AP government and politics: Midterm flashcards

studying for midterm

Budget

A policy document. allocating burdens (taxes) snd benefits (expenditures)

Deficit

An excess of federal expenditures over federal revenues

Expenditures

what the government spends money on

revenues

sources of the money for the government

income tax

-shares of individual wages and corporate revenues

-the individual part is the largest single revenue source for the government

-its progressive: those with more income pay higher rates of tax of their income

-its not popular and many want it changed.

social insurance taxes

additional taxs for specific fund - social security and medicare.

borrowing

-the treasury department sells bonds - this is how the government “borrows” money

-the federal debt is the sum of all the borrowed monetary that is still outststanding

-the government copetes with other lenders

does not have capital budget

some would like to see a balanced budget.

Federalism

A way of organizing and nation so that two or more levels of government share formal authority over the same area and people

unitary government

A central government that holds supreme power in a nation. Most national governments today are unitary governments.

Intergovernmental relations

the entire set of interaction among national, state, and local governments - including regulations, transfer of funds, and the sharing of informations - that constitute the workings of the federal system

supremacy clause

The clause in article VI of the constitution that makes the constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws as long as the national government is acting within its constitution limits.

Cooperative federalism

a system of government in which powers and policies assignments are shared between states and the national government >shared cost and administration< >states follow federal guidelines<

Dual federalism

a system of government in which both states and the national government remains supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some politics.

fiscal federalism

the pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system. The corner stone of the national governments relations with states and local governments. 

(fiscal governments- federal grants to state and local governments)

Grant system

distributing the federal pie and federal grants that can be used for specific purposes, grants with strings attached. 

project grants

federal categorial grants given for specific purposes and awarded on the basis of the merits of applications

formula grants

federal categorial grants distributed according to the formula specified in legislation or in administrative regulations

block grants

federal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services.

constitution

A nations basic law. it creates political institutions, assigns or divides powers in government and often provides certain guarantees to citizens (can either be written or unwritten)

Declaration of independence

the document approved by representatives of the American colonies in 1776 that stated their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence. (July 2-4 1776)

articles of confederation

the first constitution of the united states, adopted by congress in 1777 and ratified in 1781. The articles established the continental congress as the national legislature, but left most authority with the state legislatures. >state dominated government <

( The Articles of Confederation - the first constitution of the United States, which established the Continental Congress as the national legislature but left most authority with the state legislatures.)

John locke

philosopher who was particularly advocating for natural rights, the consent of the governed, and limited government, heavily influenced the Declaration of Independence. These concepts were central to the American colonies' grievances against the British monarchy and their decision to declare independence.

The Annapolis Convention

took place in Annapolis, Maryland in 1786. Only 12 representatives from 5 states attended, where delegates planned to meet again in Philadelphia in 1787 with the go

Shays rebellion

a series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers led by revolutionary war caption Daniel Shays, to block fore closer proceedings.

-colonist in Massachusetts

-congress cannot raise funds for an army

(an armed uprising in Massachusetts from 1786 to 1787, led by Daniel Shays, a former Revolutionary War captain)

the Maddison system

-thwarting the tyranny of the majority

-the constitutional republic

-the end of the beginning

-a federal system & separating powers

-limiting majority control

-creating checks and balances

casework

activities of members of congress that help constituents as individuals participating by cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they think they have the right to get. 

incumbents

those individuals who already hold office in congressional elections (have a higher chance of winning and usually do)

Bicameral legislature

a legislature divided into two houses, the U.S. congress and all state legislatures except Nebraska’s are bicameral.

Speakers of the house

an office mandated by the constitution. the speaker chosen in practice by the majority party has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line (after vice president) to succeed to the presidency, should that office become vacant. 

the First Lady

presidents wife- no official government position

• often at center of nations attention

(examples: Abigail Adams, Edith Wilson, Eleanor Rosevelt, Hillary Clinton, Michelle obama)

the executive office of the president

national security council (NSC)

Council of economic admissions (CEA)

Office of management and budget (OMB)

cabinet

• traditional and not mandated

• heads of executive departments

• includes 14 secretaries, autonomy general.

Article I (constitution)

Legislative branch

Article II (constitution)

Executive branch

Article III (constitution)

Judicial branch

article IV (constitution)

addresses relationship between the federal and state governments

article V (constitution)

describes the process for amending the Constitution (2/3 of both houses)

article VI (constitution)

States that the Constitution is the highest law of the land. Federal and state officers and judges must uphold the Constitution. Supremacy clause

article VII (constitution)

ratification; 9/13 states must ratify

federalist 10 (Maddison)

James Maddison suggest (fed no. 10) that a representative democracy rather than a direct democracy, could prevent policies disenfranchment that that occurred in society as the result of inequality.

Federalist 51 (Maddison)

In Federalist No. 51 James Madison wanted to explain and justify the U.S. Constitution's system of separation of powers and checks and balances as a way to prevent any single branch of government from becoming too powerful and to protect liberty from tyranny

federalist 70 (Hamilton) 

In Federalist 70, Alexander Hamilton wanted to argue for a strong, single executive(a president) as essential for good government, a concept he called "energy in the executive"

federalist 78 (Hamilton)

In Federalist No. 78, Hamilton wanted to establish the principle of judicial review and secure the independence of the judiciary. He argued that judges needed to be independent from the other branches

(Judiciary branch isn't too powerful because it doesn't have the power of the purse or sword; can't tax, enforce laws, or bring the nation to war)

Letter from a birmingham jail (MLK)

Morality is not defined by the laws, the civil rights movement is good and necessary, direct action

14th amendment

Declares that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection of the laws

13th amendment

abolished slavery

1st amendment

The First Amendment guarantees five fundamental freedoms: religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government

2nd amendment

the right to keep and bear arms

3rd amendment

No quartering of troops

commerce clause

Clause stating that Congress can regulate interstate and international commerce.

necessary and proper clause

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

establishment clause

Part of the First Amendment stating that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."