AP Government UNIT 2 REVIEW [Everything You Need to Know!]

Bicameral

Having two houses in the legislature, specifically referring to Congress being made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives

One of the two houses of Congress where representatives are apportioned based on population, and members serve two-year terms.

Senate

The upper house of Congress consisting of 100 senators, with each state having two members and serving six-year terms.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution, particularly in Article 1, Section 8, such as the power to tax and declare war.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but inferred from the enumerated powers, justified by the necessary and proper clause.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Also known as the elastic clause, it allows Congress to pass laws required to carry out its enumerated powers.

Speaker of the House

The leader of the House of Representatives, chosen by the majority party, who has significant powers over debates and committee assignments.

Whip

Party leaders in both houses who are responsible for ensuring party discipline and coordinating votes.

Committee of the Whole

A unique House of Representatives procedure allowing all members to debate and amend legislation more flexibly.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislation by extending debate, often requiring a cloture vote to end.

Pocket Veto

A type of veto exercised by the president by taking no action on a bill within ten days while Congress is adjourned.

Iron Triangle

The stable, mutually beneficial relationship between bureaucratic agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing congressional district boundaries based on population changes from the census, impacting representation.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.

Baker v. Carr

The 1962 Supreme Court case establishing that districts must be re-drawn to reflect population changes, enforcing the 'one person, one vote' principle.

Judicial Review

The Supreme Court's authority to declare laws unconstitutional or constitutional, established in the case of Marbury v. Madison.

Executive Orders

Directives issued by the president that have the force of law, often used to manage the operations of the federal government.

Bully Pulpit

The ability of the president to speak out and influence public opinion and policy agenda due to their prominent position.

Federal Bureaucracy

The administrative system of the federal government, responsible for implementing laws and policies through various agencies and departments.

Merit System

A hiring system based on expertise and qualifications for bureaucracy jobs, established by the Pendleton Civil Service Act.

Political Polarization

The increasing ideological division between the political parties, leading to difficulty in negotiation and compromise in Congress.

Judicial Activism

A judicial philosophy advocating for judges to interpret the Constitution in a way that promotes social change and justice.

Judicial Restraint

A judicial philosophy where judges limit their own power by hesitating to strike down laws unless they clearly violate the Constitution.