APGOV REVIEW

Natural rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights

Consent of the governed

The idea that government derives its authority by sanction of the people.

Popular sovereignty

the idea that political authority belongs to the people

Republicanism

A form of government in which people elect representatives to create and enforce laws

Direct democracy

A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives. Laws are made directly made by the voting majority leaving the rights of the minority largely unprotected.

Rule of law

principle that the law applies to everyone

participatory democracy

a model of democracy in which citizens have the power to decide directly on policy and politicians are responsible for implementing those policy decisions
Ex. Town hall meeting

local and state governments

pluralist democracy

a model of democracy in which no one group dominates politics and organized groups compete with each other to influence policy.
Ex. Interest groups

Elite democracy

A small subset of citizens makes political decisions. Those who make policy are usually wealthier and more educated than the average citizen. Those who are in power are highly qualified to make political decisions.
Ex. Electoral college

Factions

a group

refers to political parties and special interests or interest groups

Federalist 10

argues that liberty is safest in a large republic because many factions exist

This diversity makes tyranny by the majority more difficult since ruling coalitions will always be unstable

Brutus 1

Laws cannot be properly executed in a large republic

Declaration of Independence

the document approved by representatives of the American colonies in 1776 that stated their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence

Unalienable Rights

Fundamental or natural rights guaranteed to people naturally instead of by the law. They include

Due Process Clause 14th Amendment

State governments must observe fair procedures when they deny a person life

Equal Protection Clause 14th Amendment

...nor shall any state ... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Translation: States cannot unreasonably discriminate against individuals. They must treat people "equally."

Citizenship clause 14th Amendment

All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof

state sovereignty

states are in complete and exclusive control of all the people and property within their territory states have the ultimate power in a government—source of power

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Articles of Confederation

The first written constitution of the United States ratified in 1781. It was replaced by the Constitution of the US because it was not effective and was weak. State sovereignty

Shay's Rebellion

Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787

Annapolis Convention

A convention held in September 1786 to consider problems of trade and economy

Constitutional Convention (1787)

The gathering that drafted the Constitution of the United States in 1787 all states were invited to send delegates. The convention meeting in Philadelphia

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

-States had too much power: controlled tax collection

Great Compromise
(Connecticut Compromise)

Compromise agreement by states at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature with a lower house in which representation would be based on population and an upper house in which each state would have two senators.
Virginia (Large state) v. New Jersey (small state)

Electoral College

A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president

Three-fifths Compromise

each slave would count for 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation purposes
Census—counting people for representation in the House. Whole people (free but not Indians) and 3/5 of all other people (slaves)

Slave trade clause

The constitution prohibits Congress from outlawing slave trade for 20 years. Slave trade will increase

Fugitive Slave Clause

Slaves caught fleeing in another state must be returned to their owner.

Bill of rights

The first ten amendments of the constitution

Federalists

supporters of the new US Constitution

Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton

Anti-Federalists

people who opposed the Constitution

Amendment Process

Step 1: amendment proposed by 2/3 vote of both houses of congress OR a constitutional convention called by congress on petition of 2/3 out of 50 states. THEN amendment ratified by 3/4 of the 50 state legislatures OR 3/4 of special constitutional conventions called by 50 states THEN the new amendment is created

Bicameralism

The principle of a two-house legislature

separation of powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative

Executive powers

the power to execute

Legislative powers

The authority under the constitution to make laws and to alter or repeal them.

Judicial Powers

The powers to interpret laws

Checks and balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Federalist 51

In this Federalist Paper

additionally

each branch of government is dependent on the people

Impeachment

A formal document charging a public official with misconduct in office. Check against the president for abusing their power.

Judicial review

The authorities of the supreme court to strike down unconstitutional laws.

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

10th Amendment

All powers not given to the national government are reserved for the states

Reserve powers

Powers given to the state government alone

Dual federalism

A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres

Cooperative federalism

A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. There is no clear distinction between powers of a state and national government.

