AP Gov Final Study guide

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, which had significant weaknesses such as lack of federal taxation and no executive branch.

Logrolling

A practice in Congress where members support each other's proposals to achieve mutual benefits.

Filibuster

A legislative tactic used to delay or block a vote on a bill by extending debate.

Cloture

A procedure used in the Senate to end a filibuster and bring a bill to a vote.

Trustee model

A theory of representation where elected officials act on their own judgment and discretion.

Delegate model

A theory of representation where elected officials act strictly according to the wishes of their constituents.

Iron Triangles

The stable, mutually beneficial relationships between government agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees.

Equal Protection Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment that requires states to provide equal protection under the law to all persons.

Social Contract

Philosophical theory by John Locke that implies government legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed.

Imperial Presidency

A term used to describe the increase in power of the presidency, often at the expense of Congress.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on candidates' promises and proposals for the future.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on the past performance of a candidate or party.

Pluralism

A political theory stating that multiple groups compete for power in a democratic system.

Supremacy Clause

The constitutional provision that federal laws take precedence over state laws.

Bureaucracy

The administrative system governing any large institution, often responsible for implementing laws.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to examine the actions of the legislative and executive branches and declare them unconstitutional.

Selective Incorporation

The legal doctrine that ensures states cannot enact laws that infringe on the rights granted in the Bill of Rights.

Cabinet

A body of high-ranking state officials, typically consisting of the top leaders of the executive branch.

Electoral College

The body of electors established by the United States Constitution that formally elects the President and Vice President.

Earmarking

The allocation of government funds on the behalf of individual members of Congress for specific projects.

Voting Age

The minimum age established by law that a person must attain in order to be eligible to vote.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent units.

The Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution that guarantee individual rights.

The First Amendment

It protects freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition.

Checks and Balances

To prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Political party

An organized group of people who share similar beliefs and work together to influence government policy.

Separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Primary election

An election in which registered voters can select a candidate to run in the general election.

Referendum

A direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another.

The Supreme Court

They interpret the Constitution and adjudicate disputes involving federal laws.

Civil disobedience

The active, professed refusal to obey certain laws as a form of peaceful protest.

lobbying

The act of attempting to influence the decisions of government officials.

Political action committee (PAC)

An organization that raises and spends money to elect or defeat political candidates.

Judicial activism

The philosophy that courts should interpret the Constitution and laws in a way that actively promotes social change.

The New Deal

A series of programs and reforms enacted by Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression.

Plessy v. Ferguson

It established the 'separate but equal' doctrine, legitimizing racial segregation.

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official.

veto

The power of a president or governor to reject a bill passed by the legislature.

Marbury v. Madison

It created the principle of judicial review, allowing courts to declare laws unconstitutional (letter sent after term, still counts?)

separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by giving each branch specific powers to limit the others.

Constitution

The fundamental law of the United States that establishes the structure, functions, and limitations of government.

Amendment

A formal change to the Constitution that must be proposed and ratified.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws and administering justice.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws, led by the President.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Qualified Veto

A veto that can be overridden by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress.

Direct Democracy

A form of government in which citizens vote on laws and policies directly.

Political Ideology

A set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and the role of government.

Civil Rights

Rights that protect individuals' freedom from infringement by governments and social organizations.

Social Security

A government program that provides financial assistance to people with an inadequate or no income.

Midterm Election

An election occurring midway between presidential elections, usually for Congressional seats.

Bloc Voting

Voting in a manner where a specific, identifiable group votes as a unit.

Interest Group

An organization of people with shared goals that seek to influence public policy.

Petition

A formal request submitted to an authority containing a proposal for change.

Incumbent

The current holder of a political office.

Voter Registration

The process of applying to legally vote in elections.

Majority Rule

A principle that dictates that the greater number should exercise greater power.

Electorate

The body of citizens eligible to vote in elections.

Ballot

A process of voting, typically in writing and in secret.

The Second Amendment

The right to keep and bear arms.

Proposing an Amendment

An amendment can be proposed by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or by a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures.

Ratifying an Amendment

An amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or by conventions in three-fourths of the states.

The 13th Amendment

It abolished slavery in the United States.

The 14th Amendment

Equal protection under the law and due process for all citizens.

The 19th Amendment

It granted women the right to vote.

The 26th Amendment

It lowered the voting age to 18 years.

The 10th Amendment

It reserves powers not given to the federal government for the states or the people.

The 3rd Amendment

Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner's consent during peacetime.

The 4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring any warrant to be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause.

The 5th Amendment

It provides for the right against self-incrimination, guarantees due process of law, and ensures just compensation for property taken for public use.

The 6th Amendment

It guarantees the right to a fair and speedy trial, the right to an impartial jury, and the right to counsel.

The 7th Amendment

It guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases involving disputes over significant amounts of money.

The 8th Amendment

It prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments.

The 9th Amendment

It states that the enumeration of certain rights in the Constitution does not deny or disparage others retained by the people.

17th Amendment

It established the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote, rather than being chosen by state legislatures.

22nd Amendment

It limits the number of terms a person can serve as President of the United States to two.

24th Amendment

It prohibits the use of poll taxes in federal elections.

Brown v. Board of Education

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1954 that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, effectively overturning the 'separate but equal' doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson.

Chicago v. McDonald

A 2010 Supreme Court case that incorporated the Second Amendment's right to bear arms to the states through the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause.

Heller

Refers to the Supreme Court case District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), which held that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia for self-defense purposes.

Citizens United v. FEC

A landmark Supreme Court case in 2010 that ruled that political spending by corporations and unions is protected under the First Amendment as free speech.

Engel v. Vitale

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1962 that ruled it unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and encourage its recitation in public schools, violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Yoder v. Wisconsin

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1972 that held that Amish children could not be compelled to attend school past the eighth grade, as it violated their First Amendment rights to free exercise of religion.

Gideon v. Wainwright

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1963 that held that the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution guarantees the right to legal counsel for defendants in criminal cases, even if they cannot afford an attorney.

Us v Lopez

Limited Congress power under the Commerce Clause, ruling that carrying a gun in a school zone is not an economic activity

Mcculloch v Marylamd

Confirmed the supremacy of federal laws over state laws and established the power of Congress through implied powers

Baker v Carr

Addressed issues of districting and represented the principle of equal representation in the Senate

Reno v Shaw

Addressed the issues of racial gerrymandering in redistricting

New York Times v US

Reaffirmed freedom of the press, preventing prior restraint on publication

Schneck v US

Established the clear and present danger test for restricting free speech

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Eloquent defense of the need for civil disobedience (MLK letter)

Tinker v Des Moines

Affirmed students rights to free speech in schools

Declaration of Independence

Foundational text declaring the principles of liberty and government by consent

Pork Barrel Spending

Funding for local project to gain political support

Politico

Blending both approaches (Trustee & Delegate) depending on the situation

Due process Clause

Ensures fair treatment through the normal judicial system