ap gov midterms

Direct democracy

A system where citizens vote directly on laws and policies

Indirect democracy

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their half

Features of us political culture

Liberty and freedom, equality, democracy, individualism

Political ideology

Set of consistent beliefs about public policy and politics

Left wing

social justice advocacy, economic equality, protection of civil liberties

Right wing

Traditional values, limited government

Increased expectation

Mid 20th century

Increased cynicism

Post 1960s/ 70s

Referendum

A procedure for submitting to popular vote measures passed by the legislature or proposed amendments

Recall

Allows voters to remove elected official from office before their term is expired

Initiative

Allows citizens to bypass the state legislature and propose laws or amendments onto the ballot

Break with Great Britain

Taxation without representation

Articles of confederation

Two weak, gave too much state power

Weaknesses of AOC

No power to tax, can’t regulate commerce, hard to amend, can’t maintain order

Virginia plan

Bicameral legislature, based on population

The New Jersey plan

Unicameral legislature with equal representation

The great (Connecticut) compromise

Bicameral legislature, population based house of reps, equal vote senate

Three fifths compromise

For representation in the house of representation slaves counted as 3/5ths a person

Separation of powers

Decision of government functions between each branch

Popular sovereignty

Principal that all political power rests in the people and is the source of all government power

Republicanism

Elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf

Checks and balances

Prevents one branch from becoming too powerful

Federalism

Devision between the national gov and the state government

Limited government

Idea that the government should be restricted by law

Article I

Establishes this legislative branch (house of reps and senate)

Article II

Establishes executive branch (president and vice president) and terms and processes and powers

Article III

Establishes the judicial branch and scope of power

Article V

How to amend the constitution

Proposal for amending

2/3 vote in house and senate or national convention called by 2/3 of the legislature

Ratification of amendment

¾ of state legislatures

Federalist support

The constitution, bill of rights was unnecessary

Anti federalist support

Apposed constitution

Federalism

Power divided between the state and a strong national government; both acted based on citizens

Unitary system

Power is purely concentrated in the national government. States get power granted from central

Confederate system

Power is concentrated in independent state governments, weak lowkey

Cons of federalism

Policy inequality, hinders national goals, increases cost because of overlapping layers

Pros of federalism

Policy diversity, states can experiment with policies, more citizen participation

Enumerated powers

Specifically listed in the constitution (typically Article 1 section 8)

Implied powers

Powers that aren’t listed but are necessary to carry out (based on elastic clause)

Delegated powers

Powers granted to only the federal government

Reserved powers

Powers reserved to the states and people (via tenth amendment)

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by national and state governments

Powers denied only to states

Coining money, entering territories

Powers denied only to national

Violations of bill of rights, taxing exports

Full faith and credit clause (article IV)

Requires states to follow all public act in other states (all licenses)

Privileges and immunities clause

Prevents states from discriminating against other states

Dual federalism

The state and federal

Cooperative federalism

State and nation government work together

Categorical grants

Federal funds for specific purposes and strict spending rules

Bureaucracy: Private vs. Public

Private seeks profit/efficiency; Public seeks public interest and follows strict legal/budgetary constraints.

Bureaucracy: Evolution

Moved from Spoils System (patronage) to Merit System (Pendleton Act of 1883).

Bureaucracy: Growth of Employment

Federal size is stable; State and Local employment has grown most to handle program implementation.

Hatch Act

Prevents federal employees from engaging in partisan political activities while on duty.

Bureaucracy: Rule-Making and Adjudication

Agencies have Discretionary Authority to create regulations and Administrative Adjudication to settle disputes.

Iron Triangles

Relationship between Agency, Congressional Committee, and Interest Group to lock in policy.

Judiciary: Article III

Creates one Supreme Court; gives judges life tenure to protect them from political pressure.

Judiciary: Jurisdiction

Original (first time heard); Appellate (reviewed on appeal). Supreme Court has both.

