AP US Government Review

Natural Rights

The unalienable of life, liberty, and property, which no government can take away

Popular Sovereignty

The power of the government is derived and sustained by the people

Republicanism

A government form of government, where people elect representatives to represent them

Social Contract

An informal agreement between the people and the government, where the people give up a little bit of freedom for the government to protect them

Representative Democracy

Form of democracy where people elect representatives to represent them in political institutions

Trustee Model

Officials are trusted to use their judgement in making decisions that benefit their constituents and the country

Delegate Model

Officials act as the spokespeople of their constituents, voting and acting on their behalf even if they personally oppose it

Politico Model

A hybrid approach where representatives serves as a mouth of their constituents on some issues and using their own judgements on others

Participatory Government

People directly vote on policy and are involved in government affairs. The people play a big role in how the government works

Pluralist Democracy

Political groups and unions fight each other for political power and influence

Elite Democracy

The privileged, wealthy, and educated class call the political shots, with them wielding the most power

Federalism

Political power is divided between the government and the states, where the federal government handles national issues and states focus on local issues

Checks and Balances

The ways that the three branches of government keep each other in check to make sure that one doesn’t dominate the others

Separation of Power

The federal government being divided into three branches, ensuring that power isn’t concentrated in a single entity

Limited Government

The government should be small and have limited powers, granting more power to the states and citizens

Faction

People who join together behind a common cause or idea

Connecticut (Great) Compromise

Created a bicameral legislature, creating a population-based chamber (House of Representatives) and a equal representational chamber (Senate)

Electoral College

Institution in charge of electing the president and vice president. Electors cast their votes usually based on the votes of their states

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted slaves as 3/5ths of a person for representation in the House and taxing. Gave disproportional power to southern states

Compromise on Slave Importation

Outlawed the importation of slaves after 1808, allowing slavery to continue while avoiding splintering the union over angry southerners

Interstate Relations

The relations and obligations that the states have to each other

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically granted to Congress given by the Constitution, such as levying taxes

Implied Powers

Powers not granted specifically to Congress, but granted by the Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution

Inherent Powers

Powers not specifically granted to Congress but used anyways to keep the government running

Reserved Powers

Powers not granted to government are given to the states and the people, such as education

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must respect and honor the laws and judgements of other states

Federalist #51

The separation of powers and checks and balances ensures that the government isn’t an all-powerful single entity and that one branch of government won’t dominate the others

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, granting specific rights and civil liberties

1st Amendment

The freedom of speech, religion, press, and to assemble and petition the government

2nd Government

A well regulated milita must exist to protect against a tyrannical government. Gun rights

3rd Government

People don’t need to house soldiers during times of peace

4th Amendment

People are protected against illegal searches and seizures

5th Amendment

Protections against self incrimination, double jeopardy, and due process

6th Amendment

Right to a fast and speedy trial by an impartial jury and the right to know one’s charges

7th Amendment

The right to a jury in a civil case, only in federal cases

8th Amendment

No excessive bail, fines, and protections against cruel and unusual punishments

9th Amendment

Rights not specifically stated in the Constitution are still held by the people

10th Amendment

Any power not given to the states or denied to the states belong to the states and the people

11th Amendment

States are immune to lawsuits from people from different states of foreign country

12th Amendment

The electoral college must cast separate votes for president and vice president

13th Amendment

Outlawed slavery and indentured servitude

14th Amendment

Granted equal protection, due process, and citizenship to all natural-born or naturalized citizens

15th Amendment

The federal and state governments cannot deny someone the right to vote based on their race

16th Amendment

Created the federal income tax

17th Amendment

Allowed for the direct elections of Senators

18th Amendment

Outlawed the manufacturing and selling of alcohol

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote

20th Amendment

Moved the presidential inauguration from March 4 to January 20

21st Amendment

Repealed the 18th Amendment and ended Prohibition

22nd Amendment

Presidents can only serve two terms

23rd Amendment

Granted D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections

24th Amendment

Abolished poll taxes, literacy tests, and other barriers to voting

25th Amendment

Formally established the presidential line of succession

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age to 18

27th Amendment

Congressmen’s salary cannot be raised until after an election

Grants-in-Aid

Funds from the federal government to states for specific projects

Categorical Grants

Grants given to states with rules on how to spend it

Block Grants

Federal money given to states for them to decide what to use it for

Mandates

Federal orders that state and local governments need to comply with federal laws

Dual Federalism

The federal government and states hold power in separate spheres of authority

Cooperative Federalism

The federal government and the states work together to solve issues

Commerce Clause

Congress has the power to regulate interstate and international commerce

Necessary and Proper Clause

Congress has the power to pass any law they deem necessary

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Federal laws have supremacy over state laws

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Owning a gun is not an economic activity and cannot be regulated as interstate commerce

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

Congress cannot pass acts that force state and local governments to act without giving them money to do so

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Federal welfare program that gives temporary financial and social assistance for those in need

National Voter Registration Act

People can register to vote at government facilities and the DMV

Clean Air Act

Allows the EPA to enact regulations on air pollution

Americans with Disabilities Act

Prohibits discrimination against those with disabilities in all areas of public life

Brady Bill

Mandates background checks for those buying guns from licensed dealers and prohibits barred people from getting one

No Child Left Behind Act

Created federal education targets and implemented standardized testing to see if those targets were being met

House of Representatives

Lower house of Congress, with officials being elected from districts based on state population

Senate

Upper house of Congress, with two senators from each state

Powers of Congress

Passing a federal budget, declaring wars, and enacting legislation

Standing Committee

Permanent panels on specific policy areas and oversee agencies

Select Committee

Temporary panels to investigate short-term issues or topics

Joint Committees

Combined committees from the House and Senate to conduct housekeeping tasks

Conference Committees

Panel to reconcile differences in bills passed in the House and Senate

Speaker of the House

The presiding office of the House and head of the ruling party

Majority/Minority Leader

The leading of the ruling/opposition party on the legislative floor, strategizing and managing daily operations

Majority/Minority Whip

They’re in charge of ensuring that members of their party vote in-line

Filibuster

Senate tactic to delay or block a vote on legislation by continuously talking

Cloture

Bringing a filibuster to end, requiring a supermajority of 60 votes

Advise and Consent

Senate power to review presidential nominate and vote/deny foreign treaties

Ways & Means Committee

House committee that writes policy on taxes and social programs

Rules Committee

House committee that lays out rules for debate on the House floor

Ranking Member

Member of the opposition on a House committee

Discretionary Spending

Portion of the federal budget that is determined by Congress

Mandatory Spending

Spending that is federally required on entitlement programs

Pork Barrel Legislation

Lawmakers adding provisions to a federal bill that grants resources to their districts or communities

Logrolling

Congressmen negotiate to send federal funding and aid to their state and communities

Gerrymandering

Redrawing districts to favor one party

Redistricting

Redrawing Congressional districts every 10 years after each Census

Reapportionment

Reallocation of House seats based on population changes

Lame Duck President

President in the final months of their term after their successor is elected. Have less influence

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Federal courts can intervene to rule on reapportionment cases

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Prohibited Congressional redistricting based on race

Informal Powers

Presidential powers not explicity stated in the Constitution but still used anyways (like using the bully pulpit)

Formal Powers

Official responsibilities of the president, such as being head of the armed forces and negotiating with foreign leaders