Download The U.S. Constitution and Amendments and more Exams Government and Politics of Asia in PDF only on Docsity!
Ap Government Review Set Detailed Questions
And Expert Answers
10th Amendment - ANS Powers not expressly given to federal government by the Constitution are reserved to states or the people. Also known as "reserved powers amendment" or "states' rights amendment" 13th Amendment - ANS Abolished slavery. First of three "Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War (1865-70) 14th Amendment - ANS (1) All persons born in the U.S. are citizens; (2) no person can be deprived of life, liberty or property without DUE PROCESS OF LAW; (3) no state can deprive a person of EQUAL PROTECTION of the laws. Second of three "Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War. 15th Amendment - ANS States cannot deny any person the right to vote because of race. Third of three "Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War. First Voting Rights Amendment (with 19, 24 & 26) 16th Amendment - ANS Power of Congress to tax income 17th Amendment - ANS Established the direct election of senators (instead of being chosen by state legislatures) 19th Amendment - ANS States cannot deny the right to vote based on gender
1st Amendment - ANS Freedom of religion (establishment & free exercise clauses), speech, press, assembly, and petition. 22nd Amendment - ANS Limits the president to two terms. 23rd Amendment - ANS Gives Washington DC electoral college votes as if it were a state (DC still has no representation in Congress) 24th Amendment - ANS Abolishes poll taxes 26th Amendment - ANS States cannot deny the right to vote based on age (18+) 2nd Amendment - ANS Right to arm bears. Supported by National Rifle Association interest group & Republican Party. 4th Amendment - ANS No "unreasonable" searches and seizures. Exclusionary rule (Weeks v. US, Mapp v. Ohio) 5th Amendment - ANS (1) No Self-Incrimination (Miranda) (2) No Double Jeopardy (defendant cannot be tried again on the same, or similar charges) (3) No deprivation of life liberty or property without "due process of law" (fair treatment)
American Political Culture - ANS 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 Anti-Federalists - ANS A group who opposed the ratification of the Constitution in
- They opposed a strong central government (tyranny) and supported states' rights. "I smell a rat!" Articles of Confederation - ANS Set up the 1st independent American government (1783-88). Nonbinding "league of friendship" among sovereign states with weak central government to help with common defense & cooperation (like the European Union). Replaced by our current constitution in 1788. Bandwagon Effect - ANS "Copy-cat" behavior. People often do things just because other people do them. 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) Block Grants - ANS Grants ($) given to the states by the federal government for a general purpose (like education or road-building). Unlike categorical grants, states have discretion to decide how to spend the money. Example = Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) (States develop and implement welfare programs using federal money). Casework - ANS Assistance given to individual constituents by congressional members, like helping an elderly person figure out how to get Medicare benefits. Major incumbency advantage.
Categorical Grant - ANS A grant ($) 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. Checks and Balances - ANS A major principle of the American system of government. Helps maintain separation of powers so that no one branch gets too powerful. Explained in Federalist 51. Examples: President vetos laws; Senate confirms appointments & treaties; Congress impeaches president & judges... Chief Justice John Marshall - ANS In office from 1801-1835 (longest serving CJ). Supported increased power of federal government. Decided McCulloch v. Maryland, Gibbons v. Ogden, and Marbury v. Madison. Civil Rights Act of 1964 - ANS Prohibits discrimination based on race or gender in employment or public accommodations (restaurants, hotels). Created EEOC to enforce. Based on Congress's interstate commerce clause power (discrimination impacts interstate commerce). The most important federal civil rights law. Commerce Clause - ANS Art. 1, Sec. 8 of the Constitution (enumerated power). Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the several states ["Interstate Commerce Clause"], and with the Indians. Interpreted by the Supreme Court very broadly (Gibbons v. Ogden) until Lopez & Morrison.
