American Gov CLEP

Federalism

A system in which the power to govern is shared between national and state governments

Dual / Layer Cake Federalism

A system in which national and state governments are competitors with distinct powers. This system was prominent in the US from the during the 19th century until 1937.

Cooperative / Marble Cake Federalism

A system in which national and state government have shared or overlapping powers. FDR's New Deal legislation established this system in the US.

Regulatory Federalism

A system in which the national government sets requirements that are then implemented by state and local governments.

Fiscal Federalism

A system in which the national government provides grants-in-aid to states using conditions to elicit control.

New Federalism

Devolutionary system in which the national government returns tax dollars to the state and local governments primarily in the form of block grants.

Federalism

The negative aspects of this system include: conflicts between state and national government, economic and racial discrimination, uneven enforcement of law, and dominance of local governments by special interest groups

Federalism

The positive aspects of this system include: diversity/diffusion of power, more access points for political participation, fostering of experimentation and innovation, and allowing local governments to manage local problems effectively

Federal

This type of government suits a large country with a diverse population

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically outlined in the Constitution as assigned to one branch of government.

Article II

This article of the Constitution establishes the Executive Branch.

Categorical Grant

Federal grants in which the recipient has little discretion over how the money is spent. The national government sets narrowly defined rules for use of funds and often requires the states or local governments to provide matching funds. These grants account for 90% of federal aid dollars. Examples include Head Start, Food Stamps, Medicaid, and the Interstate Highway System

Block Grant

Federal grants in which the recipient has a lot of discretion over how the money is spent. These grants are issued in support of general government functions such as education and law enforcement.

Project Grant

Federal categorical grants in which the granting agency has much discretion over how the recipient spends the money.

Formula Grant

Federal categorical grants in which the granting agency has less discretion over how the recipient spends the money.

Commander in Chief

The President's role in the armed forces which during the 20th century has allowed Presidents to circumvent Congress' refusal to declare war.

State of the Union

Constitutionally required address by the President typically given in a joint session of Congress.

President

Constitutionally empowered to appoint judges, ambassadors, and other high officials

President

Constitutionally empowered to make treaties with foreign countries.

Senate

President requires their approval to appoint judges, ambassadors and other high officials.

Grant Clemency

This customary power allows the President to grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses.

35

Age requirement for President

14

Number of years a President must reside in the US prior to taking office

Pyramid Model

Presidential management model in which the Chief of Staff plays a prominent role as the head of a military style chain of command. Used successfully by Reagan and Eisenhower.

Hub and Spoke Model

Presidential management model requiring the President to have strong leadership skills and a keen eye for detail. FDR and JFK were well known for this style of leadership.

Ad Hoc Structure

Presidential management model in which corporate CEO tactics are used employing committees, task forces, and special advisors. Successfully utilized by Clinton and G W Bush.

Max Weber

German sociologist theorized that the engine of government needs bureaucracies to provide expertise in a way that short-term elected or appointed official cannot.

Bureaucracy

The structure and set of regulations in place to control activity, usually in large organizations and government. it is represented by standardized procedure (rule-following) that dictates the execution of most or all processes within the body, formal division of powers, hierarchy, and relationships.

National Security Council

The executive office established in response to intelligence lapses during WWI. Oversees American foreign policy and includes the President, Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense and is lead by the National Security Advisor.

Council of Economic Advisors

3 person executive panel responsible for helping the President develop an economic plan for the nation.

Office of Management and Budget

Executive office responsible for helping the President write the federal budget and monitoring federal spending.

US Trade Representatives

Executive office responsible for negotiating trade with foreign powers.

15

Number of current cabinet positions under GW Bush.

3

Number of original cabinet positions under George Washington.

Labor

Cabinet department responsible for collective bargaining and union activity. Established in 1913

Housing and Urban Development

Cabinet department responsible for insuring mortgages and providing housing subsidies. Established in 1965

Agriculture

Cabinet department responsible for managing school lunch programs and food safety. Established in 1862.

Commerce

Cabinet department responsible for regulating and promoting trade and maintaining the census Established in 1913..

Energy

Cabinet department oversees nuclear reactors.Established in 1973 in response to the Energy Crisis.

Homeland Security

Cabinet department that includes the Coast Guard, Border Patrol, FEMA, Transportation Security Administration, INS and the Secret Service. Established in 2001 in response to 9/11.

Interior

Cabinet department responsible for the management of public lands, wildlife, natural resources, and Native American affairs. Established in 1849

Transportation

Cabinet department that includes the FAA and the National Hwy Traffic Safety Administration. Established in 1966.

Governmental Corporations

Corporations formed by the government to act as a business to produce a product or service. Often monopolies with varying degrees of independence.

Regulatory Agencies

Independent agencies governed by an appointed and confirmed commission. Examples include the Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Legislative

Government branch established in Article I of the Constitution.

Bicameral

Legislative branch incorporating two houses.

Senate

Legislative house responsible for impeachment trials.

2

Number of Senators elected at large per state,

17th

Amendment that delegated the election of Senators to popular vote.

Senate

Legislative house whose membership was intended to represent the state.

Filibuster

Form of obstruction in the Senate where an attempt is made to infinitely extend debate upon a proposal in order to delay the progress or completely prevent a vote on the proposal taking place.

