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EXAM CRAM Flashcards

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1
Q

Participatory democracy

A

All members of society participate in the government individually.
Example: referendums

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2
Q

John Locke

A

Enlightenment thinker. Established “natural law”, that humans need to be free and equal, and governments should have the consent of the governed.

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3
Q

Jean-Jacques Rosseau

A

Envisioned “popular sovereignty”, which was that members of the society influence the actions of their government.

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4
Q

Baron de Montesquieu

A 
MON-TES-QUIEU (3 syllables) 
Argued for 3 branches of government to avoid corruption. 
Executive -> president, enforcers 
Legislative -> congress, creators 
Judicial -> courts, checkers
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5
Q

Pluralist democracy

A

A style of government in which individuals are chunked into interest groups that influence public policy.

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6
Q

Elitist democracy

A

A limited participation in policymaking, power is given to a small group of people.

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7
Q

What was the debate between Federalist 10 and Brutus 1?

A

Written by James Madison, Fed. 10 stated that factions are bound to exist in a society and that the government needs to pass laws that are the best for the people rather than a singular group. Either take away the causes of factions (strip people of their liberty) or try to mitigate their negative effects.

Brutus 1. argued that a large, centralized government would be too far from the people. Small republics would be best to govern the people.

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8
Q

Shay’s Rebellion

A

Emphasized the weakness of the Articles of Confederation, since the federal government did not have the power to collect taxes or fund a militia to stop a rebellion.

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9
Q

The Great Compromise/Missouri Compromise

A

Compromised a bi-cameral Congress that consisted of the senate and the house of representatives. Each state was given two senators, while house members were based on state population.

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10
Q

Virginia Plan

A

State representatives in Congress would be based on population, bigger states would have more power and representation in the federal government.

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11
Q

New Jersey Plan

A

Each state should be given equal representation in congress, with one vote per state.

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12
Q

Electoral college compromise

A

State legislators have the power to decide who is a part of the electoral college that decides the president.

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13
Q

3/5 Compromise

A

Slave states argued that they should have more representation. This “compromise” stated that slaves have 3/5 of a vote.

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14
Q

Republicanism

A

Philosophy of a limited government that has representatives elected by the people.

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15
Q

Commerce clause

A

Established as a power of Congress in Article 1. Allows Congress to regulate commerce among states and other nations.

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16
Q

Necessary and proper clause / elastic clause

A

The power of congress to pass any law that they deem necessary.

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17
Q

Article I

A

All about the legislative branch. Establishes the function of congress. There is a list of enumerated powers, including the power to tax, borrow money, raise an army, etc.

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18
Q

Article II

A

All about the executive branch. Establishes the president as commander-in-chief.

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19
Q

Article III

A

All about the judiciary branch, establishing the Supreme Court with justices appointed by the president and approved by the senate.

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20
Q

Federalist 51

A

Establishes the separation of powers to ensure that no branch of government becomes too powerful.

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21
Q

Enumerated powers (a.k.a. explicit/expressed/delegated powers)

A

Powers that are written in the constitution granted to the federal government

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22
Q

Implied powers

A

Powers that are not officially written but are indicated by the expressed

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23
Q

Reserved powers

A

Powers not explicitly stated are given to the states, as explained in the 10th amendment.

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24
Q

Concurrent powers

A

Powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments.

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25
Q

Federalism

A

The sharing of power between the states and federal government assures a limited government.

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26
Q

Dual federalism (layer cake)

A

The national government is supreme in its sphere, separate from state governments.

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27
Q

Cooperative federalism (marble cake)

A

State and national governments working together and sharing powers. The lines between federal and state powers is not clear and even.

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28
Q

Fiscal federalism

A

A way the federal has influenced the action of state governments by giving them money, mainly in the form of grants.

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29
Q

New Federalism

A

A return to more distinct separation of power between states and the federal government, started by Reagan.

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30
Q

Categorical grants

A

Grants given to the states from the federal government IF they comply with specific federal standards.

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31
Q

Block grants

A

Money given to the states by the federal government for a broad purpose, and the states can spend that money how they see fit.

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32
Q

Mandate

A

An act established by the federal government that states MUST follow.

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33
Q

Devolution

A

More power to the state governments.

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34
Q

No Child Left Behind Act

A

In order for states to receive federal funding for education, states must comply with new standards set by the federal government.

Sanctions (financial penalties) were threatened for those who did not comply.

Challenged the relationship between federal and state governments, was later abolished and replaced by the ESSA, Every Student Succeeds Act.

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35
Q

McCulloch v. Maryland

A

Due to the necessary and proper clause and supremacy clause, there are implied powers that are given to the federal government.

Power tips in federal favor.

