AP Gov

The people, procedures, and institutions that make, enforce, and interpret rules for a community

the process of influencing the government

1 person = 1 vote, candidate that gets most votes wins

Voter ranks their preference in candidates from first to last or, alternatively, voters pick their preferences in head-to-head matchups

Voter ranks preference in candidates with each rank corresponding to a number of "points", the candidate with the most wins

Alleged condition of humanity before government and laws

Idea that the power of the government originates from and belongs to its constituents

The potential of a majority to monopolize power for its own gain to the detriment of minority rights and interests

The potential of a minority to withhold the rights and interests of the majority

Belief that governmental authority comes directly from god

A political system in which a ruler holds total power

As safety and benefits of the community increase, freedom decreases

Rights derived from nature, not social contracts. The purpose of the government is to protect these rights

Section I of Declaration of Independence that states:
1. People have unalienable rights: life, liberty, pursuit of happiness
2. To secure these rights, people create government
3. If government fails to protect rights, people should create a new government
27 grievances were listed against the British government, justifying the American revolt

Document that created the weak, decentralized "league of friendship", with congress being an "assembly of nations." Only created federal legislative branch, 1 state = 1 vote with congress needing 9/13 votes for a new law, being able to coin money, could raise an army but couldn't pay soldiers or draft, could sign treaties, 13/13 votes for amendment, weaknesses highlighted in Shay's Rebellion

Convention where only 5 of 13 states attend and bitch about the articles

Convention where all states (except Rhode Island) attend due to Shay's Rebellion. Many delegates were bond holders who would benefit from stronger federal government, so despite the intention to "amend" the Articles of Confederation, they ended up creating a new government entirely

"Large State" proposal for new constitution proposed by Edmund Randolph, including 3 branches of government, bicameral legislature with both houses being proportional to population

"Small State" proposal for new constitution proposed by William Patterson, including 3 branches of government, unicameral legislature with states having equal number of representatives

Compromise proposal for new constitution including 3 branches of government, bicameral legislature, with a house of representatives that was proportional to population and elected by the people, and a senate with each state having equal numbers of senators that were selected by state legislatures

Allowed slaves to be counted as 3/5ths of a person toward representation in the House, Electoral College, and would over-represent the voting population in the South

Congress restricts the slave trade after 1808

Establishing a larger republic, limiting popular elections by giving states the ability to allocate the right to vote (often going only to white, land-owning males)

Grants & Denials of powers - enumerated powers in constitution, Bill of Rights, Separation of Powers and Checks & Balances

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Body of voters in an area who elect a representative or a senator

25 years old, citizen for 7 years, resident of state
Delegate
Per-District
2 year terms (no limits)
One of 435 members

30 years old, citizen for 9 years, resident of state
Trustee
Per-State
6 year terms with staggered elections
One of 100 members

35 years old, natural born citizen (ambiguous), 14 year resident
4 years per term, 2 term limit
Electors are chosen as state legislatures direct

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue

A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate

Provision added to spending / appropriation bill that effectively adds policy

Funds that an appropriations bill designates for a particular purpose within a state or congressional district

(1) ensure laws are being implemented as intended (more likely to occur under divided government)
(2) investigate the Executive Branch for wrongdoing (fire alarm oversight, NOT police patrol)

A method of oversight in which members of Congress respond to complaints about the bureaucracy or problems of implementation only as they arise rather than exercising constant vigilance

A method of oversight in which members of congress constantly monitor the bureaucracy to make sure that laws are implemented correctly

Aids the President in overseeing the preparation of the Federal budget and evaluates the effectiveness of agency programs, policies, and procedures, and works to make sure that agency reports, rules, testimony, and proposed legislation are consistent with the President's Budget and with Administration policies

President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, Senate Pro Tempore, then a bunch of secretaries

Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, Chief Diplomat, Chief Legislator, Chief Judge

Individual that must execute the law, issuing executive orders and signing statements

Directives to executive officials on how to implement a law

How the law should be implemented, released with the signature as an interpretation of the law or a message not to enforce some of the law that they deem unconstitutional

Leader of the military

Guides US foreign policy with summits and treaties and executive agreements

Treaties that don't require Senate support but may be rescinded by later presidents

Recommend legislation to Congress, often during the State of the Union address

Grants reprieves, pardons, and commutations

Postponement of a criminal's punishment

Forgiving of a criminal's punishment

Reduction of a criminal's sentence

The passage of some parts of a bill and veto of other parts (declared unconstitutional in 1993)

