BETTER AP Unit 2 Flashcards


1

-Layer Cake" federalism

Clear division of responsibilities between National and State Government



2

-Marble Cake" federalism

shared functions and cooperation of national and state responsibilities



3

"Lame Duck President

president nearing end of term, following successor being elected



4

Advice and Consent power

Senate authority to review and approve presidential appointments and treaties



5

Amendment Process

method of altering the Constitution, requiring 2/3 Congress proposal and 3/4 state ratification



6

Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

prohibits discrimination based on disabilities in employment and public service



7

Ambassadors

Officials appointed by President, to represent

U.S. in foreign countries



8

Anti-Federalists

Opposed Constitution, favored stronger state government, weaker central government



9

Article I

Established Legislative Branch, outlines powers and structure



10

Article II

Established Executive Branch, outlines powers and responsibilities of the President



11

Article III

Established the Judicial Branch, including

Supreme Court and powers


12


Article IV

Addressed state powers and interactions, guaranteed republican form of government


13


Article V

Outlines process of amending Constitution


14


Article VI

Establishes Constitution, federal laws, and treaties along with Supreme Law of the land


15


Article VII

Describes ratification of Constitution


16


Articles of Confederation (Describe)

Established loose confederation of states with limited central power


17


Articles of Confederation (Principles of

Government)

State Sovereignty, weak central government, no executive or judicial branch


18

Baker v Carr (1961) (CONTEXT)

Tennessee Legislative District apportionment, failure to reflect population changes

19

Baker v Carr (1961) (SIGNIFICANCE)

Established "one person, one vote" allowing federal courts to hear redistricting cases

20

Bicameral Legislature

Legislature with two chambers; House of Representatives and Senate

21

Bill of Rights (Describe)

First 10 Amendments of Constitution, protecting individual liberties

22

Bill of Rights (Principles of Government)

Emphasized limited government, protection of individual rights from federal government overreach

23

Block grants

Federal funds given to states - BROAD Purpose, fewer restrictions

24

Brutus #1 (Describe)

Against strong central government, opposed ratification of the constitution

25

Brutus #1 (Principles of Government)

State Sovereignty, Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms

26

Categorical grants

Federal funds given to states - SPECIFIC Purpose, STRICT conditions

27

Census

Population count conducted every 10 years, determines representation

28

Checks and balances

System ensuring each branch of government can limit power of the other branches

29

Clean Air Act (1970)

Federal Law aimed at controlling air pollution, improving air quality

30

Cloture

Senate procedure to end fillibuster - 3/5 majority vote

31

Commerce Clause

Grants Congress power to regulate interstate and international commerce

32

Committee Chairperson

Leader of congressional committee, responsible for setting agenda and managing hearings

33

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by federal and state government, example taxation

34

Conditions-of-Aid

Federal requirements that states must meet to receive funding

35

Confederation

Union of Sovereign states with limited central

authority


36

Conference Committee

temporary committee to reconcile difference between House and Senate version of a bill


37

Congressional Hearings

Meetings held by congressional hearings to provide oversight


38

Constituency

Voters, represented by elected official


39

Cooperative Federalism (Marble Cake

Federalism)

Systems where national and state government work together shared issues


40

Declaration of Independence (Describe)

Governing Document declaring independence from Britain



Declaration of Independence (Principles of Government)

Emphasized natural rights, popular sovereignty, right to overthrow oppressive government


42

Delegated Powers

powers granted to federal government


43

Divided Government

presidency and congress are controlled by different parties


44

Dual federalism

system where national and state government operate independently in their own spheres


45

Dual Federalism (Layer Cake

Federalism)

Emphasizing distinctly separation of powers


46

Electoral College

body of electors established by Constitution, formally elect president and vice president


47

Elite Democracy

Model of democracy- small privileged group makes decisions


48

Enumerated Powers

Powers written in Constitution belonging to federal government


49

Executive Agreement

International agreement made by President without Senate approval


50

Executive Compromise

Agreements during Constitutional Convention regarding executive power


51

Executive Order

Directive issued by president force of law without congressional approval




52

Executive Privilege

President's right to withhold information from Congress or courts in certain situations


53

Expressed Powers

Powers explicitly stated in Constitution


54

Factions

Groups with shared interest work against common good or broader public interests


55

Federalism

system of government power divided between national and state government, each with sovereignty in some areas


56

Federalist #10 (Describe)

Discusses dangers of factions, argues large republic best to control factions to prevent one faction from gaining too much power


57

Federalist #10 (Principles of

Government)

