AP Gov- "Must Know" (SW)

Ideals of Democracy

The US gov is based on ideas of limited gov, including natural rights, popular sovereignty, republicanism, and social contract

Limited gov

restrictions on gov power, usually found in a constitution

natural rights

rights that we are born with that cannot be infringed upon, life, liberty, or property (or pursuit of happiness)

popular sovereignty

consent of the governed

republicanism

representative democracy

social contract

consent to be governed in return for protection of natural rights

participatory democracy

which emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society

pluralist democracy

which recognizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision making

elite democracy

which emphasizes limited participation in politics and civil society

federalist 10

pluralist democracy to limit factors

Brutus 1

fear that powerful central gov will result in more elite democracy and limitations to participatory democracy

US Constitution

contains elements of elite democracy (electoral college, indirectly elected US Senate), but also participatory democracy

extra

The three models of representative democracy continue to be reflected in contemporary institutions and political behavior. (think of electoral college, representation, voting and social movements)

federalists

in favor of the Constitution and a more powerful centralized government

Fed example

Madison’s arguments in Federalist No. 10 focused on the superiority of a large republic in controlling the “mischiefs of faction,” delegating authority to elected representatives and dispersing power between the states and national gov

anti-federalists

not in favor of the Constitution as was, some wanted a Bill of Rights, other voiced concern about the central gov having too much power

anti-fed example

Anti-Federalist writings, including Brutus No. 1, adhered to popular democratic theory that emphasized the benefits of a small, decentralized republic while warning of the dangers to personal liberty from a large, centralized government.

Article of Confederation

first governing document of independent

U.S. government

➔ Weak central government, no independent executive or judicial branch, hard to amend constitution (all 13 unanimous) or make national laws (9 of 13 states, each state getting a vote), unicameral.

A of C major drawbacks include:

➔ lack of tax law enforcement power by national gov

➔ Inability to regulate commerce

➔ Lack of national military powers heightened by events

like Shays’ Rebellion.

Ratification of the US Constitution

debate at the Constitutional Convention led to compromise on the document, presenting issues even to this day

Connecticut Compromise

combination of the Virginia and New Jersey Plan creating a bicameral legislature, one chamber based on population and another on equal representation

electoral college

The debate over the election of the president resulted in the creation of the electoral college, elites that would have a say over the presidential election (in theory)

3/5 Compromise

representation of the enslaved population resulted in counting enslaved people as 3/5 of the population, leading to slave states with disproportionate representation

• compromise on the importation of slaves: foregin slave trade could not be banned until 1808

Ratification of the US Constitution (2)

Debates about self-government during the drafting of the Constitution necessitated the drafting of an amendment process in Article V

• entailed either a 2/3 of the state legislatures, with final ratification determined by ¾ of the states

• other ex: voting rights, which were left up for the state to decide

• The debate over the role of the central gov, the powers of state governments, and the rights of individuals remains at the heart of present-day constitutional issues about democracy and government power

• ex: debates about gov surveillance resulting from the federal gov’s response to the 9/11 attacks

• The debate about the role of the fed gov in public school education

principles of American gov

The powers allocated to Congress, the president, and the courts demonstrate the separation of powers and checks and balances features of the Constitution

Federalist 51

explains how constitutional provisions of separation of powers and checks and balances control abuses by majorities.

principles of American Gov (2)

Separation of powers allows for multiple access points for citizens (groups can influence/lobby/etc.). Different branches for policy changes)

Impeachment and removal, and other legal actions taken against public officials deemed to have abused their power reflect the purpose of checks and balances.

Relationship Between the States and Federal Gov

The Constitution sets up a federal system of gov. Federalism is the sharing of power between the national and state gov. Debate about the extent of national power continues today.

Exclusive powers

powers only for the federal government, like declaring war

Enumerated powers

powers found in the Constitution for the federal gov

Concurrent powers

powers shared or allowed for both the federal and state gov

reserved powers

powers granted to teh states or people via the 10th Amendment. Not guaranteed to the federal gov

implied powers

congressional poppwer beyond enumerated through the necessary and proper clause. Stretches the power of the federal gov

• shifts in federalism due to the societal changes have led to changes in policies

dual federalism to Cooperative federalism

separate spheres of power to more sharing of powers

fiscal federalism

use federal monies to influence policy

categorical grants

use of federal monies for states gov for specific purposes, strings attached to the money

block grants

federal monies for state gov for broad purposes, less/no strings attached

welfare example today

categorical grants could be a federal grant for highway construction, block grants could be for “infrastructure”, allowing states more freedom to decide how money is spent

Unfunded mandates

required by the federal gov to do, but not funded by them.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), No Child Left Behind, and Clean Water Act are all examples of this

revenue sharing

distribution of tax money to the state government. General

revenue sharing discontinued in the 1980s due to high

deficits

Constitutional Interpretations of Federalism

The interpretation of the Tenth and Fourteenth Amendments, the commerce clause, the necessary and proper clause, and other enumerated and implied powers is at the heart of the debate over the balance of power between the national and state

governments.