Departments & agencies that carry out law

Ended political patronage / spoils system, implementing a merit system, creating Civil Service Commission

Regulates the employment and working conditions of civil servants, oversee hiring and promotions, and promote the values of the public service

Restricts political actions of bureaucrats for neutral competence, cannot participate in campaigns, raise funds, or hold public office - must maintain neutral competence / political neutrality

~10% of high-level appointees (cabinet) in federal bureaucracy that usually serve up to 1 year, can be removed by the President

Relationship between Congressional Committees, the Bureaucracy, and Interest Groups
Congressional Committees fund and give political support to Bureaucracy, Bureaucracy gives policy choices and execution to Congressional Committees
Bureaucracy gives low regulation and special favors to Interest Groups, Interest Groups give congressional support via lobbying to Bureaucracy
Interest Group gives electoral support to Congressional Committees, Congressional Committees give friendly legislation and oversight to Interest Groups

Multi-term, general service members of bureaucracy between 15 cabinet departments, with 14 headed by secretaries (Attorney General heads Justice Department)

Established federal court system

Federal law violations, treaties, constitutional law

The ability to be tried twice for the same incident but two different crimes when in violation of both state and federal law

Decides if a federal judge gets to have a vote for their appointment (President appoints ALL federal justices- up to 100 usually in a four-year-term)

Authority to hear a case for the first time

Authority to review decisions made in lower courts (do NOT overturn jury, only application of law by judge)

Amy Coney Barrett
Brett Kavanaugh
Clarence Thomas
Samuel Alito
Ketanji Brown-Jackson
Neil Gorsuch
Soñia Sotomayor
Elena Kagan
Chief Justice John Roberts

Lowest level of court with original jurisdiciton

Higher level of court with appellate jurisdiction

Highest level of court with mostly appellate jurisdiction but some cases of original jurisdiction (state vs. state, ambassadors or other public ministers)

If Senators that represent the state that a federal judge is being appointed to do not return their slip to the Senate Judiciary Committee, the judge is usually not nominated

Appointment of state judges by governors with retention elections

Formal order issued by a higher court, usually an appellate court, to a lower court or tribunal, instructing them to submit the entire record of a case for review

(1) involving major constitutional issue
(2) involving issues addressed in an inconsistent manner by lower courts
(3) conflicting with a previous SC decision
(4) 4/9 justices agree to hear case

Summary of facts & rulings by each side and then a presentation of argument

Argument made in court by interest group

Test to determine whether something defies the separation of church & state

Law can have exceptions for religion if
(1) it places significant burden on religious individual and
(2) it does not detriment government to make exception

"Fire in a theater", restriction of free speech based on the reckless danger created by that speech

Restriction of free speech only if that speech is intended and likely to create a violation of the law

Censorship of material by the government before the release to the public (principals have prior restraint over school newspapers), very hard to do constitutionally

Speech (slander) or writing (libel) about someone that is false and the publisher / speaker should have known better
For public officials, declaration must be malicious and the publisher / speaker must have known the information to be false1

Lewd, filthy, or disgusting words or pictures that serve no literary, artistic, political, or scientific value

Right to remain silent and right to an attorney, said to individuals under arrest

Inability to be tried twice for the same crime

Cannot be used on juveniles and those with cognitive disabilities (8th Amendment)

Laws that target and incarcerate black people because slavery was banned EXCEPT as punishment for a crime

Segregation enforced by law

Segregation beyond the law

Poll taxes & literacy tests that prevent black people from voting

Freedom of Religion, Speech, of the Press, Assembly, and Petition

Protects the people's right to bear arms

No soldier can be quartered in a home without the permission of the owner

Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and sets out requirements for search warrants based on probable cause

Protects rights of due process and the right to remain silent ("plead the 5th"), double jeopardy

The right to a fair and speedy trial by a jury of one's peers; to have witnesses and to give a defense

The right to a trial by jury in civil cases for amounts of \$20 or more

Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments

People have other rights not specifically stated in the Constitution

Gives all powers not specifically given to the United States government in the Constitution, to either the states or to the people

Determines when and if a state can be sued; states cannot be sued by people from other states or by foreigners

The Electoral College must vote for the President and the Vice President separately

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude

Makes anyone born on US soil a citizen and guarantees equal protection under the law
Due Process & Equal Protection clause

Gave all men the right to vote regardless of race or color or whether they had been slaves

