AP Gov Review Terms

Bill of Rights (1-5)

• 1. freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, petition gov ; establishment + free exercise

• 2. right to bear arms

• 3. no quartering of soldiers (privacy)

• 4. no unreasonable search/seizure ; exclusionary rule

• 5. grand jury, protect against double jep + self-incrim. ; due process clause + eminent domain. Miranda right

Bill of Rights (6-10)

• 6: criminal court procedures, lawyers for those that cant afford. Miranda right

• 7. trial by jury, civil court procedures

• 8. no cruel or unusual punishment/excessive fines

• 9. rights retained to the people

• 10. rights not enumerated are reserved to the states

Articles of Constitution

I. Legislative II. Executive III. Judicial IV. State relations V. Amendment process VI. Legal status/supremacy VII. Ratification

Bill of Attainder

Legislation that declares a person/group of misconduct or crime and punishes them w/o trial. Prohibited by Art. 1, sect 9

Commerce Clause

Grants Congress power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, Indian tribes, and between states

Dual Federalism (layer cake)

A political system where power is strictly divided into separate, distinct spheres authority between btwn fed + state

Cooperative federalism (marble cake)

Model of governance where federal, state, + local govts share responsibilities and collaborate to solve common policy issues

Fiscal federalism

The practice of dividing taxation, spending, and regulatory functions btwn federal, state, and local govts

Categorical grants

Grants issued by Congress and spent for narrowly defined purposes

Categ. Project Grant

Funding to a specific service for a specified amount of time

Categ. Formula Grant

Funding for services that help a particular group of people (ex. low-income students)

Cross-over Sanctions

Fiscal sanctions applied to one govt program to influence policy in another program area

Cross-cutting requirements

Specific type of mandate that impose requirements or conditions on all grants + programs involving federal money

Tax + spend clause

Gives Congress the power to lay and collect taxes for 2 purposes: pay debts of the US and to provide for common defense + general welfare

Critical election

electoral earthquake where new issues emerge, new coalitions replace old, majority party often displaced by minority

Proportional representation

electoral system where political parties gain legis seats in proportion to number of votes earned

24th Amendment

Prohibits Congress and states from using poll taxes to disenfranchise voters

Soft money

unregulated + unlimited contributions made to political parties for “party-building” activities. Largely banned thru BCRA

Hard money

political campaign contributions given directly to a candidate, strictly regulated; limits on amount, full disclosure, from individuals or PACs not corps or unions

Frontloading

Trend of states moving their presidential primaries/caucuses to earlier dates

Political Action Committees (PACs)

regulated organization formed by interest groups, unions, or corporations to raise and spend money

Reasons for low voter turnout

• registration process

• voter fatigue

• rational choice theory

Selective perception

phenomenon where people’s pre-existing beliefs + political attitudes guide what they pay attention to and how they interpret political events, news, or media

Shared Democratic values

foundational principals supporting a free, fair, + self-governing society

Incorporation doctrine

Constitutional principle that the 14th amendment’s due process clause makes the bill of rights binding to state govts

Exclusionary rule

prevents evidence collected in violation of a defendant’s constit. rights (4th- no unreasonable search/seizure) from being used in a criminal trial

Good faith doctrine

allows evidence obtained in technically unlawful ways to be used if police were acting lawfully (ex. unknowingly using a defective warrent). Exception to exclusionary rule

De jure (by law) segregation

legal separation of groups based on race + enforced by govt laws, regulations, or ordinances (separate but equal, Jim crow)

De facto (in fact) segregation

racial/social segregation that exists in fact rather than by law, usually from neighborhood housing patterns, housing discrimination, or personal choices

Tort

civil wrong that leads to harm of a person or property leading to legal liability

Petit jury

trial jury; hear evidence in criminal or civil cases and decide guilt or liability

Original intent

Judicial philosophy interpreting constit. based on the framers’ intent

Loose constructionist

Judicial philosophy advocating for broad + flexible interpretations of the constit.

Senatorial courtesy

unwritten, long-standing custom where POTUS consults w/ home state senators before nominating federal district judges or other fed officals

Oversight

congress’ authority to monitor, review, + supervise exec branch agencies, programs, etc.

• Fire alarm hearing: congressional hearing after issue/criminal activity happens (reactive)

• Police patrol hearing: congressional hearing to check departments before something happens (preventative)

Markup

Revision + editing of a bill w/ iron triangle and committee staff

Log rolling

Trading of favors btwn legis members; “vote for my bill, I vote for yours”

Pork barreling vs Earmarks

• Pork barreling: money for one specific district or agency

• Earmarks: designated $$ amount for a specific project in a spending bill

Franking privilege

Legal right allowing US members of Congress to send official mail to constituents without postage using their signature (“frank”) instead

501c3s vs 501c4s

• 501c3s: charitable, tax-exempt entities where donations are tax-deductible but are restricted in lobbying

• 501c4s: “social welfare” organizations that allow unlimited lobbying; donations are not tax-deductible

Free riders

Those who benefit from collective action of members (in a group) as a non-member

Iron triangle

Policy-making relationship btwn congressional committees, bureaucracy, and interest groups

McCain-Feingold Act of 2002

Attempted to address loopholes:

• doubled hard money limits

• banned soft money donations

• limited electioneering communications from corps and unions

• required candidates to “approve” messages

Strategies of interest groups

• Lobbying: direct interaction w/ govt officials, b-crats, + lawmakers to influence policy decisions

• Grassroots: indirect lobbying to pressure officials by rallying public opinion

• Electioneering: supporting candidates thru PAC contribution

• Litigation: using court system to challenge/support policy

• Coalition building: collabing w/ other organizations

Presidency amendments (12th, 22nd, 25th)

12: revised EC ballot w separate sections for pres and vp (jefferson/burr tie)

22: term limits for pres formalized to two terms (GW tradition)

25: 4 parts; clarified succession (pres to vp), VP replacements, voluntary + involuntary transfer of power

Sources of presidential power

• Constitutional: authority directly stated in the constitution (commander in chief, veto powers)

• Statutory: authority given by laws passed by congress

• Special (crisis): expanded influence during national emergencies

• The people: influence gained by public support—using popularity to shape policy

Roles of the president

“Chief” roles:

• Legislator: propose laws, set legis agenda, veto bills

• Economist: guides econ policy + propose fed budget

• Diplomat: foreign policy, negotiate treaties, + meets with world leaders

• Executive: enforce laws and oversee exec branch

• of State: acts as symbolic leader of nation

• Commander in: directs the military

Party leader: leads political party, support members

Line item veto

Power to reject specific parts of a bill without vetoing the whole thing.

Clinton v New York: SC ruled it unconstit. because it violated lawmaking process in constit.

Impoundment

When the president refuses to spend money that Congress has already approved; Congr has limited it, requiring appropriated funds to be spent

Lame duck

Elected official whose successor has been chosen, but it still in office for a short time w/ reduced influence

Economics (demand+supply-side)

Keynesian (demand-side)

• Focus on increasing demand

• Tax cuts for individuals and business

• Increase govt spending

Supply-side

• Focus on increasing supply

• Tax cuts for business

• Deregulate business

Fiscal vs Monetary policy

Fiscal: govt decisions abt taxing + spending; controlled by Congress and the president

Monetary: control of the money supply + interest rates; managed by the Federal Reserve system

Bureaucratic discretion

Ability of federal agencies to decide how to implement laws + policies

Quasi-legislative + judicial functions

Quasi-Legislative:

• When agencies make rules + regulations

Quasi-Judicial:

• When agencies resolve disputes or interpret laws in specific cases