AP Gov Final

Question 1

How does the impeachment process work?

Answer 1

The Constitution gives the House of Representatives the right to impeach the president. A majority of the members of the House must vote for these charges in order to impeach the president.
After the charges of misconduct are filed, the Senate has the power to try impeachment cases. Two-thirds of the senators must vote for conviction.

Question 2

What is impeachment?

Answer 2

legislative body formally levels charges against a high official of government.

Question 3

The Constitution says a President can be impeached for?

Answer 3

“high crimes and misdemeanors”

Question 4

Federalist 10

Answer 4

faction is dangerous but inevitable. It is best neutralized by a large, representative democracy (republic). The cause of this phenomenon is unequal distribution of property. The great number and diversity of factions prevents any from dominating.

Question 5

What are the 3 theories of of democracy?

Answer 5

Hyperpluralism, pluralism, and elite class theory

Question 6

Pluralist theory

Answer 6

many groups counterbalance each other and are essential links between people and govt.

Question 7

Hyperpluralist theory

Answer 7

so many groups that are all strong weakens the government because they try to please them all

Question 8

Elite class theory

Answer 8

upper-class elite will hold most of the power and run the govt.

Question 9

Elite class theory

Answer 9

There is a relative small group of wealthy and/or highly educated individuals whose decisions are reflected by policymakers. This has led to very few shifts in the power status quo since the founding of the nation.

Question 10

judicial review

Answer 10

the power of a court to make a formal judgement of the constitutionality of the laws of a government or the acts of a government official.

Question 11

What are the different standards of review for the constitution?

Answer 11

Strict Scrutiny, Intermediate scrutiny, rational bias

Question 12

Strict Scrutiny

Answer 12

the legislation must have a compelling state interest that is done though the least restrictive means. Race

Question 13

Intermediate scrutiny

Answer 13

The law must have an important (rather than compelling) state interest and must be substantially related to achieving the interest. Gender

Question 14

rational bias

Answer 14

A law must have only a legitimate interest, and that the law rationally undertakes that interest. Age

Question 15

political socialization

Answer 15

the process by which people form their ideas about politics; The family, educational system, peer groups, and the mass media all play a role.

Question 16

Motor-Voter Act

Answer 16

requires states to permit people to register to vote at the same time they apply for drivers license.

Question 17

Differences between A o’ C and the U.S. Constitution

Answer 17

Aoc:
1. established a unicameral legislature
2. Voting power was delegated to states based on committees (consisting of anywhere from two to seven people) and each state had one vote
Constitution:
1. bicameral system
2. single vote for each legislative representative (for each state, two Senators and a number of House representatives based on census population).
3. created the Executive Branch of government, establishing a figurehead department of the government that was still held accountable to public scrutiny. In the grand scheme of things, the Constitution did more to centralize authority in a single political entity, rather than rely on the more lax union created by the Articles of Confederation.

Question 18

gender gap

Answer 18

differences b/w women and men in social, political, intellectual, cultural, or economic opportunities/attitudes

Question 19

Redistricting

Answer 19

the way in which we adjust the districts that determine who represents us. Baker vs. Carr allowed federal courts to intervene in cases of redistricting where there’s unfair advantages; not every citizen was treated equally, which violates Equal Protection Clause

Question 20

Executive Orders:

Answer 20

presidential statements that have the force of law and do not need congressional approval unless appropriations are needed to carry out the order

Question 21

political parties and the Constitution

Answer 21

Anti-federalists: those who opposed the development of a strong federal government and the ratification of the Constitution in 1788, preferring instead for power to remain in the hands of state and local governments.
Wanted inclusion of Bill of Rights
States were free agents and should manage own revenue
Federalists: wanted a stronger national government and the ratification of the Constitution to help properly manage the debt and tensions following the American Revolution.
Central banking and financial policies

Question 22

entitlements

Answer 22

policies for which congress has obligated itself to pay X levels of benefits to Y number of recipients. Social Security benefits are an example

Question 23

Core political values of U.S

Answer 23

liberty, political equality (everyone is treated the same way), equality of opportunity, democracy, minority rights, individualism, Popular sovereignty

Question 24

funded mandates

Answer 24

when the federal government give the states money to help them do whatever they want them to do, that’s a funded mandate

Question 25

unfunded mandate

Answer 25

statute or regulation that requires a state or local government to perform certain actions, yet provides no money for fulfilling the requirements.

