APGOV Unit 2

What is a trend?

Something that changes or stays the same over time; to prove a trend, you must include 2 pieces of data from the same category.

What is a similarity?

A comparison between two different things where one piece of data is consistent between the two categories.

What is a difference?

A contrast between two different things where 2 pieces of data are different between the two categories.

What is a pattern?

Something that repeats.

What defines public policy?

What the government does or does not do about a problem that comes before it.

Who makes public policy in the U.S.?

All levels (federal and state) and branches (executive, legislative, judicial) of government.

What are the two types of public policy?

Foreign policy and domestic policy.

What are social issues in domestic public policy?

Government policies that regulate personal behavior, such as abortion and drug legalization.

What are economic issues in domestic public policy?

Government policies dealing with money or regulating business, such as taxing and employment laws.

What are reserved powers?

Powers not delegated to the federal government, such as police powers and education.

What effect does the Tenth Amendment have on the federal system?

It protects state sovereignty.

What are concurrent powers?

Powers shared by federal and state governments, such as taxing and spending.

What is fiscal federalism?

The balance of power between federal and state governments affected by Congress's powers to tax and spend.

What are conditions of aid?

Terms set by the federal government that states must meet to receive federal funds.

What is the Affordable Care Act's objective?

To insure the uninsured by expanding Medicaid and mandating health insurance.

What is devolution in public policy?

The process where the federal government relinquishes powers to the state governments.

What was the significance of US v. Lopez?

It marked a shift in federalism where powers were returned to the states regarding intrastate commerce.

What defines an unfunded mandate?

A requirement imposed by the federal government on states to perform certain actions without federal funding.

What does a federal mandate involve?

A requirement the federal government imposes that states must meet, regardless of whether they accept federal grants.

What is a categorical grant?

Federal grants for specific purposes with defined objectives.

What is a block grant?

A bundle of related categorical grants combined with less specific instructions.

Why do states accept federal grants despite conditions of aid?

An increasingly large percentage of state budgets come from federal funding.

What is the Commerce Clause?

A clause that allows Congress to regulate commerce between the states, significantly expanding federal power.

What is required in concept application questions?

Identify the actor, action, target, and outcome of the action taken.