AP Government - midterm

How did British documents like the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights influence our government?

• laid the foundation for our democratic system

• limited government

• individual rights and liberties

• representative government

• checks and balances

John Locke’s Second Treatise on Government included what main ideas? Where can they be seen in our government?

• declaration of independence (natural rights, consent of governed)

• constitution (limited government, protection of rights)

• bill of rights (individual freedoms)

• elections (consent of governed)

• checks and balances

Baron de Montesquieu’s Spirit of the Laws main idea was the separation of powers. Where do we see this in our government?

• legislative (makes laws), executive (enforces laws), judicial (interprets laws)

• each branch has checks and balances to ensure no branch becomes too powerful

• vetoes, judicial review, impeachment

• constitution

Main ideas of the Declaration of Independence

• all men created equal

• natural rights

• government exists to protect rights

• consent of governed

• right to alter/abolish government

• list of grievances to king george

• colonies’ right to independence

Natural Rights (definition and where it is seen in foundational docs)

• the God-given right to life, liberty, and property

• seen in declaration of independence

• John Locke

Popular Sovereignty (definition and where it is seen in foundational docs)

• the people are the ultimate source of power in a society

• government created by the people and for the people

• majority rules but minority rights

• declaration of independence, constitution

Republicanism (definition and where it is seen in foundational docs)

• The consent of the governed is expressed via regular elections, appointing representatives by the electorate

• constitution, declaration of independence

Social Contract (definition and where it is seen in foundational docs)

• The people enter into a contract with the government

• We give up our right to do whatever we want in exchange for the protection of our natural rights

What is an example of a Participatory Democracy? (broad participation in politics and civil society)

• model of democracy in which citizens have the power to make policy decisions

• voting in elections and contacting elected officials is how we can participate in democracy

What is an example of a Pluralist Democracy? (group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision-making)

• political system in which multiple groups, interests, and organizations compete for power and influence within the government

• the participation of interest groups (NRA and Greenpeace)

What is an example of an Elite Democracy? (limited participation in politics and civil society)

• a model of democracy in which a small number of people influence political decision making

• usually those who are wealthy and well-educated

• the electoral college, which allows people to lose the popular vote, yet win the presidency

What are the powers of congress under the articles of confederation?

• make war ad peace

• send and recieve ambassadors

• enter into treaties

• request armies from the states

• fix standards of weights and measures

• establish post office

How were states represented under the articles of confederation?

• each state has one vote no matter how big they are

• representatives were selected by state legislatures

How was congress structured under the articles of confederation?

• no executive branch or national judiciary

• unicameral legislature made up of delegates (one per state)

What was the problem with passing laws under the articles of confederation?

• congress could not force anyone to obey the laws once they were passed

• 9 out of 13 votes had to approve laws before they were passed, making it difficult

What was the original purpose of the meeting in Philadelphia in 1787?

To revise the Articles of Confederation

Virginia Plan

• strong national government with 3 branches and a bicameral legislature

• representation based on population (benefits larger states)

New Jersey Plan

• unicameral legislature

• equal representation for each state (benefits smaller states)

Great/Connecticut Compromise

• bicameral legislature

• senate with equal representation (for small states)

• house with population based representation (for big states)

Slave Trade Compromise

Allowed the importation of enslaved people to continue until 1808, after which congress could ban it, while also protecting the export of goods from any state

Foreign and interstate commerce compromise

• executive regulates treaties with foreign nations, if 2/3 of the senate approves

• legislative regulates interstate and foreign trade

• congress can impose import but not export taxes

Electoral College Compromise

Each state gets a number of electors based on congressional representation

Three-Fifths Compromise

Compromise makes slaves count for 3/5 of a person in taxation (for north) and representation (for south)

What is the process to pass an amendment to the Constitution?

• 2/3rds vote in both houses of Congress to propose, or a proposal from 2/3rds of state legislatures

• 3/4ths of the states must ratify it

What are the topics of articles 1-6 of the constitution

1. legislative

2. executive

3. judicial

4. states

5. amendments

6. supremacy clause

7. ratification

Separation of Powers

The division of government into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—so no one branch has all the power.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful

What can the president do to congress?

• executive can check legislative

• veto bills passed

What can congress do to the president?

• legislative can check executive

• override a presidential veto

• impeach and remove the president

What is the court able to do to the other branches?

