American Government Final Exam

Federalism

Balances central and state power, protects against tyranny

Expressed Powers

Specific powers written in the Constitution for the national government

Implied Powers

Powers reasonably suggested by the Constitution, like the Necessary and Proper Clause

Inherent Powers

Powers inherent to the national government's existence

Reserved Powers

Powers reserved for the states, not granted to the national government

Exclusive Powers

Powers only for the national government, like coining money

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the national and state governments, such as taxing

Supremacy Clause

Establishes the Constitution as the highest law in the US

Full Faith and Credit

States must recognize each other's public acts, records, and judicial proceedings

Privileges and Immunities

Prohibits states from discriminating against residents of other states

Direct Primary

Party-held event to select candidates for general election

Convention

Party members from states meet to choose candidates

Petition

Nomination through signed petitions by a group

Closed Primary

Only party members can vote, excludes independents

Open Primary

Any qualified voter can cast a ballot

Precinct

Smallest unit for elections

Polling Place

Location for precinct voters to cast votes

Bedsheet Ballots

Lengthy ballots due to numerous candidates

Incumbent

Current office holder, e.g., President Biden

Absentee Voting

Applying for and mailing/dropping off a ballot

Divided Government

Opposite parties control Legislative and Executive branches

Coattail Effect

Strong candidate boosts same-party candidates

Referendum

Voting to decide on existing law or tax

Recall

Voting to remove an elected official

Ballot Initiative

Placing issues on the ballot for public vote

Private Campaign Funds

Major source of campaign funds, unlimited

Public Campaign Funds

Government-provided money for campaigns

Federal Election Commission

Regulates campaign money, limits donations

Citizens United vs. FEC

2010 case leading to creation of Super PACs

Hard Money

Funds for electing candidates to Congress, White House

Soft Money

Funds for party-building activities

Suffrage

The right to vote

Gerrymandering

Drawing district lines to influence voting strength

Ballot Fatigue

Decreased likelihood to vote further down the ballot

Bicameral Legislature

Two-house legislative system

House of Representatives

Lower house with 435 members, 2-year terms

Senate Size

100 members, 2 per state

Senate Terms

6 years, staggered, no term limit

Senate Election

Originally by state legislatures, now popular vote

Senate Qualifications

30 years old, citizen for 9 years, state inhabitant

Congress Members

White, male, middle-aged, wealthy, lawyers

Congress Salary

Senate & Reps = $174,500, Speaker = $223,500

Congressional Powers

Expressed, Implied, Inherent powers

Congressional Committees

Where most work is done, investigate, serve constituents

Necessity and Proper Clause

Empowers Congress to pass laws needed for expressed powers

Taxing Power

Starts in the House of Representatives

Borrowing Power

Government borrows money, US owns most debt

Commerce Power

Regulates various aspects of life

Foreign Relations

Shared power with the President, Congress oversees funding

Impeachment Process

House impeaches, Senate tries, needs 2/3 vote to convict

Presidential Confirmations

Senate confirms major appointments, judges, cabinet

Treaty Approval

All treaties approved by the Senate with 2/3 vote

President's Roles

Chief of State, Executive, Administrator, Diplomat, Commander in Chief, Legislator, Party Chief, Chief Citizen

Presidential Qualifications

Natural born citizen, 35 years old, 14 years US residency

Presidential Term

4 years, max 2 terms as per 22nd Amendment

Presidential Salary

$400,000, with added benefits

Presidential Succession

VP fills in, 25th Amendment formalized succession

Electoral College

Electors choose President, flaws in winner-takes-all system

Electoral College Today

Electors chosen based on state's Congressional representation

Electing the President

Popular vote in Nov, Electoral College in Dec, votes counted in Jan

Direct Popular Election

Eliminate Electoral College for direct public presidential voting

National Bonus Plan

Add 102 electoral votes to popular election winner

Expressed Presidential Power

Includes commander-in-chief role, treaty-making, veto, and pardons

Stewardship Theory

Concept of a strong executive working well with Congress

Imperial Presidency

President acting like an emperor, bypassing Congress

Ordinance Power

Executive orders with force of law, determining law enforcement

Appointment Power

President appoints top officials, subject to Senate approval

Removal Power

President's authority to remove officials except federal judges

Power of Recognition

Acknowledgment of a country by receiving its ambassador

Commander in Chief

President's dominance in military policy, checked by Congress

War Powers Resolution Act

Limits President's war-making powers, requires troop deployment reporting

Executive Agreement

Agreement between President and foreign head not needing Senate approval

Judicial Power

Includes granting reprieves, commutations, pardons, and amnesty

Due Process Clauses

5th Amendment restricts federal govt, 14th extends to states

Commitment to Freedom

Colonial dedication to personal freedoms, leading to Bill of Rights

Civil Liberties

Protections against government actions, including freedom of religion

Civil Rights

Government actions supporting constitutional guarantees

Freedom of Religion

Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses protect religious freedoms

Lemon Test

Criteria to assess legitimacy of aid to religious schools

Free Expression

Right to express unpopular views, excluding libel, slander, obscenity

Sedition

Illegal attempt to overthrow government, unprotected speech

Police Power

State's authority to safeguard citizens, may conflict with civil rights

13th Amendment Section 1

Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude in the US

Right to Keep and Bear Arms

Constitutional right for people to possess firearms

Security of Home and Person

Protection against quartering soldiers, unreasonable search and seizure

Exclusionary Rule

Illegally obtained evidence cannot be used in trial

8th Amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment

Capital Punishment

Death penalty as a form of punishment, subject to 8th Amendment