AP Gov Midterm

Declaration of Independence

Applying the principles of Enlightenment philosophy, provided a foundation for a government in which the people with protected rights were the true source of governmental power

U.S. Constitution

Establishes a system of checks and balances among branches of government and allocates power between federal and state governments. This system is based on the rule of law and the balance between majority rule and minority rights.

Federalist 10

Addressed the concern that a few powerful individuals might unite into a faction, or interest group, to dominate political decisions.

Federalist 51

The idea of checks and balances is a crucial part of the U.S. system of government as well as seperation of powers.

Federalist 70

Value of the unity in a single executive to avoid conflicts and to ensure accountability.

Federalist 78

Independent judicial branch has the power of judicial review to examine acts of legislatures to see if they comport with the proposed Constitution.

Brutus 1

Commentary on the dangers of too large and too consolidated a government. The citizens of a large nation wouldn’t know of the workings of government or know their elected representative.

Articles of Confederation

The nation’s first constitution.

Article I

Legislative Branch

Article II

Executive Branch

Article III

Judicial Branch

Article IV

The relations among the states require states to be open about their laws and encourage states to respect one another’s laws.

Article V

A two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or a proposal from two-thirds of the states, followed by ratification from three-fourths of the states, became the process to amend the Constitution.

Article VI

Established national supremacy and that all states must adhere to the Constitution.

Article VII

The ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791 and guaranteeing such rights as the freedoms of speech, assembly, and worship.

Limited Government

Government kept under control by law, checks and balances, and separation of powers

Natural Law

The law of God and that this law is acknowledged through human sense and reason.

Popular Sovereignty

the people are seen as the ultimate ruling authority and a government of officials to carry out the laws

Republicanism

Men were entitled to “life, liberty, and property” and that these cannot be taken away except under laws created through the consent of the governed.

Participatory Democracy

This depends on the direct participation of many, if not most, people in a society, not only in government but in public life as well.

Pluralist Democracy

People with widely varying interests find others who share their interests and organize and unite into interest groups to exert influence on political decision-making.

Elite Democracy

Elected representatives make decisions and act as trustees for the people who elected them

Federalist

Those who supported the proposed constitutional structure, a strong federal government, and full ratification.

Anti-Federalist

Those who opposed the consolidation of the states under a federal government

Faction

Party or group (as within a government) that is often contentious or self-seeking

Bicameral

two chambers

Checks and Balances

Each branch can limit the others

Impeachment

an accusation of wrongdoing

Separation of Powers

The framers assigned the legislative, executive, and judicial branches distinct responsibilities to dilute power among the three branches.

Pocket Veto

If the president receives the bill at the end of a legislative session and refuses to sign it.

Block Grants

Refers to federal money given to states for broadly defined reasons.

Categorical Grants

Grants with particular congressional guidelines or requirements.

Concurrent Powers

Powers are held by authorities at both levels, state and federal.

Mandates

Require states to comply with a federal directive, sometimes with the reward of funds and sometimes—in unfunded mandates—without.

Supremacy Clause

Places national law, treaties, and presidential action above state authority

Federalism

The sharing of powers among a national and state governments.

Commerce Clause

Empowers the Congress to “regulate commerce with other nations, and among the several states.”

Necessary and Proper Clause

Gave the government the flexibility to face unforeseen circumstances—implicit powers.

“The Congress shall have power . . . to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers.”

Social Contract

The agreement of free and equal people to abandon certain natural rights in order to find secure protections for society and to find freedom in a single body politic committed to the general good.

Enumerated Powers

The powers granted to the Federal government, and specifically Congress listed in the Constitution to be able to tax, borrow money, raise an army, create a postal system, address piracy on the seas, define the immigration and naturalization process, and a few others

Implied Powers

Political powers granted to the United States government that aren't explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Constituency

A body of voters in a specified area who elect a representative to a legislative body.

War Powers Act

Reigns in executive power by requiring the president to inform Congress within 48 hours of committing U.S. forces to combat. Also, the law requires Congress to vote within 60 days, with a possible 30-day extension, to approve any military force and its funding.

Cloture Rule

Enabled and required a two-thirds supermajority to stop debate on a bill, thus, stopping a filibuster and allowing for a vote

Filibuster

Senators may try to stall or even kill a bill by speaking for an extremely long time to block a nomination or to let the time run out on a deadline for voting on a bill.

Conference Committees

A temporary, ad hoc panel composed of House and Senate conferees formed for the purpose of reconciling differences in legislation that has passed both chambers.

Select Committee

Established “for a limited period to perform a particular study or investigation.”

Standing Committee

Permanent committees focused on a particular policy area

Logrolling

Trading votes to gain support for a bill. By agreeing to back someone else’s bill, members can secure a vote in return for a bill of their own

Pork-Barrel Spending

Funds earmarked for specific purposes in a legislator’s district.