Created an income tax and gave the Federal government the power to collect it

Creates the direct election by the people of Senators

Prohibition of the drinking, manufacture, and sale of alcohol

Gave women the right to vote

Gives details on the terms of office for Congress and President; shortens "lame duck" period (time between election and inauguration)

Repealed the 18th amendment (prohibition)

Limits the president to two terms in office (or 10 years)

Gave Washington, D.C. representatives in the electoral college so that citizens of D.C. could participate in the electoral process, even though it is not an official state

Prohibited the poll tax

Explains what happens when the President dies or is unable to continue in office (Succession)

Sets the national voting age at 18, cannot be set any higher

Any changes in Congressional salaries will take place after the next term starts

Declared school sponsorship of religious activities violates the establishment clause

Held that compelling Amish students to attend school past the eighth grade violates the free exercise clause

You don't lose your rights when you walk onto campus because it did not interfere with school learning. The Court ruled that the school district had violated the students' free speech rights. The armbands were a form of symbolic speech, which the First Amendment protects.

The Supreme Court upheld their convictions, ruling that speech that creates a "clear and present danger" (by encouraging violence or insurrection, or endangering national security) is not protected by the First Amendment.

The US government cannot stop news from spreading as it violates freedom of Press

The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for self-defense is applicable to the states.

The Sixth Amendment's guarantee of a right to assistance of counsel applies to criminal defendants in state court by way of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Separate but equal educational facilities are inherently unequal. They are violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

reduced the limits on campaign contributions, encouraged the creation of Super PACs, and increased debate over the role money can and should play in elections.

Pursuant to the Necessary and Proper Clause the formation of Second Bank of the United States was Constitutional.

Established supremacy of U.S. Constitution and federal laws over state laws. Striking down Maryland's tax of the federal bank.

The Supreme Court found that the 1990 Gun-Free School Zones Act did violate the Constitution, on the grounds that Congress was overreaching its powers granted under the commerce clause

Established the principle of judicial review empowering the Supreme Court to nullify an act of the legislative or executive branch that violates the Constitution

One person one vote, redistricting must be done in the fairness of the people or the courts will resolve the issue

Racial gerrymandering is not good

A case that was brought to supreme court by black lawsuits to challenge the legality of segregation. The court ruled that segregation was legal as long as it was "equal"

Requested by president John F. Kennedy, signed by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 out of respect for the late president's wishes
The Act prohibited discrimination in public accommodations and federally funded programs. It also strengthened the enforcement of voting rights and the desegregation of schools

Following Bloody Sunday, President Lyndon Johnson sent this bill to Congress in 1965. It provided for direct federal intervention to enable African Americans to register and vote and banned tactics long designed to keep them from the polls

Court ruled that marriage is a right regardless of sexual orientation, therefore all states must allow same sex couple to marry

The standard used by the courts to decide cases of discrimination based on age and income; constitutional if reasonable

The standard used by the courts to decide cases of discrimination based on gender and sex; burden of proof is on the government to demonstrate an important governmental interest is at stake in treating men differently from women

A heightened standard of review used by the Supreme Court to determine the constitutional validity of race- or ethnic-based segregation

Polling method where pollsters digit randomly generated numbers. This method often underrepresents conservatives (non-response bias)

Range of possible error associated with the imperfections in sampling procedures

Range of values between the top and bottom limits of the margin of error in poll results

Probability that polling results are within the confidence interval

Inaccuracies in polls because certain groups don't participate

The phenomenon where responders to polls will lie to seem more favorable

Instance of respondent honesty where white people will overrepresent their willingness to vote for a non-white candidate out of fear of being considered racist

Uninformed answers from uninformed poll respondents

Innocuous shifting phrasing can change responses

Options provided can skew responses

The ideological label that appropriately describes one's policy positions

The ideological label that people use to describe themselves

Connect individuals with government - elections, parties, interest groups, media

Give officials voters interests, hold officials accountable

Voting based on what you think a candidate will do

Voting based on the performance of the incumbent

Voting based on party affiliation

Elections held to select a party's candidate for the general; election, where voters can show up whenever poll is open and vote in secret ballot for a delegate

Person voted for in a primary or caucus that represents a certain candidate and pledges their vote for them in their party's national convention- tend to be volunteers that frequently work with the campaign

Independent voters may choose which party's primary they want to vote in

Independent voters may not choose which party's primary they want to vote in as only enrolled party members may vote

