AP Government Study Guide - Constitutional Underpinnings

Flashcards for AP Government Study Guide Unit One, focusing on Constitutional Underpinnings and Fundamental Principles of Democracy.

Direct Democracy

A form of government where citizens meet and vote directly on government decisions.

Representative Democracy (Republic)

A form of government where citizens choose officials who make decisions on government policy.

Magna Carta (1215)

The first attempt to limit the power of the British King, guaranteeing certain rights to all people.

Social Contract Theory

The principle that people enter into a social contract with the government and allow themselves to be ruled.

Consent of the Governed

The principle that there are no supreme rulers; all rulers depend on the approval of the people, and the people have the right to change the government if it fails to protect rights.

Natural Rights

The principle that all people are born with certain rights: life, liberty, and property (or the pursuit of happiness).

Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson’s document built on principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, consent of the governed, and social contract theory. It justified the American Revolution.

Common Good

Belief in doing what’s best for the nation overall.

Popular Sovereignty

Belief that the ultimate authority rests with the people.

Majority Rule

Belief that government is run based on the will of the majority.

Articles of Confederation

The first government of the United States, a weak association of states with no central executive power and limited federal power.

Shays’ Rebellion

A farmer rebellion in Massachusetts (1786-1787) protesting mortgage foreclosures and a terrible economy, highlighting the weakness of the central government.

Constitutional Convention

Meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 to write a new constitution.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution because it gave power to a strong central government (Hamilton, Madison).

Anti-Federalists

Opposed the Constitution because they thought the national government would become tyrannical and take power away from the states.

Federalist Papers

Articles written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay arguing for the Constitution.

Federalist Paper #10

Written by Madison, discusses the importance of factions and how they are best handled by a large republic.

Federalist Paper #51

Written by Madison, discusses the importance of checks and balances and the separation of powers in the Constitution.

Article I

Legislative Branch in the Constitution.

Article II

Executive Branch in the Constitution.

Article III

Judicial Branch in the Constitution.

Separation of Powers

Each of the three branches has its own power and independence: Legislative (passes laws), Executive (executes laws), Judicial (interprets laws).

Checks and Balances

Each branch has some power over the others, but retains independence.

Federalism

Separation between powers of the Federal, State, and Local governments.

Confederacy

A system of government in which the central government is very weak, and most of the true power lies in individual states.

Unitary System

A system of government in which the central government is extremely powerful, and individual states have few powers.

Dual Federalism

Belief that the state and national governments are supreme within their own sphere of influence (Layer Cake Federalism).

Cooperative Federalism

Sharing powers between state and federal governments (Marble Cake Federalism).

Fiscal Federalism

Government’s patterns of spending, taxing, and providing grants to influence state and local governments.

Grants-in-aid

Money given from the federal government to the states.

Categorical Grants

Federal grants for specific purposes (e.g., building an airport).

Block Grants

Broad grants from the federal government that give local/state governments a lot of freedom to spend money as they please without many strings attached.

Mandates

Terms set by the federal government that states must meet if they accept federal grants.

Devolution

Process of returning power to the states.

Expressed Powers

Powers listed (enumerated) in the Constitution for the federal government.

Implied Powers

Based on the Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause), giving Congress flexibility to make laws necessary and proper for carrying out expressed powers.

Inherent Powers

Powers dealing with foreign policy not in the Constitution but given to the federal government.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by the Federal and State governments (e.g., power to tax and spend, establish courts, make laws).

Reserved Powers

Any power not denied nor given to the federal government is reserved for state governments (10th amendment).

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is superior to state law.

Interstate Commerce Clause

Gives the federal government authority to regulate all of interstate commerce.

Take Care Clause

President must enforce ALL laws passed by Congress.

Full Faith and Credit

States must honor laws and court rulings of other states.

Privileges and Immunities

Requires states to extend the same privileges and immunities to all citizens (even of other states).

