AP Government - Branches of Government

ap government

House of Representatives

Members must be at least 25 years old.

Senate

Members must be at least 30 years old.

Enumerated Powers

Specific powers listed in the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers necessary to execute enumerated powers.

Ex Post Facto Laws

Laws that retroactively change legal consequences.

Bills of Attainder

Legislation that punishes individuals without trial.

Habeas Corpus

Right to challenge unlawful detention.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make laws for executing powers.

Veto Override

Congress can override a presidential veto with two-thirds.

Federal Budget

Congress approves the federal budget proposed by the President.

Appropriations

Funds allocated for government agencies and programs.

Authorization

Legislation that establishes a program and its funding.

Balancing the Budget

Managing deficits and revenue to avoid excess spending.

Revenues

Government income primarily from taxes.

Delegate Model

Lawmakers vote according to constituents' preferences.

Trustee Model

Lawmakers use their judgment over constituents' wishes.

Politico Model

Lawmakers act as delegates or trustees as needed.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to favor a party.

Polarization

Increasing ideological division between political parties.

Chief Executive

Enforces federal laws and oversees the executive branch.

Commander-in-Chief

Controls the military forces of the nation.

Chief Diplomat

Manages foreign relations and treaties.

Chief Legislator

Influences legislative process and law-making.

Chief of State

Symbolic leader representing the nation.

Chief Administrator

Oversees executive branch agencies and functions.

Chief of Party

Leads their political party and sets policies.

Chief Citizen

Represents the interests of the American people.

Vice President

Prepared to assume presidency if needed.

25th Amendment

Outlines presidential succession and vacancy procedures.

Presidential Succession

Order of officials succeeding the President.

Formal Powers

Constitutional powers like vetoing legislation.

Informal Powers

Influence from public opinion and party leadership.

Foreign Powers

Conducts diplomacy and negotiates treaties.

Domestic Powers

Proposes laws and manages bureaucracy.

Checks and Balances

System ensuring no branch overpowers another.

Judicial Activism

Judges interpret laws based on current values.

Judicial Restraint

Judges limit their role to applying existing law.

Strict Constructionist

Interprets Constitution literally with minimal flexibility.

Loose Constructionist

Interprets Constitution broadly for modern issues.

Federal Court of Appeals

Intermediate courts reviewing district court decisions.

Federal District Courts

Trial courts where federal cases are first heard.

Judicial Nomination Process

President nominates judges, confirmed by the Senate.

Litmus Testing

Evaluating nominees based on key issues.

Marbury v Madison

Established judicial review principle.

Judicial Review

Courts can invalidate unconstitutional actions.

Dual Court System

Separate state and federal court systems.

Amicus Curiae

Briefs from non-parties interested in a case.

Original Jurisdiction

Authority to hear a case first.

Appellate Jurisdiction

Authority to review lower court decisions.

Stare Decisis

Following precedents in court decisions.

Precedence

Prior decisions guiding future rulings.

Checks on Judicial Branch

Executive appoints judges; Senate confirms nominees.

Federalist 78

Judiciary is least dangerous branch, ensuring rights.