• judicial review

• can declare actions unconstitutional

• can limit their power

Federalist 51

The structure of the government must provide for checks and balances between the different departments/branches of government to prevent tyranny (seperation of powers)

Federalist 10

• discusses factions

• James Madison says a large democratic republic is needed to safeguard against domestic factions because there would be many factions, preventing any from becoming tryannical

Brutus 1

• written by anti-federalists in opposition of federalist 10

• argues that a small republic is more responsive to the needs of the people and prevents tyranny of the elites

• emphasize the benefits of a small, decentralized republic and warns of the dangers to personal liberty from large centralized govs

Why did Anti-Federalists dislike the Constitution, and what did they want added?

• national gov has too much power

• lacks protection of individual rights

• threatened the rights of people and states

• wanted to add a bill of rights

Why did the Federalists initially argue against the addition of the Bill of Rights

• the constitution already limited government power

• could weaken the authority of the new federal gov

• listing some rights may imply that unlisted rights are not protected

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution that guarantee individual freedoms and protect citizens from government abuse.

What are the ways that we still see the debate over the role of the central government and the powers of state governments today? How is the debate the heart of present-day constitutional issues?

• education (states control curricula but federal gov sets standards and funds)

• healthcare (medicaid expansion, federal v state control over health policies)

• marijuana (legal in some states but illegal under federal law)

• voting rights (states manage elections, but the federal gov sets protections and standards)

Marbury V Madison - facts of the case

• marbury is appointed as a justice of peace

• james madison refused to deliver marbury’s commission

• marbury sues to force madison to deliver it

Marbury V Madison - key question

Does the Supreme Court have the authority to force the delivery of Marbury’s commission, and can it declare a law unconstitutional?

Marbury V Madison - holding/ruling

• marbury has right to his commission

• court cannot force madison to deliver it

Marbury V Madison - reason for the holding/ruling

• granting the court the power needed is unconstitutional

• establish judicial review

Unitary system of government

• power is located in one place

• local units of government have power given to them by the central government

Federalist system of government

• power is divided between the central and state governments

• power is shared

Confederate system of government

• weak central government, but strong state/local governments

• national government gets power from states or league of independent states

Why do we have a federalist system?

• prevents abuse of power by single levels of government

• allows local governments to address local needs

• balances unity and diversity across states

• encourages citizen participation

• is rooted to protect liberty and effective governance

Enumerated/Exclusive congressional right examples

• regulate interstate commerce

• coin money

• fix standards of weights

• grant copy rights

• create post offices

• make treaties

• collect import taxes

• provide a navy

• raise an army

• naturalize citizens

Concurrent powers

• powers that states and federal governments share

• collect taxes

• enforce and make laws

• borrowing money

• building roads

• maintaining courts

10th amendment

Any power not given to national government nor denied to states, belongs to the states

What are things typically reserved for the states

• grant drivers licenses

• regulate marriage/divorce

• regulte intrastate commerce

• license professionals

• fund and regulate education

• regulate sale of alcoholic beverages

• regulate gambling

14th amendment and its relevance to federalism

• anyone born on american soil is an american citizen

Commerce Clause

• article 1, section 8

• congress can regulate trade (between states, with foreign nations, with native american tribes)

• expands federal power over economy

Necessary and Proper/Elastic Clause

• article 1, section 8

• congress has power to make laws needed to carry out its other powers (implied powers)

• allows flexibility to adapt to changing times

Supremacy Clause

• article 6

• the constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land

• they take priority over state laws

Federal Revenue Sharing

The federal government gives a portion of its tax revenue to state and local governments to fund programs and services, allowing flexibility in how the money is used.

Unfunded Mandates

When the government doesn’t fund what is needed to fulfill a mandate

Block Grants

Federal grants in aid that allow the states considerable discretion in how funds are spent, with fewer strings attached

Categorical Grants

Grants that have lots of strings attached and have to spend it specifically on what the federal government says

Dual Federalism

The system of government that prevailed in the U.S from 1789-1937 in which most fundamental powers were clearly divided between federal and state government

Cooperative Federalism

The system of government where federal and state governments work together, sharing power and responsibility to implement policy

New Federalism/Devolution

A return of power to the states

McCulloch V Maryland - facts of the case

• congress creates a national bank in maryland

• state of md tries to tax the bank and restrict its operations

• McCulloch, a bank cashier refuses to pay tax

McCulloch V Maryland - key question

Does Congress have the power to create a bank and can states tax federal institutions

McCulloch V Maryland - holding/ruling

• congress has the power to create the national bank

• maryland cannot tax the bank

McCulloch V Maryland - reason for holding/ruling

• supremacy clause

• necessary and proper clause

United States V Lopez - facts of the case

• lopez is a highschool student in texas who brings g*n into school

• is charged under federal g*n-free school zones act of 1990

United States V Lopez - key question

Does congress have the power under the commerce clause to regulate guns in local schools?

