AP Review Flashcards
The Great Compromise set up this type of legislature
Bicameral Legislature (Congress is two houses)
How old do you have to be to be/have residence in your district to be in the House of Representatives?
25 years old, must be a U.S. citizen who’s lived in your district for 7 years
A main criticism of the Articles of Confederation was that the government could not ___
Tax
Madison argued that political liberty is best protected by the fragmentation of political power in this
A large republic
If you eliminated the effects of income and education, this race votes the most…
Black Americans
Buckley v. Valeo puts limits on this
campaign contributions
Which party tends to have the more loyal voters?
Republicans
Since the 1970s PACs representing these people have grown the most
Business Professionals
Majoritarian Politics
Policies used when making policy because it’s what the citizens want
“Shotgun Approach”
the interest group tries to mobilize large numbers of constituents to write, call or email their legislators or the president
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of ‘02
This act amended 1971’s FECA. Bans the large, unlimited contributions to national political parties, aka soft money. Puts curbs on political ads by outside special-interest groups advocating the election or defeat of a specific candidate
The Presidential aide who tries to control the press and meets with reporters on a daily basis
Press secretary
When the media covers the standings of the presidential race rather than the actual issues
Horse Race Journalism
His followers made up the Federalist Party
Alexander Hamilton
The SC ruled in this case that limiting a candidate’s use of personal funds for a campaign is unconstitutional
Buckley v. Valeo
Franking Privilege
Privilege that allows Congress members to send mail dealing with their office for free
Who ratifies treaties signed by the President?
The Senate
Filibusters can only happen in this chamber of Congress
The Senate
What does a conference committee do?
Resolves differences in HR and Senate bills
Diversity in public policy is largely a consequence of this form of government
Federalism
The govt’s power to tax and spend is covered under this type of policy
Fiscal Policy
Keynesianism
A school of economic thought that supports the use of government spending and taxes to stabilize the economy. Unemployment = people spend less, businesses failed, so govt should step in and undertake spending to get economy back to a normal state
Federal Reserve System (the Fed)
Most important regulatory agency in U.S. monetary system. Serves as central banking organization of the nation. They control and regulate monetary policy. Regulates the amount of money in circulation.
What institution funds individual entitlement programs as long as recipients meet required criteria?
Congress
Dred Scott v. Sanford
Slaves are property, not people so they can’t sue. Overturned by 14th amendment
Discrimination in public places made illegal in 1964 by this act
Civil Rights Act
What finally got rid of Jim Crow laws?
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Provisions in Bill of Rights that guarantee against arbitrary influence by the government
Civil Liberties
Theory that one or two control what laws get passed and hinder the legal process
Hyper-Pluralism
Under this, the U.S. had a unicameral legislature and no national military
Articles of Confederation
What overturned Dred Scott decision
14th amendment
Types of issues that are universally agreed upon like low taxes and low crime rates
Valence Issue
Type of vote cast by choosing the least objectionable candidates running
Clothespin vote
Critical election (Realigning election)
Type of election where there is a significant shift in electoral power from one party to another
Citizens United v. FEC
Allows Super PACs to make campaign ads supporting a candidate. Corporate funding of independent political broadcasts in candidates elections cannot be limited.
Plessy v. Ferguson
“Separate but Equal” (Jim Crow) laws are legal. The court found that having equal but separate accommodations for both whites and blacks does not violate the equal protection clause stated in the fourteenth amendment
Interest Groups hire people from this type of organization to research information for their lobbyists
Think Tanks
The tendency of states to choose an early primary date to force candidates to campaign early
Front Loading
When news outlets publish stories about potential scandals, they are acting in this role
Watchdog
Single Member District
Type of district where one candidate will win even if they didn’t get a majority of the votes.
Tillman Act
Forbade banks and corporations from contributing to campaigns
When a President tries intimidating people during a speech he’s using this
Bully Pulpit
Name 3 ways of getting around the House Rules Committee
2/3 vote to suspend Rules, Discharge Petition, Calendar Wednesday
Discharge Petition
A procedure by which a bill in the House of Representatives may be forced (discharged) out of a committee that has defused to report it for consideration by the House. This petition must be signed by an absolute majority (218) of representatives and is used only on rare occasions.
Calendar Wednesday
lets committees call up bills of their choice on Wednesday; routinely set aside each week
Discretionary Authority
When a public official is able to choose the course of action because no prior law exists
How the SC decides cases with political questions
They don’t. It’s up to the executive branch and legislative branch to solve the problem
Committee made up of the the uniformed heads of the military branches plus a chairman who advises the President
Joint Chiefs of Staff
Type of federalism in which the local, state, and federal levels work together to complete a project that is largely
funded by the federal gov’t
Fiscal Federalism (Cooperative Federalism)
Reaganomics
Economic policy that stimulated the economy combining supply-side and trickle down economics (and then it left a huge deficit)
Lawrence v. Texas gave civil rights to…
Homosexuals
Gibbons v. Odgen used this clause to grant Congress more power
Commerce Clause
Because of the passage of this act, voter registration for Blacks more than doubled from 1960-1982
Voter Rights Act of 1965
What was discussed in Engel v. Vitale
the “wall of separation” between church and state
Case that ruled you can’t discriminate against customers if your business is open to the public
Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States
In Federalist No. 10, Madison argued that these were natural yet controllable by institutions in a large republic
Factions
The 5th amendment allows the government to take your property as long as they provide proper compensation.
What is this called?
