DEEPLY PERSONALIZED AP US GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS REVIEW

I didn't really need to study all that much...except for this stuff seemingly

Explain participatory democracy with examples of how it manifests.

Broad participation in democracy, citizens vote on laws directly (not favored by founders due to issues with growing population, uneducated citizens going crazy, etc.) See town halls, initiatives (where citizens propose legislation), and referendums (where people can call for a vote to strike down an unpopular law). CONSTITUTION: states make their own laws.

Explain elite democracy with examples of how it manifests.

Limited participation in democracy, typically done by a few well-educated, qualified individuals who direct the nation. See SCOTUS and electoral college. CONSTITUTION: The people elect representatives.

Explain pluralist democracy with examples of how it manifests.

Democracy done in (interest) groups of citizens who pool their resources for political power. See states, NRA, NAACP. CONSTITUTION: lawmaking requires compromise between differing groups

Explain examples of Enlightenment thought in the Declaration of Independence.

“all men are created equal”, “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights”, etc — assertion of natural rights

“governments … deriv[e] their just powers from the consent of the governed” — popular sovereignty/social contract

What did the Declaration of Independence have to say about tyrannical governments?

“it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it”

Who wrote Federalist 10?

James Madison

What is the argument of Federalist 10?

The Constitution will defend against factions—-or groups of citizens prioritizing their own well-being over others’/the groups’—through a large republican government that will dilute factions through its size AND generate competition between factions due to increased diversity of thought. Factions cannot be stopped without preventing liberty breakdown, so they will be mitigated instead. ONLY THE CONSTITUTION SOLVES FACTIONS WITHOUT FAVORING THE MAJORITY OR MINORITY. Directly opposite of Brutus 1.

What is the argument of Brutus 1?

ANTI-CONSTITUTION: a weak central government is superior to a strong, republic government for the U.S. — a strong central govt (see Elastic, Supremacy clauses) threatens the annihilation of any state power; moreover, a large, diverse republic threatens legislative/policy gridlock. Directly opposite of Federalist 10.

How did the Articles of Confederation differ from the Constitution?

The Articles gave far more power to the states, considering them supreme to the federal government; the Articles only had the legislative branch, with each state given one vote

Why were the Articles replaced?

Shays’ rebellion — Congress couldn’t pay farmers for their service in the Revolutionary War, so, after petitioning was declined, they rebelled in the face of debt; they were quelled under state militia but the lack of a centralized militia/gov’t/executive was highlighted, making leaders nervous

How many electors in the electoral college does each state receive?

As many as they have representatives in Congress

How is the Constitution amended?

2/3 of the Senate OR Constitutional convention → ¾ of states

Explain the contents of each Constitutional article.

I — Legislative (Necessary and Proper clause)
II — Executive (Electoral college)

III — Judicial

IV — State Relations

V — Amendment Process

VI — National Supremacy (Supremacy clause)
VII — Ratification Process

What is the difference between original and appellate jurisdiction?

Original jurisdiction for SCOTUS — they automatically have jurisdiction, such as in cases involving states, the U.S., and ambassadors. Appellate jurisdiction is jurisdiction “worked up” to SCOTUS through various lower courts and the granting of a writ of certiorari.

Who wrote Federalist 51?

James Madison

What is the argument of Federalist 51?

Argues that the Constitution ensures that the federal government isn’t too powerful through checks and balances. “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition”. Ties back to counteracting factions in Federalist 10.

Who wrote Federalist 70?

Alexander Hamilton

What is the argument of Federalist 70?

A good government requires an energetic executive — specifically, one person (compared to sluggish, compromising legislative branch). Conducive to unified decisions (more people as executive = slower, less unified, FACTIONS AGAIN) and to increased responsibility (you know exactly who to blame for tyranny if it’s one really energetic guy).

Who wrote Federalist 78?

Alexander Hamilton

What is the main argument of Federalist 78?

Everyone already agrees after AoC that a federal court is needed—but how much power and how long? Hamilton argues judges should serve in good behavior because being a justice requires lifelong knowledge AND ensures independence; judges should have the power to basically do judicial review (ahead of his time!), are intermediate between Congress and The People; THE COURTS AND CONGRESS ARE BOTH SUBJECT TO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE