AP GOV EXAM FINAL

Heimler's History Version.

What are natural rights?

Rights people are born with, given by their Creator, not by government; cannot be taken away by leaders.

What is the state of nature?

Humans are free and equal.

What is popular sovereignty?

The idea that government power comes from the people’s consent.

What is the social contract?

People agree to give up some freedoms to a government in order to protect their natural rights.

What happens if the government violates the social contract?

The people have a duty to overthrow it and establish a better government.

What is republicanism?

A form of government where people elect representatives to make laws and govern on their behalf.

What is separation of powers?

Dividing power among executive, legislative, and judicial branches to prevent tyranny.

What is limited government?

A government whose power is restricted by laws and a constitution to prevent tyranny.

How does the Declaration of Independence reflect Enlightenment ideas?

It expresses natural rights, the social contract, and popular sovereignty.

How does the Constitution reflect Enlightenment ideas?

It lays out a structure of republicanism, separation of powers, and checks and balances.

What is participatory democracy?

A model that emphasizes broad participation of citizens in politics and civil society.

Where is participatory democracy seen today?

A model where people form interest groups that compete to influence public policy.

What is pluralist democracy?

A model where people form interest groups that compete to influence public policy.

What is elite democracy?

A model where political power is held by educated or wealthy elites who are best equipped to govern.

Where is elite democracy still present?

The Electoral College and other institutions where representatives vote on behalf of the people.

What is the main argument of Federalist 10?

A large republic with many factions prevents any single one from becoming tyrannical.

What are factions according to Madison?

Groups that prioritize their own interests over the common good.

What is the best way to control factions?

Control their effects, not their causes, by encouraging competition among them in a large republic.

How does Federalist 10 promote pluralist democracy?

It argues that many competing factions protect liberty by checking each other.

What did Brutus 1 argue?

A large republic would threaten individual liberties and be too disconnected from the people.

Why was Brutus 1 against the Constitution?

It gave too much power to the central government via the Necessary and Proper Clause and the Supremacy Clause.

Which democratic model did Brutus 1 support?

Participatory democracy — power should stay close to the people and local governments.

What was the Articles of Confederation?

The first constitution of the U.S., with a very weak central government and strong state governments.

What was the structure under the Articles of Confederation?

Only a legislative branch (Congress); no executive or judiciary.

What powers did Congress lack under the Articles?

The power to tax, raise an army, and enforce laws.

How were changes made to the Articles of Confederation?

All 13 states had to agree to amendments — required unanimous consent.

What event exposed the Articles’ weaknesses?

Shays’ Rebellion — veterans rebelled, and there was no national army to stop it.

What did Shays’ Rebellion demonstrate?

The need for a stronger federal government to maintain order.

What happened at the Constitutional Convention instead?

The delegates created an entirely new Constitution INSTEAD of revising the old version.

What was the Virginia Plan?

A proposal for representation based on state population — favored large states.

What was the New Jersey Plan?

A proposal for equal representation for each state — favored small states.

What was the Great Compromise?

Combined both plans: bicameral legislature with House based on population and Senate with equal representation.

What does “ratify” mean in the context of the Constitution?

To formally approve and accept it as the new law of the land.

What was the core debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists?

Whether a strong central government would protect or threaten liberty.

What clauses worried Brutus 1 the most?

The Necessary and Proper Clause and the Supremacy Clause — they gave too much power to the national government.

How does the Constitution show elite democracy?

Through elected representatives who make laws on behalf of the people.

How does the Constitution show pluralist democracy?

The First Amendment supports the formation and influence of interest groups.

How does the Constitution show participatory democracy?

Through free speech, freedom of the press, and expanded voting rights.

What are the 15th and 19th Amendments?

15th prohibits race-based voting discrimination; 19th prohibits sex-based voting discrimination.

What is the key tension shown in Federalist 10 vs. Brutus 1?

Majority rule vs. protection of minority rights in a large republic.

What was the Great Compromise?

The creation of a bicameral Congress: House of Representatives and the Senate

Senate

• 2 votes per state.

• Six-year terms

House of Representatives

• Representation based on state.

• Two-year terms

How was the president chosen according to the compromise?

Through the Electoral College

Electoral College

States receive electors equal to their number of SENATE + HOR; the electors (chosen by state) vote for the president.

What was the 3/5 Compromise?

For representation in Congress, 3/5 of the enslaved population would be counted.

What makes the Constitution durable?

Separation of powers and checks and balances prevent any branch from becoming too powerful.

What does the legislative branch do?

