AP US Government and Politics

Unit 2 - Interactions Amongst Branches of Government

Layer Cake federalism

Clear division of responsibilities between National and State Government.

Marble Cake federalism

Shared functions and cooperation of national and state responsibilities.

Lame Duck President

President nearing end of term, following successor being elected.

Advice and Consent power

Senate authority to review and approve presidential appointments and treaties.

Amendment Process

Method of altering the Constitution, requiring 2/3 Congress proposal and 3/4 state ratification.

Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

Prohibits discrimination based on disabilities in employment and public service.

Ambassadors

Officials appointed by President, to represent U.S. in foreign countries.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed Constitution, favored stronger state government, weaker central government.

Article I

Established Legislative Branch, outlines powers and structure.

Article II

Established Executive Branch, outlines powers and responsibilities of the President.

Article III

Established the Judicial Branch, including Supreme Court and powers.

Article IV

Addressed state powers and interactions, guaranteed republican form of government.

Article V

Outlines process of amending Constitution.

Article VI

Establishes Constitution, federal laws, and treaties as the Supreme Law of the land.

Article VII

Describes ratification of Constitution.

Articles of Confederation (Describe)

Established loose confederation of states with limited central power.

Articles of Confederation (Principles of Government)

State Sovereignty, weak central government, no executive or judicial branch.

Baker v Carr (1961) (CONTEXT)

Tennessee Legislative District apportionment, failure to reflect population changes.

Baker v Carr (1961) (SIGNIFICANCE)

Established 'one person, one vote' allowing federal courts to hear redistricting cases.

Bicameral Legislature

Legislature with two chambers; House of Representatives and Senate.

Bill of Rights (Describe)

First 10 Amendments of Constitution, protecting individual liberties.

Bill of Rights (Principles of Government)

Emphasized limited government, protection of individual rights from federal government overreach.

Block grants

Federal funds given to states for broad purposes, with fewer restrictions.

Brutus #1 (Describe)

Against strong central government, opposed ratification of the constitution.

Brutus #1 (Principles of Government)

State Sovereignty, Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms.

Categorical grants

Federal funds given to states for specific purposes, with strict conditions.

Census

Population count conducted every 10 years, determines representation.

Checks and balances

System ensuring each branch of government can limit powers of the other branches.

Clean Air Act (1970)

Federal Law aimed at controlling air pollution, improving air quality.

Cloture

Senate procedure to end filibuster - requires a 3/5 majority vote.

Commerce Clause

Grants Congress power to regulate interstate and international commerce.

Committee Chairperson

Leader of congressional committee, responsible for setting agenda and managing hearings.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by federal and state governments, example taxation.

Conditions-of-Aid

Federal requirements that states must meet to receive funding.

Confederation

Union of Sovereign states with limited central authority.

Conference Committee

Temporary committee to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Congressional Hearings

Meetings held by congressional committees to provide oversight.

Constituency

Voters represented by elected officials.

Cooperative Federalism (Marble Cake Federalism)

Systems where national and state governments work together on shared issues.

Declaration of Independence (Describe)

Governing Document declaring independence from Britain.

Declaration of Independence (Principles of Government)

Emphasized natural rights, popular sovereignty, right to overthrow oppressive government.

Delegated Powers

Powers granted to federal government.

Divided Government

Presidency and Congress are controlled by different parties.

Dual federalism

System where national and state governments operate independently in their own spheres.

Dual Federalism (Layer Cake Federalism)

Emphasizing distinctly separated powers.

Electoral College

Body of electors established by Constitution, formally elects president and vice president.

Elite Democracy

Model of democracy where a small privileged group makes decisions.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly stated in the Constitution belonging to federal government.

Executive Agreement

International agreement made by President without Senate approval.

Executive Compromise

Agreements during the Constitutional Convention regarding executive power.

Executive Order

Directive issued by the president with the force of law without congressional approval.

Executive Privilege

President's right to withhold information from Congress or courts in certain situations.

Expressed Powers

Powers explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Factions

Groups with shared interests that work against common good or broader public interests.