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36
Q

US v. Lopez

A

Using the commerce clause to regulate state actions such as guns being outlawed near schools is unconstitutional.

Power tips in favor of states.

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37
Q

Legislative Branch

A

The lawmakers, consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives (bi-cameral)

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38
Q

The House of Representatives

A

Consists of 435 members, apportioned by population, members serve two-year terms

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39
Q

The Senate

A

!00 members, each state gets two, serve six-year terms

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40
Q

Coalitions

A

The formation of a group to achieve a common goal.

Senate coalitions are more durable due to longer term lengths.

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41
Q

Enumerated powers of Congress

A
  • Power of the Purse
  • Power of the Sword
  • Foreign policy
  • Power to tax
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42
Q

Speaker of the House

A

Chosen by House membrs, represents the majority party

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43
Q

Majority and Minority House leaders

A

Have direct debates and guide party members in making policy

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44
Q

Whips

A

Ensure that their party is moving in the right direction and in align with party goals.

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45
Q

President of the Senate

A

Vice President of the United States, non-voting member unless there is a tie

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46
Q

President Pro Tempore

A

Most senior member of the majority party, acts as President if Vice President is not present

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47
Q

Senate Majority Leader

A

Sets the legislatie agenda

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48
Q

Standing committee

A

Most important committees that tackle never-ending issues

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49
Q

Select/special committee

A

Temporary and made for a specific purpose

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50
Q

Conference committee

A

A committee in which the house and the senate must work out their differences before passing a bill

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51
Q

Joint committee

A

Members from both senators and congress adressing a long-term issue

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52
Q

House Rules Committee

A

Decides which bills make it to the floor for debate

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53
Q

Filibuster

A

Used in the senate as a way to deay legislation by talking for a very long time

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54
Q

Cloture rule

A

a 3/5ths vote which ends a filibuster

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55
Q

Pork barrel

A

When a representative attempts to gain money for their district under a certain cause

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56
Q

Logrolling

A

When representatives agree to vote for one’s bill in exchange for support on their bill

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57
Q

Caucuses

A

A nongovernmental group of like-minded people who set legislative agendas

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58
Q

Closed rule

A

More strict. A rule in the House that prohibits any bills to be up for vote on the floor.

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59
Q

Open rule

A

Less strict. Any House member can offer a bill to be amended on the floor.

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60
Q

How a bill becomes a law

A
  1. A legislator introduces the bill
  2. it is sent to a committee (may die in committee, aka pigeonholed)
  3. full chamber vote
  4. send to other house
  5. conference committee (senate and house)
  6. 10 days for President to sign
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61
Q

Federal spending / budget

A

Arguably one of the most important jobs of congress. Money collected by federal income tax. Funds are categorized into “mandatory” and “discretionary”.

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62
Q

Mandatory spending

A

Payments required by law, such as social security.

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63
Q

Discretionary spending

A

Committess debate how these funds are used, all the funds that are leftover from mandatory spending.

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64
Q

Deficit

A

The gap between the projected budget and the actual funds available

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65
Q

Political polarization

A

One of the factors that delays legislation. Republicans are becoming more conservative and democrats are becoming more liberal.

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66
Q

Trustee model

A

Representatives believe they are entrusted by their constituents to use THEIR best judgement. Predominantly used in the senate.

Ex: Mitt Romney voting for the impeachment of Donald Trump.

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67
Q

Delegate model

A

Representatives must vote with the will of the people, even if it goes against THEIR judgement. More in the house.

Ex: a democratic representative always voting for democratic ideals.

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68
Q

Politico model

A

A blend of the trustee and delegate model. How the representative votes depends on the situation.

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69
Q

Redistricting

A

Determined every 10 years by the US census, state legislatures redraw congressional district maps.

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70
Q

Baker v. Carr

A

Rural voters had much more power than urban voters. The Supreme Court can render judgement on the constitutionality of the drawing of legislative districts.

“one person, one vote principle”

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71
Q

Shaw v. Reno

A

A congressional district drawn for the purpose of representing a majority Black population is unconstitutional and violates the 14th’s amendment’s equal protection clause.

72
Q

Gerrymandering

A

District drawn a certain way to ensure that a certain party/group always wins.

Partisan gerrymandering and racial gerrymandering

73
Q

Redlining

A

Banks refusing to loan to certain residents based on their district

74
Q

War Powers Act

A

Designed to limit the president’s ability to initiate foreign military actions.

75
Q

Veto

A

The power of the president to not sign a bill; bill either dies or is redrafted by congress.