United States V Lopez - holding/ruling

• the act exceeded congressional power

• carrying guns into school is not an economic activity that affects interstate commerce

United States V Lopez - reason for holding/ruling

• commerce clause

• reinforces limits on federal power, strengthening state authority

United States V Morrison

• morrsion is accused of sexual assault

• brzonkala sues

• does congress have the power under the commerce clause or the 14th amendment to allow a federal lawsuit?

• parts of the violence against women act exceed congressional power (does not affect interstate commerce)

Examples of federalist issues

• state v federal power

• marijuana legalization

• voting laws

• environmental regulations

• healthcare

Political Culture

• shared beliefs, values, and norms that shape how people view politics

• ideas about democracy, liberty. equality, and the role of government

What are core values in american political culture?

• liberty

• equality

• democracy

• individualism

• rule of law

• capitalism

Political Socialization

Process by which our political values are passed from one generation to the next

What are the factors that contribute to an individuals development of their political attitudes and values?

• family

• media

• school

• peers

• religion

• socioeconomic status

• political events

• cutural background

Opinion Polls

• surveys used to measure public opinion on political issues, candidates, or policies

• help people understand what people think and how they might vote

• must use random sampling

• affected by question wording and timing

• report percents and trends in public opinion

Benchmark/Tracking Polls

• find a baseline on a politician or issue to allow comparison over time

• surveys the same group of people to measure changes

Exit Polls

Surveys voters as they are entering or exiting an election polling location

Sampling

the process of selecting a subset of individuals from a larger population to estimate public opinion

• random, stratified, or convenience

Random Sample

Every individual has an equal chance of being selected

What are the methods of finding your sample?

• random (equal chance)

• stratified (reflects diversity

• cluster (geographic clusters randomly selected)

• convenience (easily accesible)

• quota (domgraphic quotas)

Sampling Error

The difference between the results of a sample and the true opinions of the entire population.

What can influence the reliability of a poll

• sample size

• sampling method

• question wording

• timing

• response rate

• survey mode

Which party is liberal?

Democrats

What are key liberal beliefs and positions?

• pro-choice

• favor affirmative action and address inequality

• pro-g*n control

• social issues, defendants rights

• tax the rich

• spend on social programs

• favor regulation

• basic military

Which party is conservative?

republican

What are the key conservative beliefs and positions?

• pro-life

• racially blind society, against affirmative action

• pro-g*n rights

• tougher policing and laws

• flat tax

• military spending

• against regulation

• strong, musucular military

What are the key beliefs and positions of libertarians?

• limited government

• minimal regulation of business and economy

• protect freedom of speech, privacy, and personal choices

• prefer limited foreign involvement and military action

• minimal taxation and reduced government spending

• social liberalism + economic conservatism

15th amendment

Gives black men the right to vote

19th amendment

Gives women the right to vote

23rd amendment

Gives residents of DC the right to vote

24th amendment

Removes poll taxes

26th amendment

Lowers voting age to 18

Voting Rights Act of 1965

• authorized federal government to monitor all elections in areas with common discrimination

• intended to gaurantee all african americans the right to vote

• african american voter registration skyrocketed

• increased number of black people in public office

Rational Choice

Voting based on what they believe is in their best interest

Retrospective Voting

Voting to decide whether the party or candidate in power should be re-elected based on the recent past

Prospective voting

Voting based on predictions of how a party will or candidate will preform in the future

Party-Line Voting

Supporting a party by voting for candidates from one political party for all public offices at the same level of government

Voter Turnout

The percentage of voting-eligible population (VEP) who cast a ballot in an election

What are the factors that impact voter turnout in our country?

• age

• education

• income

• race and ethnicity

• political efficacy

• registration laws

• election frequency

• interest in politics

• election competitiveness

State election law debates

• voter ID laws

• mail-in/early voting

• registration rules

• voting tech

• redistricting/gerrymandering

• voting accessibility