Unit 1 AP Gov voc

Bicameral legislature:

two-house legislature.

Block grant:

money granted by the federal government to the states for a board purpose (eg.,transportation) rather than for a narrow purpose (eg., school lunch program). 

Categorical grant:

money granted by the federal government to the states for a narrow purpose (eg.,school lunch program) rather than for a broad purpose (eg.,transportation). 

Centralists

 those who favor greater national authority rather than state authority.

Checks and balances:

system in which each branch of the government can limit the power of the other two branches, e.g., presidential veto of a congressional law.

Commerce clause:

gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, with foreign nations, and among Indian tribes. Granted through Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution. 

Concurrent powers:

those held by both Congress and the states, e.g., establishing law enforcement agencies. 

Confederation

system in which sovereign states are only loosely tied to a central government, e.g., the US under the Articles of Confederation.

Decentrailists

 those who favor greater state authority rather than national authority.

Direct democracy:

system in which the people rule themselves.

Elastic clause:

states that Congress can exercise those powers that are “necessary and proper” for carrying out the enumerated powers, e.g., establishment of the first Bank of the United States.

Enumerated powers

Those that are specifically granted to Congress in Article 1, Section 8 of The Constitution, e. g., the power to tax. Also known as expressed powers.

Federalism

constitutional sharing of power between a central government and a state government. Different varieties:

Dual federalism:

 system in which the national government and state governments are cup equal, with each being dominant within its respective sphere. This means that both levels of government operate independently in their own areas of authority, with limited interaction.

 Cooperative federalism:

system in which both federal governments and state governments cooperate in solving problems.  

New Federalism:

system in which the national government restores greater authority back to the states. 

Federalist Papers:

group of 85 essays written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay for the purpose of persuading the people of New York to adopt the Constitution.

Formal amendment:

a change in the actual wording of the Constitution. Proposed by Congress or nation convention, and ratified by the states.

Implied powers:

those that are “necessary and proper” to carry out Congress’ enumerated powers, that are granted to Congress through the elastic clause. 

Indirect democracy

system in which the people are ruled by their representatives. Also known as representative democracy, or republic.

Inherent powers:

foreign policy powers (e.g., acquiring territory) held by the national government by virtue of its being a national government

Informal amendment:

a change in the meaning, but not the wording, of the Constitution, e.g., through a court decisions such as Brown v. Board

Judicial review:

power of the courts to rule on the constitutionality of laws and government actions. Established by Marbury V. Madison, 1803.

Mandates

requirements imposed by the national government upon the states. Some are unfunded mandates, i.e., they are imposed by the national government, but lack funding.

Marbury v. Madison

the landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review in the United States.

McCulloch v. Maryland

1819: established principle of national supremacy and validity of implied powers.

Police powers:

powers of the states to protect public health, safety, morals and welfare of the public.

Popular sovereignty:

 principle in which ultimate political authority rests with the people.

Reserved powers:

powers held by the states through the 10th amendment. Any power not granted to the US government is “reserved” for the states.

Separation of powers:

principle in which the powers of government are separated among three branches: legislative, executive, judicial.  

Shays’ Rebellion:

1786 revolt by Massachesuts farmers seeking relief from debt and foreclosure that was a factor in the calling of the Constitutional Convention.

Supermajority

 a majority greater than a simple majority of one over half, e.g., ⅗, ⅔. 

Unicameral legislature

one-house legislature.