Unit 1 Vocab Words Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Unit 1 Vocab Words Deck (33)
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1
Q

bicameral legislature

A

two-house legislature

2
Q

block grant *

A

money granted by the federal government to the states for a broad purpose (ex. transportation) rather than for a narrow purpose (school lunch program)

3
Q

categorical grant *

A

money granted by the federal government to the states for a narrow purpose (ex. school lunch program) rather than a broad purpose (transformation)

4
Q

centralists

A

those who favor greater national authority rather than states

5
Q

checks and balances *

A

system in which each branch of government can limit the power of the other two branches, (ex. presidential veto of a congressional law)

6
Q

commerce clause *

A

gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, with foreign nations, and among Indian tribes (granted through article 1 section 8 of the Constitution)

7
Q

concurrent powers

A

those held by both Congress and the states ( establishing law enforcement agencies)

8
Q

confederation

A

system in which sovereign states are loosely tied to a central government (the US under the Articles of Confederation)

9
Q

decentralists

A

those who favor greater state authority rather than national authority

10
Q

direct democracy

A

system in which the people rule themselves

11
Q

elastic clause *

A

states that Congress can exercise those powers that are “necessary and proper” for carrying out the enumerated powers (establishment of the first Bank of the United States)

12
Q

enumerated powers

A

those that are specifically granted to Congress in Article 1 section 8 of the Constitution (the power to tax) * this is also known as expressed power*

13
Q

federalism *

A

constitutional sharing of power between a central government and state governments (there are three types: dual federalism, cooperative federalism, and new federalism)

14
Q

dual federalism

A

system in which the national government and state governments are coequal, with each being dominant within its respective sphere

15
Q

cooperative federalism *

A

system in which both federal government and state governments cooperate in solving problems

16
Q

new federalism

A

system in which national government restores greater authority back to the states

17
Q

federalist papers *

A

group of 85 essays written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay for the purpose of persuading the people of New York to adopt the Constitution

18
Q

formal amendment

A

a change in the actual wording of the Constitution. Proposed by Congress or national convention, and ratified by the states

19
Q

implied powers

A

those that are “necessary and proper” to carry out Congress’ enumerated powers, and are granted to Congress through the elastic clause

20
Q

indirect democracy

A

system in which the people are ruled by their representatives. Also known as representative democracy, or republic

21
Q

inherent powers

A

foreign policy powers (ex. acquiring territory) held by the national government by virtue of its being a national government

22
Q

judicial review

A

power of the courts to rule on the constitutionality of laws and government actions. Established by Marbury v. Madison, 1803

23
Q

mandates *

A

requirements imposed by the national government upon the states. Some are unfunded mandates ( they are imposed by the national government, but lack funding)

24
Q

Marbury v. Madison

A

1803: established the power of judicial review

25
Q

McCulloch v. Maryland

A

1819: established principle of national supremacy and validity of implied powers

26
Q

police powers

A

powers of the states to protect the public health, safety, morals, and welfare of the public

27
Q

popular sovereignty

A

principle in which ultimate political authority rests with the people

28
Q

reserved powers *

A

powers held by the states through the 10th Amendment. Any power not granted to the US government is “reserved” for the states

29
Q

separation of powers *

A

principle in which the powers of government are separated among three branches (legislative, executive, judicial)

30
Q

Shays’ Rebellion

A

1786 revolt by Massachusetts farmers seeking relief from debt and foreclosure that was a factor in calling of the Constitutional Convention

31
Q

supermajority

A

a majority greater than a simple majority of one over half (3/5 and 2/3)

32
Q

unicameral legislature

A

one-house legislature

33
Q

informal amendment

A

a change in the meaning, but not the wording , of the Constitution (through a court decisions such as Brown v. Broad)