Show up at a specific time, stay for a couple hours and listen to speeches in support of certain candidates, then everyone votes publicly. If a candidate has less than 15% support, the candidate is "not viable" and can leave or join another group

The period before any votes are cast when candidates compete to win early support from the elite of the party and to create a positive first impression of their leadership skills

Raise a lot of money, secure key endorsements from party leaders (Invisible Primary), move toward ideological extreme, gain early momentum in Iowa and New Hampshire

a political organization within the Democratic Party in New York city (late 1800's and early 1900's) seeking political control by corruption and bossism; vote early & vote often, counted votes > cast votes > eligible voters, party members swayed public opinion with favors & threats, public vote casting without registration (multiple haircuts), high voter turnout

Australian (secret) ballot, voter registration (now 2/3 of voting population is registered to vote), auto registration, election same-day registration, felons can't vote, absentee ballots, early voting

1993 law that lets people register to vote when applying for a license

Americans vote 2-3x as often as Europeans and Election Day is not a holiday so voter turnout is lower
Wealthier and better educated people have higher voting rates, as more education correlates with more belief that they can make a change
Young people vote less, maybe due to apathy or the struggle to re-register to vote in college
Hispanics and Asians vote less, white and black people vote more
Women vote more than men
Strong partisans vote more than moderates and independents

The percentage of votes that a party gets in an election is the percentage of seats in government that party controls

National party leaders who automatically get a delegate slot at the Democratic national party convention- these delegates are unelected and can vote for whatever candidate they choose

The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party's platform. These are intended to excite voters and can launch or sink political campaigns

When a party fails to select a nominee in the first round of delegate voting because nobody gets a majority. Elected delegates must vote for their candidate in the first round but can vote differently in the following rounds

Two electoral votes in each state go to the statewide winner (for the senators) and the rest the electoral votes are voted on independently within the congressional districts

An agreement among a group of U.S. states and the District of Columbia to award all their respective electoral votes to whichever presidential candidate wins the overall popular vote. This compact will only go into effect once they represent a majority of electoral votes

Contributions of up to \$250 are matched from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to candidates for the presidential nomination who qualify and agree to meet various conditions, such as limiting their overall spending

A theory of government and politics contending that our form of democracy relies on the participation of many or most of the citizenry, and the power lies in the hands of the people

A theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among different interest groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies

A theory of democracy that the elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policymaking process

A committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations. Individual donations to these entities are limited (constitutionality upheld in court)

Political action committee that only spends money on independent expenditures, meaning donations to the entities are limitless

Passed to restrict independent expenditures (unconstitutional via Citizens United), ban soft money (constitutional)

Unlimited party donations for "party building activities" that are supposed to fund things separate from candidates and campaigns (but let's be real)

Groups that are exempted from reporting their contributions and can receive unlimited contributions. Section 501c of the tax code specifies that such groups cannot spend more than half their funds on political activities (dark money)

Funds given to politically active nonprofits/501(c)s that can receive unlimited donations from corporations, individuals, and unions but are not required to disclose their donors

Organized groups that nominate candidates, fund campaigns, compile platform, inform public, provide heuristic, enact or oppose legislation

A process in which a substantial group of voters switches party allegiance, producing a long-term change in the political landscape. Often occurs during/after a critical election

An election when significant groups of voters change their traditional patterns of party loyalty

Earliest era of press in America. Parties fund newspapers, very expensive and limited supply, so a small circulation of news within the elites

After the Party Press era, newspapers are now less expensive and higher in supply, meaning the masses have newspapers, advertisements appear, circulation wars, sports, comics, op-ed pages

Opinion pieces written by people outside of the media, but are published in media to express a variety of opinions. Usually on the opposite side of the editorial page (hence the name)

A model of news reporting that is based on the communication of "facts" rather than opinions and that is "fair" in that it presents all sides of partisan debate. This is the modern era of journalism after yellow journalism

Cable television, internet taking priority over limited and regulated radio frequencies, news becomes increasingly partisan, broadcasting -> "narrowcasting," a type of return to the Party Press era (echo chamber)

Media programming on cable TV or the Internet that is focused on one topic and aimed at a particular audience

Signaling Function (tells us what's happening), Common Carrier (conduit for political leaders), Watchdog Role (exposing corruption & incompetence)

A practice which journalist and reporters use in regards to government coverage and campaign coverage with emphasis on who is gaining or losing, not on what is being done about issues

