CLEP - American Government

Enlightenment

Natural rights (John Locke): life, liberty, property, Thomas Paine, “Common Sense”

Articles of Confederation

Designed to be weak, fear of strong government, economic issues: each state could coin their own currency, tariffs could be imposed on other states

Shay’s Rebellion

Over property taxes —> Article revision

Annapolis Convention

In 1786, promise to meet in Philly next year —> Constitutional Convention 1787

Timeline leading up to the Constitution

Enlightenment —> Declaration —> Articles —> Shay’s —> Constitution

Separation of powers

Dividing power among different branches of government, idea comes from Monesquieu

Constitution Article 1

Congressional/Legislative powers: declare war, tax, tariffs, trade, house: impeach, senate: jurors in impeachment, approve appointments

Constitution Article 2

Presidential/Executives powers: commander in chief, appoints official, enforce laws

Constitutional Article 3

Judicial/Judicial powers: hold positions for life, judicial review established with Marbury v. Madison 1803, allows supreme court to declare laws unconstitutional

Legislative checks on Executive

Impeach, override vetoes, approve nominations

Legislative checks on Judicial

Confirm/reject nominees, impeach judges

Executive checks on Legislative

Veto bills, propose bills/budgets

Executive checks on Judicial

Nominate judges, pardon individuals

Judicial checks on Legislative

Judicial review, laws and treaties

Judicial checks on Executive

Declare executive orders unconstitutional

Federalists

Favored ratification of the Constitution

Federalists Papers

85 reasons for the Constitution, written by Hamilton, Madison, Jay

Anti-Federalists

Opposed ratification of the Constitution, mostly because there was no protection of individual liberties

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, rights/liberties of the people, created in part to appease Anti-Federalists

Federalism

Division of powers between national and state governments

10th Amendment

All powers not given to the national government is reserved for the states.

Dual federalism

Powers clearly divided between national and state governments

Cooperative Federalism

National and state government share powers, ex. highways, education

Devolution Federalism (New Federalism)

Transferring certain national powers back to states, popular under Reagan

Categorical Federal Grants

Main source of grants, clearly defined purpose

Project Federal Grants

A type of Categorical Federal Grant, based on applications

Formula Federal Grants

A type of Categorial Federal Grant, based on a formula, ex. Medicaid

Block Federal Grant

Gives more leeway/more open-ended for states

Democratic Government Theory

Majority rule, restraints on majority

Republican Government Theory

elected official represents citizens of country

Pluralism Government Theory

Belief that groups can influence public policy through organizations, ex. NRA, NOW, UAW

Elitism Government Theory

Belief that the wealthy have too much political influence

Hyperpluralism Government Theory

Belief that there are too many groups therefore the government is weakened

Political Efficacy

Belief in government and individual’s ability to influence government, high efficacy —> more likely to vote

4 Basic American Beliefs

Political equality, free enterprise, equality for opportunity, but generally do not believe in economic equality, mistrust of government, especially after Watergate Scandal, Nixon, Vietnam War

Political Socialization

Process where people gain their political beliefs/orientation; individuals are socialized by family, media, schools; as people age, more likely to engage in politics, voting; senior citizens largest percentage of voters

Polls

Effective polls use random sampling, representative sample, large sample size/low margin of error, questions with unbiased wording; reveal that there is a disconnect between Americans and government many Americans weary of “big government”

Conventional Political Participation

Voting, campaigning, donating

Unconventional Political Participation

Protests, civil disobedience, violence

Liberals

Decrease military spending, pro choice, higher taxes on wealthy, increased social program spending; women, African Americans, and people < 30 are more likely to be liberal

Conservative

Increase military spending, pro life, lowers taxes on wealthy, decreased social program spending