vocab quiz 2

ap government and politics

electoral college

a body of representatives from every state in the united states who formally cast votes to elect the president and vice president

federalist 51

an essay written by james madison that explains how the structure of the new government under the constitution will provide the necessary checks and balances to keep any part of the government form becoming too powerful

mandate

3/5 compromise

an agreement added to the constitution that would count each enslaved person as three-fifths of a white person for purposes of representation in the house of representatives

great compromise

connecticut compromise; a major compromise at the constitutional convention that created a bicameral legislature, with senate having equal representation for all states and the house of reps having representation proportional to state populations

federal revenue sharing

the practice of sharing federal income tax revenue with state and local governments

mcculloch v. maryland

Background: Maryland taxed Second Bank of US; cashier refused to pay. Outcome: Tax invalid; strengthened federal authority; confirmed implied powers of Congress.

pluralist democracy

a form of democracy in which political power rests with competing interest groups so that no one group dominates political decisions

participatory democracy

a form of democracy that emphasizes broad, direct participation in politics and civil society, in which mos tor all citizens participate in politics directly

elite democracy

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

block grants

federal grants issued to states or local governments to support broad programs

categorical grants

federal grants restricted to specific purposes

mandates

a requirement that states or local governments meet a specific condition in order to receive federal aid

10th amendment

the powers not delegated to the united states by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people

us v. lopez

Background: Student brought gun to school; challenged Gun-Free School Zones Act. Outcome: Congress cannot regulate non-economic, intrastate activity; limits Commerce Clause power.