AP Political Science: Unit 1 Exam

Public Policy

The decisions, laws, and regulations that governments make to address societal issues and achieve public goals

Policy Agenda

Issues that attract the serious attention of public officials

Democracy

A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives

Participatory Democracy

Emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society

Pluralist Democracy

Recognizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on politcal decision making

Elite Democracy

Emphasizes limited participation in politics and civil society where a small number of elites hold power, influencing significant political decisions

Authoritaianism

A political system characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms, where individual liberties are subordinate to the authority of the state

Totalitarianism

Political system where the state exerts total control over all aspects of public and private life through coercion, repression, and an official unifying ideology 

Monarchy

Form of government where a monarch, usually king or queen rules for life, typically by hereditary right

Oligarchy

Form of governance where power rests with a small group of individuals or families, often characterized by wealth, nobility, or military control

Theocracy

Form of government in which religious leaders rule and the states laws and policies are based on religious doctrine

Policy Making Institutions

The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over timetypically involves various branches of government such as Congress, the Presidency, and the Courts, which interact to create laws and regulations.

Linkage Institutions

Political channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the policy agenda

Traditional Democractic Theory

• Equality in voting

• Effective participation

• Enlightened understanding

• Citizen control of the agenda

• Inclusion

Pluralism

Recognizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision making

Social Contract

Theory that argues that the state arose out of a voluntary act of free people

Lockean Principles

Natural Rights (Life, liberty, and property)

Declaration of Independence

Lays out what government should look like and is intended is to be

Checks and Balances

• Each branch can limit the powers of the others

• No one branch becomes to powerful; limit government

Shay’s Rebellion

Series of armed attacks on courthouses to prevent judges from foreclosing on farms and spurred the birth of the Constitution

Economic Problems under the Articles of Confederation

Refers to the financial instability and debt issues faced by the states due to a lack of centralized power to tax or regulate commerce, leading to unrest and calls for a stronger federal government

Characteristics of the government under the Articles of Confederation

• Pledge to obey the Articles

• Provide funds/troops requested by Congress

• Give full faith and credit to public records, acts of judicial proceedings of other states

• Allow open travel and trade between states

Chief Economic Policy Maker determined by the Constitution

The President of the United States, responsible for developing policies related to economic growth, budget management, and fiscal initiatives

The Great Connecticut Compromise

Agreement during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that established a bicameral legislature in the United States which favored representation based on populationand equal representation for states in the Senate

The Madisonian Model of Government

Framework limiting majority control to keep most of the government beyond the control of the masses, elections not direct, seperating powers so branches are relatively independent of the others so no single branch could control the others

Marbury vs Madison (1803) Judicial Review

Established a bicameral (two-house) legislature for the United States: the House of Representatives with representation based on state population (favoring larger states), and the Senate with equal representation for every state (favoring smaller states)

Judicial Review

Power of courts to determine the constitutionality of a law or executive action

Individual Civil Liberties included in the body of the Constitution

Are the personal freedoms that are guaranteed to individuals, ensuring protection from government interference, such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Judicial order forcing law enforcement authorities tobring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of their detention

Issues of slavery and the Constitution (3/5th Compromise)

Refers to the constitutional provisions regarding the counting of slaves for representation and taxation purposes, which impacted political power and the national dialogue on slavery

• Each slave will count as 3/5 person for representation purpose resulting in a compromise between northern and southern states

Formal way to amend the Constitution

By Congress: A proposed amendment most receive a 2/3 vote from both the House of Representatives and the Senate

By a National Convention: Congress is required to call a national convention to propose amendments if two-thirds of the state legislatures request it most amendments must then be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or conventions

Informal ways to amend the Constitution

Legislative actions where Congress passes laws that interpret constitutional provisions; judicial interpretations, where Supreme Court rulings give new meanings to the Constitutiom; executive actions such as presidential orders, and customs and political practices like the evolution of political parties and tradition

How was the Constitution ratified

Through a series of debates and votes in special state conventions held between 1787 and 1788, where delegates discussed and voted on the proposed Constitution, ultimately leading to its adoption by nine states

Chief arguments for and against ratification

Centered on the need for a strong national government to ensure order, defense, and a stable economy, contrasting the new Constitution with the weak Articles of Confederation. Presented by the Anti-Federalists, focused on the dangers of a powerful central government, fearing it would threaten individual liberties without a Bill of Rights 

