FINAL EXAM REVIEW

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, which created a weak central government.

Constitution

A document establishing the framework of the United States government, replacing the Articles of Confederation.

Great Compromise

An agreement at the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement that slaves would be counted as three-fifths of a person for state representation purposes.

Electoral College Compromise

An agreement that established the Electoral College system for electing the President.

Federalism

The division of power between the national and state governments.

Checks and balances

A system where each branch of government can limit the powers of the others to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Judicial review

The ability of the judiciary to declare laws or actions unconstitutional.

Federalist #51

A paper that argues for the necessity of checks and balances and separation of powers in governing.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee individual liberties.

Bicameral

A legislature consisting of two chambers or houses.

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly granted to the national government by the Constitution.

Implied powers

Powers not explicitly stated but necessary to carry out the enumerated powers.

Standing committee

A permanent committee that deals with ongoing legislative responsibilities.

Joint committee

A committee made up of members from both houses to conduct special studies.

Conference committee

A temporary committee formed to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill.

Select committee

A temporary committee set up for a specific purpose or to investigate a particular issue.

Rules Committee

A House committee that determines the terms of debate for legislation.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one political party over another.

Divided government

A situation in which one political party controls the presidency and another party controls one or both houses of Congress.

Signing statement

A written declaration made by the President when signing a bill into law.

Federal bureaucracy

Administrators and agencies that carry out the day-to-day operations of the federal government.

Mandatory spending

Expenditures that are required by law, such as entitlement programs.

Discretionary spending

Spending that is not mandated by law and can be adjusted by the government annually.

Selective incorporation

The process by which certain rights in the Bill of Rights have been applied to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Establishment clause

Part of the First Amendment that prohibits the government from establishing a religion.

Free exercise clause

Part of the First Amendment that protects the rights of individuals to practice their religion.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

14th Amendment

Amendment that grants citizenship and equal protection under the law.

Political socialization

The process by which individuals develop their political beliefs and values.

Liberalism

A political ideology favoring government intervention in economic and social issues, typically aligned with the Democratic party.

Conservatism

A political ideology favoring limited government and personal responsibility, typically aligned with the Republican party.

Keynesian economics

An economic theory advocating for government intervention to stimulate demand in times of economic downturn.

Supply-side economics

An economic theory emphasizing tax cuts and deregulation to stimulate production and economic growth.

Linkage institutions

Entities like political parties, elections, interest groups, and media that connect people to the government.