AP Gov AMSCO Topic 2.3 Congressional Behavior Study Guide

What factors determine Congress's effectiveness?

Ideological divisions, the changing nature of the job, and how lawmakers represent their constituents.

What is gridlock in Congress?

A congestion of opposing forces that prevents ideas from moving forward within each house and between Congress and the president.

How does redistricting every 10 years affect the House of Representatives?

It can lead to one-party rule in several districts, making it easier for certain parties to win legislative seats.

What was the significance of Baker v. Carr?

It allowed the Supreme Court to intervene in cases where states did not follow constitutional principles in defining political borders.

What is the Organizational Way voting model?

A model where political members follow the lead of their party or group, often resulting in party-line votes.

What is the Delegate Model in Congress?

A model where members try to reflect the will of their constituents, especially in the House of Representatives.

What distinguishes the Substantive Delegate Model from the Delegate Model?

The Substantive Delegate Model advocates on behalf of specific groups of constituents.

What is the Descriptive Delegate Model?

A model where representatives advocate for the views of constituents while also considering their unique characteristics.

What does the Trustee Model entail?

Representatives believe they are entrusted by their constituency to use their best judgment, regardless of constituent opinions.

What is the Politico Model?

A model that blends the Delegate and Trustee Models, where lawmakers consider various factors for their decisions.

What was the ruling in Colegrove v. Green?

It stated that if a state legislature wasn't dividing congressional districts fairly, it was the people's duty to act.

What did Baker v. Carr overturn?

It overturned the ruling in Colegrove v. Green, allowing the Court to intervene in redistricting issues.

What is gerrymandering?

The practice of drawing illogical district lines to give an advantage to one party.

What are Safe Seats?

Seats that consistently win by more than 55% of the vote.

What are Marginal Seats or Swing Districts?

Districts characterized by closer elections.

What is Partisan Gerrymandering?

The practice of creating districts to guarantee safe seats for one party.

What is Racial Gerrymandering?

The intentional drawing of legislative districts based on race, scrutinized for diluting POC votes.

What was the outcome of Shaw v. Reno (1993)?

The Court ruled that using race as the sole factor in redistricting violates the 14th Amendment.

What did Gomillion v. Lightfoot establish?

It ruled that North Carolina violated the 15th Amendment by redesigning a city to reduce African American votes.

What was the ruling in Rucho v. Common Cause (2019)?

The Court declared that federal courts cannot judge or fix improperly drawn partisan district maps.

What does 'Getting Primaried' refer to?

When an ideologically extreme challenger exposes an incumbent's record of compromise to defeat them.

What is a Lame Duck President?

An executive who has not won reelection or is nearing the end of their second presidential term.

How does a divided government affect Congress?

It leads to partisan gridlocks, especially affecting judicial nominations.