Ap gov 1 key terms

Bicameral legislature

two-house legislature.

Block grant

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

Categorical grant

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

Centralists

those who favor greater national authority rather than state authority.

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 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.

Decentralists

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 state governments.

Dual federalism

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

Cooperative federalism

system in which both federal government 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 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.

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 decision such as Brown.

Judicial review

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

Marbury v. Madison, 1803

established the power of judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819

established principle of national supremacy and validity of implied powers.

Police powers

powers of the states to protect the 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 Massachusetts 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., 3/5, 2/3.

Unicameral legislature

one-house legislature.