AP Gov Unit 1

Checks and Balances

System in which each branch of 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 I, Section 8 o the Constitution

Concurrent Powers

Powers held by both Congress and the states, e.g., the power to tax

Cooperative Federalism

Intertwined relationship among national, state, and local governments…."marble-cake" analogy

Devolution

The transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states

Direct Democracy

Members of a society meet and make decisions with majority rule

Dual Federalism

System in which the national government and state governments are coequal, with each being dominant within its respective sphere

Enumerated Powers

Also known as expressed or delegated powers, these are powers that are specifically granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, e.g., the power to declare war

Federalism

Constitutional sharing of power between a central government and state governments

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

Fiscal Federalism

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system

Formal Amendment

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

Implied Powers

Those that are "necessary and proper" to carry out Congress' enumerated powers, and are granted to Congress through the "elastic" clause

Informal Amendment

A change in the meaning, but not the wording, of the Constitution, through congressional actions, presidential actions, court decisions, or traditional practice

Inherent Powers

Powers usually in the foreign policy (such as acquiring territory) held by the national government by virtue of it being a sovereign national government

Judicial Reveiw

Power of the courts to rule on the constitutionality of laws and actions. Established by Marbury v. Madison

Limited Government

The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect he natural rights of citizens

Mandates

Requirements imposed by the national government upon the states. Some are unfunded mandates that are imposed by the national government, but lack funding

Necessary and Proper Clause

Also known as the "elastic" clause, it states that Congress can exercise those powers that are "necessary and proper" for carrying out the enumerated powers, e.g., establishment of an Air Force

Popular Sovereignty

Principle in which ultimate political authority rests with the people

Representative Democracy

Also known as indirect democracy or a republic, it is when members of a society vote for representatives who make decisions on their behalf

Reserved Powers

Powers held by the states through the 10th Amendment. Any power not granted to the US government reverts to the states

Separation of Powers

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

Supremacy Clause

When a federal law and a state law come in to conflict with one another, the federal law will take priority over the state law

Unitary System

System of government in which all power is invested in a central government