ap gov vocab ch1

a revision or change to a bill, law, or constitution

opposed to the adoption of the constitution because it gave too much power to the national government at the expense of the state governments and lacked a bill of rights

the first national constitution of the united states which created government lasting from 1781 to 1789, replaced by the current constitution

the first 10 amendments to the constitution, guaranteeing certain rights and liberties to the people

written by Anti-Federalist Robert Yates to convince the people of New York to not ratify the Constitution, suggesting that republics had to be small and homogeneous--not large and diverse--to be successful and arguing that a Bill of Rights was a critical part in the protection of the people's liberties

The hierarchical structure and standarized procedures of govt allow bureaucrats to hold the real power over public policy; proposed by Max Weber

Each branch of government has the power to check, or limit, the actions of the other two

Resolved differences between northern and southern states; Congress could not tax exports nor ban the slave trade for 20 years.

The document setting forth the laws &principles of the govt; a plan of govt

Drafted in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson declaring America's separation from Great Britain.

a system whereby the people rule either directly or by elected representation

citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues

representatives from each state who formally cast ballots for the president and vice president

A small group of people identified by wealth or political power, who rule in their self-interest.

power is divided between national and state governments

a division of governmental powers between the national government and the states

Madison suggests that the union under the new constitution is a safeguard against factions, defined factions, and argued to either eliminate factions by removing their causes, or limit their impact by controlling their effects

madison argues that the government under the new constitution will not become too powerful because the separation of powers will keep each branch in check

Written by Hamilton, Jay, & Madison to support ratification of the U.S. Constituiton

Supported a strong central government and expanded legislative power

The formal and informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy

A committee formed at the Constitutional Convention, composed of one member from each state, who helped create the Great Compromise to settle the dispute between the large and small states over representation in the houses of congress

Settled disputes between the states over the structure of the legislative branch

democracy seen as a system of many groups pulling government in many directions at the same time, causing gridlock and ineffectiveness

Authority given the courts to review constitutionality of acts by the executive/state/legislature; est. in Marbury v. Madison

Basic principle of U.S. government that each person has rights that government cannot take away.

Established judicial review

Basic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights that a government cannot deny-Locke-life, liberty, property

proposal for a single chamber congress in which each state had one vote; favored small states who preferred equal representation

government depends upon the consent of the governed; often referred to as traditional democratic government because it emphasizes citizen participation

interest groups compete in the political arena with each promoting its own policy preferences through organized efforts

Method of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government (who gets what, when, and how)

basic principle of the us government which holds that the people are the source of all governmental power

the exercise of government power in doing those things necessary to maintain legitimate authority and control over society

Method of enacting a constitution or amendment into law

citizens choose officials (representatives) who make decisions about public policy

a system in which the people give authority to the government and exercise their power by delegating it to representatives chosen by them through the election process

Practice by which power is separated among three branches of government; each branch has its own powers and duties and is independent of and equal to the other branches

uprising led by Daniel Shays in an effort to prevent courts from foreclosing on the farms of those who could not pay the taxes; caused many to criticize the Articles of Confederation and admit the weak central government was not working

A voluntary agreement between the government and the governed

agreement that each slave counted as three fifths of a person in determining representation in the house of representatives and for taxation

Madison's plan for a bicameral legislature, whith the executive and judiciary chosen by the legislature