Studied by 7 people
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17th Amendment
Allowed direct election of senators by the people instead of state legislatures.
20th Amendment
Changed the start date for the president and Congress (President takes office on January 20 instead of March 4).
22nd Amendment
Limits the president to two terms (or a max of 10 years if they took over mid-term).
25th Amendment
Established presidential succession and procedures for replacing a disabled or incapacitated president.
16th Amendment
Gave Congress the power to collect income taxes.
Pendleton Civil Service
Ended the spoils system; government jobs must be based on merit, not political loyalty.
Hatch Act
Limits political activities of federal employees (e.g., they can’t campaign while on duty).
War Powers Resolution
Requires presidents to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops.
Congress must approve military action within 60 days or troops must be withdrawn
Budget and Impoundment Control Act
Limited the president’s power over the budget.
Created the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to check the president’s budget.
Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)
Set limits on campaign contributions and required candidates to disclose donors.
Civil Service Reform Act
Reformed the hiring process for government workers.
Created the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to oversee federal employees.
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act (1974)
Prevented the president from refusing to spend money Congress allocated.
Established the budget resolution process in Congress.
Pluralism
Many groups compete for influence; no one dominates.
Elite & Class Theory
The wealthy control politics through money and influence.
Hyperpluralism
Too many groups cause gridlock (nothing gets done).
Iron Triangle
Congress, Bureaucracy, and Interest Groups working together to influence policy.
Reapportionment
Redistributing House seats based on the census
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Introduced → Committee → Debate → Vote → President
Inherent Powers
Not listed in the Constitution but assumed (e.g., Louisiana Purchase).
Expressed Powers
Specifically listed in the Constitution (e.g., veto, commander-in-chief).
Federalist #51
Argues for separation of powers & checks and balances to prevent tyranny.
Federalist #70
Argues for a strong executive (president) for effective government.
Trustee
Legislators vote based on their own judgment and what they believe is best for the country, even if it goes against what their constituents want.
Delegate
Legislators vote based on the direct wishes of their constituents, acting as a mouthpiece for the people.
Politcio
Legislators balance acting as a trustee and a delegate depending on the issue.