Vote trading; voting to support a colleague's bill in return for a promise of future support

The appropriation of government spending for projects that are intended primarily to benefit particular constituents, such as those in marginal seats or campaign contributors

Social contract & consent of the governed
Argument of inalienable rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness)
Government is established & supposed to protect these rights
Grievances:
-Taxation without representation
-Quartering of troops
-Trial without a jury
-Dissolving colonial governing bodies
-Controlling judges

Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out

Section 1: Congress has power to legislate between the two layers, the House of Representatives and the Senate

Section 2: Representatives serve 2 year terms, must be 25 years old and a citizen for 7 years, citizen of state they represent, Speaker of the House, House has power to impeach with simple majority, reapportionment with Census

Section 3: Two Senators per state, serve 6 year terms, must be 30 years old and a citizen for 9 years, citizen of state they represent, Vice President is president of the Senate and casts tie-breaking vote, President Pro Tempore leads Senate, Senate holds impeachment trial (2/3 votes)

Section 4: States decide how elections take place, but Congress can pass laws to change it (except for senators)

Section 5: Each house of Congress decides if its members are qualified to serve, and most of the time, more than half of the members need to be present to do business.

Section 6: Members of Congress get paid for their work and can't be arrested for most crimes while they're doing their job. They also can't be sued for things they say or do during meetings or debates.

Section 7: President can veto, Congress needs supermajority to override veto, federal government has power to pass tax bills

Section 8: Enumerated powers of Congress, naturalization, raising an army/navy, power of the purse (taxation, coining, borrowing), commerce clause, lower courts, declaration of war, necessary & proper / elastic clause

Section 9: Congress cannot suspend Writ of Habeas Corpus (except for public safety in war), no ex post facto laws, no titles of nobility

Section 10: States can't do certain things, like making their own money, starting wars, or passing laws that cancel contracts or treat people unfairly

The clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations

The authority granted Congress in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution "to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper" for the implementation of its enumerated powers

A challenge to the legality of your detainment via court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person. This right can be temporarily suspended by Congress in times of rebellion or unrest.

A law that punishes a person accused of a crime without a trial or a fair hearing in court (unconstitutional)

Congress may not pass a law that makes an act criminal although the act was legal when it was committed

Section 1: If no candidate gets 270 electoral votes the House chooses the president, single executive, 4 year presidential terms, born in USA, resident for 14 straight years, 35 years old

Section 2: Delegated powers of the President include Commander in Chief, gives reprieves & pardons, makes treaties, appoints judges and House and Senate confirm, the Cabinet includes the Vice President, chief of staff, and heads of the departments

Section 3: More expressed powers such as the State of the Union address and to call special sessions of Congress, and the President is responsible for enforcing federal law

Section 4: The President, Vice President, and other officials can be removed from office if they're found guilty of serious crimes (impeachment). The House of Representatives brings charges, and the Senate holds a trial. If found guilty, they're removed from office

Section 1: The judicial power of the United States is vested in one Supreme Court and lower courts that Congress may establish. Judges serve for life or until they retire or are impeached and convicted

Section 2: The Supreme Court has the authority to hear cases involving the Constitution, federal laws, disputes between states, and cases involving foreign ambassadors or diplomats (original jurisdiction). Other federal courts can hear cases involving federal laws or treaties

Section 3: Treason against the United States consists only of levying war against them or giving aid and comfort to their enemies. To be convicted of treason, there must be testimony from two witnesses or a confession in open court. The punishment for treason can't include punishing the traitor's family or confiscating their property

Section 1: Each state must respect the laws and court decisions of other states, and citizens of one state are entitled to the privileges and immunities of citizens in other states

Section 2: Citizens from one state who commit crimes and flee to another state must be returned to the state where the crime was committed (extradition). States can't discriminate against citizens from other states

Section 3: New states can be admitted to the Union by Congress, and Congress has authority over territories and other property of the United States

Section 4: The United States guarantees to every state a republican form of government and protection against invasion and domestic violence

Part of Article IV of the Constitution guaranteeing that the citizens of each state are afforded the same rights as citizens of all other states

Part of Article IV of the Constitution that ensures judicial decrees and contracts made in one state will be binding and enforceable in any other state

Part of Article IV of the Constitution that requires states to extradite, or return, criminals to states where they have been convicted or are to stand trial

Part of Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits

Section 1: Amendments to the Constitution can be proposed in two ways: by a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or by a national convention called by Congress when requested by two-thirds of the state legislatures

