Federalist papers #10
James Madison argues that a large republic helps combat against factions (inevitable in a free society.)
Popular sovereignty
All political power resides in the people. The people are independent.
Full faith and credit clause
state laws and court decisions must be honored by outher states.
commerce clause
Gives congress the power to regulate commerce among states, upheld in (Gibbons vs Ogden.)
Federalism
Powers of government are divided between the states and federal government.
Dual federalism
national and state governments are seen as separate entities providing separate services. (weakens the national government.)
Supremacy clause
Establishes the constitution as the “supreme law of the land”, Established in McCullough vs Maryland.
Reserved powers
powers that the constitution does not grant to the national government but does not deny to the states (10th amendment)
Exclusive powers
powers only given to the national government. (Coining money, making treaties, and regulating commerce)
Categorical grants
Grants given to the states for specific purposes, such as building an airport or a school program.
Block grants
money given to the states without strings attached.
Incumbent advantages
well known, more connections, more money.
Linkage institutions
interest groups, political parties, media, and voting all link citizens to the political process.
Realignment
The switching of voter process from one party to another. This can happen during “critical elections”
Interest groups
Primary purpose is to influence public policy, and has a very narrow point of view. They influence through PACS, use of media,and grassroots campaigns.
Pluralism
the idea that having a variety of parties and interest groups will strengthen the system.
Public agenda
the issues that the general public and political leaders agree need attention.
Open primary
a primary in which any voter regardless of party status can vote
closed primary
a primary in which only those with active voter status within the party can vote.
House of representatives
states are given representation based of their population. Speaker of the house is the most powerful figure in the house
Iron triangle
Composed of congress, interest group, and bureaucracy.
Hard money
Funds that are given directly to a specific candidate. these funds are regulated and disclosed.
soft money
Funds that are NOT directly given to the candidate. these do not have limits.
Citizens united vs. FEC (2010)
supreme court ruled that political spending by corporations and labor unions is a form of free speech and protected under the 1st amendment, removing any bans on “soft money.”
state legislature
The government institution responsible for the drawing of congressional district lines.
Gerrymandering
congressional districts have been drawn in an odd shape to the advantage of the political party in control of state legislature.
Pork barrel spending
Money within spending bills that benefits constituents back home in districts/states.
Treaties
All treaties must be approved by a 2/3 vote of the senate.
senate prestige
terms are longer then the house, and more responsibility therefore more prestige.
Filibuster
used to prevent action on a bill, by talking. (unlimited debate in the senate leads to these.)
cloture
the main way to end a filibuster, by a 3/5ths vote in senate. (60/100)
Congressional committees
divides workload evenly among congress to properly screen bills and allowing members to develop expertise.
standing committees.
Permanent committees that deal with broad areas of public policy. (house rules committee, ect.)
Divided government.
When the House, senate, and presidency are not controlled by the same party.
presidential expressed powers
Command the armed forces, veto acts of congress, grant pardons and reprieves, negotiate treaties, Nominate federal judges, and give the state of the union address.
Rosseau
belived in direct democracy, in which everyone voted.
Hobbes
Most famous for his social contract theory.
Locke
Uses a theory of natural rights to argue that governments have obligations to their citizens.
marburry vs madison
Court case that established the principle of judicial review
Mcullough vs Maryland
Gave the federal government the rights to set up a federal bank and declared that states could not tax the federal government.