shiz

house of rep

Based on population.

Serve 2-year terms.

Breaks Electoral College ties.

senate

2 per state.

Serve 6-year terms.

Approves/Disapproves of presidential appointments (e.g. Supreme Court).

impeachment

House: Brings charges.

Senate: Holds the trial.

formal amendment process

Requires 2/3 of Congress and 3/4 of states to approve.

federalist 10

Warns against factions, supports representative democracy.

federalist 51

Advocates for checks and balances + separation of powers.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to expand power without amending Constitution.

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is supreme over state law.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Confirms necessary & proper clause + supremacy clause

US v lopez

Limits federal power; commerce clause doesn’t apply to gun-free zones.

direct democracy

People vote on everything themselves.

representative democracy

People elect reps to vote for them.

elite theory

A small elite controls the government.

pluralism

Many groups compete, best idea wins.

particapatory democracy

Only works if people are actively involved.

hyperpluralism

So many groups, nothing gets done.

dual federalism

State and federal govs are separate (e.g. Jim Crow South).

cooperative federalism

Work together, but feds take the lead (uses categorical grants).

new federalism

More state power, use of block grants.

selective incorporation

Supreme Court applies Bill of Rights to states via 14th Amendment Due Process Clause.

wisconsin v yoder

Free exercise of religion.

Tinker vs. Des Moines

Student speech protected if non-disruptive.

NY Times v. U.S.:

Prior restraint violates First Amendment.

Gideon v. Wainright

: Right to an attorney (6th Amendment).

mcdonald v. chicago

Second Amendment applies to states.

MLK letter from birmingham jail

Nonviolent protest strategy.

Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment):

• Basis of civil rights protections.
  
  

judicial review

Courts decide if laws/actions are constitutional.

liberals

: Favor federal government solving social issues.

conservative

Prefer smaller government.

moderate

Middle ground.

individualism

Core U.S. value—freedom and economic opportunity.

fiscal policy

Gov influences economy via taxing/spending.

monetary policy

Fed influences economy via interest rates/money supply.

What is the biggest influence on political beliefs?

Family = biggest influence on political beliefs.

push polls

Suggest negative info about candidates.

exit polls

Conducted on Election Day to predict outcome.

daily tracking polls

Used by campaigns.

straw polls

Unscientific, unreliable.

where do most people get their news from (in order?)

1. Social Media,
   
   

2. TV,
   
   

3. Newspapers,
   
   

4. Radio,
   
   

5. Magazines.

super PACs

 Unlimited $, but can’t coordinate with candidates.

PACs

Limited $, goes directly to candidates.

soft money

Unregulated

hard money

Regulated, limited.

BCRA (McCain-Feingold)

Limited soft money

Citizens united vs FEC

Corporations/unions can spend unlimited $ independently.

Elections

Presidential: Every 4 years, high turnout, big spending.

Midterms: Every 2 years, only Congress, lower turnout.

Closed primary: Only party members vote.

Open primary: Anyone can vote, regardless of party.

Congress

Trustee: Reps use personal judgment.

Delegate: Reps follow their constituents’ views.

Partisan: Votes along party lines.

Politico: Mix of the above.

High Incumbency due to:

Name recognition

Access to money/media

Gerrymandering

Franking privilege (free mail)

redistricting

Reapportionment: Changes House seats after census.

Redistricting: Redrawing districts.

Gerrymandering: Drawing districts for political gain.

bureaucracy and checks

Legislative branch:

Controls agency budgets.

Investigates agencies.

Confirms appointments.

Executive branch:

Appoints heads.

Issues executive orders.

Judicial branch:

Uses judicial review.

types of agencies

Cabinet Departments: Broad, permanent.

Independent Executive Agencies: Narrower focus.

Independent Regulatory Commissions: Regulate industries.

judiciary

Federalist #70: Strong, single executive is necessary.

Judicial activism: Judges make broad decisions for societal good.

Judicial restraint: Judges defer to elected branches unless something’s clearly unconstitutional.

Stare decisis: Following precedent ensures consistency.

Nomination/Confirmation:

President nominates.

Senate confirms after hearings.