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AP Government Flashcards

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13844725690ConservativeStatus Quo, less Gov.0
13844725691ModerateMid-Ground1
13844725692LiberalPeaceful gradual change, reject violent revolution2
13844725693RadicalFar Left, Resorts to extreme methods to bring about change.3
13844725694Political SpectrumTool used to visually compare different political positions by placing them on one or more axis.4
13844725695RightLess Gov intervention, Traditional Values5
13844725696LeftMore Gov Intervention, support change6
13844725697Parliamentary GovernmentExecutive are members of the legislative branch7
13844725698Presidential GovernemtSeparates Power between executive/legislative8
13844725699ReactionaryFar right, Extreme methods9
13844725700Representative DemocracyPeople represented through elected officials.10
13844725701The StateBody of people living in a defined territory, having power to make and enforce law without the consent of any higher authority.11
13844725702MonarchyPower in the hands of royalty12
13844725703DictatorshipRuled by a single leader not elected.13
13844725704Military DictatorshipArmy is in control14
13844725705TheocracyReligious based Government15
13844725706Public PoliciesAll things a government decides to do.16
13844725707Conferred PowerPower which is agreed upon.17
13844725708Four aspects of the State1. Population: must have people 2. Territory: recognized boundaries 3. Sovereignty: Having supreme and absolute authority in it's own territory 4. Government- Different forms18
13844725709Evolutionary theoryDeveloped out of early familiy19
13844725710Divine Right TheoryState created by God and those of royal birth have a divine right to rule.20
13844725711Force TheoryA group claimed control and forced all other to submit.21
13844725712Social or Political Contract theoryPeoples moral and/or political obligations are dependent on an agreement among them to form the society in which they live. *Law and political order are not natural, they are human creations.22
13844725713ConfederateAn alliance of independent states23
13844725714FederalPower is divided between a central gov't and several local gov't.24
13844725715State of NatureSurvival of the Fittest25
13844725716UnitaryAll power belongs to one level of gov't26
13844725717GovernmentAn organization of people set up to protect the community and make rules. -Protects community -Makes laws -Keeps order27
13844725718PoliticsActivities relate to governance of a country or area28
13844725719DemocracyGov elected by the people. Determine either directly or through elected Reps.29
13844725720Direct DemocracyPeople vote Directly on every issue30
13844725721DemocratsGenerally liberal because they support gov reg. of the economy.31
13844725722RepublicansGenerally Conservatives because they advocate a reduction in gov.32
13844725723Current issues (Left)Left: Pro Gun control, Pro Choice, No Censorship, Prisons should Rehabilitate, Pro-privacy, Equal funding for Education.33
13844725724Current issues (Right)Right: Anti-gun Control, Pro-life, Anti Flag burning, Prisons should punish, Prayer in schools, School vouchers.34
13844725725Taxation (Left)Acceptable, Gov have $ to fund programs benefiting society, % taxes preferred over flat rate, rich= more tax35
13844725726Taxation (Right)Taxes infringe on personal freedoms Taxes= bad for free market Taxes= Penalization those who are successful Taxes= Punish Profit Prefers flat tax36
13844725727Business Regulation (Left)Yes on gov. Reg Market no reliable to provide safe work conditions Gov. reg= protect workers+ consumers= Everyone= chance to succeed37
13844725728Business Regulations (Right)Business need free from gov. and supply and demand will guide Gov policies that affect products are bad Trickle down economics is the way to stimulate economy38
13844725729Political Rights (Left)Extend Civil Rights to minority groups, students, prisoners, homosexuals, and poor. Protect individual rights: Free speech, pro-choice, anti-capital punishment, and privacy.39
13844725730Political Rights (Right)Cent gov= diminish Issues dealt best on state and local level No change in family values ( usually christian centered) O.K to censor obscure ideas that shake Status Quo.40
13844725731Distribution of wealth (Left)Disparity between rich and poor no good, taxes= distribute wealth. Gov more involved in ed, Health care, Child C., and Elderly. Pub Project= Stimulate economy41
13844725732Distribution of wealth (Right)Business= right to make profit People are rich or poor b/c of choices they make Prosperous people should no be penalized.42
13844725733Economy (Left)Minimum wage standards Public projects= more jobs Gov provide basic living standards of living to all citizens43
13844725734Economy (Right)Economy works best in free market (Laissez- Faire) Forces of the market= trusted to meet needs of business, consumer, and workers. Gov. programs should not compete with private industry.44
13844725735Foreign Affairs (Left)Spread Democracy + Protect human rights in the world Strong Support of UN.45
13844725736Foreign Affairs (Right)Gov role= pro us business and econ. intervention in other countries. Fix us before we fix others Support tariffs (tax on imports)46
