Unit 1 Ap Government Study Guide

Federalism

Separation of powers between the state and national governments

Supremacy clause

The constitution makes the national laws, constitution, and the treaties supreme over state laws but the government has to be acting within its limits

10th amendment

The national government only has the powers that the constitution assigns to it

McCullough vs. Maryland

Congress created a national bank, and then Maryland tried to tax it and James McCullough wouldn’t pay the tax so Maryland sued him for the money but McCullough still won

Enumerated powers

Powers of the federal government that are explicitly stated in the constitution

Implied powers

Not listed in the constitution but are permitted because they are needed to carry out the governments enumerated powers

Elastic cause

It implies congress to make any law required

Full faith and credit clause

States must recognize the laws and judicial rulings of all other states

Dual federalism

When the national and state governments each remain supreme within their own areas of authority

Cooperative federalism

When the national institute government shares power over the same policy areas

Fiscal federalism

The government regularly engages with taxing and spending

Categorical grants

Main source of federal assistance for local and state governments

Block grants

Federal grants are generally provided directly to states or local communities to find a range of programs in community development and social services more freedom

U.S. vs. Lopez

In a court case they decided congress overstepped its authority by prohibiting guns in school zones

Democratic ideals

Natural rights, popular sovereignty, republicanism, social contract

Federalist

Strong central government, executive and judiciary, commerce

Anti-federalist

Strong states, feared tyranny, Bill of Rights

Articles of confederation

Weak central government, no tax power, no executive/judicial branch, states, dominant, shades, rebellion exposed weaknesses

Great compromise

Senate equal, house population

3/5 compromise

Slaves are counted as 3/5 persons for representation

Separation of powers

Legislative executive and judicial branches

Check and balances

Each branch limits others veto, impeachment, judicial review

Federalism dual

Separate powers layer cake

Federalism cooperative

Share powers marble cake

Federalism crisis,

expand federal power new deal/911/Covid

Commerce clause

Interstate commerce/trade

Elastic clause

Imply, powers

Supremacy cause

Federal government has more power over state law

10 amendment

States powers reserved

Participatory

Broad involvement

Pluralist

Groups

Elite

Wealthy

Hyper pluralist

So many groups it causes gridlock

Electoral college

Each day gets a number of electors that corresponds to the number of representatives they have in house

Article V

Two stage process to amend the constitution can be proposed by Congress or the states, 2/3 vote is needed

Legislative branch

Congress is in charge of proposing and making laws

Enlightenment

Natural rights, popular sovereignty, social contract, Republicanism

Popular sovereignty

The power to govern is in the hands of the people

Social contract

In order to protect natural rights, people willingly give some of that power away to a government

Republicanism

People like leaders to represent them and create laws in the public interest

Limited government

Checks and balances

Federalist 10

Pluralism democracy

Great compromise

Two houses of Congress, bicameral legislator, New Jersey and Virginia plans

Pluralist

Interest groups

Participatory

Citizens have a direct role in making decision

Elite democracy

A small group of educated wealthy or influential leaders, make most political decisions