Enumerated powers

-Taxing and spending: The first is the power to tax and to spend the money raised by taxes

Implied powers of congress

Powers not specifically written in the Constitution

Necessary and proper clause (elastic clause)

Clause of the Constitution (Article I

Supremacy Clause

Article VI of the Constitution

federal mandates

Demands on states to carry out certain policies as a condition of receiving grant money.
25% of state budget comes from national government. Can be funded or unfunded

Categorical grants

Federal grants for specific purposes

Block grants

Federal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services

Fiscal federalism

a concept of federalism where funding is appropriated by the federal government to the states with specific conditions attached. The legislation can be in the form of mandates.

Title IX

A United States law enacted on June 23

Selective incorporation

The process by which provisions of the Bill of Rights are brought within the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment and so applied to state and local governments.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

1965

invalidated the use of any test or device to deny the vote and authorized federal examiners to register voters in states that had disenfranchised blacks

as more blacks became politically active and elected black representatives

it gave jobs

Civil Rights Act of 1964

This act made racial

Formal powers

specific grants of authority defined in the Constitution or in law given to the executive branch

Informal powers

Powers not directly granted by law. They may follow powers granted by law but may also come from the persuasive abilities

Veto

Chief executive's formal power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

Pocket veto

A formal power. A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president

Signing statements

Informal power. A presidential document that reveals that the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced.

Executive order

A rule that comes from the U.S. President or a government agency and must be obeyed like a law

Executive agreements

An agreement between the president and the leader of another country. It is not a treaty

Treaty-making

The ability of a president to negotiate treaties with foreign nations requires ratification by 2/3 senate vote. Overshadowed by executive agreements.

Commander-in-chief

term for the president as commander of the nation's armed forces

Appointment power

The authority vested in the president to fill a government office or position (executive branch and judiciary

Recess appointments

Presidential appointment made without senate confirmation during Senate recess

it is subject to later confirmation by the Senate

bully pulpit

the ability to use the office of the presidency to promote a particular program and/or to influence Congress to accept legislative proposals

the president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public.

Public approval ratings

A measure of the degree to which the public approves or disapproves of the president's performance in office.

State of the Union Adress

The president's annual statement to Congress and the nation

Persuasion and bargaining power with Congress

the means that the president uses to influence policy making. Presidents need to bargain to influence other branches of government (particularly Congress)

all of these people have leverage they can use against the president

requiring the president to persuade all the time in his term

executive privilege

The power to keep executive communications confidential

Head of their party

The president is the leader of the party that he represents.

Pardon power

Power of the president to forgive a federal offense without penalty or grant release from a penalty already imposed.

Imperial presidency theory

term used to describe a president as an emperor who acts without consulting Congress or acts in secrecy to evade or deceive Congress. The belief that the presidency is uncontrollable and that it had exceeded its constitutional limits.

Unitary executive theory

The US president possesses the power to control the entire executive branch.

Mass media coverage (SOTU)

The president uses the SOTU to bring more popularity to themselves through television

Press briefing

A relatively restricted session between a press secretary or aide and the press.

Election mandates

the permission granted to a political leader or winning party by the constituency

Senate's advice and consent power

-The power of the Senate to consult and approve/disapprove the president's office position appointments by a 2/3 vote
-The power of the Senate to consult and approve/disapprove the president's proposed treaties with other nations by a 2/3 vote.

Power of the purse

Constitutional power given to Congress to raise and spend money.

War-Powers Act

A resolution of Congress that the president can send troops into action abroad only by authorization of Congress

Authorizations for Use of Force (AUMFs)

The authorization that grants the President to use all "necessary and appropriate force" against those whom he determined "planned

Legislative Vetoes (resolutions of Executive orders)

The rejection of a presidential or administrative action by a vote of one or both houses of Congress without the consent of the president

Overturning Presidential Vetoes

The process by which each chamber of Congress votes on a bill vetoed by the President. To pass a bill over the president's objections requires a 2/3 vote in each chamber. Historically

The Impeachment and Removal Process

1. House passes articles of impeachment by majority
2. Senate tries and needs 2/3 to convict the president.

4 year term

The president serves for 4 years in office and can be elected twice. They can serve a maximum of 10 years as the president.