Question 26

incorporation

Answer 26

the entire Bill of Rights must be guaranteed by state and local gov’ts too

Question 27

Roe v. Wade:

Answer 27

Texas law prohibited abortion.
Right to abortion falls w/i the right to privacy; women get full autonomy over the pregnancy during first trimester. Roe wished to terminate her pregnancy in Texas where law forbids it unless the woman’s life is in danger. Result: A woman’s right to an abortion falls under right to privacy protected by the Bill of Rights.

Question 28

Plessy v. Ferguson:

Answer 28

Man who’s ⅞ white was told to move from the “whites only” train car to the black section.
Separate facilities for blacks and whites satisfied the Fourteenth Amendment so long as they were equal; it didn’t abolish distinctions based upon color

Question 29

Dred Scott v. Sanford:

Answer 29

After residing in Illinois (a free state by the Missouri Compromise) for 10 years, a former slave claimed to be free. Scott was a slave in Missouri and lived in a free state. When he returned to the state he tried to sue saying that he was free since he lived in a free state. Result: Only Congress may confer citizenship and only a citizen of the U.S. may be a citizen of a state. legalized slavery
ruled that people of African descent imported into the United States and held as slaves, or their descendants[2]—whether or not they were slaves—were not legal persons and could never be citizens of the United States, and that the United States Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in federal territories

Question 30

McCulloch v. Maryland:

Answer 30

Maryland imposes taxes on Second Bank of the United States. Cashier of bank (McCulloch) refuses to pay. Result: Congress has power to incorporate bank and Maryland cannot tax instruments of the fed. Gov. necessary and proper clause

Question 31

Gibbons v. Ogden:

Answer 31

Special permits giving rights to operate steamboats on New York waters exclusively were given. Gibbons (of New Jersey) was told he had to pay a fee to travel in New York. Result: New York cannot require licensing from other states. Only national government has that power - Supremacy clause - NY cannot regulate commerce

Question 32

Gitlow v. NY:

Answer 32

incorporated 1st Amendment; states may not limit political expression. Extended control of protection/limitation of free speech to state government. Gitlow publishes manifesto advocating socialism. Result: SC rules that arresting him is a violation of free speech but if that speech leads to dangerous actions then the legislative branch may decide what is or isn’t safe to say. Speech can be punished even if no action is taken. 1st case of selective incorporation

Question 33

Shenck v. U.S.:

Answer 33

Congress may restrict speech posing clear and present danger that brings substantive evils. Schenck sent out circulars encouraging men to peacefully protest the draft. Convicted of violating the Espionage Act. Result: Schenck’s actions are not protected under free speech in the 1st A. - clear and present danger test

Question 34

Miranda v. Arizona:

Answer 34

In a number of cases, defendants were not informed of their rights under the 5th A. Miranda raped a woman and admitted to it after not being informed of the right to not self-incriminate. Result: The Court cannot use any statements obtained without the statement of “Miranda” rights. Guidelines to police interrogation 5th, 6th A
Court held that police must inform suspects of right to remain silent, that anything they say may be used against them, and they have the right to counsel before the police may begin to question them.

Question 35

Lopez v. U.S.:

Answer 35

Lopez was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm into school under a law made by Congress which prohibits concealed weapons in school zones in relation to the Commerce Clause. Result: Gun possession does not have a significant economic effect on interstate commerce and therefore the law is unconstitutional. - exceeds power under the commerce clause

Question 36

Block grants

Answer 36

Money given for a fairly broad purpose with few strings attached.

