Studied by 10 people
Federalist v Anti-Federalist
The debate between those who supported the ratification of the Constitution (Federalists) and those who opposed it (Anti-Federalists).
Congressional Committees
Groups within Congress that are responsible for specific tasks such as drafting legislation, conducting hearings, and overseeing government agencies.
Federalism
A system of government where power is divided between a central government and individual state governments.
What do states control
States have authority over matters not specifically delegated to the federal government, such as education, transportation, and criminal justice.
What does Federal gov' control
The federal government has powers granted to it by the Constitution, including national defense, foreign policy, and interstate commerce.
Pork barrel
Pork barrel is when government funds are used for local projects that mainly benefit a specific politician's constituents.
Logrolling
Logrolling is a practice in politics where two or more individuals or groups agree to support each other's proposals or policies in order to gain mutual benefits.
Patronage
The practice of elected officials appointing individuals to government positions as a reward for their political loyalty.
McCulloch v Maryland
A landmark Supreme Court case that established the supremacy of the federal government over state governments and confirmed the constitutionality of the national bank.
US v Lopez
A Supreme Court case that limited the power of the federal government by ruling that the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause.
Mandates
Mandates refer to requirements imposed by the federal government on states or local governments, which they must comply with in order to receive funding.
Block grants
These are grants that provide a fixed amount of money to states or local governments to be used for a broad range of programs or services. The recipients have more flexibility in how they allocate the funds, as long as they fall within the general guidelines set by the grant.
Categorical grants
These grants are more specific in nature and are allocated for a particular purpose or program. They often come with more stringent requirements and regulations on how the funds should be used.
Federalist 10
An essay written by James Madison that argues for the need to control the effects of factions through a large republic and a system of checks and balances.
Discharge petition, cloture
Legislative procedures used in Congress to advance or end a debate on a bill, allowing for its consideration or preventing a filibuster.
Gerrymandering
The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to benefit a particular political party or group.
Gridlock
A situation in which the government is unable to make progress or pass legislation due to political disagreements and partisan divisions.
House
Size is based on the population of each state, seats change every 10 years. Representatives hold office for 2 years
Senate
100 representatives, 2 per state. Representatives hold office for 6 years.
Politico
A mixture of trustee and delegate models.
Trustee
Representative votes based on what they believe to be best for their constituents.
Delegate
Representative votes based on what their constituents want.
Partisan
Representative votes based on the belief of their party.
Impeachment
The process by which a public official, such as the President, is charged with misconduct and may be removed from office.
Redistricting
The redrawing of electoral district boundaries to reflect changes in population and ensure equal representation.
Reapportionment
The redistribution of congressional seats in the House in proportion to changes in population in each state.
Executive Order
A directive issued by the President that manages operations of the federal government and has the force of law.
Formal powers of Executive branch
Powers explicitly granted to the President by the Constitution:
Commander-in-Chief
Makes and signs Treaties (Senate Approval)
Represent our nation in foreign relations
Enforces laws
Informal powers of Executive branch
Checks and balances
The system in which each branch of government has the ability to limit the powers of the other branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Interstate commerce
Economic activities that involve the movement of goods, services, or money across state lines.
Necessary and proper clause
A clause in the Constitution that grants Congress the authority to make laws that are necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers.
Supremacy clause
A clause in the Constitution that establishes the supremacy of federal law over state law when there is a conflict between the two.
Baker v Carr
A Supreme Court case that established the principle of "one person, one vote" and required state legislative districts to be roughly equal in population.
Shaw v Reno
A Supreme Court case that addressed the issue of racial gerrymandering and set guidelines for the redrawing of electoral districts.
Label each article of Constitution
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
State Powers
Amendment Process
Supremacy
Ratification Process
Brutus 1
An essay written by an Anti-Federalist that argues against the ratification of the Constitution, expressing concerns about the potential for an overly powerful central government.
Elitist
Only a select few with the proper abilities oversee policy-making.
Pluralist
Interest groups advocate for their agenda and may compete against other groups to have their own agenda fulfilled.
Participatory
The people have direct influence in policy-making.
Divided government
A situation in which one political party controls the executive branch and another political party controls one or both chambers of the legislative branch.
Judicial activism
Advocating for a more active role of the courts in shaping policy.
Judicial restraint
Advocating for a more limited role of the court in shaping policy.
Stare decisis
Legal principles that emphasize the importance of precedent and the process by which the Supreme Court decides to hear a case.
Writ of certiorari
A request that the Supreme Court order a lower court to send up the record of the case for review.
Independent agencies
Government agencies that operate independently of the executive departments and are designed to protect the public interest.
Iron triangles
Informal alliances between interest groups, congressional committees, and bureaucratic agencies that often work together to shape public policy.
Bureaucracy
The administrative system of government that implements and enforces laws and regulations.
Note 
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