Rules Committee

It can easily dispose of a bill or define the guidelines for debate because it acts as a traffic cop on the House floor. Nothing reaches the floor unless the Rules Committee allows it.

Review most bills after they come from the full committee and before they go to the full chamber for consideration.

Appropriations

Funds set aside for a certain purpose.

The passage, by Congress, of a spending bill, specifying the amount of authorized funds that actually will be allocated for an agency's use

Ways and Means Committee

Committee exclusive to the House that determines tax policy.

Whip

An official of a political party whose task is to ensure party discipline in a legislature

Floor Leader

Direct debate from among their party’s members and guide the discussion from their side of the aisle

Speaker of the House

The official leader of the majority party in the House and Senate.

Delegate Model of Voting

Those members trying to reflect the will of their constituency.

Trustee Model of Voting

Representatives believe they are entrusted by their constituency to use their best judgment, regardless of how constituents may view an issue.

Racial Gerrymandering

The intentional drawing of legislative districts on the basis of race has also been the subject of scrutiny for conflicting reasons.

Gridlock

The “congestion” of opposing forces that prevent ideas from moving forward

Partisan Gerrymandering

Countless districts across the United States have been carved out to guarantee safe seats and one-party rule through a process.

Apportionment

Process of dividing seats for the House among the 50 states

Executive Agreement

Resembles a treaty yet does not require the Senate’s two-thirds vote.

It is a simple contract between two heads of state: the president and a prime minister, king, or president of another nation.

Executive Order

A declaration by the president or a governor which has the force of law, usually based on existing statutory powers

Informal Powers

Those political powers interpreted to be inherent in the office, to achieve policy goals

Signing Statements

Explain their interpretation of a bill, their understanding of what is expected of them to carry it out, or just a commentary on the law.

President’s Cabinet

A group of presidential advisers, including the heads of the executive departments, the attorney general, and other officials chosen by the president.

Imperial Presidency

The office of President of the United States is the head of state of a geographical, military and economic superpower, has broad executive power and is advised by a weaker congress.

Bully Pulpit

A prominent stage from where he could pitch ideas to the American people

State of the Union Address

Annual message delivered by the president of the United States to a joint session of the United States Congress near the beginning of most calendar years on the current condition of the nation.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The power of a court to review decisions and change outcomes of decisions of lower courts.

Judicial Review

Examine acts of legislatures to see if they comport with the proposed Constitution.

Original Jurisdiction

The authority to hear a case for the first time

Binding Precedent

Legal rule or principle, articulated by an appellate court, that must be followed by lower courts within its jurisdiction

Persuasive Precedent

Judges can consider past decisions made in other district courts or far away circuit courts as a guiding basis for a decision

State Decisis

Let the decision stand

Concurring Opinion

An opinion written by one or more of the justices who agree with the decision but for different reasons than those stated in the majority opinion

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion written by an appellate judge or Supreme Court Justice who disagrees with the majority opinion in a given case

Judicial Activism

When judges strike down laws or reverses public policy

The practice of judges making rulings based on their policy views rather than their interpretation of the current law.

Judicial Restraint

Concept of a judge not injecting his or her own preferences into legal proceedings and rulings

Majority Opinion

Judicial opinion that is joined by more than half the judges deciding a case

Senatorial Courtesy

President asks a Senator for their opinion on appointing judges on the lower levels.

Bureaucracy

President’s administration, from Cabinet-level advisors down to national park rangers

Responsible for implementing, administering, and enforcing policies, laws, and regulations at the federal level

Iron Triangle

The relationship among an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group. The three points of the triangle join forces to create policy. Iron triangles establish tight relationships that are often collectively beneficial.

Delegated Discretionary Authority

The power to interpret legislation and create rules to executive departments and agencies.

Congressional Oversight

Congress has an oversight role over federal agencies. Congress carries out this function by holding hearings and conducts oversight of agency enforcement operations, functions and policies.

Civil Liberties

A person’s political freedoms, such as the right to free speech or fair trial

the rights to freedom of thought, expression, and action, and the protection of these rights from government interference or restriction.

Civil Rights

Person’s basic rights to freedom and to equal treatment under the law.

Establishment Clause

Prevent the federal government from establishing a national religion.

Free Exercise Clause

Prevents governments from stopping religious practices.

Libel

False statements in print about someone that defames—or damages that person’s reputation

Slander

Spoken false statements about someone that defames—or damages that person’s reputation

Prior restraint

The right to stop spoken or printed expression in advance.

1st Amendment

Declares freedoms of religion, speech, press, peaceable assembly, and the right to petition the government.

2nd Amendment

Right to bear arms

3rd Amendment

Citizens do not have to house soldiers.

4th Amendment

No unreasonable search or seizure

5th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a grand jury, forbids “double jeopardy,” and protects against self-incrimination.

6th Amendment

The rights of criminal defendants, include the right to a public trial without delay, the right to a lawyer, the right to an impartial jury, and the right to know who your accusers are and the nature of the charges and evidence against you.