AP Gov Unit 2

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

1. Legislative Branch

2. Executive Branch

3. Judicial Branch

4. State Powers

5. Amendment Process

6. Supremacy

7. 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.