Makes laws

What is an example of Congress checking another branch?

The Senate’s power of advice and consent — must approve presidential appointments.

What does the executive branch do?

Enforces laws through many agencies.

What is an example of executive power checking Congress?

The president can veto congressional laws.

What does the judicial branch do?

Interprets the Constitution and determines the constitutionality of laws.

What is federalism?

The sharing of power between national and state governments.

What are exclusive powers?

Powers only the federal government has (like making treaties with other nations).

What are reserved powers?

Powers kept by the states (like education, police powers)— By the 10th Amendment!!

What are concurrent powers?

Powers shared by both state and federal governments.

Fiscal federalism

The use of federal money to influence state policy.

What are categorical grants?

Federal funds given to states for a specific purpose, with strict conditions (like— raise the drinking age to 21 FOR highway funds).

What are block grants?

Federal funds given for broad purposes and allowing states more discretion in spending.

What are mandates?

Federal rules that states must follow, often with funding provided to help with compliance (like— Clean Air Act).

What are unfunded mandates?

Federal requirements imposed without financial support.

What was the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act?

A law that limited Congress’s ability to issue mandates without giving funding.

What does the 10th Amendment do?

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government for the states.

What does the 14th Amendment do?

Applies the Bill of Rights to the states via the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses.

What is the Commerce Clause?

Gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Expanded federal power using the Necessary and Proper Clause and reinforced federal supremacy.

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

A case where the Court ruled Congress overstepped by banning guns in school zones— a win for state power.

How is federalism seen in environmental policy?

Even after the U.S. left the Paris Agreement, states like California kept strict carbon rules.

What’s the role of states in testing policies?

States act as “laboratories of democracy,” experimenting with policies like legalization or regulation before national adoption.

Why are House members more closely tied to their constituents?

Shorter terms and they represent smaller districts.

Why are senators less tied to specific local interests?

They represent the entire state and serve longer terms.

What must happen for a bill to become law?

Both houses must pass the bill and send it to the President.

Enumerated powers (Declared for federal government— Esp. Congress)

Declaring war, raising taxes, coining money, regulating commerce.

Who’s the leader of the House?

Who chooses him/her?

The Speaker of the House.

Members of the House, usually from the majority party.

President of the Senate?

The Vice President of the United States.

Who is the most powerful member of the Senate in practice?

The Senate Majority Leader.

Standing committees?

Permanent committees that deal with ongoing issues (e.g. budget).

What are joint committees?

Committees with members from both the House and the Senate.

What are select committees?

Temporary committees created for specific investigations or purposes.

What are conference committees?

Temporary joint committees that reconcile different versions of a bill passed by each chamber (S+H).

What is the House Rules Committee?

Decides which bills come to the floor for debate in the House.

What is a filibuster?

A tactic in the Senate to delay or block a vote by prolonged debate.

What is a cloture vote?

A 60-vote requirement in the Senate to end a filibuster.

Pork barrel spending

Government funds collected for local projects to bring money to a representative’s district.

Logrolling

The practice of legislators exchanging votes to help each other's bills pass.

What is mandatory spending?

Spending required by law like— Social Security and Medicare.

What did Hamilton argue in Federalist No. 78?

The judicial branch's independence protects its power bec. of lifetime appointments— No political pressure.

Why is Marbury v. Madison (1803) important?

Confirmed the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review, increasing its authority.

Is judicial activism be liberal or conservative?

Both— depending on the court's ideology.

Judicial activism

Judges making rulings based on their policy views rather than their honest interpretation of the current law.

Who appoints Supreme Court justices?

The President, with Senate confirmation.

Example of ideology affecting court appointments?

Conservative presidents have appointed justices to overturn Roe v. Wade (1973).

How can the President check the Supreme Court’s power?

1. Appointing new judges to shift the Court's ideology

2. Refusing to enforce rulings

How can Congress check the Supreme Court?

1. Passing amendments (e.g., 13th Amendment).

2. Limiting the Court’s jurisdiction (e.g., 11th Amendment).

What is the federal bureaucracy?

The system of government agencies that enforce laws and carry out federal responsibilities (falls under the executive branch).

What are commissions in the bureaucracy?

Independent regulatory groups that enforce rules but operate outside direct presidential control.

What is the primary job of the bureaucracy?

To write and enforce regulations based on laws passed by Congress.

Example of bureaucratic rule-making?

The 16th Amendment created income tax, but the IRS decided taxes are due on April 15th.

What is delegated discretionary authority?

Congress gives bureaucratic agencies the power to interpret how laws should be implemented.