APGOV midterm

Government

The institutions through which public policies are made for a society

Collective Goods

Goods and services, such as clean air and clean water, that by their nature cannot be denied to anyone

Politics

The process of determining the leaders we select and the policies they pursue, producing authoritative decisions about public issues

Political Participation

All the activities by which citizens attempt to influence the selection of political leaders and the policies they pursue

Single-issue Groups

Groups that have a narrow interest on which their members tend to take an uncompromising stance

Policymaking System

The process by which policy comes into being and evolves

Linkage Institutions

The political channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the policy agenda

Policy Agenda

The issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people involved in politics at a point in time

Political Issue

An issue that arises when people disagree about a problem and how to fix it

Policymaking Institutions

The branches of government charged with taking action on political issues

Public Policy

A choice that government makes in response to a political issue

Policy Impacts

The effects a policy has on people and problems

Democracy

A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public's preferences

Majority Rule

A fundamental principle of traditional democratic theory in which choosing among alternative requires that the majority's desire to be respected

Minority Rights

A principle of traditional democratic theory that guarantees rights to those who do not belong to majorities

Representation

A basic principle of traditional democratic theory that describes the relationship between the few leaders and the many followers

Pluralism, Elitism, and Hyperpluralism

What are the three theories of American Democrary?

Pluralism

One of the three theories of American Democracy that emphasizes that the policymaking process is very open to the participation of all groups with shared interests, with no single groups usually dominating, such that public interest generally prevails

Elitism

One of the three theories of American Democracy contending that an upper-class elite holds the power and makes policy, regardless of the formal governmental organization

Hyperpluralism

One of the three theories of American Democracy contending that groups are so strong that government, which gives in to the many different groups is thereby weakened

Policy Gridlock

A condition that occurs when interests conflict and no coalition is strong enough to form a majority and establish policy, so nothing gets done

Political Culture

An overall set of values widely shared within a society

Gross Domestic Policy (GDP)

The sum total of the value of all the goods and services produces in a year in a nation

Politics and Government Matter

What is the most important message of AP Government?

Apathetic; Greater sources of entertainment apart from the news

What is the general level of investment of youth in American politics? What is one theory as to why this is so?

Extremely invested; A large portion of their life depends on the government

What is the general level of investment of the elderly in American politics? What is one theory as to why this is so?

1. How should we govern?

2. What should government do?

What are the two fundamental questions about governing?

- Maintain a national defense

- Provide public goods and service

- Preserve order

- Socialize the young

- Collect taxes

What are the common functions of government?

"Who gets what, when, and how?"

Shortened definition of politics

Voters, candidates, groups, and parties

Who is the "who" of politics?

Statutes, executive orders, court decisions, and regulations

What is the "what" of politics?

Voting, compromising, lobbying (the way people participate in politics)

What is the "how" of politics?

They understand that government decisions affect them significantly

Why do people get involved in politics?

1. People

2. Linkage Institutions

3. Policy Agenda

4. Policymaking Institutions

5. Public Policy

6. Policy Impacts

What is the cycle of the policymaking system?

- Legislature

- Executive

- Courts

- Bureaucracy (added due to influence)

What are the 4 policymaking institutions of America?

"Government of the people, by the people, and for the people"

Shortened definition of democracy (by Abraham Lincoln)

- Equality in voting

- Effective participation

- Enlightened understanding (no monopoly on information)

- Citizen control of the agenda

- Inclusion

Five criteria of an ideal democratic process

- Optimistics

- Use bargaining and compromise as interest groups

- Envision America as a bunch of minorities working together

Aspects of Pluralism

- Wealth is the basis of power

- Big business has extreme control

- One-percenters are the policymakers

Aspects of Elitism

- Pluralism gone sour

- Lack of central policymaking institutions causes them to conflict

- Government gives in to all interest and single-issue groups

Aspects of Hyperpluralism

- Increased complexity of issues

- Limited participation in government

- Escalating campaign costs

- Diverse political interests

Challenges of Democracy

Political Culture

What is the key factor that holds American democracy together?

- Liberty

- Individualism

- Laissez-Faire

- Populism

- Egalitarianism

Aspects of American political culture

Egalitarianism

Aspect of American Political Culture that emphasizes equality of opportunity

1. Social Security

2. Medicare

3. National Defense

What three things takes up the greatest percentage of the national budget?

Budget Deficit

Concept in when a monetary gap forms when government spending exceeds tax revenues. Has been a problem in the US since 2001.

Political Parties, Elections, Interest Groups, and the Media

Types of Linkage Institutions

Gregory Lee Johnson

Activist for the reduction of nuclear weapons who will go in front of the supreme court after desecrating the American flag

Texas v. Johnson

Supreme Court case in which the court ruled that burning of the American flag was protected by the right of free speech

Flag Protection Act

Law passed by Congress in reaction to the unpopular decision of Texas v. Johnson that would make the burning of the American flag a crime

United State v. Eichman

Supreme court case used to overrule the Flag Protection Act as unconstitutional, ending the feud between the courts and congress as congress is unable to obtain the 2/3 vote necessary for a constitutional amendment

Constitution

A nation's basic law, either written or unwritten, that creates political institutions, assigns or divides powers in government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens

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

Natural Rights

Rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include, life, liberty, and property

