AP Gov All Units

pluralist theory

A theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies. Because many groups compete, there is not an elite group that dominates. Compromise is common

Articles of Confederation

1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade) each state retained sovereignty, the ability to act independently of the confederation. each state had equal representation in a unicameral (single house) legislature

Shay's Rebellion

Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.

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

Separation of Powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

Popular Sovereignty

A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.

Bicameral

A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses

Federalists

A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures.

Antifederalists

Opponents of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government, generally. advocated for a bill of rights to formally address individual and state rights. concerned about the concentration of power in a central government under the constitution

Federalism

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

Supremacy Clause

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

Virginia Plan

"Large state" proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress. The plan favored larger states and thus prompted smaller states to come back with their own plan for apportioning representation.

New Jersey Plan

A constitutional proposal that would have given each state one vote in a new congress

Connecticut (or Great) Compromise of 1787

The name for the agreement, narrowly accepted by the Constitutional Convention, that resolved the debate between large and small states over representation in the new government. It outlined the House of Representatives (with proportional representation) and Senate (with two representatives for each state)

Republican Democracy

Format chosen by Founding Fathers. People vote for representatives who then make laws. People do not vote directly on legislation.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes (negated by the 13th amendment)

Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the Constitution in detail.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that are a statement of fundamental rights of the people designed to satisfy anti-federalist concerns

Elastic Clause

Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which allows Congress to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry out the powers of the Constitution.

Commerce Clause

The clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations.

concurrent powers

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments.

coopertive federalism

the states and the national government cooperate in solving complex common problems (marble cake)

Dual Federalism

A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.

expressed powers (enumerated powers)

Powers the Constitution specifically granted to one of the branches of the national government. Listed explicitly in the Constitution. Ex: right to coin money, declare war, regulate foreign and interstate trade, tax, etc.

implied powers

Powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution

inherent powers

The powers of the national government in foreign affairs that the Supreme Court has declared do not depend on constitutional grants but rather grow out of the very existence of the national government.

unitary system

A government that gives all key powers to the national or central government

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

categorical grants

Federal grants for specific purposes, such as building an airport

Devolution Revolution

The effort to slow the growth of the federal government by returning many functions to the states.

10th Amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Federal Mandate

A requirement the federal government imposes as a condition for receiving federal funds.

formula grants

Federal categorical grants distributed according to a formula specified in legislation or in administrative regulations.

intrastate commerce

commerce occurring within one state which cannot be regulated by the federal government

interstate commerce

trade between two or more states

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Constitution's requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state

tyranny of the majority

The potential of a majority to monopolize power for its own gain to the detriment of minority rights and interests.

writ of habeas corpus

A court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner in custody.

ex post facto law

a law that makes an act criminal although the act was legal when it was committed

Fiscal Federalism

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system; it is the cornerstone of the national government's relations with state and local governments.

Informal Amendment

A change in meaning, but not the wording, of the Constitution.

Formal Amendment Process

Article V; the (very difficult) process of adding or deleting words to the constitution (27 times since 1788); propose by 2/3 vote of Congress or Constitutional Convention (never used); ratify by 3/4 vote of state legislators or state convention (only used once)

eminent domain

Power of a government to take private property for public use.

exclusive powers

Those powers that can be exercised by the National Government alone

Privileges and Immunities Clause

prevents a state from treating citizens of other states in a discriminatory manner.

project grants

Federal categorical grants given for specific purposes and awarded on the basis of the merits of applications

Hyperpluralism

a theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened

Federalist Paper \#10

Written by James Madison to convince people to support the ratification of the constitution. Argued that factions were inevitable but were best controlled by a large republic that employed a Federalist structure. Argued that competition among factions would limit their negative impacts.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Maryland was trying to tax the national bank and Supreme Court ruled that federal law was stronger than the state law

Gibbons v. Ogden

Regulating interstate commerce is a power reserved to the federal government

Marbury v. Madison

This case establishes the Supreme Court's power of Judicial Review

Precedent (stare decisis)

an example that may serve as a basis for imitation or later action

Electoral College

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

Speaker of the House

An office mandated by the Constitution. The Speaker is chosen in practice by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant.

1st Amendment

Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition

2nd Amendment

Right to bear arms

4th Amendment

Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures

5th Amendment

The Right to Remain Silent/Double Jeopardy, right to due process

6th Amendment

Right to a speedy trial

7th Amendment

Right to jury in civil trials.

8th Amendment

No cruel or unusual punishment

9th Amendment

Citizens entitled to rights not listed in the Constitution

Due Process

fair treatment through the normal judicial system, especially as a citizen's entitlement.

Civil Liberties

Constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens

civil rights

the rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

14th Amendment

Declares that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection of the laws

Equal Protection Clause

14th amendment clause that prohibits states from denying equal protection under the law, and has been used to combat discrimination

Elite Theory of Democracy

A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization.

bill of attainder

a law that punishes a person accused of a crime without a trial or a fair hearing in court

political culture

an overall set of values widely shared within a society

Direct Democracy

A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

Gun Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress' authority to regulate interstate commerce.

Federalist 51 (Madison)

Separation of powers, checks and balances

Brutus I

the anti federalist argument against ratification that asserted act the constitution gave the federal government too much power and that it created too large of a republic

Miranda v. Arizona

Supreme Court held that criminal suspects must be informed of their right to consult with an attorney and of their right against self-incrimination prior to questioning by police.

political efficacy

The belief that one's political participation really matters - that one's vote can actually make a difference

political participation

All the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue

political socialization

the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions

Gerrymandering

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.

Reapportionment

the process of reassigning representation based on population, after every census

closed primary

A primary in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote

open primary

A primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place

blanket primary

a primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates from both parties

linkage institutions

The channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the government's policy agenda. In the United States, linkage institutions include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

winner takes all primary

whoever gets most votes in the state, gets all of the delegates for that state

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

Banned soft money donations to political parties (loophole from FECA); also imposed restrictions on 527 independent expenditures (issue ads only, not direct advocacy for a candidate). Declared unconstitutional by Citizens United case. Also known as McCain-Feingold Act.

Caucus

A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform.

Citizens United v. FEC

A 2010 decision by the United States Supreme Court holding that independent expenditures are free speech protected by the 1st Amendment and so cannot be limited by federal law. Leads to creation of SuperPACs & massive rise in amount of third party electioneering (Citizens for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow)

Federal Election Campaign Act

A law passed in 1974 for reforming campaign finances. The act created the Federal Election Commission (FEC), provided public financing for presidential primaries and general elections, limited presidential campaign spending, required disclosure, and attempted to limit contributions.

hard money

Political contributions given to a party, candidate, or interest group that are limited in amount and fully disclosed.

soft money

Campaign contributions unregulated by federal or state law, usually given to parties and party committees to help fund general party activities.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

A committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations

Super PACs

political action committees established to make independent expenditures

Swing States (votes)

Definition: State in which no single candidate or party has overwhelming support in securing that state's electoral college votes. Significance: Important for deciding election results Examples: Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania

interest group

An organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy

Iron Triangle

A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

Pluralism

A theory of government that holds that open, multiple, and competing groups can check the asserted power by any one group.

agenda setting

Determining which public-policy questions will be debated or considered.

Media Bias

Bias or slant in the selection of which news to report and how the news is reported.