AP Gov

Ideas that form “limited government”

Natural rights, social contract, popular sovereignty, and republicanism

Social contract

from Thomas Hobbes. Citizens give up some freedoms to the government so natural rights are maintained

Natural rights

from John Locke. The right to life, liberty, and property. Given by god so the government can not take it away

Popular sovereignty

the people are in charge, not a government

Limited government

a political system with restrictions placed on the government to protect individual rights

Democracy

ruled by the people

Participatory democracy

broad participation where people directly influence policy decisions. Best represents the people but is logistically difficult as the size of government increases

Pluralist democracy

many different groups argue/debate to form policy. The best ideas surface because groups aren’t dominating. Slow-decision making

Elitist democracy

very limited democracy with only the elite deciding on policy. Decisive but not all people are represented

Direct democracy

allows citizens to make policy decisions, not just influence them

Athens

both a participatory and elitist democracy because people directly participated but only the wealthy people did

Participatory democracy now

Townhall meetings, initiatives, referendums

Initiatives

voters propose a law

Referendum

citizens remove a law

Recall

voters removing an elected official (only state-level)

Pluralist democracy now

interest groups influence policy makers

Elite democracy now

the electoral college, judges appointed by president

Elitist democracy in the constitution

elected representatives legislate, not the people (weakened by 17th amendment)

Pluralist democracy in the constitution

compromises between parties to get laws passed

Participatory democracy in the constitution

freedom of speech and press, 15th amendment and 19th amendment

Challenges of the articles of confederation

weak central government, almost impossible to pass policy

Virginia plan

2 houses, both population based (upper and lower house)

New Jersey Plan

1 vote per state with unicameral legislature

Connecticut compromise/Great compromise

lower house of representatives (elected, population based), upper house senate (appointed prior to 17th amendment)

Electoral college

citizens vote in each state but electors in each state have final vote. Safeguards to prevent mob mentality

3/5 compromise

3 of every 5 slaves counted as a person for representation in Congress and taxation

International slave trade compromise

international slave trade outlawed past 1808

4 compromises at the constitutional convention

connecticut compromise, electoral college, 3/5 compromise, slave trade compromise

Amending the constitution

2/3 of Congress proposes and 3/4 of states ratify

Stakeholders

anyone with a vested interest in policy outcomes

checks and balances and separation of powers

established by branches of government

Impeachment

the “check” that the legislative branch has against the executive branch

Indictment

done by the House with a simple majority

trial to remove

performed by senate with a 2/3 majority. either acquit or convict

Access point

a point in policymaking where ordinary citizens can influence government. Increased by federalism because you can access state AND federal governments

Advice and consent

senate must approve presidential appointments

Judicial review

deaming laws unconstitutional

Federalism

power shared between state and federal government

Categorical grants

grants for specific purposes

Block grants

grants for a general topic, giving power to states (devolution)

Mandates

federal government tying funds to mandated laws

Fiscal federalism

federalism via money (grants and mandates)

Layer cake/Dual federalism

states and federal government have distinctly different powers

Marble cake/Cooperative federalism

Concurrent powers

Full faith and credit clause

all states have unified legal decisions

Strengthened the full faith and credit clause

Obergefell v. Hodges, which required states to acknowledge same-sex marriage

Privileges and immunities

citizens have the right to travel to other states and will get the rights of locals

Revenue sharing

sharing federal income tax revenue with state and local governments

9th amendment

Constitution can not be misinterpreted to take away the rights of the people

10th amendment

powers not given to federal government are given to state governments (federalism!)

14th amendment

constrains states from laws that take away unalienable rights without due process or deny equal protection (increases federal government powers)

Enumerated powers

explicitly listed in the constitution for the federal government

implied powers

powers implied in the constitution or necessary to carry out enumerated powers (necessary and proper clause)

Patriot Act and No Child Left Behind

increased federal power

Laboratories for democracy

using states as testing grounds for laws (ex. marijuana legalization in states)

Reserved powers

reserved to the states (10th amendment)

Concurrent powers

shared by levels of government (ex. taxation)

Congress’ enumerated powers

1) Federal budget 2) power to raise revenue 3) power to coin money 4) power to declare war 5) power to raise & maintain armed forces

Senate

less connected with voters, 2 per state, 30+ years old, 6 year terms, less public pressure

House of Representatives

population-based, 25+ years old, 2 year terms, more responsive to the people

Senate powers

Weigh in on presidential nominations, ratify treaties, confirm cabinet and court nominees

House powers

initiate impeachment, start the budget

Constituents

voters in a district

Coalition

alliance of political groups pursuing a common goal

House Rules committee

decides if a bill can reach the floor and when the vote takes place

Committee of the whole

related rules for debate, only 100 members needed to be present. Made by house rules committee

Standing committee

always there

join committee

members from house AND senate

Select committee

exists only for a short period

conference committee

compromises a bill between house and senate if they can’t agree

Discharge petition

moving a bill from a committee to the house floor after 30 days (only in the house)

Unanimous consent

ending a debate in senate requires ALL senators to agree

Filibuster

when someone refuses to stop debating in the senate

Cloture

a motion required to end a filibuster. 3/5 of votes needed

Appropriation committees

most important for making the budget

Pork barrel spending

added to benefit one representative’s district

Earmarks

setting aside portions of the budget for specific projects

Pork barrel projects

set aside for purposes irrelevant to the bill

Logrolling

supporting one person’s bill in return for them supporting yours

Deficit spending

spending more money than you have

Mandatory spending

required by law

Discretionary spending

whatever is left over after mandatory spending

Delegate role

represent their constituents (more often in the house)

Trustee role

voting in favor of the people’s best interest

Politico role

doing both delegate and trustee roles

Divided government

president and congress are controlled by different political parties

“lame duck”

the elected official still in office prior to their successors’ inauguration

President explicit powers

commander in chief, veto

Veto

power to reject a law

Signing statements

the president’s power to interpret Congress’ laws

Executive agreement

informal agreement with formal powers, but only lasts as long as the president does

Executive orders

directives issues by president to be treated as laws

Policy agenda

laws a president promises to implement if elected

Cabinet

groups of presidential advisors

Bargaining and persuasion

Presidential ability to set congress’ priorities by encouraging people to put pressure on congress

22nd amendment

limits the president to 2 terms or 10 years

War Powers Act of 1973

limits the president’s power to deploy armed forces, decreasing power of the presidency

Bully pulpit

the president’s ability to communicate/influence (has expanded with social media)

State of the Union

annual televised speech to Congress to set policy agendas

Inferior courts

all federal courts below SCOTUS