13844725737SCOPE OF THE GOVERNMENT (Left)The government should serve as the equalizers in society and establish a basic standard of living, a minimum wage is an acceptable tool of government intervention. The left accepts government control and regulation of business and an active government that protects political rights.47
13844725738SCOPE OF THE GOVERNMENT (Right)Government should be downsized. Large governments, both federal and state, have the power to control business interests and therefore potentially infringe on the freedoms of individuals. Government programs tend to provide unnecessary services that go beyond the scope of the constitution.48
13844725739Two- Party SystemA system where two major political parties dominate politics within a government49
13844725740Third partyAny political party that is not one of the two major parties in a two-party system50
13844725741PlankEach issue included in a political party's platform. Gives the candidates a clear political position with which they can campaign. They give voters a sense of what the candidates believe in, the issues they think are important, and how - if elected - they will address them.51
13844725742Becoming PresidentStep 1: Formation of a Presidential Exploratory Committee Step 2: Announcement of intention to run for president based on findings of the exploratory committee Step 3: Fundraising and gathering of support and endorsements from the general public as well as other politicians, special interest groups, corporations, etc. Step 4: Campaigning early, especially in states where primaries are important (Iowa, New Hampshire, candidates home state, etc.) Step 5: Continuing to campaign to beat out all other opponents from within your own party Step 6: Attending your party's National Convention and securing the nomination of the party Step 7: Campaigning nationwide against your opponents from other parties Step 8: Winning election and securing enough electoral college votes to be named the next president52
13844725743Three main concepts of Government brought by English ColonistsThe need for an ordered social system, or government. The idea of limited government, that is, that government should not be all-powerful. The concept of representative government—a government that serves the will of the people.53
13844725744Royal ColoniesRuled directly by the English monarchy.54
13844725745Proprietary colonies.Land given to the colonist by the Monarchy55
13844725746Charter ColonistsSelf-governed, and their charters were granted to the colonists.56
13844725747ConfederationA joining of several groups for a common purpose57
13844725748The Albany PlanIn 1754, Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan, an annual congress of delegates (representatives) from each of the 13 colonies would be formed.58
13844725749Stamp Act CongressIn 1765, a group of colonies sent delegates to the Stamp Act Congress in New York. These delegates prepared the Declaration of Rights and Grievances against British policies and sent it to the king.59
13844725750First Continental CongressThe colonists sent a Declaration of Rights to King George III. The delegates urged each of the colonies to refuse all trade with England until British tax and trade regulations were repealed, or recalled.60
13844725751Second Continental CongressIn 1775, each of the 13 colonies sent representatives to this gathering in Philadelphia. The Second Continental Congress served as the first government of the United States from 1776 to 1781.61
13844725752Declaration of IndependenceJuly 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. Between 1776 and 1777, most of the States adopted constitutions instead of charters.62
13844725753Common Features of State ConstitutionsPopular Sovereignty Limited Government Civil Rights and Liberties Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances63
13844725754Popular SovereigntyThe principle of popular sovereignty was the basis for every new State constitution. That principle says that government can exist and function only with the consent of the governed. The people hold power and the people are sovereign.64
13844725755Limited GovernmentThe concept of limited government was a major feature of each State constitution. The powers delegated to government were granted reluctantly and hedged with many restrictions.65
13844725756Civil Rights and LibertiesIn every State it was made clear that the sovereign people held certain rights that the government must respect at all times. Seven of the new constitutions contained a bill of rights, setting out the "unalienable rights" held by the people.66
13844725757Separation of Powers and Checks and BalancesThe powers granted to the new State governments were purposely divided among three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Each branch was given powers with which to check (restrain the actions of) the other branches of the government.67
13844725758Articles of Confederation (AC)Approved November 15, 1777 Est. "a firm league of friendship" between the states Needed the ratification of the 13 states March 1, 1781 Second Continental Congress declared the Articles effective68
13844725759Structure of Constitution3 parts; the preamble, the articles(7), and the amendments69
