AP US GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

democracy

gov by the people, either directly or indirectly, with free and frequent elections

direct democracy

gov in which citizens vote on laws and select officials more directly

representative democracy

gov that derives its powers indirectly from the people, who elect those who will govern; also called a republic

constitutional democracy

gov that enforces recognized limits on those who govern and allows the voice of the people to be heard through free, fair, and relatively frequent elections

constitutionalism

set of arrangements, including checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, rule of law, due process, and a bill of rights, that requires leaders to listen, think, bargain, and explain before they act or make laws. We then hold them politically and legally accountable for how they exercise their powers.

statism

the idea that the rights of the nation are supreme over the rights of the individuals residing in that nation

popular consent

the idea that a just gov must derive its powers from the consent of the people it governs

majority rule

governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority

majority

the candidate or party that wins more than half the votes cast in an election

plurality

candidate or party with the most votes case in an election, not necessarily more than half

ideology

a consistent pattern of beliefs about political values and the role of gov

theocracy

gov by religious leaders, who claim divine guidance

Articles of Confederation

the first governing document of the confederated states, drafted in 1777, ratified in 1781, and replaced by the present Constitution in 1789

Annapolis Convention

A convention held in September 1786 to consider problems of trade and navigation, attended by five states and important because it issued the call to Congress and the states for what became the Constitutional Convention

Constitutional Convention

The convention in Philadelphia, May 25-September 17, 1787, that framed the Constitution of the United States

Shays' Rebellion

Rebellion by farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures; led by Daniel Shays and important because it highlighted the need for a strong national gov just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out

bicameralism

the principle of a two house legislature

Virginia Plan

initial proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by the Virginia delegation for a strong central gov with a bicamerl legislature, the lower house to be elected by the voters and the upper chosen by the lower, representation based on wealth or population

New Jersey Plan

proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by William Paterson of New Jersey for a central gov with a single-house legislature in which each state would be represented equally

Connecticut Compromise

compromise agreement by states at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature with a lower house in which representation would be based on population and an upper house in which each state would have two senators

Three-Fifths Compromise

compromise agreement between northern and southern states at the Constitutional Convention that the three fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives

Federalists

supporters of ratification of the Constitution who position promoting a strong central gov was later voiced in the Federalist party

Antifederalists

opponents of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government generally

The Federalist

series of essays promoting ratification of the Constitution, published anonymously by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison in 1787 and 1788

checks and balances

constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the three branches of government to check some acts of the others and therefore ensure that no branch can dominate

natural law

God's or nature's law that defines right from wrong and is higher than human law

separation of powers

constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law the executive applying and enforcing hte law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

divided government

governance divided between the parties, especially when one holds presidency and the other controls one of both houses of Congress

direct primary

election in which voters choose party nominees

initiative

procedure whereby a certain number of voters may, by petition, propose a law or constitutional amendment and have it submitted to the voters

referendum

procedure for submitting to popular vote a reconsideration of measures passed by the legislature or proposed amendments to a state constitution

recall

procedure for submitting to popular vote the removal of officials from office before the end of their term

judicial review

the power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or a gov regulation that in the opinion of the judges conflict with the US Constitution or in a state court, the state constitution

writ of mandamus

court order directing an official to perform an official duty

impeachment

formal accusation against a public official, the first step in removal from office. examples: Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton

executive order

directive issued by a president of governor that has the force of law, a formal order issued by the president to direct action by the federal bureaucracy

executive privilege

the power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security

impoundment

presidential refusal to allow an agency to spend funds authorized and appropriated by Congress

devolution revolution

the effort to slow the growth of the federal government by returning many functions to the states

federalism

constitutionalism arrangment whereby power is distributed between a central government and subdivisional governments, called states in the US, the national and the subdivisional governments both exercise direct authority over individuals

dual federalism

Constitution is a limited list of powers reserved for the national gov, saving the rest for the states each level of gov is dominant within its own sphere

cooperative federalism

federalism as a system of intergovermental relations in delivering governmental goods and services to the people and calls for cooperation among various levels of government

marble cake federalism

all levels of gov are involved in a variety of issues and programs

competitive federalism

term defined by Thomas R Dye, all units of gov competing with each other over ways to put together the goods and services of gov

permissive federalism

sharing of power and authority between the national and state gov, the states portion is upon the permission of the national government

"our federalism"

created by Ronald Reagan, Sandra Day O'Connor, Antonin Scalia, William Rehnquist. presumes power of the fed gov is limited in favor of the broad powers reserved to the states

unitary system

constitutional arrangement in which power is concentrated in a central government

confederation

consitutional arrangement in which sovereign nations or states, by compact, create a central gov but carefully limit its power and do not give it direct authority over individuals

express powers

powers sepcifically granted to one of the branches of the national gov by the Constitution

implied powers

powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions

necessary and proper clause

Clause of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) setting forth the implied powers of Congress, states that Congress, in addition to its express powers, has the right to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out all powers vested by the Constitution in the national gov

inherent powers

the pwers of the national gov in the field of foreign afairs that the Supreme Court has declared do not depend on constitutional grants but rather grow out of the very existence of the national government

national supremacy article

Article 6; "This Constiution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made...under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every States shall e bound thereby; any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding"

