AP Government

Majority Rule a fundamental democratic principle requiring that the majority's view be respected. the constitution originally contained a number of provisions designed to limit majority rule, including the electoral college, life tenure for supreme court justices, and the selection of senators by state legislators Checks and Balances a system in which each branch of government can limit the power of the other two branches. example: the senate has the power to reject or approve presid...

adversary system: a system of law where the court is seen as a neutral area where disputants can argue the merits of their cases affirmative action: government-mandate programs that seek to create special employment opportunities for African Americans, women, and other victims of past discrimination amendment: addition to the Constitution that require approval by two-thirds of both house of Congress and three-quarters of the states amicus curiae briefs: "friend of the c...

Declaration of Independence Letter written to formally declare the 13 colonies independent from Britain Provides justification for the break from Great Britain Is a declaration of natural rights - Rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include life, liberty, and property (John Locke) Establishes a foundation for popular sovereignty - "consent of the governed" government's source of authority is the people List of grievances against King George III and Parlia...

First Amendment 5 freedoms: speech, press, religion, assembly, petition Second Amendment Right to bear arms (to protect the people against a government that becomes too powerful) Third Amendment No quartering of soldiers Fourth Amendment No unreasonable searches and seizures without a warrant; right to privacy Fifth Amendment Due process, eminent domain, no double jeopardy, right to remain silent (you can't be forced to testify against yourself) and the right to...

basic functions of government national defense, preserve order, establish and maintain a legal system, provide services, socialize new generations government the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies politics the effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government public policy the course of action the government takes in response to an issue or problem political system the system of government in a nation ...

Bicameral Legislature two house legislature block grant money granted by the federal government to the states for a broad purpose (transportation) rather than for a narrow purpose (school lunch program) Categorical Grant money granted by the federal government to the states for a narrow purpose (school lunch program) rather than for a broad purpose (transportation) Centralists those who favor greater national authority rather than state authority checks and balanc...

10th Amendment Powers not expressly given to federal government by the Constitution are reserved to states or the people. Also known as "reserved powers amendment" or "states' rights amendment" 13th Amendment Abolished slavery. First of three "Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War (1865-70) 14th Amendment (1) All persons born in the U.S. are citizens; (2) no person can be deprived of life, liberty or property without DUE PROCESS OF LAW; (3) no state can depriv...

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basic functions of government national defense, preserve order, establish and maintain a legal system, provide services, socialize new generations government the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies politics the effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government public policy the course of action the government takes in response to an issue or problem political system the system of government in a nation ...