Section 2: Once an amendment is proposed, it must be ratified by either three-fourths of the state legislatures or by conventions in three-fourths of the states, as determined by Congress

Section 1: All debts contracted and engagements entered into before the adoption of the Constitution are still valid, even though they were made under the Articles of Confederation

Section 2: The Constitution, federal laws, and treaties made under the authority of the United States are the supreme law of the land, meaning that state laws and constitutions must comply with them. All judges, in both state and federal courts, are bound by the Constitution

Section 3: All government officials, both at the federal and state levels, must take an oath to support the Constitution. This requirement ensures that all branches of government are committed to upholding the principles and laws of the Constitution

The Constitution will become effective once it is ratified by conventions in nine states

Written by James Madison
Factions are inevitable, to cure them would be to eliminate freedom
A large, vast republic will mean more factions and harder for any one faction to gain power
Pluralist Theory
Power separated between state and federal to splinter government and make it harder for factions to influence
Remember: Fact10ns

Written by Robert Yates
Written to dissuade readers from supporting Constitution at Constitutional Convention
Argued that that the new federal government would be too powerful
Pointed to the necessary-and-proper clause and the supremacy clause
Objected to Congress's power to tax and raise a standing army and to the vast size of the proposed republic
Representatives would be disconnected from populace in a large republic
Argued that this powerful new government would supplant the states
Federal courts will destroy state courts
Federal government gains limitless power

Written by James Madison
Echoes Montesquieu's separation of powers
Three self-sufficient branches of government that have power over others to prevent tyranny
Congress will be most powerful branch so must be divided (house & senate)

Written by Alexander Hamilton
Argued for life tenures for judiciary to prevent legislative encroachment
Life tenure is necessary if courts are going to be able to defend the constitution
Judiciary is naturally the weakest of all three branches
Judiciary must be independent to determine constitutionality

Written by Alexander Hamilton
Argued for a strong, single, unitary executive
Executive does not contradict republican government
Plurality in executive would slow decision making in times of crises
Executive needs power, influence, secrecy, flexibility, quick execution of powers to maintain national security
Executive must carry out laws, protect property, prevent anarchy, ensure national security, protect liberty, make quick decisions, have secrecy, and take action

Written by Martin Luther King Jr.
There is injustice everywhere
Argues for nonviolent action and having a dialogue about the issue, not a monologue
Lists injustices- being called "boy", not being allowed in amusement parks and motels
If laws are unjust, they must be broken to uphold justice and the integrity of the law
Don't settle for peace that perpetuates social injustices
Being labeled an "extremist" is okay because they produce social change

Clause of the 14th Amendment
No state may deprive a citizen of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness without due process of law
Pretty much 5th Amendment but extended to states

Clause of the 5th Amendment
Federal government may not deprive a citizen of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness without due process of law

Clause of the 14th Amendment
Forces a state to govern impartially
Cannot draw distinctions between individuals solely on differences that are irrelevant to a legitimate governmental objective

Clause of the 1st Amendment
Congress cannot establish an "official" religion. This, in effect, provides for separation of church and state

Clause of the 1st Amendment
Congress cannot pass laws that ban freedom of worship

Clause of the 10th Amendment
Any power that is not granted to the national government, or denied to the states, automatically reverts to the states

Clause of the 5th Amendment
Eminent Domain
Government can take private property for a public purpose, but it must provide fair compensation to the owners of that property

A set of basic, foundational values and beliefs about government that is shared by most citizens
Key elements:
-democracy
-equality before the law,
-limited government
-capitalism
-private property

Grants given to the states by the federal government for a general purpose (like education or road-building)
Unlike categorical grants, states have discretion to decide how to spend the money

A grant given to the states by the federal government for a specific purpose or program
The federal government tells the states exactly how to spend the money (no state discretion unlike block grants)
Example = Medicaid
Most common type of federal grant because it gives Congress the most control over the states

When the federal government apportions tax money to the states with no strings attached

A federal order mandating that states operate and pay for a program created at the national level without federal aid

Institutional advantages held by those already in office who are trying to fend off challengers in an election
-Casework
-Franking Privilege

Assistance given to individual constituents by congressional members, like helping an elderly person figure out how to get Medicare benefits
Major incumbency advantage

The right of congressmen to send job-related mail to their constituents without paying postage
Incumbency advantage

The drawing of district boundaries by the state legislature to benefit a party, group, or incumbents
Major types are political (constitutional) & racial (unconstitutional)

Jim Crow era state laws that discouraged African Americans from voting by saying that if your grandpa couldn't vote, then neither can you
The newly-freed slaves grandpas couldn't vote, so neither could they
Declared unconstitutional in 1915.