Belief multiple competing groups can coexist without one dominating, Republicanism,

protecting minority rights


58

Federalist #51 (Describe)

checks and balances with separation of powers within federal government to prevent tyranny and ensure no single branch becomes to


59

Federalist #51 (Principles of

Government)

powerful

checks and balances - each branch ability to limit powers of another branch.... Separation of power diving government responsibilities among different branches


60

Federalist #70 (Describe)

argues for strong, energetic executive, single president more effective and accountable


61

Federalist #70 (Principles of Government)

accountability, unity in executive, ability to act quickly and decisively


62

Federalist #78 (Describe)

Independent judiciary, concept of judicial review where courts can rule laws unconstitutional


63

Federalist #78 (Principles of Government)

Judicial independence, free from political influence, life tenure for judges promotes stability and prevents political pressure


64

Federalist Papers

collection of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison and John Jay supporting ratification


65

Federalists

favored strong central government


66

Fiscal federalism

distribution of funding from federal government to state and local through grants to influence policies and programs


67

Formal Presidential Powers

written in constitution for president such as veto legislation, commanding armed forces, making treaties, appointing officials


68

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Article IV states recognize public acts, records and judicial proceeding of other states




69

Gerrymandering

manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor particular political party


70

Grants

Funds provided by Federal government to state or local governments with SPECIFIC purposes


71

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

created bicameral legislature, House of Representatives based on population, Senate equal representation two for each state


72

Gridlock

government action hindered by lack of cooperation between different branches or political parties


73

Honeymoon period

early months of presidential term public approval is typically high


74

Ideological Division

deep differences in political beliefs and values that can lead to polarization and difficulty achieving compromise


75

Impeachment

House of Representatives brings charges accusing public official of wrongdoing, Senate holds trial which could lead to removal from


76

Implied Powers

Powers not stated in Constitution but inferred as necessary to carry out enumerated powers,

Necessary and Proper Clause


77

Incentives

Benefits or rewards offered to encourage certain behaviors or actions, to influence state or individual decisions


78

Informal Presidential Powers

powers not stated in constitution but developed over time, such as issuing executive orders, setting legislative agendas and conducting foreign policy


79

Inherent powers

powers not stated in constitution but essential for government function, defending nation or regulating immigration


80

John Locke

natural rights (life, liberty and property) social contract and influenced American Revolution


81

Joint Committee

Committee composed of members from the House of Representatives and Senate


82

Judicial Review

Courts determines constitutionality of laws or government actions, established by Marbury v Madison


83

Lame-Duck Period

Period between election of new president or Congress end of current officeholders term


84

Limited government

power restricted by law usually through a constitution


85

Majority Leader

leader of majority party, U.S. House of Representatives or Senate, responsible to set legislative agenda, coordinate party strategy and ensuring party unity




86

Majority Whip

count votes and ensure members vote according to party position on key issue

87

Mandates

Requirements or directives issues by federal government for state or local government to follow, without providing funding

88

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

(CONTEXT)

Marbury appointed justice of the peace by outgoing President Adams, but incoming secretary of state James Madison under President offered refused to delivery

89

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

(SIGNIFICANCE)

established judicial review

90

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

State of Maryland attempted to tax the Second Bank of United States, head of bank McCulloch refused to pay tax

91

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

(CONTEXT)

Maryland imposed tax on national bank, argued states had power to tax institutions within border. McCulloch argued national government had authority to establish bank and Maryland tax

92

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

(SIGNIFICANCE)

national bank authority under Necessary and

Proper Clause

93

Minority Leader

leader of minority party, represents interest of minority party

94

Minority Whip

responsible for counting votes and ensuring party unity on key issues

95

Montesquieu

advocated for separation of powers

96

Multiple Policy Access Points

opportunities for citizens and interest groups have to influence public policy at local, state and federal government

97

Natural Rights

rights inherent to all individuals; life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness

98

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic

Clause)

Article 1 Section & granting congress to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out enumerated powers

99

New Jersey Plan

equal representation plan, favored small states


100 Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

executive office responsible for preparing federal budget, reviewing regulation and overseeing federal agencies

101

Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

agency federal civil service, managing hiring, pay scales, benefits of government employees

102

Participatory Democracy

model of democracy - all citizens engage in political process, voting, town hall meetings, influence government decisions



103

Partisanship

strong loyalty to political party leading to political division


104

Pluralist Democracy

theory of democracy - multiple competing interest groups influence government policy


