GOV MIDTERM

Gerrymandering

• Definition: Manipulation of electoral district boundaries by one political party to gain an advantage over rivals.

Grants in Federal Funding

Categorical Grants

• Can only be used for specific purposes in state and local spending.

  • Two types: Project and Formula.

    • Project Grants: Competitive funding, states apply for federal money; Example: Driverless Cars.

    • Formula Grants: Distributed based on a formula using factors like population; Example: Ohio Appalachia School Grants.

Block Grants

• Defined as a large sum of money given to states with few strings attached. Preferred by states due to flexibility.

Founding Documents

Declaration of Independence

• Authored by Thomas Jefferson, Congress-approved document declaring independence from Britain.

  • Justification for separation: Natural Rights, including Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

  • Government's role is to protect these rights.

  • Influenced by John Locke’s theories of governance.

    • Concepts: Consent of the Governed, Popular Sovereignty, Social Contract Theory, Limited Government.

Articles of Confederation

• Drafted by John Dickinson, established a weak confederal government with limited powers.

  • Key characteristics: Unicameral legislature where each state had one vote (2-7 delegates), required 9/13 votes for law passage.

  • Lack of executive/judicial branches and no power to raise an army.

U.S. Constitution

• Drafted during the Constitutional Convention.

  • Establishes three government branches with checks and balances and processes between states, including an amendment process allowing for 27 amendments, such as the Bill of Rights.

Federalist Papers

Federalist No. 10 (James Madison)

• Discusses the inevitability of factions and suggests managing them rather than abolishing.

  • Proposes a large republic to minimize single faction dominance and promotes pluralism.

Brutus 1 (Robert Yates)

• Stresses concerns of central government power; argues against the Constitution.

  • Warns of the Elastic Clause providing Congress too much leeway and the Supremacy Clause undermining state authority.

  • Asserts that a large country cannot effectively govern local needs and critiques the existence of a standing army.

Federalist No. 51 (Madison/Hamilton)

• Emphasizes power divided between branches with mechanisms for checks and balances. Utilizes the famous quote: "If men were angels, no government would be necessary."

  • Stresses government must control both the people and itself.

Federalist No. 70 (Alexander Hamilton)

• Advocates for a single, strong executive (president).

  • Argues that energy in the executive is crucial; a dual executive is ineffective.

  • Emphasizes accountability and decisiveness in leadership.

Federalist No. 78 (Alexander Hamilton)

• Describes the judiciary as the "least dangerous branch."

  • Stresses the need for independence and lifetime appointments.

  • Discusses the power of judicial review and its role in constitutional interpretation.

Key Legislation

Affordable Care Act (2010)

• Known as Obamacare, it expanded Medicaid and required employers to provide health insurance or face penalties.

Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

• Mandate requiring accommodations for disabled individuals in employment and public spaces.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

• Banned discrimination in public accommodations and most employment practices.

Medicare/Medicaid Acts (1965)

• Insured healthcare for the elderly and low-income populations through federal grants.

No Child Left Behind Act (2001)

• Increased educational accountability through standardized testing requirements for federal funding.

Social Security Act (1935)

• Guaranteed retirement funds and established unemployment insurance.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

• Prohibited voting discrimination, particularly against African Americans, by enforcing registration and voting rights protections.

War Powers Act (1973)

• Limits presidential troop deployment without Congressional approval to sixty days, extendable by another thirty.

Constitutional Cases

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

• Established judicial review as a constitutional principle, reinforcing checks and balances.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

• Affirmed federal supremacy and the Elastic Clause, establishing a doctrine of implied powers.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

• Restricted Congress's use of the commerce clause concerning gun possession in school zones.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

• Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson, ruling that school segregation violated the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause.

Baker v. Carr (1961)

• Established the principle of “one person, one vote,” applying the equal protection clause to redistricting.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

• Prohibited racial gerrymandering, reinforcing equal protection under the law and addressing voting rights.

Structure of Congress

Article I - Legislative Branch

• House of Representatives: 435 members, 2-year terms; all revenue bills start here, and impeachment begins in the House.

  • Structured debate rules.

• Senate: 100 members, 6-year terms; provides advice and consent on appointments and treaties, allows unlimited debates (filibuster).

• Combined Powers: Overriding a presidential veto requires a 2/3 vote from both chambers.

Article II - Executive Branch

• President: Elected via the Electoral College (minimum 270 votes); serves a term of 4 years.

  • Implements laws, acts as Commander in Chief, and oversees the executive branch.

Article III - Judicial Branch

• Supreme Court: Supreme judicial authority, with lifetime tenure for justices to ensure independence.

  • Interprets laws constitutionally and has power over policy applications, promoting judicial restraint.