13844725760The Preambleintro, explains purpose of Constitution and purpose of govt70
13844725761Article Iestablishes legislative branch71
13844725762Article IIcreates an executive branch to carry out laws created by Congress72
13844725763Article IIIcreates judicial branch73
13844725764Article IVexplains the relationship of the states to one another and to the national govt74
13844725765Article Vspells out the ways the Constitution can be amended75
13844725766Article VIcontains the supremacy clause, establishing that federal law shall be the supreme law of the land76
13844725767Article VIIaddresses ratification and says that 9 states are needed to ratify the Constitution77
13844725768Connecticut CompromiseTwo houses Senate - equal representation House - proportional representation based on population Combination of Virginia and New Jersey plans78
138447257696 Major Principles of Constitution1. Popular sovereignty- rule by people 2. Federalism- power is divided between national and state govts 3. Separation of powers- limits the central govt by dividing power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches 4. checks and balances- each branch of govt exercises some control over the others79
13844725770Electoral Collegea compromise, combining features of both congressional selection and direct popular election80
13844725771Electorsindividuals selected in each state to officially cast that state's electoral votes; Wisconsin selects 10 electors81
13844725772Popular Votethe popular vote winner may not win the electoral college; for example: small-state bias caused by each state getting at least three electoral votes regardless of its size82
13844725773The Virginia Plan-Three Separate branches of government: Legislature, Executive, and Judicial -Bicameral legislature (2 parts) -Based on population or the amount of money given to support the central government -Members of House of Reps = based on population -Senate = chosen by House from a list from the State Legislature -Congress would be given powers it had under the Articles of Confederation -Any State law that conflicted with National Law would be vetoed -"National Executive" and "National Judiciary" -Council of Revision -Veto acts passed by Congress (but can be overridden by Congress) -State officers should take an Oath to the Union -Admission process for new States83
13844725774New Jersey Plan-Unicameral (one body) Congress of the Confederation -Each state equally represented -Give them limited and closely monitored powers -Tax and regulate trade -Federal Executive -More than one person -Chosen by Congress/could be removed with a majority vote -Federal Judiciary -Single "supreme Tribunal" -Selected by the Executive Branch84
13844725775Three-Fifths CompromiseAll "free persons" will be counted; 3/5 of all other persons Southerners could count slaves but had to pay taxes on them85
13844725776judicial reviewpower of courts to say that laws and actions of govt are invalid bc they conflict w the constitution's principles86
13844725777The Commerce and Slave Trade CompromisesCongress has the power to regulate foreign and interstate trade -Scared southerners because of slave trade -States cannot enact import/export taxes only federal government can -Could not act on the slave trade for 20 years87
13844725778AC (Power of congress)Make war and peace Send and receive ambassadors Make treaties Borrow money Set up a money system Est. post offices Build a navy Raise an army by asking the states for troops Fix uniform standards of weights and measures Settle disputes among the states88
13844725779James MadisonJames Madison was the co-author of the Articles of Confederation. Kept detailed records of the convention Conventions Floor leader Contributed more to the constitution than any other89
13844725780Constitutional ConventionMid-February of 1787 meeting of all thirteen States, which eventually became the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.90
13844725781AC (States Obligations)Pledge to obey the Articles and Acts of the Congress Provide the funds and troops requested by the congress Treat citizens of other states fairly and equally Give full faith and credit to public acts, records, and judicial proceedings Submit disputes to congress for settlement Allow open travel and trade b/w and among states Primarily responsible for protecting life and property Accountable for promoting the general welfare of the people.91
13844725782Weaknesses of the Articles-One vote for each state, regardless of size. -Congress powerless to lay and collect taxes, and regulate foreign and interstate commerce. -No executive to enforce acts of congress. -No national court system. Amendment only with consent of all states. -Amendment only with consent of all State. -A 9/13 majority required to pass laws. -Articles only a "firm league of friendship"92
13844725783Lobbyingefforts by individuals or groups to influence governmental decision makers Types of lobbying; -full-time employee -temporary employee -often former legislatives93
13844725784Inside lobbyingappeals directly to lawmakers and their staff -through meetings -by providing research and info -by testifying at committee hearings94
