American Government and Politics Comprehensive Review

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the five units of American Government and Politics: foundations, branches of government, civil liberties/rights, ideologies, and political participation.

Limited government

Restrictions on gov’t power, usually found in a constitution

Natural rights

Rights that we are born with that cannot be infringed upon: life, liberty, property (or pursuit of happiness)

Popular sovereignty

Consent of the governed

Republicanism

Representative democracy

Social contract

Consent to be governed in return for protection of natural rights

Participatory democracy

Emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society

Pluralist democracy

Recognizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision making

Elite democracy

Emphasizes limited participation in politics and civil society

Federalist 10

Argues for a pluralist democracy to limit the mischiefs of faction in a large republic

Brutus 1

Expresses fear that a powerful central gov’t will result in elite democracy and loss of personal liberty

Articles of Confederation

First governing document of the independent U.S. featuring a weak central government and unicameral legislature

Connecticut Compromise

Combination of Virginia and New Jersey Plan creating a bicameral legislature with one chamber based on population and another on equal representation

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement counting enslaved people as 3/5 of the population for representation purposes

Federalist 51

Explains how constitutional provisions of separation of powers and checks and balances control abuses by majorities

Federalism

The sharing of power between the national and state governments

Exclusive powers

Powers only for the federal government, such as declaring war

Enumerated powers

Powers specifically found in the Constitution for the federal government

Concurrent powers

Powers shared or allowed for both the federal and state governments

Reserved powers

Powers granted to the states or people via the 10th Amendment, not guaranteed to the federal government

Implied powers

Congressional powers beyond enumerated ones through the necessary and proper clause

Categorical grants

Federal monies provided to state governments for specific purposes with strings attached

Block grants

Federal monies provided to state governments for broad purposes, allowing states more freedom in spending

Unfunded mandates

Requirements by the federal government for states to perform certain actions without providing funding

Commerce clause

Clause used to expand federal power by allowing the federal government to regulate interstate commerce

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Declared Congress has implied powers and established supremacy of federal laws over state laws

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Ruled Congress may not use the commerce clause to make possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime, recognizing state sovereignty

Standing committees

Permanent committees that consider legislation and have oversight power

Conference committees

Temporary joint committees between the House and Senate that reconcile differences in a bill

Filibuster

Unlimited debate in the Senate used to delay or prevent a vote on a bill

Cloture

A vote needing 60 Senators to end a filibuster

Pork-barrel legislation

The use of federal funding to finance localized projects to please constituents and boost reelection chances

Logrolling

An agreement between two legislators to trade votes for each other’s benefit

Baker v. Carr

Opened the door to equal protection challenges to redistricting and established the 'one person, one vote' doctrine

Shaw v. Reno

Supreme Court decision prohibiting racial gerrymandering

Trustee

A member of Congress who uses their own judgment to decide how to vote rather than just constituent views

Delegate

A member of Congress who always follows their constituents’ voting preferences

Politico

A member of Congress who acts as a delegate on issues constituents care about and as a trustee on other issues

Executive agreements

Informal presidential agreements with heads of foreign governments not requiring Senate ratification

Executive orders

Presidential orders to the executive branch that carry the force of law

Signing statements

Inform the public and Congress of the president's interpretation of laws being signed

Federalist 70

Hamilton's argument for a single, energetic executive to ensure accountability and quick action

War Powers Act

Legislation intended to limit the president's power to deploy U.S. armed forces

Bully pulpit

The president’s use of media coverage to promote an agenda directly to the American public

Judicial review

The power of the courts to declare acts of the legislature or executive unconstitutional

Federalist 78

Hamilton's argument for judicial independence through life tenure and the necessity of judicial review

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Supreme Court case that affirmed the Court’s power of judicial review

Stare decisis

The legal principle of making decisions based on past precedents; literally 'let the decision stand'

Judicial activism

The philosophy that the Court should be bold in upholding rights and striking down legislation

Judicial restraint

The philosophy that judges should be strict interpreters of the Constitution and defer to elected branches

Merit system

Hiring and promoting bureaucrats based on skills and professionalism rather than political connections

Iron triangles

Mutually beneficial relationships between an interest group, a congressional committee, and a bureaucratic agency

Discretionary authority

An agency’s ability to decide whether or not to take certain courses of action when implementing laws

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution designed to protect individual liberties

Establishment Clause

First Amendment provision preventing the federal government from supporting an official religion

Free Exercise Clause

First Amendment provision preventing the government from interfering with citizens’ religious practices

Prior restraint

Government censorship by preventing publication or speech before it takes place

Selective Incorporation

The process of applying the Bill of Rights to the states through the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause

Exclusionary Rule

Requirement that evidence found during an illegal search or seizure cannot be used in a trial

Affirmative Action

Efforts to improve opportunities for underrepresented groups in employment or education

Political socialization

The process by which a person develops their political values and beliefs

Keynesian economics

Philosophy encouraging government spending to promote economic growth, even by increasing deficit spending

Supply-side economics

Philosophy encouraging tax cuts and deregulation to promote economic growth

Fiscal policy

Government decisions regarding taxing and spending to influence the economy, managed by the President and Congress

Monetary policy

Government decisions regarding the money supply and interest rates, dictated by the Federal Reserve

Political efficacy

A citizen’s belief that their vote matters and can influence government policies

Linkage institutions

Channels such as political parties, elections, interest groups, and the media that allow individuals to communicate preferences to policymakers

Critical elections

Elections where large groups of people shift their voting behavior from one party to another, known as regional realignment

Horse race journalism

Media coverage that focuses on poll standings rather than candidate platforms or policy agendas