AP GOV STUDY GUIDE

natural rights

fundamental rights of all humans not derived from the government

popular sovereignty

the idea that all people are the source of governmental power and authority

social contract

the idea that people create a government to protect the right of the people

republicanism

a form of government where people choose representatives to make public policy

2 specific democratic ideals found in the declaration of independence

natural rights and social contract

2 specific democratic ideals found in the constitution

republicanism and limited government

participatory democracy

emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society

pluralist democracy

citizen membership in groups is the key to political power

elite democracy

a theory of democracy that limits the citizens' role to choosing among competing leaders

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 composed by James Madison which argues that liberty is safest in a large republic because many interests (factions) exist

constitution

established a republic, congressional representation, electoral college minimize role of the public electing presidents

federalist

favored the constitution, opposed a bill of rights, favored a stronger central government

anti-federalist

opposed the constitution, demanded a bill of rights, opposed a stronger central government

according to federalist no.10 why will democracies fail?

the minority is powerless to prevent a tyranny of the majority

3 criticisms of the constitution in brutus no.1

\-federal government will tax excessively

\-necessary and proper clause will give congress to much power

\-supremacy clause will allow federal government to dominate states

how did shays rebellion highlight the weaknesses of the AOC

weak federal response shifted public opinion towards favoring a strong central government

which document is state soverighnety a characteristic of

articles of confederation

which document is shared soveirighty a characteristic of

constitution

which document said congress has the power to tax

constitution

which document said congress can create currency

articles of confederation and constitution

which document said states can create their own currencies

articles of confederation

which document said congress can regulate interstate commerce

constitution

which document said congress can declare war and make treaties

articles of confederation and constitution

which document said that states retain powers not directly given to the federal government

articles of confederation and constitution

virginia plan

favored large states by making representation based on population

great compromise

house was based on population and senate would be equal

three-fifths compromise

slaves counted as 3/5 of a person for congressional representation

two ways the constitution can be amended

\-2/3rds vote by congress (3/4ths ratify)

\-2/3rds of states call constitutional convention

federalist no.51

separation of powers with checks and balances is necessary

delegated powers

given exclusively to federal government

reserved powers

given to the states

concurrent powers

held by federal and states

federalism

division of power between federal, state, and local governments

dual federalism

federal and states have their own power

cooperative federalism

states and federal share responsibilities

block grants

money given to the states that can be used for broad purposes

unfunded mandates

federal requirement to states without funding

federal revenue sharing

money given to states without spending restrictions

categorical grants

money given to states to be used for specific purposes

commerce clause

only congress can regulate anything affecting interstate commerce

supremeacy clause

constitution is the supreme law of the land

enumerated powers

directly written in the constitution

implied powers

not directly written in the constitution

house of representatives

435 members, 2 year terms, more rules

senate

100 members, 6 year terms, fewer rules

3 policies congress can regulate based off the necessary and proper clause

economic, environmental, and social issues

which branch of congress confirms nominations

senate

which branch of congress ratifys treaties

senate

which branch of congress initiates all tax/revenue bills

house

which branch of congress has the power to impeach

house

which branch of congress contains the rules committee

house

which branch of congress uses filibuster

senate

which branch of congress uses unanimous consent agreements

senate

which branch of congress has a committee of the whole

house

which branch of congress uses discharge petitions

house

which branch of congress uses holds

senate

how many votes from senate to invoke cloture and end filibuster

60

2 roles of the speaker of the house

\-schedule bills for debate

\-promote majority party's agenda

conference committees

create a compromise bill when house and senate pass different versions of a bill

standing committees

hold hearings, markup legislation, most of congress's work is done here

select committees

conduct temporary investigations

joint committees

include both representatives and senators

discretionary spending

must be approved annually as apart of budget bills, makes up 30% of federal spending

mandatory spending

spending required by law, makes up 70% of federal spending

entitlement spending

spending on programs people are entitled to receive by law

logrolling

vote trading in congress

pork barrel legislation

provides tangible benefits

reapportionment

changing the number of seats a state has in the house

redistricting

redrawing congressional districts

gerrymandering

drawing congressional districts in bizarre shapes, normally to benefit the majority party

malapportionment

drawing congressional districts of unequal size (ruled unconstitutional)

trustee model

representatives vote with their conscience regardless of what constituents want

delegate model

vote how constituents want even if representative disagrees

politico model

sometimes act as trustee, sometimes act as delegate

affect of party polarization on legislation

leads to gridlock and is difficult to pass legislation

veto

congress formally rejecting a bill, can be overridden by 2/3rds vote

pocket veto

president dosnt sign a bill for 10 days

commander in chief

head of armed forces

executive orders

order by president that dosnt require congressional approval

signing statement

written comment issued by president when signing a bill

bargaining and persuasion

support for an agenda from the public and congress

two limitations on presidents use of executive orders

\-must be constitutional

\-public opinion can affect presidential support

positions that the president nominates and senate confirms

\-cabinet secerataries

\-ambassadors

\-federal judges

two reasons why judicial appointments are often very contentious

\-judges serve life terms

\-judges have the ability to shift the ideological balance of the court

federalist no.70

a unitary executive allows for a more efficient administration of the law

22nd amendment

limits a president to two terms

bully pulpit

prominence of the president allows him to bring attention to any issue

state of the union address

nationally televised speech delivered to congress to gain support for presidents agenda

social media and technology

allows the president to communicate directly with the people

foundations of judiciary are found in which article of the constitution

article 3

federalist no. 78

life tenure for federal judges is to ensure an independent judiciary

stare decisis

"let the decision stand" establishes precedents

opinion of the court

majority opinion, only one with legal power

dissenting opinion

written by a justice on the losing side to argue against majority reasoning

concurring opinion

written by a justice who agrees with the majority but has a different reasoning

rule of four

supreme court accepts the case and issues a writ of certiorari if four justices want to hear it

judicial activism

the practice of the court using judicial review

judicial restraint

the court should be more hesitant to exercise its judicial review powers

congressional checks of judiciary

\-can pass legislation

\-can change courts jurisdiction

\-senate confirmation of justices