Consent of the Governed

The idea that government derives its authority from its people

Limited Government

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

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, adopted by Congress in 1777 and ratified in 1781, establishing the Continental Congress as the national legislature, but left most authority with the state legislatures

Shays' Rebellion

A series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers led by Revolutionary War captain Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings

US Constitution

The document written in 1787 and ratified in 1788 that sets forth the institutional structure of the US government, the tasks these institutions perform, and the relationship among them, replacing the Articles of Confederation

Factions

Groups such as interest groups that, according the James Madison, arise from the unequal distribution of property or wealth and the potential to cause instability in government

New Jersey Plan

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the size of the state's population

Virginia Plan

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for representation of each state in Congress to be proportional to its population

Connecticut Compromise (aka the Great Compromise)

The decision reached at the Constitutional Convention that established two house of Congress: the House of Representatives, in which representation is based on a state's population, and the Senate, in which each state has two representatives

Writ of Habeas Corpus

A court order requiring authorities to explain to a judge what lawful reason they have for holding a prisoner in custody

Separation of Powers

A feature of the US Constitution that requires the three branches of government to be relatively independent of each other so that one cannot control the others. Power is shared among these three institutions

Checks and Balances

Features of the US Constitution that require each branch of the federal government to obtain the consent of the others for its action; they limit the power of each branch

Republic

A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern for them and make laws

Federalists

Supporters of the US Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the US Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption

Federalist Papers

A set of 85 essays that advocate for the ratification of the US Constitution and provide insightful commentary on the nature of the new system of government

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution, drafted in response to some of the Anti-Federalists' concerns. These amendments define such basic liberties as freedom of religion, speech, and press, and they guarantee defendants' rights

Equal Rights Amendments (ERA)

A constitutional amendment passed by Congress in 1972 stating that "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States of by any state on account of sex." The amendment failed to acquire the necessary support from 3/4 of the state legislatures

Marbury v. Madison

The 1803 case in which the Supreme Court asserted its power to determine the meaning of the US Constitution. The decision established the Court's power of judicial review over acts of Congress

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress and those of the executive branch are in accord with the US Constitution. This was established by Marbury v. Madison

- Tax increases after the French and Indian War

- Lacked direct representation in Parliament

Two primary causes of enmity between the American colonies and British crown, ultimately leading to the American Revolution

Continental Congress

Meeting in which independence will be declared and the declaration of independence will be written

Polemic

Political argumentation document

- Ex. Declaration of Independence

July 4, 1776

Date of the passing of the declaration of independence

Rule of Law

Adopted English tradition in which those who make the laws also must follow the law

- Natural Rights

- Consent of the Governed (Popular Sovereignty)

- Limited Government

- Rule of Law

What four English tradition will dominate the thoughts of the framers when declaring independence?

John Locke's Two Treatises of Government

What document will have the most influence on the Declaration of Independence?

Objective was to restore rights the colonists felt they had lost, with no major changes of lifestyle

Why is the American revolution considered a conservative revolution?

Created out of fear of tyranny of a strong central government, such as the British crown

What was the primary motivator for making a weak national government under the Articles of confederation?

- No president nor national court system

- All government power rested in states

- Weak central government could not raise funds for an army, to regular commerce, to protect property rights, or take action without unanimous consent

Problems with the Articles of Confederation

One chamber with one vote per state, with each state having 2-7 delegates

Structure of the national legislative body under the Articles of Confederation

- New voting laws increased political participation

- Adopted bills of rights

- Expanding middle class

- Expansion of equality and democracy

Changes in the states during the time of the Articles of the Confederation

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher whose cynical view of humanity will influence the framers decision in create separation and balance of powers

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams

What two significant founding fathers will not be there to help create the US Constitution?

Philadelphia Convention

Meeting at which the Constitution will be written

Rhode Island

The only state that will not attend the Philadelphia Convention

Sets power against power so that no one faction can rise above

What is the nature of the government that the framers will strive to establish with the US Constitution?

Want to count every slave vote and keep the slave trade

At the Philadelphia Convention, what is the southern opinion on slave votes and the slave trade?

Don't want to count slave votes and eradicate the slave trade

At the Philadelphia Convention, what is the northern opinion on slave votes and the slave trade?

- 3 out of every 5 slave voters counted, but taxes will be paid on them

- The international slave trade will be eradicated in 20 years

What decision is reached at the Philadelphia Convention about slave votes and the slave trade?

A census taken every 10 years

According to the Constitution, what determines how many seats a state gets in the House of Representatives

Reappropriation

Movement of congressional votes due to population shift

- States had tariffs on products from other states

- Paper money was worthless

- Congress couldn't raise money

What economic issues were the states and the nation facing prior to the ratification of the US Constitution?

- Levy taxes

- Pay debts

- Borrow money

- Coin money and regulate its value

- Regulate interstate and foreign commerce

- Punish piracy

- Punish counterfeiting

- Create standard weights and measures

- Establish post offices and roads

List all the powers of Congress provided by the US Constitution (There are 11, don't try to memorize them all, just familiarize yourself)

- Coin or print money

- Tax imports from interstate or international trade

- Pass laws impairing the obligations of contracts

- Require payments in paper money

What limitations were placed on state economic policy by the US Constitution

- Respect civil court judgments and contracts from other states

- Return runaway slave

What were states required to do in regard to the law of other states under the US Constitution?