13844725785Outside lobbyingattempt to influence decision makers indirectly, by influencing the public -try to build public support -increase conflict about an issue -lobby other groups and try to form alliances tactics: direct contact, direct mail, and media advertisements95
13844725786Electioneering-efforts to help candidates financially -efforts to help candidates gain voter support96
13844725787Litigationtestifying to influence public policy97
13844725788Types of Interest Groups-economic interests -environmental interests -equality interests -consumer and other public interest lobbies98
13844725789Economic Intereststrade associations; - organized commercial groups, farm organizations - corporations; form own interest groups, hire lobbyists - labor unions, professional associations99
13844725790Environmental Interests- sprang up since 1970 - profound policy impact bc of numbers, not money100
13844725791PACPolitical Action Committees; raise and spend money to influence electoral outcomes101
13844725792Equality Interests14th Amendment guarantees equality Minorities and Equality - social welfare policies Women102
13844725793Consumer and Other Public Interest LobbiesRepresent broad classes of people or the public as a whole -consumer, voters, reformers, etc Public Interest Groups -policies that are in the public's interest Think tanks -conduct research -advocate a strong ideological viewpoint103
13844725794How do interest groups shape public policy?lobbying, electioneering, litigation, going public104
13844725795Law making processhttp://integrationsolutions.westlaw.com/gov/leghist/images/cap.gif105
13844725796Presidential RolesChief of State - the ceremonial head of the government of the United States Chief Executive - given this title by the Constitution Chief Administrator - carry out the laws, head of the federal bureaucracy Chief Diplomat - main architect of America's foreign policy Commander in Chief - head of the nation's armed forces Chief Legislator - can push for laws to be passed Chief of Party - Leader of their political party106
13844725797Presidential QualificationsMust be a natural born citizen Be at least 35 years old Have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years107
13844725798Who takes over if pres. cannotVice President Speaker of the House President pro tempore Secretary of State108
1384472579922nd Amendmentset 2 term limit on109
13844725800Presidential pay$400,000 a year and $50,000 expense account110
13844725801Presidential BenefitsLive in the White House (132 Rooms) Yacht, Automobiles, Air Force One Lifetime pension of $143,800 a year Camp David - Resort in Maryland111
13844725802Presidential powerPower to appoint cabinet members, diplomats and ambassadors, judges Power to make treaties - formal agreement between two or more sovereign state Executive Agreement - pacts between the President and the heads of foreign states Recognition - President can acknowledge the legal existence of a country and its government112
13844725803Presidential Legislative powerRecommend Legislation Veto Bills Can call for a special session of Congress113
13844725804Presidential Judicial powerReprieve - postponement of the execution of a sentence Pardon - legal forgiveness of a crime (only involving a federal offense) Commutation - reduce the length of a sentence or a fine Amnesty - a general pardon offered to a group of violators 1977 - Pardon to Vietnam War draft evaders114
13844725805Main jobs of House and SenateMake Laws Declare War Represent their Constituents115
13844725806House Membership435 members (each state's delegation is determined by its population)116
13844725807Senate Membership100 members (two per state)117
13844725808House Qualifications25 years old U.S Citizens for 7 years Resident of State they're representing118
13844725809Senate Qualifications30 years old U.S citizens for 9 years Resident of State they're representing119
13844725810Terms limit for House2 years entire house elected every two years120
13844725811Terms limit for Senate1/3 of Senate 2 years121
13844725812"Leader" of HouseSpeaker of the House122
13844725813"Leader" of SenateVice President123
13844725814How House is electedDirectly voted by voter per district124
13844725815How Senate is electedDirectly by the voters of a state125
13844725816ReapportionmentApplies only to HOUSE redistribution of seats every 10 years states gain or lose seats based on their population growing or shrinking126
13844725817Thomas PaineAuthor of book "Common Sense"127
13844725818Gerrymanderingan attempt by politicians to create unbalanced districts for their party's political gain128
13844725819Special Powers of HouseBrings impeachment charges May choose the President if there is no majority in the electoral system Must start all revenue bills129
13844725820Special Powers of SenateActs as jury in impeachment trials (2/3 vote needed) May choose the Vice President if there is no majority in the electoral system Must ratify treaties with foreign nations by 2/3 vote Must approves Presidential appointments (majority needed)130
13844725821What makes an interest group successful?access, info, leadership skills, numerical strength, group unity, money131
13844725822CBO- strengthen Congress' role in the budgeting process132
13844725823Pluralist Theory- groups link ppl and govt - competition between interest groups is a central part of American democracy - different groups have strengths in different areas133