Vice President

Presides over the Senate without voting privileges except in the case of a tie.

President Pro Tempore

Presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President. Position awarded to the longest serving Senator from the majority party. 3rd in line of succession for the Presidency.

Conference Committee

A joint committee of Congress established to help negotiate discrepancies and gain consensus between legislation passed in each house before sending the bill to the President.

House of Representatives

Legislative house whose members were intended to represent the people.

435

Total number of Representatives apportioned to the states based on population and reapportioned with the census every 10 years

Speaker of the House

Leader of the House of Representatives, elected by the majority party. 2nd in line of succession for the Presidency.

Select Committee

Committees appointed for investigative or crisis situations.

Joint Committee

Committees that pull members from both the house and the senate who meet to discuss major policy issues such as economy and taxation.

Standing Committees

The most important committees, always assembled and delegated with the responsibility of handling all bills under their concern. Includes the Ways and Means, Appropriations, Budget, Rules and Agriculture Committees.

Rules Committee

This powerful House committee is in charge of determining under what rule other bills will come to the floor.

Ways and Mean Committee

This House committee is responsible for all taxes, tariffs, and other revenue raising measures in addition to social security, child support, Medicare, foster care, and unemployment.

Whips

Assistants to the Majority and Minority Leaders of both the House and Senate.

Article III

Constitutional Article that establishes the Judicial Branch.

9

Number of justices of the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice

Head of the Supreme Court.

Impeachment

Method by which federal court judges may lose their position.

Presidential Veto

Executive Check on the Legislative Branch.

Judicial Review

Judicial Check on Legislative Branch. Not specifically outlined in the Constitution, but established in the case of Marbury v. Madison through the application of the Supremacy Clause in Article VI.

Freedom of Information Act

1966 Act allowing citizens to inspect all government records with the exception of classified military or intelligence documents, trade secrets or private personnel files.

Administrative Procedure Act

1946 Act requiring bureaucratic agencies to appeal to the affected parties before adopting new policies. Legislative check on Bureaucracy.

Privacy Act

1974 Act mandating that all government files about private citizens be kept confidential.

Open Meeting Law

1976 Law requiring all governmental agency meetings to be open to the public unless classified information will be discussed.

Legislative

This branch of government checks Bureaucracy through its control over the creation and elimination of agencies as well as its control over budget appropriations.

House of Representatives

Tax legislation must originate in this house.

Resolutions

Legislative opinions on a matter that do not require Presidential signature.

Executive

This branch of government checks Bureaucracy through its control over budget and appointments of leadership.

Judicial

This branch of government checks Bureaucracy through its control over lawsuits filed against the agency.

Hyperpluralism

the fundamental flaw in plural theory contends that pluralism weakens the backbone of democracy with too many common interest groups attempt to wield power, often leading to standstill because of unwillingness to compromise.

Elite and Class Theory

A pluralist theory by C. Wright Mills where a small number of wealthy elite wield most of the power. Fundamental to all governments around the world, the elite rule while they make the lower classes feel like they are involved in democracy. The elite work to "dumb" down the population in order to stay in control. They also use aversion to divert the attention of the masses from the real problems.

Pluralist Theory

Theory of democracy in which competition among common interest groups promote ideas to influence politics

Articles of Confederation

Under this governing document, national government lacked authority to set up tariffs, regulate commerce, levy taxes, control international relations, establish common currency

Magna Carta

This influential English document signed by King John in 1215 limited the absolute power of the monarchy, established due process, and limited arbitrary seizure of property.

Petition of Right

This influential English document refuted divine right of monarchy and made monarchs subject to laws and responsible for crimes

Common Law

Unwritten law based on custom and tradition.

English Bill of Rights

This 1689 English Document made the monarch

Thomas Hobbes

This author of Leviathon posited that government is necessary because people are generally in a state of conflict.

John Locke

This author was highly influential on Thomas Jefferson, rejecting divine right, proposing that government is a social contract requiring the consent of the govern and establishing the concept of self-evident rights of life, liberty, and property.

Social Contract

Theory that a government requires the consent of the governed.

Rousseau

Political theorist proposed the separation of church and state.

Common Sense

The 1776 pamphlet by Thomas Paine that prompted King George III's Prohibitory Act and the sending of mercenaries to the colonies.

Federalist Papers

a series of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the pseudonym Publius advocating the ratification of the United States Constitution.

Baron de Montesquieu

Author of The Spirit of the Laws advocating balance of power in politics with liberty is dependant upon a separation of the judicial, legislative, and executive branches of government.

Shay's Rebellion

The uprising of farmers angered by crushing debt and taxes that revealed the failure of the Articles of Confederation.

Mayflower Compact

First governing document of the Plymouth Colony establishing freedom of religion.

Habeas Corpus

Grants that an accused may not be held in custody without charge, literally "You shall have the body".

1776

Year of the 2nd Continental Congress.

Rhode Island

The absent colony at the 2nd Continental Congress.

Virginia Plan

Plan that proposed bicameral legislature where states were to have representation based on size in both houses.

New Jersey Plan

Plan that proposed unicameral legislature with each state having one vote.