AP US Government · Unit 1
Democracy and Republic: every key term you need
20 flashcard terms for AP US Government Unit 1, written to match the course framework. Study them here, then drill them as interactive flashcards — free, no account needed.
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Government Unit 1 Overview Foundations of U.S. government; Constitution, institutions, processes; comparative governments.
Democracy and Republic Democracy: rule by people (direct/representative); republic: no monarch, representatives govern; checks on power.
Constitutional Framework Separation of powers: executive, legislative, judicial; checks and balances; federalism; Bill of Rights protections.
Legislative Branch Congress: House (435, proportional to population) and Senate (100, 2 per state); makes laws; power of the purse.
Executive Branch President: chief executive, commander in chief, appoints officials; cabinet: heads of departments; bureaucracy implements policy.
Judicial Branch Supreme Court: interprets Constitution; 9 justices, lifetime appointments; judicial review (Marbury v. Madison).
Political Parties Democrats and Republicans; ideologies differ on role of government, economics, social issues; duopoly in U.S. system.
Voting and Elections Voting rights: expanded over time (race, gender, age); Electoral College: president elected by electors; voter behavior influenced by many factors.
Interest Groups and Lobbying Organizations advocating for interests; lobbying: persuade officials; campaign finance: money in politics; disclosure requirements.
Campaigns and Media Candidates raise funds, campaign, use media; TV/internet advertising expensive; media frames issues; debate influences voters.
Public Opinion Polls measure attitudes; sampling error, wording effects; media, socialization influence opinions; opinion doesn't always change policy.
Congress Organization Leadership: Speaker (House), Majority/Minority leaders; committees handle specific issues; seniority system in some roles.
Legislation Process Bill introduced, committees, floor debate, vote, president signs/vetoes; veto override: 2/3 majority; process causes delays.
Presidential Powers Appointment, removal, commander in chief, executive orders, pardons; limits: Senate confirmation, congressional override, court review.
Bureaucracy Executive agencies implement laws; civil service: merit-based hiring; regulations carry force of law; accountability concerns.
Federalism Power shared between national and state governments; enumerated powers (national), reserved powers (states), concurrent powers; debates ongoing.
Civil Liberties First Amendment: speech, religion, press, assembly; Fourth: search/seizure; Fifth: due process, self-incrimination; Sixth: attorney, trial.
Civil Rights Equal protection; discrimination based on race, gender, religion illegal; voting rights; affirmative action debate.
Comparative Government Parliamentary vs presidential systems; democracies vs autocracies; UK, Russia, China: different structures and processes.
Challenges and Reform Gridlock, polarization, voter turnout, money in politics, inequality; proposed reforms: campaign finance, voting access, redistricting.
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