FINAL Flashcards
Dual Federalism
National: foreign affairs and defense
State: EVERYTHING ELSE
Progressive Federalism
Increase in national involvement in state matters
Marble Cake Federalism
Cooperative
New Deal era (Roosevelt)
State and national govt work together
System of govt which Constitution divides powers between central and states
“Divisions of power”
Federalism
Reserved powers are reserved for who?
States
10th Amendment and Article 1, sec. 10
All laws are final and nothing is above it
Supremacy clause
Article 6
What significant problem was the Full Faith and Credit Clause meant to remedy?
Interstate records
example: marriage licenses, driver’s license, divorce, citizenship
Federal govt sets rules for $ to be spent by formulas (state-wide)
Formula Grant
States control money and decides what funds are used for (more leeway)
Block grant
Singular groups have total control over money
Project grant
What happens in off-year elections?
President’s party loses seats
What are 3 reasons Congress is organized as it is?
- Historical: Britian is a 2 house congress
- Practical: comprise between Virgina and New Jersey plans
- Theoretical (most important): checks and balances
How often is reappointment?
Every 10 years after Census
Lines drawn in such a way to be in advantage of political party in a state
Gerrymandering
Cramming opposing team in could of districts and leaving everything else for the majority
Packing
Spreading out opposing team
Cracking
Govt theories of existence
Social contract (john locke and Rousseau)
Divine Right
Evolution
Central govt has all power
Unitary
Central govt weak, states have all power
Confederacy
THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
Central govt and state govt are in a balance
Federal
First written form of govt in America
Groundwork carried into Constitution
Mayflower Compact
Central govt not strong (no taxing power) Unicameral Congress (no executive or judicial)
Articles of Confederation
Big states=more power
Representation based on population
Single executive
Bicameral congress
Virginia plan
Equal representation
Unicameral congress
Multiple executives
Supremacy Clause
New Jersey plan
Population based Rep (House) Equal representation (Senate) One executive Bicameral Judicial branch Republican govt Supremacy clause 3/5 compromise
Connecticut Compromise
“The Great Compromise”
3/5 vote/population for slaves
3/5 Compromise
Congress has power to investigate anything under their power or legislate
Oversight function
Views Constitution very narrowly (implied powers not okay)
Necessary and Proper - NOPE
Strict Consructionalist
Views Constituions loosely implied and inherent powers okay
Necessary and Proper- OKAY!
Loose constructionist
What judicial powers does congress have?
Approve judicial appointments/bushes for judicial branch
Decided definition of crime/punishments
What is Necessary and Proper Clause?
Implied powers
Elastic Clause
Congress has power
Electing presidential positions (electoral duties) in case of tie or no majority
Senate-VP
House-President
Appointments for executive
Senate - confirmation - recommendations by president.
Investigatory power
Congress has power to investigate anything under Congress power. Article 1, sec. 1
Way to send bill from committee to floor (forced to release bill or report)
Discharge petition
President’s roles in government
- Chief of State - Symbolic figure of US
- Chief Executive - to execute laws
- Chief Administrator - deals w/ implementation of law
- Chief Diplomat - Spokesperson to international community
- Commander in Chief - head of rammed forces
- Chief of Party - leader of political party
- Chief legislator - able to pass or veto laws
- Chief Citizen - representative of the people
What group was initially created to choose the president?
Congressional caucus
What are the primary functions of the modern presidential nomination?
Nominate candidate
Introduce new politicians
Finalize platform
Big party for party, speeches get ready for election
What three changes were instituted afte election of 1800
1) party nominations for Presidency and VP
2) nominations of electors in states who pledged to vote for party ticket
3) automatic casting of electoral votes in line w/ pledges
Flaws in the electoral college system?
1) winner of popular vote not guarentees Presidency
2) Election could result with a tie and House of Reps has to decide
3) Faithless electors (taken care of by pledge laws)
Votes based on district
District Plan
Candidate receive same # of votes as their popular vote
Proportional Plan
Votes directly elect president
Direct Popular vote Plan
Congressman(s) settles w/ popular president in order to get more votes/support
Coattail effect
What is the President’s most important judicial power?
Appointing judges
What are the considerations by the Presidents when nominating and federal judges?
Age
Previous experience
Education
(Most important: philosophy and ideology then previous experience)
Original intent
Looks at all historical documents, not just Constitution
Hard with modern issues
Originalism
