AP Gov - Term Definitions

an 18th century philosophical movement that began in Western Europe with roots in Scientific Revolution

some freedoms sacrificed (respecting government) in exchange for government protection

fundamental rights (life, liberty, property) of all humans NOT received from a government

participatory, pluralist, and elitist

emphasizes widespread grassroots political participation for a successful democratic government

emphasizes a small group of socio-economic elites have the most influence in the policy-making process

emphasizes competition between interest groups that represent a plurality of views is most important for a successful democracy

a form of government where people choose representatives to make public policy

the ideas that people are the source of governmental power and authority (the government’s power comes from the people)

a resolution for independence from British rule written by Thomas Jefferson, including a list of grievances

outlined the first US government, predecessor to the Constitution

the division of power between national, state, and local governments

state and federal governments are each supreme in there own spheres of power with no overlap

state and federal governments share responsibilities, costs, and administration of policies; increases federal power

refers to how federal, state, and local governments share funding and administrative responsibilities within our federal system

six month rebellion formed by over 1,000 post-war veteran farmers in Massachusetts due to Congress’ lack of compensation (revealed weaknesses in Articles of Confederation)

the Articles could only be amended with a unanimous vote from the states

impose taxes, form a national army, or regulate interstate commerce

federal convention convened to revise the Articles of Confederation, but ended up rewriting the foundational document into the US Constitution, increasing the amount of power to the federal government

legislature with two houses (Congress with House and Senate)

Madison proposed a bicameral legislature based on population size

larger states

proposed a unicameral legislature with each state getting one vote

smaller states

created a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives (based on population) and a Senate (equal representation with two votes per state)

a slave would be counted as 3/5 of a person for congressional representation

Southern representation in the House

slave trade could not be banned for 20 years following the ratification of the Constitution (1808)

supported the Constitution and advocated for a strong central government

opposed the Constitution and preferred smaller state governments

composed of elected officials from each state who represent the people and vote for the president

argued that power should be held by the people; local governments are more democratic and allow citizens to more directly influence policy

addresses the dangers of factions and how factions will compete for power so in a large republic there will be so many groups that no single group will dominate

argued that the separation of powers and checks and balances are necessary to maintain a limited government

argued that the executive branch should only have one member, the president, and proposed term limits as a way to limit to president’s power

addressed the concerns about the power of the judicial branch and argued that the judicial branch would have the least amount of power under the Constitution, but would also have the power of judicial review

described the legislative branch

described the executive branch

described the judicial branch

outlines the relationship between the various states, as well as the relationship between each state and the US federal government

outlines out the process to change the Constitution (including proposal and ratification)

supremacy clause

Congress can propose an amendment by a 2/3 vote in each house or a national convention can propose an amendment request by 2/3 of the states. State legislatures or state conventions can ratify an amendment by a vote of 3/4 of the states.

each branch is given specific jobs/powers

each branch has the ability to limit or influence other branches

a government that is prevented from tyranny through a system of checks and balances and a distribution of power among several acting members

makes laws

enforces laws

interprets laws

given exclusively to the federal government

coining money, regulating interstate commerce, and declaring war (only Congress)

powers that are reserved only for the states

powers that both the state and federal governments have

necessary and proper (elastic) clause

Congress implied powers as it allows it to pass all laws it deems “necessary and proper” to its duties

Congress holds the power to regulate interstate commerce and all commercial activity that crosses state lines

In the case that federal law and state law are competing with one another, federal law trumps state law

powers directly written in the Constitution

not directly written in the Constitution

requirements states must satisfy to receive a grant from Congress

federal aid granted for a specific purpose with strict rules about how it should be used

federal aid to states for use within a broad policy area, giving more discretion to states

a federal requirement that states take a specific action, without providing money to do so

money provided to the states without any restrictions on how the money is spent

the power of the president to reject laws

the addition of a provision to the Constitution

any power not given to the national government nor denied to the states in the Constitution belongs to the states

Congress chartered second bank of the USA in 1816 which Maryland opposed and said that any bank not approved by the state will be fined. Necessary and proper clause caused a unanimous vote in favor of McCulloch stating the institution of a national bank by the federal government was within its Constitutional powers.

Lopez carried an unloaded pistol to school and was arrested under the federal Gun Free School Zones Act. The commerce clause was referenced in this case as a possession of a gun in a school zone did not substantially affect interstate commerce. This contributed to the ruling in favor of Lopez and that the federal law was unconstitutional.

Article 1 Section 8 - necessary and proper clause

Commerce Clause

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states

MLK demanding the fulfillment of the Declaration of Independence and and Constitution’s 14th amendment (equal protection clause) for ALL people

favored civil disobedience in order to protest against unjust laws

435 members

represents districts within a state

serve 2 year terms

more formal and rule based

initiate all tax and revenue bills

power of impeachment

discharge petition

force a bill out of committee by a majority vote of a full house

set rules for debate when a bill comes to the floor

can make it more easy or difficult for it to be passed

entire House considers a bill and acts as a single committee to help speed up the passage of legislation

100 members

represents states

serve 6 year terms

less formal and rule based

confirm nominations by the president

ratify treaties

long speech to prevent a bill from coming to a vote

60 members of Senate can vote to end debate on a bill and force a decision-making vote

a senator can prevent a bill from being discussed on the floor

all senators agree to waive certain rules or procedures to speed along the passage of legislation

always from the majority party

most powerful person in the House

presides over House, schedules bills for debate and vote

VP of the US

casts tie-breaking vote

bills sent here first for revision, markup, and hold hearings

conduct Congressional oversight after bills have been passed

oversee executive branch to make sure that those bills are enforced correctly

leader of congressional committees

always from majority party

tremendous influence over legislation in committee

rep votes their conscience regardless of what constituents want

rep votes how their constituents want, even if they personally disagree

sometimes act as a trustee and sometimes as a delegate

every decade a census occurs and reapportionment takes place

changing the number of seats each state has in the House to make sure it is still proportional to population

drawing districts in bizarre shapes in an effort to benefit a particular demographic or party

a position of authority that allows the president to speak out and bring attention to any issue

nationally televised speech delivered bu president in front of Congress

attempts to gain support for their agenda and pressure Congress to make laws favorable to it

White House office/staff

Chief of staff

Press secretary

Policy advisors, etc.

veto

pocket veto

commander-in-chief who directs troop movements and is head of the armed forces

can reject a bill and send it back to Congress, preventing it from going into law

Congress can override this with a 2/3 majority vote