Some states allow citizens to come up with their own ideas for laws to put on an election ballot
If the proposition passes it becomes a law
Requires many voter signatures to get on the ballot
Most direct form of democracy (citizen law-making)

Foreign policy that promotes using American power to promote democracy and peace around the world
Associated with Woodrow Wilson & Jimmy Carter (Compare with realism)

A method to deny blacks right to vote during the Jim Crow Era by requiring reading or civics test in order to vote
Could be selectively applied
Rationale: only the educated should vote
Prohibited by the Voting Rights Act of 1965

Nonbinding union of sovereign states
Example = European Union, America under Articles of Confederation

System of federalism where federal & state governments help each other perform governmental duties
Can cause confusion and/or conflict among among different levels of government
`Best explanation of how federalism works today (instead of dual federalism)
Example = After hurricanes federal and state agencies work together to provide relief

A technique of fiscal federalism used by Congress to control states
Requires states to do something in order to get the money
Example = South Dakota v. Dole, raise drinking age 21 to get highway money

Cabinet-level agency in charge of the armed forces and military policy
HQ = The Pentagon

Cabinet-level agency in charge of foreign policy & international affairs

The idea that politicians can only represent people like them (ex. only women can represent women, blacks represent blacks, etc.)

System of federalism that strictly separates federal power (ex. foreign relations) and state power (ex. protect against crime)
Each level of government is dominant within its own sphere
Probably how the Founders thought America would work (enumerated federal powers + reserved state powers)

Evidence obtained in violation of 4th Amendment is not admissible in criminal trial

A poll of voters exiting the polls (voting locations) to attempt to predict the outcome of the election
May create a bandwagon effect

In primary elections, it is when people support the candidate everyone else seems to be supporting (poll leaders)
Leads to Primary Frontloading (states want to have the most impact in the primary process)

Federal government using money (grants) to influence & control states

Theory based on the principles of John Maynard Keynes, stating that government spending should increase during business slumps and be curbed during booms

An economic philosophy that holds the sharply cutting taxes will increase the incentive people have to work, save, and invest
Greater investments will lead to more jobs, a more productive economy, and more tax revenues for the government
Headed by Ronald Reagan

Support government intervention in economics but not in personal life

Support government intervention in personal life but not in economics

Don't support any government intervention in personal life or economy

If a bill is proposed within 10 days of congress adjourning and the president does not sign it , it will die (un-overrideable veto)

a more or less consistent set of beliefs about what policies government ought to pursue

The process by which individuals acquire a sense of political identity
Key agents of socialization include family, media, peers
Process can be informal (family) or formal (AP Gov)

Tax on voting used to discourage African Americans from voting during the Jim Crow era
Also used to exclude poor whites
Declared unconstitutional by 24th Amendment

A type of poll that attempts to influence opinions secretly using a poll (would you vote for McCain if you knew that he had a black, illegitimate child?)

Major foreign policy ideology
Act in the world only to protect and benefit yourself (Contrast with idealism)

A state level method of direct democracy that gives voters a chance to approve or disapprove proposed legislative action or a proposed amendment
Occurs when a state wants the voter's opinion on a controversial issue

The process by which provisions of the Bill of Rights are brought within the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment and so applied to state and local governments

"The decision stands"
A rule in deciding cases where judges follow precedent
Helps promote consistency and fairness in the legal process
Lower courts must follow precedent set by higher courts
Supreme Court can reject precedent if absolutely necessary (Example: Brown rejects precedent of Plessy)

Theory of representation that says that anyone can represent any group (ex. a rich white guy can represent the interests of poor black people)
Compare to Descriptive Representation

A state ruled by a single central government, contrasting to Federalism

A form of restricting African American's 15th Amendment rights during the Jim Crow Era by only allowing whites to vote in the primary elections
Gave African Americans only the opportunity to vote for white racist A or white racist B

A political ideology that opposes capitalism and supports government control of major aspects of the economy (ex. electricity, health care)

An election in which voters vote on a particular policy question (ban gay marriage, legalize marijuana)
Often used to resolve a controversial issue
Only used (so far) at the state level. Three types of policy election are: recall, initiative, referendum.