Federalism

System of government where power is divided between national and state governments, each with sovereignty in some areas.

Federalist #10 (Describe)

Discusses dangers of factions, argues a large republic is best to control factions and prevent one from gaining too much power.

Federalist #10 (Principles of Government)

Belief that multiple competing groups can coexist without one dominating; emphasizes republicanism and protecting minority rights.

Federalist #51 (Describe)

Checks and balances with separation of powers within federal government to prevent tyranny.

Federalist #51 (Principles of Government)

Checks and balances - each branch has the ability to limit the powers of another branch.

Federalist #70 (Describe)

Argues for a strong, energetic executive, stating that a single president is more effective and accountable.

Federalist #70 (Principles of Government)

Accountability, unity in executive, ability to act quickly and decisively.

Federalist #78 (Describe)

Discusses the independent judiciary and the concept of judicial review where courts can rule laws unconstitutional.

Federalist #78 (Principles of Government)

Judicial independence, free from political influence, and life tenure for judges promotes stability and prevents political pressure.

Federalist Papers

Collection of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay supporting ratification.

Federalists

Favored strong central government.

Fiscal federalism

Distribution of funding from federal government to state and local governments through grants to influence policies.

Formal Presidential Powers

Powers written in the Constitution for the President such as vetoing legislation, commanding armed forces, and appointing officials.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Article IV states recognize public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Gerrymandering

Manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party.

Grants

Funds provided by the federal government to state or local governments for specific purposes.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Created a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate providing equal representation.

Gridlock

Government action hindered by lack of cooperation between different branches or political parties.

Honeymoon period

Early months of presidential term when public approval is typically high.

Ideological Division

Deep differences in political beliefs and values that can lead to polarization and difficulty achieving compromise.

Impeachment

House of Representatives brings charges accusing a public official of wrongdoing; Senate holds a trial which could lead to removal from office.

Implied Powers

Powers not stated in the Constitution but inferred as necessary to carry out enumerated powers, known as the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Incentives

Benefits or rewards offered to encourage certain behaviors or actions, influencing state or individual decisions.

Informal Presidential Powers

Powers not stated in the Constitution but developed over time, such as issuing executive orders and conducting foreign policy.

Inherent Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but essential for government function, such as defending the nation.

John Locke

Philosopher known for natural rights theory (life, liberty, and property) and social contract influencing the American Revolution.

Joint Committee

Committee composed of members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to determine the constitutionality of laws or government actions, established by Marbury v. Madison.

Lame-Duck Period

Period between election of new president or Congress and end of current officeholders' term.

Limited Government

Principle where government power is restricted by law, usually through a constitution.

Majority Leader

Leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives or Senate, responsible for setting agenda and ensuring party unity.

Majority Whip

Responsible for counting votes and ensuring members vote in line with party position on key issues.

Mandates

Requirements or directives issued by the federal government that state or local governments must follow without funding.

Marbury v. Madison (1803) (CONTEXT)

Marbury appointed justice of the peace by outgoing President Adams; incoming Secretary of State Madison refused to deliver commission.

Marbury v. Madison (1803) (SIGNIFICANCE)

Established the principle of judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

State of Maryland attempted to tax the Second Bank of United States; head of bank McCulloch refused to pay tax.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) (CONTEXT)

Maryland imposed tax on national bank, arguing states had power to tax institutions within their borders.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) (SIGNIFICANCE)

Established that the national bank has authority under the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Minority Leader

Leader of the minority party, represents the interests of the minority party.

Minority Whip

Responsible for counting votes and ensuring party unity on key issues.

Montesquieu

Philosopher who advocated for the separation of powers.

Multiple Policy Access Points

Opportunities for citizens and interest groups to influence public policy at local, state, and federal levels.

Natural Rights

Rights inherent to all individuals; includes life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Article 1, Section 8 granting Congress the power to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out enumerated powers.

New Jersey Plan

Plan for equal representation in Congress, favored small states.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Executive office responsible for preparing federal budget and reviewing regulations.