foundations of democracy vocab - ap gov

constitutional convention

Meeting of delegates in 1787 that was initially called to revise the Articles of Confederation, but ultimately led to the formation of the nation's current Constitution.

federalist papers

a collection of essays/articles designed to rally support for the ratification of the constitution

direct democracy

a government in which the people govern themselves and individually vote on matters of policy

faction

a group with the distinctive political interest, highlighted in federalist #10

elite democracy

a model of democracy in which a small number of people, usually those who are wealthy and well-educated, influence political decision making

indirect democracy

a model of democracy in which the people are represented by leaders they elected

amendment

a new edition to the constitution that has been proposed by congress and ratified by the states

social contract

agreement in which the government derives their power from the consent of the governed and in exchange the people agree to limit their rights and participate in an ordered society

3/5 compromise

agreement that slaves would be counted as 3/5ths of a person for the purpose of representation and taxation

great compromise

agreement to have a popularly elected house based on state population and a state selected senate, either equal membership for each state

write of habeas corpus

an order to produce an arrested person before a judge, so that reason may be given as to why that person is in custody

shay's rebellion

an uprising that brought attention to the weakness of the articles of confederation

new jersey plan

constitutional convention proposal that maintained a unicameral legislative and was preferred by smaller states

virginia plan

constitutional convention proposal to create a stronger national government with a bicameral legislature

checks and balances

constitutional principle that grants each branch is some ability to limit the authority of the other branches

natural rights

rights inherent to all people that are not dependent upon the government

federalism

system in which power is divided between national and state or local governments

pluralist view/pluralism

the belief that effective public policy is the result of competition among multiple different interest and groups

articles of confederation

the constitution that administered americas first government, which was characterized by a loose league of friendship between states and a weak central government

separation of powers

the constitutional principle that divides the powers of the government into three distinct branches

bill of rights

the first 10 amendments

limited government

the government is restrained in their lawful use of power and may only exercise, those powers assigned to it in the constitution

judicial review

the power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

popular sovereignty

the principal that the authority of the government is created, and sustained by the consent of its people

federalist

those citizens who favored a stronger national government, and generally supported the ratification of the constitution

anti federalist

those citizens who favored a weaker national government, and generally opposed the ratification of the constitution