Factions

A group of citizens wither majority or minority who are united by a common interest that is harmful to the rights of other citizens or to the good of the community

Fed 10

Essay written by James Madison which argues for the ratification of the US Constitution and addresses the dangers of factions, advocating for a large republic to control them

Fed 51

Seperation of powers and checks and balances, protection of minority rights from majority, legislature protected from itself

Brutus 1

Anti-Federalist essay arguing against the ratification of the proposed US Constitution, warns that a powerful centralized government would threaten individual liberties and state sovereignty, leading to tyranny and the loss of citizen control

Federalism

A system of government in which power is both divided and shared between a central government and state/regional political units

Powers of the National Government

The authorities granted to the federal government by the US Constitution, including the ability to levy taxes, regulate interstate commerce, and conduct foreign affairs

Powers of the State Government

The authorities reserved for state governments by the US Constitution, such as regulating education, conducting elections, and establishing local governments

Enumerate/Expressed/Reserved/Concurrent

Types of governmental powers defined in the US Constitution, specifying the powers granted to the federal government, those reserved to the states, and those shared by both

10th Amendment and reserved powers

Stating that any powers not delegated to the federal government, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved to those respective states or to the people

McCulloch vs Maryland (1819) Supremacy Clause

Ruling that federal law is supreme to state law, thereby preventing Maryland from taxing the national bank

Implied Powers

Governmental authorities that aren’t explicitly listed in the Constitution but are reasonably inferred from it, allowing the federal government to carry out its expressed powers

Elastic Clause

Grants Congress the authority to enact laws deemed “necessary and proper” for executing its other listed powers

Necessary and Proper Clause

Congress shall have power to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all other powers vested by Constitution in the government

Gibbons vs Ogden (1824)

Significantly clarified the federal government’s authority over interstate commerce under the Commerce Clause, establishing federal supremacy over conflicting state laws

US vs Lopez

A landmark Supreme Court case that limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause, ruling that a federal law banning guns in school zones exceeded Congressional authority

Commerce Clause

Congress’ power to regulate “interstate commerce”

State’s Obligations to each other

to ensure that states respect the laws and judicial decisions of other states, as outlined in Article IV of the Constitution

Full Faith and Credit, Privileges and Immunities, Extradition

Key principles ensuring states recognize each other's laws and rights, promoting cooperation and legal uniformity among states

Intergovernmental Regulations

Rules governing the relationships and responsibilities between federal and state governments, ensuring cooperation and compliance in various areas

Cooperative Regulations

Regulations that foster collaboration and coordination between different levels of government, often aiming to create effective policy implementation and problem-solving

Dual Regulations

Policies that delineate distinct powers and responsibilities for federal and state governments, often leading to a system where both levels operate independently while addressing the same issues

Devolution

The transfer of power and responsibilities from the federal government to state or local governments, promoting greater autonomy and local decision-making

Block Grants

Federal funds provided to states or localities for broad purposes, allowing them flexibility in spending.

Fiscal Federalism

A financial relationship between different levels of government, where federal funds are allocated to state and local governments for specific programs and services

Grants-in-Aid

Federal funds provided to states and local governments for specific projects or programs

Mandates

Requirements imposed by the federal government on state and local governments to provide certain services or comply with federal standards

ADA

The Americans with Disabilities Act, a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life

No Child Left Behind

A federal law that aimed to improve educational outcomes by increasing standards and accountability for schools

How has Federalism changed over time

Federalism has evolved to allow for greater national government influence and control, impacting state sovereignty and the relationship between federal and state authorities

Dual Federalism

Citizens cut into political system will find clear differences between state and national powers, functions, and responsibilities

Cooporative Federalism

Citizens will find national and state powers, functions, and responsibilities mixed and mingled

Categorical Grants

Money to state that is accepted with strings attached (specific guidelines)

• Spending is usually connected to specific areas of need- state healthcare, road construction, elder care

Block Grants

Offer larger sums of money for some larger purpose (education, community development, etc.) without strings attached like categorical grants

Mandates

Federal monies requiring states to follow a federal directive (rules), compliance leads to the “reward” of funding (incentives), unfunded mandates require states to comply but without any federal funding to support the action

Formula Grant Programs

A type of grant where funds are distributed to states based on a predetermined formula, often considering factors like population or economic need