commerce clause

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1; gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations

federal mandate

a requirement imposed by the federal gov as a condition for the receipt of federal funds

concurrent powers

powers that the constitution gives to both the national and state govs, such as the power to levy taxes

powers prohibited to states

making treaties with foreign govs, authorising private persons to prey on the shipping and commerce of other nations, coining money/issuing bills of credit/making anything but gold and silver coin legal tender in payment of debts, taxing imports or exports, taxing foreign ships, keeping troops or ships in time of peace (except the state militia, now called the National Guard), engaging in war (unless invaded or in such imminent danger as will not admit delay)

full faith and credit clause

Article 4, Section 1; constitutional clause requiring each state to recognize the civil judgments rendered by the courts of the other states and to accept their public records and acts as valid

extradition

legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one state to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed

interstate compact

agreement among two or more states, Constitution requires that most such agreements be approved by Congress

national supremacy

constitutional doctrine that whenever conflict occurs between the constitutionally authorized actions of the national gov and those of a state or local gov, the actions of the fed gov prevail

preemption

the right of a federal law or regulation takes precedence over enforcement of a state or local law or regulation

centralists

people who favor national action over action at the state and local levels

decentralists

people who favor state or local action rather than national action

states' rights

powers expressly or implicitly reserved to the states and emphasized by decentralists

purpose of federal grants

supply state and local govs with revenue, to establish minimum national standards for things such as highways and clean air, to equalize resources among the states by taking money from people with high incomes through federal taxes and spending it through grants in states where the poor live, to attack national problems yet minimize the growth of federal agencies

categorical-formula grants

Congress appropriated funds for specific purposes, allocated by formula and are subject to detailed federal conditions, provide federal supervision to ensure that money is spent as planned, local government receiving funds must also invest some of its own funds in the desired endeavors

project grants

Congress appropriated funds of a certain sum, allocated to gov units based on applications

block grants

broad grants to states for prescribed activities (welfare, child care, edu, social services, preventive health care, health services), very flexible

social capital

democratic and civic habits of discussion, compromise, and respect for differences, which grow out of participation in voluntary organizations

political culture

the widely shared beliefs, values, and norms concerning the relationship of citizens to gov and to one another

natural rights

the rights of all people to dignity and worth (human rights)

democratic consensus

widespread agreement on fundamental principles of democratic governance and the values that undergird them

majority rule

governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority

popular sovereignty

a belief that ultimate power resides in the people

rule of law

generality: laws should be state generally/not singling out any group or individual, prospectivity: law should apply to the future/not punish something someone did in the past, publicity: laws cannot be kept secret and then enforced, authority: valid laws are made by those with legitimate power/the people legitimate that power through some form of popular consent, due process: laws must be enforced impartially with fair processes

American Dream

the widespread belief that the US is a land of opportunity and that individual initiative and hard work can bring economic success

capitalism

an economic system characterized by private property, competitive markets, economic incentives, and limited gov involvement in the production and pricing of goods and services

monopoly

domination of an industry by a single company by fixing prices and discouraging competition; also the company that dominates the industry by these means

antitrust legislation

federal laws that try to prevent a monopoly from dominating an industry and restraining trade (examples: Sherman Act of 1890)

Second Bill of Rights

Franklin D Roosevelt's State of the Union Address in 1944: 1 the right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries, shops, farms, or mines of the nation; the right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation; the right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return that would give him and his family a decent living; the right of every business man, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad; the right of every family to a decent home; the right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health; the right to adequate protection form the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment; the right to a good edu

political ideology

a consistent pattern of belief about political values and the role of government

liberalism

a belief in the positive uses of government to bring about justice and equality of opportunity

conservatism

a belief that limited government ensures order, competitive markets, and personal opportunity

socialism

an economic and governmental system based on public ownership of the means of production and exchange

environmentalism

an ideology that is dominated by concern for the environment but also promotes grassroots democracy, social justice, equal opportunity, nonviolence, respect for diversity, and feminism

libertarianism

an ideology that cherishes individual liberty and insists on a sharply limited government, promoting a free market economy, a noninterventionist foreign policy, and an absence of regulation in the moral and social spheres

ethnocentrisim

belief in the superiority of one's nation or ethnic group

political socialization

the process by which we develop our political attitudes, values, and beliefs

demographics

the study of the characteristics of populations

political predisposition

a characteristic of individuals that is predictive of political behavior

reinforcing cleavages

divisions within society that reinforce one another, making groups more homogeneous or similar

cross-cutting cleavages

divisions within society that cut across demographic categories to produce groups that are more heterogeneous or different

manifest destiny

a notion held by 19th centuryAmericans that the US was destined to rule the continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific

race

a grouping of human beings with distinctive characteristics determined by genetic inheritance

ethnicity

a social division based on national origin, religion, language, and often race

gender gap

the difference between the political opinions or political behavior of men and of women

gross domestic product

the total output of all economic activity in the nation, including goods and services

socioeconomic status

a division of population based on occupation, income, education

interest group

a collection of people who share some common interest or attitude and seek to influence government for specific ends, usually work within the framework of gov and employ tactics such as lobbying to achieve their goals