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1. Federalist #10
A paper written by James Madison explaining that a large republic is the best way to control factions (groups with strong opinions) because it balances out their power.
2. Federalist #51
Another paper by Madison saying the government needs checks and balances so no one branch (legislative, executive, judicial) gets too powerful.
3. Brutus 1
An argument against the Constitution, saying a strong federal government would take away the rights of people and the states.
4. Implied Powers
Powers not directly written in the Constitution but still allowed because they are needed to carry out other powers.
5. Constitution v Articles of Confederation
The Constitution created a strong central government, while the Articles of Confederation gave most of the power to states.
6. Powers of Independent Agencies
Government agencies that are separate from the main three branches. They help enforce rules on things like food safety, the environment, or business.
7. Grants-in-aid
Money the federal government gives to states to help them pay for programs like schools or roads.
8. Devolution
Giving power back to the states to run programs that the federal government used to control.
9. Federalism
A system where power is shared between the federal (national) government and the state governments.
10. Cooperative Federalism
When the federal and state governments work together to solve problems.
11. Federalist v Anti-Federalist
Federalists supported a strong central government (Constitution), while Anti-Federalists wanted states to have more power.
12. Bill of Attainder
A law that punishes someone without a trial. The Constitution does not allow this.
13. Ex Post Facto
A law that makes something illegal after it already happened. This is also not allowed.
14. Habeas Corpus
The right to a fair trial. It means you cannot be held in jail without being told what you’re accused of.
15. Rule of Four
In the Supreme Court, at least four justices must agree to hear a case.
16. Writ of Certiorari
A request for the Supreme Court to review a lower court’s case.
17. Amicus Curiae Brief
A document from someone not in a case but who wants to give their opinion to the court.
18. Stare Decisis
Latin for “let the decision stand.” Courts follow previous rulings in similar cases.
19. Bureaucracy & President
The bureaucracy carries out government jobs, and the president oversees it.
20. Bureaucracy Delegated Rule Authority
The bureaucracy can make rules to carry out laws passed by Congress.
21. Checks Held by Legislative and Judicial Branches
The legislative branch (Congress) and the judicial branch (courts) can limit or “check” the power of the president or laws.
22. Marbury v Madison (1803)
A Supreme Court case that created judicial review, which means courts can decide if a law is unconstitutional.
23. Entitlements
Programs like Social Security or Medicare that people can get if they meet certain rules.
24. Pluralist & Elite Democracies
• Pluralist: Many groups compete for power.
• Elite: A small group of wealthy or powerful people control decisions.
25. Fiscal Policy
The government uses taxes and spending to control the economy.
26. Supremacy Clause
The Constitution is the “supreme law of the land,” meaning federal laws are more powerful than state laws.
27. Congress & President Checks Over Bureaucracy
Congress makes laws and gives funding, while the president can appoint leaders to control the bureaucracy.
28. Block Grants
Money given by the federal government to states for general purposes, like education.
29. Congressional Committees/System
Small groups in Congress that focus on specific topics, like healthcare or education.
30. Congress and $$$
Congress controls how the government spends money and collects taxes.
31. Standing Committees
Permanent groups in Congress that handle important topics, like defense or agriculture.
32. Presidential Formal v Informal Powers
• Formal: Powers written in the Constitution, like vetoing laws.
• Informal: Powers not written, like using the media to influence public opinion.
33. Powers of HR & Senate
• House of Representatives: Starts bills about taxes and can impeach officials.
• Senate: Confirms presidential appointments and holds impeachment trials.
34. Presidential Powers
Things the president can do, like sign laws, lead the military, and make treaties.
35. Federalist #78
A paper explaining that judges need to serve for life to stay fair and that courts protect the Constitution.
36. Committee System
Congress uses small committees to research, debate, and write laws.
37. Legislative Checks Over President
Congress can override a veto, control funding, or impeach the president.
38. Amending the Constitution
Changing the Constitution by getting approval from Congress and the states.
39. Conference Committee
A group of members from the House and Senate who meet to make sure a bill looks the same before it becomes law.
40. Appointing Supreme Court Justices
The president picks justices, but the Senate has to approve them.
41. Iron Triangles
The relationship between Congress, government agencies, and special interest groups that influence policies.
42. Federalist #70
Written by Alexander Hamilton, it explains why having a strong, single president (instead of a group of leaders) is important for making quick and decisive decisions.
43. Shaw v. Reno (1993)
A Supreme Court case that ruled you cannot draw voting district lines based only on race, even if it’s done to help minority groups.
44. Original Intent
The idea that judges should interpret the Constitution based on what the writers (Founding Fathers) originally meant when they wrote it.
45. Judicial Activism
When judges make bold decisions to change or create new policies, often to protect people’s rights, even if it goes beyond what the Constitution directly says.
46. HR & Senate Shared Powers
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate can pass laws, declare war, and approve taxes or budgets.
47. Reserved Powers
Powers that the Constitution gives to the states, like running schools, holding elections, and creating local governments.
48. Rules Committee
A group in the House of Representatives that decides how and when bills will be debated and voted on.
49. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
A Supreme Court case that said Congress can create a national bank (implied powers), and states cannot tax the federal government because of the Supremacy Clause.
50. Baker v. Carr (1962)
A Supreme Court case that said courts can decide if voting districts are unfair. It led to the idea of “one person, one vote,” meaning districts should be equal in population.