Eminent Domain
Referendum
When voters vote directly on an issue
Type of organization that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money as long as they don’t
endorse a particular candidate
527 Organization
Constant coverage by the press to capture a scandal or embarrassing moment
Feeding Frenzy
When a story is leaked beforehand to see how the public feels before pursuing the story more
Trial Balloon
They decide how many justices are on the Supreme Court
Congress
The idea that a freshman member of Congress will get more votes when up for reelection
Sophomore Surge
Though many state governors have this power, the Supreme Court said it’s a violation of the separation of powers clause to give the power to the President
Line Item Veto
How long can the President deploy troops without Congressional approval?
60 days
Examples of Entitlement Programs
Social Security, Food Stamps, Medicare
6th amendment
right to an attorney
Exclusionary Rule
Evidence obtained illegally cannot be used in court
Case said that it was cruel and unusual to execute juvenile offenders
Roper v. Simmons
5th amendment
no self incrimination
Supreme Court’s view on Affirmative Action
The SC has recognized quotas as unfair, but has not deemed them illegal because they the accomplish their overall goal of diversity
According to this test, speech can be limited if it causes physical harm
Clear and Present Danger Test
How often are congressional district boundaries redrawn by state legislators?
10 years (due to the census)
Theory that all interests are & should be free to compete
for influence in gov’t, resulting in healthy democratic compromise and balance
Pluralism
Explain the two steps needed to amend the constitution
1) Proposal by 2/3 of the Congress or State Legislatures
2) Ratification by 3/4 of the states
Enumerated Powers
Powers of the federal government that are specifically addressed in the Constitution
Name some Enumerated Powers given to Congress
coining money, taxing, declaring war, regulating interstate commerce
Type of law, now forbidden by Congress, that states that an individual can be punished without a trial
Bill of Attainer
The primary function of these groups is to raise money for the candidate they support.
Political Action Committees (PACs)
PACs are most likely to contribute to these people during campaigns.
Incumbent Candidates
Soft Money
Campaign contributions unregulated by federal or state law, usually given to parties and party committees to help fund general party activities
Hard Money
This refers to political contributions and campaign spending that is recorded under the regulations set forth in law and by the Federal Election Commission
The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)
Created the FEC: 6 nonpartisan administrators who enforce the act
Provided public financing for presidential primaries and general elections
Limited presidential campaign spending
Limited contributions
Required disclosure: Each candidate must file periodic reports w/ FEC of who contributed, how much was spent and what the $ was spent on
The governments power to censor a publication before it is released to the public, in order to prevent harm to the public or expose information vital to national security
Prior Restraint
Which department has the authority to print currency
Dept. of Treasury
Stare Decisis
To stand on decided cases; the judicial policy of following precedents established by past decisions
Spin Doctor
A political campaign adviser who tries to convince journalists of the truth of a particular interpretation of events
Spoils System
The awarding of government jobs to political supporters and friends
Supremacy Clause
The constitutional provision that makes the Constitution and federal laws superior to all conflicting state and local laws.
Tipping
A phenomenon that occurs when a group that is becoming more numerous over time grows large enough to change the political balance in a district
Cases involving two or more states have this kind of jurisdiction from the SC
Original jurisdiction
When an executive decision lies before Congress for a specified period of time before going into effect. (Now unconstitutional)
Legislative Veto
Block Grants
Federal programs that provide funds to state and local governments for general functional areas, such as criminal justice or mental health programs
Categorical Grants
Federal grants to states or local governments that are for specific programs or projects
Similar to pork barreling where a large group pays for something but only a small group benefits
Client Politics
Free Rider Problem
The difficulty interest groups face in recruiting members when the benefits they achieve can be gained without joining the group.
What did Engel v. Vitale ban?
Prayer in schools
USA Patriot Act
2001 national security act that has been criticized for violation of privacy
When the Supreme Court uses the incorporation doctrine they are applying which amendment?
14th amendment
This search is legal under the Patriot Act, though many people have criticized it
“Sneak and Peak” searches (no warrant required)
What does the constitution say about politic parties
Nada
The free-exercise clause protects
citizens’ religious freedoms from being interfered with by the government
Due Process Clause
in 5 and 14 amend; guarantees individuals various rights such as economic liberty, criminal procedural rights, protection from gov action, etc; ensures equality
Incorporation Doctrine
States that protection of the 14th amendment’s Due Process Clause must apply to state and local governments also
Establishment Clause
Part of the first amendment that separates church and state.
anti-federalist 84
argued for the addition of a BoR because the national gov couldn’t be trusted to ensure civil liberties without explicit written protections
9th amendment
guarantees rights not listed in the Bill of Rights
10th amendment
powers not explicitly given to the Federal gov are alloted to the states
The framers of the US Constitution left decisions on voting eligibility to the
individual states
The primary role of the Attorney General
Serving as the chief executive officer of the Department of Justice
How is a president chosen when none of the candidates receives a majority of the electoral vote?
The House chooses a new president by a majority vote of its state delegations
The Americans with Disabilities Act, which provides protections for the disabled, is an example of
A federal mandate
Difference between open and closed primary
Only voters who register as members of a political party may vote in that party’s closed primary, while independents and others may be eligible to vote in open primaries
Inherent Power
A power of the president derived from the statements in the Constitution, “the executive power shall be vested in a President” and that the President should “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed”; defined through practice rather than law
When independent regulatory agencies make rules enforce those rules, and adjudicate disputes arising under those rules, they risk violating the constiutional concept of
separation of powers
Cloture
Motions used by Senators, enacted with a 3/5 vote of the Senate, that end a filibuster and bring a bill to a vote
Giving state government greater discretion in deciding how to achieve the specific goals of welfare reform is an example of
devolution
Since the early 1980s, the Republican Party platform has been increasingly influenced by
evangelical Christians