13844725824Types of CommitteesStanding committees - handle bills in different policy areas Select - may be temporary and permanent and usually have focused responsibility Joint Committees - draw their membership from both the Senate and the House Conference Committees - are formed when Senate and the house pass different versions of the same bill134
13844725825Elite Theory- reject the pluralists' assertion that competing groups balance power - believe unequal distribution of power in society ensures that interests of some groups will dominate others135
13844725826Hyperpluralist Theory- argue that pluralism in the US is out of control -results in govt that is very subservient to interest groups and tries to appease them all136
138447258274 Models of Representationsdelegate model - assumes that a representative's job is to convey the will of the majority of their constituents to the legislature trustee model - should take the majority view into account but use his or best judgment when voting or acting on behalf of constituents politico model -middle path between trustees and delegate model conscience model - should generally follow what the follow what the public says unless it goes against their deepest values137
13844725828Agenda settingbringing issues to the public's attention and placing them on the national agenda138
13844725829GAOGovernment Accountability Office - broad authority to oversee the operations and finances of executive agencies139
13844725830GPOthecGovernment Printing Office - distributes over 200,000 govt publications in U.S. govt bookstores throughout the nation140
13844725831Types of gerrymanderingPartisan gerrymandering - drawing a district to favor one political party over others Incumbent gerrymandering - a state legislature is so closely divided that neither political party has an advantage Racial gerrymandering - drawing a district to favor one racial group over others Affirmative racial gerrymandering - creation of predominately African American and minority districts whenever possible141
13844725832Free rider problembarrier to collective action bc ppl can reap the benefits of group efforts without participating142
13844725833Single-issue groupsgroups that have a narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics143
13844725834CRSCongressional Research Service - works for the U.S. Congress and provides nonpartisan an policy and research analysis to committees and members of both houses144
13844725835Edmund Burkecontrasts with the idea of representatives as delegated who feel obligated to vote according to the views of the "folks back home" regardless of their own personal viewpoint145
13844725836Caucusa group of members of Congress sharing some interest or characteristic146
13844725837House Rules Committeethe committee in the House of Representatives that reviews most bills coming from a House committee before they go to the full House147
13844725838Companion legislationsimilar or identical legislation which is introduced in Senate and House148
13844725839Omnibus legislationlarge bills that often cover several topics and may contain extraneous, or pork-barrel projects149
13844725840Who runs for congress?People involved: Law Business Public service150
13844725841legislative oversightcongress' monitoring of the bureaucracy and its administration of policy, performed mainly through hearings151
13844725842power of the pursecongressional exclusive power to authorize expenditures by all avenues of the federal govt152
13844725843advice and consentadvice and consent and confirmation of presidential appointments and treaties153
13844725844Seniority systemgoverns most committee assignments and movement into committee leadership positions154
13844725845Pork barrelfederal projects, grants, and contracts available to state and local govts, businesses, colleges, and other institutions155
13844725846congressional caseworkactivities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals, particularly by cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get ppl what they think they have a right to get156
13844725847partisan polarizationa vote in which a majority of democratic legislators oppose a majority of republican legislators157
13844725848incumbent advantagesadvertising - gather info through technological sources-thus having the incumbents' personal interests credit claiming - enhancing their standing w constituents through service to individuals and the district weak opponents -no name recognition campaign spending - the candidate who spends the most money tends to win misinformed voters158
13844725849federalista person who advocates or supports a system of government in which several states unite under a central authority159
13844725850anti-federalistsomebody who opposed the U.S. Constitution when it was being drawn up160
13844725851filibusterany member can speak for as long as he or she wants on any given use161
13844725852Amendment 1 freedomsFreedom of Religion, freedom of speech, Freedom of expression, Freedom of the Press, and Freedom of Assembly.162
13844725853bill of rightsthe first ten amendments to the US Constitution163

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