105

Pocket Veto

presidents ability indirectly veto a bill by refusing to sign it within 10 days, preventing it from becoming law


106

Policy Agenda

list of issues policymakers and government leaders prioritize for action, influence by public opinion, interest groups, and media coverage


107

Popular Sovereignty

government derives power from consent of the governed


108

Power of the Purse

Congress power granted to raise and spend money, levy taxes and allocate government funding


109

Preamble

introduction statement of U.S. Constitution "We the People"


110

President of the Senate

role of Vice President presides over senate and cast tie breaking vote when necessary


111

President Pro Tempore

senior member of majority party who serves in absence of vice president


112

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Article IV prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states


113

Quorum

minimum number of members required to be present for legislative body to conduct business


114

Ratification

approval process of treaty, law or constitutional amendment


115

Reapportionment

process of redistributing seats in House of Representatives based on changes in population... determined by census


116

Redistricting

process of redrawing congressional and legislative districts to reflect population shifts ensure equal representation


117

Representative Democracy

system of government citizens elect officials to make laws and policy


118

Republic (Republicanism)

form of government, power held by people and elected representatives


119

Reserved Powers

powers not delegated to federal government by Constitution are reserved for states




/120

Revenue sharing

Fiscal policy of federal government distributes portion of tax revenue to state and local government few or no restrictions


121

Rules Committee

powerful committee, determines rules for debate on bills, time limit and if amendments can be added


122

Select Committee

temporary legislative committee, investigate specific issues


123

Separation of powers

divides government responsibilities among three branches


124

Shaw v Reno (1993) (Context)

North Carolina created congressional district

Shaped oddly designed to ensure election of African American Representative, racial gerrymandering


125

Shaw v Reno (1993) (Significance)

Supreme Court ruled race-based redistricting held to strict scrutiny drawn primarily on racial lines could violate Equal Protection Clause of Fourteenth Amendment


126

Shay's Rebellion

Uprising of farmers in Massachusetts led by Daniel Shay protesting taxes and foreclosures, exposes weaknesses in Articles of Confederation


127

Signing Statement

written statement issued by president when signing bill into law, explaining how administration interprets the law


128

Slave Trade Compromise

slave trade continued until 1808


129

Social Contract

government derives legitimacy from consent of the governed, citizens agree to surrender some freedoms in exchange for protection


130

Speaker of the House

most powerful in House of Representatives, sets legislative agenda, second in presidential line of succession after VP


131

Standing Committee

permanent committee handles bills and issues related to specific policy; Foreign Affairs, Education, Judiciary


132

State of the Union Address

Annual speech delivered by President of the United States to Congress outlining administrations legislative priorities


133

State Sovereignty

states have authority to govern themselves independently of federal government


134

Statute

formal written law passed by Congress or state legislature governs conduct and policies within jurisdiction


135

Supremacy Clause

Article VI states Federal law is supreme law of the land


136

Supreme Court of the United States

Highest court in U.S. Judicial system, nine justices who interpret Constitution, resolve legal disputes and serve as final authority on federal




137

Tenth Amendment

Reserve Power; powers not delegated to federal


138

Term

fixed length of time elected official serves


139

The Cabinet

group of advisors to President; consisting of heads of executive departments; assist in policy-making and administration


140

Three-Fifths Compromise

enslaved person would count as three-fifths of person for representation and taxation purposes


141

Twentieth Amendment

January 20th President sworn in, Congress

January 3rd


142

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Presidential succession in case of death, inability to continue, impeachment, resignation


143

Twenty-Second Amendment

two terms 10 years total


144

Tyranny of the Majority

situation majority enforces will on minority without regard to rights or interests


145

U.S. Constitution (Describe)

adopted 1787 outlines framework of federal government


146

U.S. Constitution (Principles of

Government)

popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, judicial review, rule of law


147

Unitary

system of government - power is centralized in national government


148

United States v. Lopez (1995)

(CONTEXT)

Lopez arrested for bringing gun to school violating federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, challenged regulation of guns under

Commerce Clause


149

United States v. Lopez (1995)

(SIGNIFICANCE)

exceeded Congress authority under Commerce

Clause, de-revolution; shifted power from

Congress back to the state


150

Veto

presidents constitutional power to reject legislation passed by congress


151

Virginia Plan

favored strong central government, favored large states, based on population


152

White House Chief of Staff

top advisor, manager of White House Staff, and access to the President


153

White House Press Secretary

spokesperson for President and administration, daily press briefings, managing media relations and communicating presidents policies and actions to public and press