APGov Unit 2 Flashcards

Flashcards covering key concepts from AP Government Unit 2, focusing on interactions among branches of government.

Institutional Actors

Must compete and cooperate in order to govern due to the distribution of power and checks and balances.

Key Institutions of Federal Government

Congress, the presidency, and the courts.

The Bureaucracy

An extension of the executive branch, or a fourth branch of government.

Powers of Congress

Set forth in Article I of the Constitution. Bicameral, with the Senate representing states and the House representing each state's population.

Federal Budget

An example of how the president and Congress must cooperate and compromise.

Expressed Powers of the President

Set forth in Article II of the Constitution.

Checks on Presidential Power

Congress checks the power, leading to tension between the two branches.

Interrelated Powers of President and Congress

Congress passes legislation, the president must sign it into law; President appoints judges and cabinet members (confirmed by Senate).

Technology and the President

Impacted president's use of the 'bully pulpit' to influence public opinion.

Federal Judiciary

Established under Article III, an independent branch of government.

Judicial Review

The Court's most far-reaching power, justified in Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Federal Bureaucracy

Carries out laws to regulate a wide range of activities using a merit-based civil service system.

Bureaucrats Implement Policy

Using their discretionary and rule-making authority.

Issue Networks and Iron Triangles

Tasks performed by departments, agencies, commissions, and government corporations

Political Patronage, Civil Service, and Merit System Reforms

All impact the effectiveness of the bureaucracy by promoting professionalism, specialization, and neutrality.

Discretionary and Rule-Making Authority

Given to bureaucratic departments, agencies, and commissions to implement policy.

Oversight and methods used by Congress

To ensure that legislation is implemented as intended are represented by committee hearings and power of the purse.

Presidential Influence on Executive Agencies

Ideology, authority, and influence affect how executive branch agencies carry out the goals of the administration.

Judicial Review

Checks the power of other institutions and state governments.

Foundations for Powers of the Judicial Branch

Article III of the Constitution, Federalist No. 78, Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Precedent and Stare Decisis

Play an important role in judicial decision making.

Restrictions on the Supreme Court

Congressional legislation, constitutional amendments, judicial appointments/confirmations, president/states evading decisions, legislation impacting court jurisdiction.

Presidential Policy Agenda Implementation

Presidents use powers and perform functions of the office to accomplish a policy agenda.

Formal and Informal Powers of the President

Vetoes and pocket vetoes, foreign policy powers (Commander-in-Chief, treaties, executive agreements), bargaining and persuasion, executive orders, signing statements.

Presidential Appointments and Senate

Potential for conflict with the Senate depends upon the type of executive branch appointments.

Lasting Influence of the President

Lies in life-tenured judicial appointments.

Justifications for a Single Executive

Set forth in Federalist No. 70.

Communication Impact of the Presidency

Modern technology, social media, rapid response, State of the Union messages, bully pulpit.

Senate Representation

Designed to represent states equally.

House Representation

Designed to represent the population.

Enumerated and Implied Powers of Congress

Allow the creation of public policy, including federal budget, raising revenue, coining money, declaring war, and enacting legislation.

Filibuster and Cloture

Senate chamber-specific procedures, rules, and roles that impact the policy-making process

Gerrymandering and Redistricting

Addressed by Court decisions like Baker v. Carr (1961) and Shaw v. Reno (1993).

Congressional Behavior

Influenced by elections processes, partisanship, and divided government.