to address past discrimination