AP Gov't 1.4-1.9

Federalist papers

essays written by federalists who defended the Constitution

Anti-federalists

people who opposed the Constitution

electoral college

A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president

number of electoral college votes are

2 for each senator, an additional vote for every member the state gets in the House

Brutus No.1

an Antifederalist Paper arguing that the country was too large to be governed as a republic and that the Constitution gave too much power to the national government

Federalist No.10

an essay in which Madison argues that the dangers of faction can be mitigated by a large republic and republican government

Arguments against Federalist No.10

Multiple factions would not form "perfect union", state's separate interests would tear the union apart

Federalist No.51

an essay in which Madison argues that separation of powers and federalism will prevent tyranny

Arguments against Federalist No.51

No perfect way to separate powers, eventually one branch would hold more power

Federalist No.70

Foundation document that establishes the role of the Executive Branch. Executive branch would have single person who is checked by the legislative branch and proposes idea of term limits to further check executive

Arguments against Federalist No.70

Executive would only be influenced by his "minions", alarmed at idea that military would be controlled by a single person.

Federalist No.78

argument by Alexander Hamilton that the federal judiciary would be unlikely to infringe upon rights and liberties but would serve as a check on the other two branches, establishes idea of judicial review

Arguments against Federalist No.78

Federal judiciary would overshadow state judiciaries, lifetime appointments would lead to corruption

necessary and proper clause / elastic clause

constitutional authorization for Congress to make any law required to carry out its powers

executive orders

Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by the federal bureaucracy.

executive agreements

Agreements with other countries from the executive that do not need senate approval

judicial review

Allows the court to determine the constitutionality of laws

federalism

a system of government where power is divided between the national government and the states

confederation

a system of government in which many decisions are made by an external member-state legislation.

Enumerated/delegated powers

Powers given to the national government alone

Enumerated powers examples

printing money, regulate interstate and foreign trade, declare war, make treaties, establishing lower courts

10th Amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

reserved powers

powers that the Constitution neither specifically grants to the national government nor denies to the state governments.

reserved power examples

issuing licenses, regulating intrastate business, establishing local governments, maintaining a justice system, educating residents

concurrent powers

powers shared by the state and federal government

concurrent powers examples

building roads, collect taxes, operating courts of law, paying debts and borrowing money, establishing courts

supremacy clause

Constitution is the supreme law of the land

Federal government cannot

impose export taxes, grant titles of nobility, suspend writ of habeas corpus, pass ex-post-fato laws or bills of attainder

bills of attainder

when the legislature declares someone guilty without a trial

ex post facto laws

A law which punishes people for a crime that was not a crime when it was committed. Congress cannot pass these laws.

habeas corpus

a writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or into court

state governments cannot

enter into treaties, declare war, maintain a standing army, print money, pass ex post facto laws or bills of attainer, grant titles of nobility, impose import or export duties

categorial grants

Federal grants for specific purposes. Favored by politicians who prefer federal power

block grants

federal grants-in-aid that allow states considerable discretion in how the funds are spent. Favored by politicians who commit to state rights.

What is a crossover sanction?

A technique of Congress to establish federal regulations.

How do crossover sanctions influence state and local policy?

They permit the use of federal money in one program to influence state and local policy in another.

advantages of federalism

mass participation, regional autonomy, government at many levels, innovative methods, diffusion of power, diversity

disadvantages of federalism

lack of consistency, inefficiency, bureaucracy, resistance, inequity

separation of powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches

which branch writes laws?

legislative

which branch confirms presidential appintments?

legislative

which branch ratifies treaties?

legislative

which branch grants money?

legislative

which branch declares war?

legislative

which branch proposes laws?

executive

which branch administers the laws?

executive

which branch commands the armed forces?

executive

which branch appoints ambassadors and other officials?

executive

which branch conducts foreign policy?

executive

which branch interprets the Constitution and other laws?

judicial

which branch reviews lower-court decisions?

judicial

what are two ways the executive branch checks the legislative branch?

may adjourn Congress, may veto bills

how does the judicial branch check the legislative branch?

may declare laws unconstitutional

how does the executive branch check the judicial branch?

appoints judges

how does the judicial branch check the executive branch?

may declare executive branches unconstitutional

how does the legislative branch check the executive branch?

reject appointments, reject treaties, impeach president, override veto, withhold funding for presidential initiatives

how does the legislative branch check the judicial branch?

impeach SCOTUS judges, reject appointments to SCOTUS, propose constitutional amendments to overrule judicial decisions

amendment process

proposed amendment receives 2/3 majority in both houses of Congress, 3/4 of state legislatures ratify

veto

to reject

ratify

to approve officially

reprieves

delays of punishment

pardons

freedom from punishment

gubernatorial veto

a governor's veto of a state legislature

line-item veto

an executive's ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature. Only used in states