Stare Decisis

"Let the decision stand"—the principle of following legal precedents.

Judicial Philosophies

Activism (correcting injustices); Restraint (deferring to elected branches/strict interpretation).

Checks on Courts

President appoints; Senate confirms; Congress can change court size or initiate amendments.

Founding Documents: Declaration of Independence / Articles of Confederation

Declaration (Natural Rights/Social Contract); Articles (Weak central gov, no power to tax).

Federalist #10

Factions are inevitable; a Large Republic controls them best.

Federalist #51

Checks and Balances; Separation of Powers.

Federalist #70

Argues for a Single Executive for energy, accountability, and quick decision-making.

Federalist #78

The Judiciary is the "least dangerous branch"; justifies Judicial Review.

Brutus #1

Anti-Federalist; a large republic will trample state power and individual liberty.

Court Case: Marbury v. Madison

Established Judicial Review.

Court Case: McCulloch v. Maryland

Federal Supremacy; National Bank is constitutional via Necessary & Proper Clause.

Court Case: U.S. v. Lopez

Limited Congress’s use of the Commerce Clause (guns in schools is not interstate commerce).

Court Case: Baker v. Carr

"One person, one vote"; the Court can rule on legislative redistricting.

Court Case: Shaw v. Reno

Racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional even if it’s intended to help minorities.

Congress: Qualifications

House (25 yrs/7 yrs citizen); Senate (30 yrs/9 yrs citizen).

17th Amendment

Changed Senate from state-appointed to direct popular election.

Congress: Representation Process

Census (count) leads to Reapportionment (dividing 435 seats) leads to Redistricting (drawing lines).

Congress: Leadership

Speaker (most powerful); VP/Pres Pro Tem (Senate); Whips (enforce party discipline).

Congress: Lawmaking Procedures

Standing Committees (permanent); Conference (resolves bill differences); Filibuster (Senate only).

Presidency: Powers

Formal (Veto, Commander-in-Chief); Informal (Executive Orders, Bully Pulpit).

Electoral College

Allotted by House+Senate seats. Winner-take-all in 48 states. House decides if no 270 majority.

Presidential Amendments

22nd (2 terms); 25th (Succession/Disability).

Lame Duck Period

Period after an election when the outgoing President has diminished influence.

Line-Item Veto

Unconstitutional (would give the President legislative power).

House Requirements

25 years old; 7 years a citizen; resident of the state.

Senate Requirements

30 years old; 9 years a citizen; resident of the state.

17th Amendment

Established direct election of Senators by the people.

House Powers

Tax/revenue bills; impeachment charges; select President if no EC win.

Senate Powers

Advice & Consent (confirmations); ratifies treaties; impeachment trials.

Apportionment

Reapportionment: Shifting House seats based on Census. Redistricting: Drawing lines.

Incumbency

Advantages of current holders: Franking (free mail), casework, name recognition.

Leadership (Congress)

Speaker: Top House leader. Whips: Ensure party members vote together.

Committees (Congress)

Standing: Permanent. Conference: Resolves bill differences between chambers.

Procedures (Congress)

Filibuster: Delay tactic (Senate). Cloture: 60 votes to end a filibuster.

Roles (Congress)

Trustee: Votes on judgment. Delegate: Votes on constituent wishes.

War Powers Act

President must notify Congress within 48 hours; 60-day limit on troops.

Presidential Qualifications

35 years old; "Natural Born" citizen; 14 years resident.

Formal Presidential Powers

Veto, Commander-in-Chief, Pardons, State of the Union.

Informal Presidential Powers

Executive Orders, Executive Agreements, "Bully Pulpit" (public persuasion).

Presidential Amendments

22nd: Two-term limit. 25th: Succession and disability procedures.

Electoral College

538 total votes (Rep + Sen + DC); 270 to win; Winner-take-all (mostly).

Checks (Presidency)

Veto: Reject law. Pocket Veto: Bill dies if session ends in 10 days.