Question 37

Categorical grants:

Answer 37

Money given for a specific purpose that comes with restrictions concerning how the money should be spent. There are two types of categorical grants

Question 38

Separation of church and state

Answer 38

the idea that the government and religion should be separate, and not interfere in each other’s affairs. In the United States, this idea is based on the First Amendment to the US Constitution, which states that the government cannot make any laws to establish a state religion or prohibit the free exercise of religion.

Question 39

political efficacy:

Answer 39

A belief that you can take part in politics (internal) or that the government will respond to the citizenry (external).

Question 40

How is the Constitution is amended formally

Answer 40

1. A proposal that gets a supermajority vote in both houses of Congress is followed by ratification by ¾ of the states by supermajority votes.
2. A proposal that gets a supermajority vote in a national convention called by ¾ of the states followed by ratification by a supermajority vote in the legislatures of ¾ of the states

Question 41

federalism

Answer 41

system in which states and the national gov’t share power

Question 42

fiscal federalism

Answer 42

system of spending, taxing, and transferring payments/grants; federal gov’t shares revenues with the states

Question 43

cooperative federalism

Answer 43

system in which there’s mixing of powers, resources, and programs among national, state, and local gov’ts

Question 44

How do Free Exercise and Establishment clauses differ?

Answer 44

Free Exercise Clause: the second clause of the First Amendment; it prohibits the U.S. government from interfering with a citizen’s right to practice his or her religion
Establishment Clause: the first clause of the First Amendment; it prohibits the national government from establishing a national religion

Question 45

How was federal government’s power expanded?

Answer 45

The RECONSTRUCTION of America after the war between the states changed the power of the people to Feds > States > People.
2) The 14th Amendment NATIONALIZED CITIZENSHIP which took the power away from the states. Prior to this amendment, the states had ultimate power because people were paramount citizens of their state/country NOT the Union (federal government). People > States > Feds

Question 46

10th amendment:

Answer 46

Powers not in the Constitution are given to the States

Question 47

political efficacy

Answer 47

The belief that one’s political participation really matters-that one’s vote can actually make a difference.

Question 48

Amendment 10: the various clauses!

Answer 48

Commercial Clause:Clause within the Tenth Amendment stating that Congress has power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among several states, as well as with Indian Tribes
The Taxing and Spending Clause: States that Congress possesses the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, excises, imposts, to pay debts and provide common defense and general welfare to citizens of the United States.
The Necessary and Proper Clause: States that Congress possesses the power to make all laws which are considered necessary and proper for carrying into execution as well as all powers vested by the Constitution.

Question 49

Americans with Disabilities Act

Answer 49

bans discrimination against people with disabilities in the workplace; mandated that all public buildings be made accessible to those with physical disabilities.

Question 50

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families:

Answer 50

A 1996 national act that abolished the longtime welfare policy, AFDC (Aid for Families with Dependent Children). TANF gives the states much more control over welfare policy

Question 51

Status of constitutionality of death penalty

Answer 51

It is constitutional because it is a state not a federal law.
Gregg vs. Georgia
the Court held that a punishment of death did not violate the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments under all circumstances.

Question 52

devolution

Answer 52

transfer of power to a lower level (eg. central gov’t to state gov’t)

Question 53

In what ways is the U.S. Constitution undemocratic?

Answer 53

The primary failing of the constitution regarding democracy is its failure to assure a reasonable representation for the people in the House of Representatives. Those holding the reigns of power on the House have always sought to keep the representative nature of that body to a minimum. The Judicial branch is composed of unelected judges

Question 54

Congress’s taxing power: how have they used it?

Answer 54

Article I, Section 8 gives Congress the power to “lay and collect taxes, duties, imports, and excises.” The Constitution allows Congress to tax in order to “provide for the common defense and general welfare.