AP Gov Semester 1 Exam

McCulloch v Maryland

Court ruled that states could not tax a national bank, reinforcing the supremacy clause and necessary and proper clause.

U.S. v Lopez

Held that the commerce clause did not allow regulation of carrying guns on school property, promoting state sovereignty.

Baker v. Carr

Ruled that states must redistrict every 10 years to uphold the 'one person, one vote' doctrine in accordance with the 14th Amendment.

Shaw v. Reno

Decision that any racial gerrymandering must serve a compelling state interest and violates the equal protection clause.

Marbury v. Madison

Established the principle of judicial review in the U.S. legal system.

Federalist 10

Written by James Madison, it addresses the dangers of factions and argues that a large republic helps protect minority interests.

Brutus No. 1

Critiqued the draft of the constitution, arguing that the national government would possess too much power.

Federalist 51

Argued for the necessity of separation of powers to ensure an efficient government.

Federalist 70

Written by Alexander Hamilton, argues for a single executive to ensure strong leadership.

Federalist 78

Addresses the power of the judicial branch, asserting its role in checking Congress.

Authoritarian Regime

A political system where power is concentrated in a leader or small group that limits political freedoms.

Causation

A relationship wherein one variable directly produces an effect in another variable.

Charismatic Legitimacy

Authority gained through a leader’s personal appeal or inspirational qualities.

Civil society

Voluntary organizations outside the government that help citizens express interests.

Cleavages

Deep societal divisions such as class or ethnicity that shape political conflict.

Communism

An ideology advocating for a classless society where the state controls means of production.

Corruption

Dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery.

Democratic Consolidation

The process by which a democracy becomes stable and unlikely to revert to authoritarianism.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to examine and invalidate actions of the legislative and executive branches.

Democratization

The transition from an authoritarian system toward more democratic institutions and practices.

Electoral authoritarian regime

A system that holds elections but manipulates them to maintain power.

Normative Statement

A value-based claim about how things should be, rather than how they are.

Human Development Index (HDI)

A measure of a country's development based on life expectancy, education, and income.

Judicial activism

Judges interpret law and may overturn legislation based on personal views or principles.

Justiciable

Describes cases that can be adjudicated in court.

Iron Triangle

The policy-making relationship between congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups.

Political Liberalization

The expansion of rights and freedoms in a society.

Veto

The power of the president to reject legislation passed by Congress.

Line-item veto

Authority allowing a president to veto specific provisions of a bill without rejecting the whole.

Separation of Powers

Distribution of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between the national and state governments.

Gerrymandering

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