76
Q

Formal president powers

A
  • Commander in chief, but the president can not declare war
  • Enforcing laws
  • Handling foreign policy
  • Chief Diplomat, negotiates treaties with senate confirmation
77
Q

Informal president powers

A
  • Bargaining and persuasion

- Executive orders

78
Q

Cabinet

A

The president’s team of advisers who lead each of the executive agencies

79
Q

Federalist 70

A

Discusses Article II and the role of an executive power. Argues that one sole individual should be appointed to be the executive leader.

80
Q

22nd Amendment

A

Limits the president to 2 four-year terms

81
Q

State of the Union

A

An address given to congress which can also establish a policy agenda to the public.

82
Q

Bully pulpit

A

The idea that the president can relay information to the public directly

83
Q

12th Amendment

A

Electors vote for president (1) and vice president (2).

84
Q

20th amendment

A

Inaugauration moved to Jan 20th.

85
Q

23rd amendment

A

23, DC. Washington can vote for president.

86
Q

25th amendment

A

25 if he stays alive; if the president were to pass, the VP takes over.

87
Q

US District Courts

A

(91) Lowest of the courts, have original jurisdiction, have the right to hear a case for the first time

88
Q

US Circuit Court of Appeals

A

Middle tier courts. Hear appeals from district courts.

89
Q

Supreme Court

A

Has both original and appellate jurisdiction

90
Q

Appellate jurisdiction

A

Hearing a case for the second time after an appeal

91
Q

Original jurisdiction

A

Hearing a case for the first time

92
Q

Judicial review

A

The right the judicial branch has to declare actions by other branches of government unconstitutional

93
Q

Federalist No. 78

A

Establishes the judicial branch, with lifetime appointments and judicial review

94
Q

Marbury v. Madison

A

Established judicial review

95
Q

Precedent / stare decisis

A

A decision made by a court serves as a template for future decisions. Can be overturned.

Stare decisis means “let the decision stand”.

96
Q

Judicial activism

A

When judges strike down laws or reverse public policy

ex: Brown v. Board

97
Q

Judicial restraint

A

Judges following the constitution and not making new policy. A law should only be struck down if it goes against the constitution.

98
Q

Concurring opinion

A

A judge has the ability to agree with an opinion, but disagree with the reasoning

99
Q

Dissenting opinion

A

A judge can disagree with a court decision and explain why

100
Q

Bureaucracy

A

Falls under the executive branch, made up of millions of government employees

101
Q

Cabinet Secretaries

A

Highest of the bureaucracy; leaders of the 15 executive departments
(ex: Department of Homeland Security)

102
Q

Agencies

A

Work together to accomplish the goals of the departments

103
Q

Commission

A

Groups that work independently from executive control, created for a specific purpose, but still fall under executive authority

104
Q

Delegated discretionary authority

A

The authority given to bureaucrats by congress that allows them to specifically carry out laws

105
Q

Compliance monitoring

A

Ensuring that firms and companies subject to industry regulations are abiding by those rules

106
Q

Iron triangle

A

The relationship between the bureaucracy, congress, and an interest group, which forms policy.

107
Q

Department of Homeland Security

A

Protects the US from terrorism and controls nation’s borders

108
Q

Department of Transportation

A

Manages all kinds of transportations

109
Q

Department of Veteran’s Affairs

A

Ensures welfare of America’s veterans

110
Q

Department of Education

A

Oversees states and educational standards

111
Q

Environmental Protection Agency

A

Works to protect the environment and human health

112
Q

Federal Elections Commission

A

Administers and enforces campaign finance laws

113
Q

Securities and Exchange Commission

A

Regulates stock market

114
Q

Bill of Rights

A

Used to limit the power of the federal government, the first 10 amendments

115
Q

Schneck v. United States

A

Freedom of speech is protected, however, not speech that can be considered a “clear and present danger”.

116
Q

Tinker v. Des Moines

A

Students are not stripped of their liberty and first amendment right in schools.

117
Q

New York Times Co. v. United States

A

Further established freedoms of the press, the government can not exercise prior restraint

118
Q

Engel v. Vitale

A

It is unconstitutional to force students to participate in a school-led prayer

119
Q

Wisconsin v. Yoder

A

Requiring Amish students to attend school past the 8th grade violates the establishment clause

120
Q

McDonald v. Chicago

A

Further established second amendment rights, the right for arms for self-defense applies to the states

121
Q

Gideon v. Wainwright

A

States must provide poor defendants with an attorney and fair trail

122
Q

Roe v. Wade

A

Denying a woman an abortion is against her right of privacy

123
Q

Civil liberties

A

Rights guaranteed by the constitution that protect citizens against government interference

