Big ass APGOV review

Unit 1

covers the foundations of American government, including the principles of democracy, federalism, and the role of the Constitution.

Limited government

The concept that government powers are restricted by law, ensuring individual rights and liberties are protected from government overreach.

Natural rights

The rights inherent to all individuals, which include life, liberty, and property, and are not dependent on government.

popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, allowing them to express their will through voting.

republicanisim

representative government, people elect officials to represent them in government

pluralist system

multiple groups contribute to the formation of public policy, ensuring proper representation in government

federalism

distribution of power between central and regional governments

anti-federalism

opposition to a strong central government, advocating for state sovereignty and individual liberties.

connecticut compromise

created bicameral legislature

selective incorporation

court applies specific protections of the bill of rights to the state governments on a case by case basis

bill of rights

first 10 amendments, gaurentees essential personal liberties and limits federal power

problems with articles of confederation

no taxing, weak central gvmt, no army, needed unanimous consent to pass amendments, lack of national identity

necessary and proper clause

grants congress the authority to make all laws required to carry out its powers

Unit 2

interactions among branches of government

house/senate committees

specialized, smaller groups of lawmakers responsible for the oversight of specific duties

bill of attainder

declares a person or group guilty of crime and punishes without judicial trial - prohibited by art 1, secs. 9 and 10

oversight committee

ensures the proper functionality of government agencies and programs

pork barrel

government appropriation of funds for projects and improvement feel good moves that a politician approves to get reelected

earmarks

provisions in federal spending that directs funds to specific, local projects that bypasses merit based awarding processes

judicial restraint

judges limit their own power and interpret the law through original intent and completely without personal bias

joint chief of staff

principal military advisors to the president

conference committee

temporary panel composed of house and senate members to talk about a bill

standing committee

permanent panel that includes members of house and senate to discuss proposed bills

joint committee

house and senate members conduct studies and investigative tasks rather than passing legislation

select committee

temporary committee appointed to investigate a specific issue, conduct specialized studies, and oversee matters outside the jurisdiction of standing committees

line item veto

some parts of a bill go, some parts stay and become law

subcommittee

smaller, specialized group formed to focus on specific tasks, studies, or legislation

discharge committee

procedural motion used to take a matter out of a committee’s hands and bring it directly to the floor for action

reasonable doubt

rooted in 14th amendment due process, highest standard of proof where prosecution must prove the defendant’s guilt so a reasonable person couldnt doubt it

president pro tempore

highest ranking senator after the vice president

majority leader

elected head of the majority party in the house or senate

minority def

leads the minority party in the house or senate, primary spokesperson for the minority party

hatch act

law restricting the political activities of the executive branch employees

federal reserve board

independent central banking system of the US, responsible for determining monetary policy

preponderance of evidence

burden of proof in civil cases where the plantif must show it is more likely than not that their claim is true

appellate jurisdiction

authority of a higher court to review, amend, or overrule decisions made by lower courts, focusing on legal errors rather than retrying facts

bureaucracy

hierarchal system within the executive branch tasked with implementing laws passed by congress

spoils system

winning political parties reward supporters with governmental jobs

monetary/fiscal policy

monetary - central bank controls the money supply and interest rates

fiscal policy - what the government does to influence the economy, like altering growth, employment, and inflation (amount of money in system

Unit 3

civil liberties and civil rights

Selective incorporation

the surpreme court applies select laws of the bill of rights to state governments on a case by case basis

indictment

formerly charges someone with a crime

slander

false statement that damages a person’s reputation

prior restraint

action that prohibits speech or expression before it can take place