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments to the Constitution that guarantees individual and states’ rights.

Amendment 1

Freedom of speech, assembly, petition, religion, press.

Amendment 2

Right to bear arms.

Amendment 4

No unreasonable searches and seizures.

Amendment 5

Right to a trial, no double jeopardy, individuals are not required to testify against themselves.

Amendment 6

Right to a speedy, public, and impartial trial with a lawyer.

Amendment 8

No excessive bails or fines, no cruel and unusual policies.

Amendment 10

Powers not given to the federal government or denied of the states are reserved to the states (states rights).

Political Culture

A coherent way of thinking about how politics and the government ought to be carried out.

Political Socialization

Manner in which people develop their political views (family, friends, media, current government, education).

Liberal Ideology

Belief that large federal government involvement is needed to provide for the people (welfare, New Deal, Great Society).

Conservative Ideology

Belief that limited government is necessary to grow a strong economy, very pro-business, anti-regulation.

Libertarianism Ideology

Belief in very small government and extreme focus on individual and business rights, no regulation of industry.

Demographics

Characteristics of population on income, education, race, gender.

Redistricting

After every census, the congressional districts are redrawn based on population.

Reapportionment

State legislatures reapportion (resize) state congressional districts after every census.

Gerrymandering

The practice of redistricting in order to benefit a specific party by drawing districts based on the demo of their residents.

Political Efficacy

The belief that you can participate in politics, or that government will respond (my vote counts).

Civic Duty

Belief that one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs.

General Elections

Held every four years in which the president is elected.

Primary Elections

A political party’s elections to determine nominee for general election.

Open Primaries

People from either party can vote (must choose to vote for either Democrats or Republicans).

Closed Primaries

People can only vote if they are a registered member of the party.

Caucuses

Candidate nomination process in which party members meet to discuss and decide on a candidate.

Referendum

People vote on whether or not to accept a law passed by state legislature, or a proposed amendment to the state constitution.

Initiative

People vote on laws and constitutional amendments within state (direct democracy).

Recall

Voters remove elected officials.

Linkage Organizations

Organizations that link the people with government.

Political Parties

Help organize the government, organize election process, fundraise, hold national convention and form party platform, educate voters, and get out the vote.

Realignment

Major change in the core members/beliefs of a political party.

Dealignment

When people abandon parties and become independents.

Electoral College

The US public does not vote directly for the president, instead they vote in statewide elections for electors.

Interest Group

A collection of people who share a common interest or attitude, and seek to influence government (fundraising and lobbying).

Political Action Committees

(PACs) - form financial branch of interest groups (donate to candidates).

Iron Triangle

close relationship between interest groups, congress, and agencies.

Revolving Door

government officials often retire and move on to work as lobbyists for interest groups.

Lobbying

activities aimed at influencing public officials (legislators) and trying to promote or defeat certain legislation.

Media Bias

the media has a tendency to spin the news towards a certain political ideology

Selective perception

people hear what they want to hear

Selective exposure

people avoid listening to media with other viewpoints

Congress

Has two bodies, the House and the Senate; a bill must be passed by both.

Logrolling

When politicians trade votes.

Pork Barrel Spending

When politicians add on extra, unrelated programs to bills that will benefit their constituents

Filibuster

In the Senate, unlimited debate that can kill a bill by continuing to talk; can be ended by cloture (3/5 of Senate).

Riders

Irrelevant amendments added to bills in the Senate.

Standing Committee

Permanent panel with full legislative functions and oversight responsibilities.

Subcommittee

Formed to tackle specific tasks within a standing committee.

Select or Special Committee

Temporary groups with limited purposes (investigation).

Commander in Chief

Civilian power over military.

Executive Orders

orders written by the president or agency that have the weight of law.

Executive Privilege

right of president to keep certain documents private if pertaining to national security

Bureaucracy

administrative system that divides work into specific departments carried out by non-elected officials