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