124
Q

Establishment clause

A

Prohibits Congress from establishing a national church

125
Q

Free exercise clause

A

Protects the rights of citizens to practice their relation

126
Q

Civil Rights

A

Policy that protects people from discrimination

CIVIL RIGHTS -> 14TH AMENDMENT

127
Q

Libel

A

WRITTEN defamation in the press

128
Q

Slander

A

SPOKEN defamation in the press

129
Q

Prior restraint

A

PREVENTION of a publication of a story, deemed unconstitutional if the government were to attempt in New York Times Co. v. US

130
Q

Selective incorporation

A

Bill of Rights applied strictly to the federal government until selective incorporation applied them to the states

131
Q

Individual freedom vs. social order

A

Courts differentiate opinions and decide rulings based on each. Individual freedoms (Tinker v. Des Moines), social order (Bon Hits 4 Jesus)

132
Q

14th amendment

A

Ensured Bill of Rights and amendments applied to the states. Selective incorporation

133
Q

Due process of law

A

Comes from the 5th amendment and protects citizen’s rights when they are arrested

5th -> FEDERAL DUE PROCESS
14th -> STATE DUE PROCESS

134
Q

Exclusionary rule

A

A part of the 4th amendment which states that any evidence collected illegally can not be used

135
Q

Miranda Rule / Miranda Rights

A

Citizens being arrested must be read and aware of their rights

136
Q

Right to privacy

A

Implied by due process, tested in Roe v. Wade

137
Q

Letter from Birmingham Jail

A

Written by MLK. Stating that the time for action was NOW and that he and others will continue to fight for civil rights.

138
Q

24th amendment

A

Outlawed poll taxes

139
Q

Majority-minority districts

A

Redrawn districts to ensure that minority groups are majorities

140
Q

Affirmative action

A

A policy that favors a group that has been historically discriminated against

141
Q

Dejure segregation

A

Racial discrimination by law

Ex: Jim Crow Laws

142
Q

Defacto segregation

A

Racial segregation by choice

Ex: white flight out of the cities

143
Q

Liberal

A

More government snding, more personal privacy

144
Q

Conservative

A

Less government economic involvement, hard criminal punishment

145
Q

Individualism

A

Value of the self

146
Q

Equality of opportunity

A

Each person has an opportunity to succeed, but equality of the outcome is not guaranteed

147
Q

Rule of law

A

No one is above the law

148
Q

Political socialization

A

The process through which citizens develop opinions on ideas and politics

149
Q

Factors of political socialization

A
  1. Family

Demographics, age, school, media, social environments, religion

150
Q

Lifecycle effects

A

What a person chooses to focus on politically is an effect of their life cycle

151
Q

Globalization

A

The process of a global, ever expanding economy and culture

152
Q

Public opinion polls

A

Used to gather the beliefs of citizens

153
Q

Benchmark poll

A

Used to find where a candidate stands before a campaign

154
Q

Entrance/exit poll

A

Conducted on eletion day as people enter/exit

155
Q

Tracking polls

A

Ask questions over time to track opinion

156
Q

Keynesian Economics

A

The belief that the government should spend money to jumpstart the economy if in a recession. Supported by liberals.

157
Q

Supply-side economics

A

Focuses on tax cutting to jump start the economy. Supported by conservatives.

158
Q

Free-market economics

A

The belief that the economy will naturally fix itself; the government has no place. Libertarians believe this.

159
Q

Fiscal policy

A

Refers to the government’s tax and spending policies, controlled by Congress

160
Q

Monetary policy

A

The federal reserve’ controlling of money supply and interest rates

161
Q

Free enterprise

A

Government taking a laissez-faire approach to economics.

162
Q

Rational choice voting

A

When a person votes based on their individual self-interest

163
Q

Retrospective voting

A

Person votes based on track record of the person they are voting for

164
Q

Prospective voting

A

The opposite of retrospective voting in which a person votes based on their predictions of a party

165
Q

Party-line voting

A

When a person votes for all the members of their party

166
Q

Structural barriers

A

A policy that can prevent people from voting or encourage people to vote
Ex: voter ID laws

167
Q

Political efficacy

A

A citizen’s elief about whether or not their vote matters

168
Q

What effects voter turnout?

A

Voter regulations, demographics, personal beliefs, canidates, voting incentive

169
Q

Linkage institutions

A

A societal structure that connects the people to the political process

170
Q

Examples of linkage institutions

A
  • Political parties
  • Media
  • Interest groups
  • Elections
171
Q

Primary election

A

Elections in which party members vote on the candidate they want to represent in the general election

172
Q

Winner-take-all structure

A

Limits third parties and independents

173
Q

Incumbent

A

A president who is running for a second term

174
Q

Incumbency advantage

A

The incumbant is known, funded, and has already won

175
Q

Congressional elections

A

Occurs every two years by the popular vote

176
Q

Lobbying

A

Citizens grouping and engaging in activities to influence public policy and officials

AP Government & Politics (4 decks)

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