AP U.S. Government and Politics: Key Concepts and Court Cases

Political Culture

Shared beliefs, values, and traditions that shape political behavior

Shays' Rebellion

Exposed weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and led to the Constitutional Convention

Federalist No. 10

Large republic controls factions better than small republics

Brutus No. 1

Large republic threatens liberty and states' rights

Federalists vs Anti-Federalists

Strong national government vs states' rights and demand for a Bill of Rights

Federalist No. 51

Checks and balances and separation of powers prevent tyranny

Modern-Day Factions

Political parties, interest groups, ideological movements

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed in Article I, Section 8

Elastic Clause

Allows Congress to pass laws necessary to carry out enumerated powers

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is supreme over state law

Presidential Checks on Congress

Veto bills, call special sessions, influence legislation

Marbury v. Madison

Established judicial review

Majority Rule and Minority Rights

Majority governs but minority rights are protected

Limited Government

Government power is restricted by the Constitution

Political Socialization

Process by which people develop political beliefs

House of Representatives vs Senate

House: 2-year terms, population-based; Senate: 6-year terms, equal representation

Commerce Clause

Allows Congress to regulate interstate commerce

Federalism

Power shared between national and state governments

10th Amendment

Powers not given to federal government are reserved to states

Advantages and Disadvantages of Federalism

Local control vs inequality and conflict

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must recognize other states' laws and court decisions

Cooperative Federalism

Federal and state governments share responsibilities; expanded during New Deal

Categorical Grants

Federal funds with strict conditions

Block Grants

Federal funds with fewer restrictions

16th Amendment

Established federal income tax

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated but necessary to carry out enumerated powers

Separation of Powers

Dividing power among branches to prevent abuse

Americans with Disabilities Act

Unfunded mandate requiring accessibility

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by federal and state governments

United States v. Lopez

Limited Congress's use of the Commerce Clause

Congressional Checks on Executive

Override vetoes, confirm appointments, impeach officials

Committee System

Allows specialization and efficiency in Congress

Legislative Oversight

Congress monitors executive agencies

Filibuster

Extended debate used to delay a vote

Cloture

Vote requiring 60 senators to end a filibuster

Constituents

People a representative serves

Reapportionment

Redistribution of House seats after census

Gerrymandering

Drawing district lines to favor a political party

Standing Committees

Permanent committees that handle legislation

How a Bill Becomes Law

Committee review, floor vote, other chamber, president signs or vetoes

22nd Amendment

Limits president to two terms

Impeachment Process

House impeaches, Senate conducts trial

Senate Confirmation

Majority Senate approval for appointments

Presidential Succession

Vice President, Speaker of the House, President pro tempore

25th Amendment

Clarifies presidential succession and disability

Foreign Policy Powers

Treaties, commander-in-chief, diplomacy

Informal Presidential Powers

Executive orders, persuasion, media influence

Judicial Appointments

President appoints federal judges

Bureaucracy Control

Appointments, budgets, executive orders

Office of Management and Budget

Helps president prepare federal budget

Congressional Budget Office

Provides budget analysis to Congress

Veto Override

Two-thirds vote in both chambers

Pendleton Act

Created civil service system

Government Corporations

USPS and Amtrak

Bureaucracy Role

Implements laws and policies

Divided Government

Different parties control branches of government

Congressional Control of Bureaucracy

Budget power, oversight hearings, legislation

Iron Triangle

Congress, bureaucracy, and interest groups

Policy Making Process

Multiple actors influence policy creation and implementation

War Powers Resolution

Limits president's ability to deploy troops without Congress

White House Staff

Trusted political allies of the president

Judicial Nominations

Presidents choose ideologically similar judges

Writ of Certiorari

Order for Supreme Court to review a case

Judicial Activism

Broad interpretation of the Constitution

Judicial Restraint

Courts defer to legislature and original intent

Supreme Court Cases

Constitutional and federal law issues

Judicial Implementation

How court decisions are enforced

Rule of Four

Four justices must agree to hear a case

Stare Decisis

Respect for precedent

Life Tenure

Ensures judicial independence

Majority Opinion

Official court ruling that sets precedent

Executive Checks on Courts

Appointments and enforcement power

Congressional Checks on Courts

Jurisdiction control, confirmations, impeachment

Weighted Sampling

Adjusting polls to reflect population

Political Efficacy

Belief one can influence government

Political Agenda

Issues receiving public attention

Horse-Race Journalism

Media focus on polling over issues

Off-the-Record Interviews

Information not intended for publication

New York Times v. Sullivan

Established actual malice standard for libel