A procedure for submitting to popular vote the removal of officials from office before the end of their term

Second-ranking party leadership position
Connects leaders with "rank and file" members, and tries to encourage party unity & discipline

The heads of the minority and majority parties in the Senate
Less powerful than the Speaker, they set legislative agenda for their party and help set the daily Senate agenda

Permanent committees in House and Senate that handle bills dealing with a particular subject area
Examples = Defense, Budget, Education

Powerful House standing committee that reviews all bills coming from other House committees before they go to the full House (gatekeeper function)
Sets time limit for debate decides whether amendments can be added (open or closed rule)

Important House standing committee responsible for initiating all taxation bills

Decide how to spend money allocated to each spending category by Budget Resolution
Twelve subcommittees for major areas of budget (ex. defense, energy, agriculture)
Major source of earmarking
Exercises sole jurisdiction over discretionary spending

A group within a standing committee that specializes in a subcategory of the standing committee's responsibility
Example = House Committee on Foreign Affairs has subcommittees on Asia, Europe, Africa, etc.

A joint committee appointed to resolve differences in the senate and house versions of the same bill

Congressional committees on a few subject-matter areas with membership drawn from both houses

Temporary congressional committees appointed for a specific purpose, such as impeachment investigations or the "Super Committee" on the Budget

Leader of a congressional committee
Usually the longest serving member of the majority party on that committee (seniority rule)
A very powerful position - Controls the committee calendar, agenda, and hearings
Can pigeonhole (table) a bill by refusing to schedule debate on it

A congressional custom that gives the chair of a committee or subcommittee to the member of the majority party with the longest continuous service on the committee

Occurs when a committee ignores a bill and doesn't report it out
Also known as "tabling" or "death by committee"
Major cause of bill death

The process by which a congressional committee debates, amends, and/or rewrites bills

When a committee finishes the mark-up of a bill and sends it to the senate or house for debate, consideration, and final passage

An order from the House Rules Committee that permits a bill to be amended on the floor (allows "death by amendment")

Rule in the House of Representatives that prohibits any amendments to bills or says that only members of the committee reporting the bill may offer amendments

Ten organizations that advise the President
Includes the Office of Management and Budget, the Council of Economic Advisors, and National Security Council
Top positions must be confirmed by Senate

EOP group that includes the President's most trusted personal advisors (led by White House Chief of Staff); members do not need senate confirmation

Independent agencies created by Congress to regulate important aspects of the nation's economy
Commissioners appointed by President but not removable except "for cause" (to protect independence)
Most independent and least accountable part of the federal bureaucracy

Federal agencies that aren't large or important enough to get department status
Directors appointed by President w/ advice & consent of Senate
Ex. NASA, CIA, EPA

A government organization that, like regular corporations, provides a service to the public and typically charges for its services
The U.S. Postal Service is an example

A emergency budget extension measure that Congress passes when a full budget law has not been completed by the beginning of the new fiscal year (October 1)
Avoids government shutdown

The short period (days or months) following an election when a president's popularity and ability to influence Congress is at its highest

The Presidency is a "bully pulpit" - a good position from which to inspire Congress & the nation, with the help of the media, to follow his political agenda
Example = FDR's fireside chats, State of the Union Address

Short-term patriotic increase in president's popularity and power during times of serious international crisis or war (e.g. Bush after 9/11)

A law passed in 1973 after Vietnam fiasco requiring
(1) president to notify Congress within 48 hours of sending troops into combat and
(2) begin to remove troops after 60 days unless Congress approves of the action
Limited effort to reverse erosion of Congress' war powers since World War II (last formal declaration of war)

The President's self-declared power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security
Informal amendment to Constitution (by tradition)
Can lead to conflict with other branches (Watergate)

The ability of an agency to determine how it will execute laws
Major source of independent power for agencies
Example = the FDA decides how to determine safety of food & drugs, the U.S. Attorneys decide whether or not to prosecute suspects

Federal department responsible for enforcing federal laws (includes FBI, Civil Rights Division, Antitrust Division, Drug Enforcement Administration)

A philosophy of judicial decision-making whereby judges allow their personal views about public policy (liberal or conservative) to guide their decisions
Activist judges are comfortable declaring laws unconstitutional

A philosophy of judicial decision-making whereby judges give significant deference to the decisions made by elected representatives in the legislative and executive branches
Restrained judges are uncomfortable declaring laws unconstitutional