Department of State - ANS Cabinet-level agency in charge of foreign policy & international affairs. (Secretary Clinton) Descriptive Representation - ANS The idea that politicians can only represent people like them (ex. only women can represent women, blacks represent blacks, etc.) Devolution Revolution - ANS The effort to reduce the size & power of the federal government by returning (devolving) power to the states. Associated with economic conservatives, President Reagan & the Tea Party. Doctrine of Implied Powers - ANS Established by CJ Marshall in McCulloch v. Maryland. Congress has the power to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" for carrying out its enumerated powers. So it can create a National Bank to carry out its power to coin money. Major cause of growth of federal power. Dual Federalism - ANS 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). Also known as "layer-cake federalism." Electoral College - ANS Constitutional system for electing president and vice president. Each state has electors = to number of senators + representatives (DC also has 3 because of 23rd Amendment). Citizens of state vote for candidate. Winner gets all electoral college votes (except Maine & Nebraska which uses
proportional system). Winner of majority of electoral college votes becomes president. If no majority then President picked by House from top 3 candidates. Congress' Enumerated Powers - ANS Power to tax, borrow & coin money, regulate foreign & interstate commerce, establish army, declare war, make all laws necessary & proper for carrying out the enumerated powers (elastic clause) Exclusionary Rule - ANS Evidence obtained in violation of 4th Amendment is not admissible in criminal trial. (Weeks v. U.S., Mapp v. Ohio) Exit Poll - ANS A poll of voters exiting the polls (voting locations) to attempt to predict the outcome of the election. May create a bandwagon effect. Federalism - ANS A system of government in which power is divided between one central government and several regional governments (dual or cooperative). Used in USA and a few other countries. Most countries have unitary governments. Federalist Papers - ANS Written in 1788 by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay to support ratification of the Constitution. Fed 10 (factions) & Fed 51 (separation of powers, checks & balances) Federalists - ANS Supporters of the new constitution in 1787. Supported a strong central government. Hamilton, Washington, Marshall. Became first political party (vs. Jefferson's Democratic-Republicans)
Grandfather Clause - ANS 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. Informal Amendment Process - ANS Changing the meaning of the Constitution without changing the actual words (which requires a formal amendment through Article V process). Examples = Supreme Court opinions, laws, traditions. Initiative - ANS 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) Isolationism - ANS Old as Washington, a belief that America should not seek to become engaged in foreign affairs. Jacksonian Democracy - ANS The first major opening up of American suffrage (voting rights) by Jackson's new Democratic Party in 1830s. Franchise extended to all white men (not just rich white men). Achieved by state legislation not constitutional amendment. Jim Crow Era - ANS Era in the South after Civil War (1865) until 1950s. African Americans were freed from slavery and could legally vote (Amendments 13, 14,
- but were still subjected to discriminatory state laws enforcing segregation and kept from voting by laws (ex. poll taxes, literacy tests) and by violence (KKK)
John Locke - ANS Father of political liberalism (limited government to protect life liberty & property; right to revolt if government becomes a tyranny); he greatly influenced Jefferson & the Declaration of Independence. Joint Chiefs of Staff - ANS One General from each of the 4 armed service branches (army, navy, air force, marines) and, since 1/2012, the National Guard. The JCS are key military advisors to the President. Defamation - ANS False and malicious (mean) writings ("libel") or speech ("slander") about a living person. Not protected speech under 1st Amendment but check out NY Times v. Sullivan (very difficult for "public figures" to prove defamation) Idealism (foreign policy) - ANS Use American power to promote democracy and peace around the world. Associated with Woodrow Wilson & Jimmy Carter. (Compare with realism) Literacy Test - ANS 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
Logrolling - ANS You support my bill, I'll support yours. Trading favors by legislators to help pass their bills.
professional system. "Important" leadership positions in bureaucracy (Secretaries, Commissioners, Directors) & federal judges still appointed by president. Pocket Veto - ANS If a bill is proposed within 10 days of congress adjourning and the president does not sign it , it will die (un-overrideable veto). Political Ideology - ANS A more or less consistent set of beliefs about what policies government should pursue. Political Socialization - ANS The process by which individuals acquire (absorb) a sense of political identity (beliefs & behaviors). Key agents of socialization include family, media, peers. Process can be informal (family) or formal (APGOPO) Poll Tax - ANS 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. Earmarking - ANS Practice of congressmen of securing ("appropriating") federal money ("pork") for projects that will benefit their constituents. Major incumbent advantage & source of budget increases Primary Election - ANS One way for a state party to select delegates to send to the National Convention. Can be closed, open or blanket. Now used by most states instead of caucus (cheaper, quicker, more democratic).
Push Poll - ANS 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?) Random Digit Dialing - ANS A common method of randomizing poll sample to maximize accuracy. Realism - ANS Major foreign policy ideology. Act in the world only to protect and benefit yourself. (Contrast with idealism) Redistricting Process - ANS When a state legislature or independent commission draws new House district lines (if gain/loss of seats after reapportionment process based on census every ten years) Referendum - ANS 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. Republic - ANS Representative democracy. Sovereignty rests with the people, as opposed to a king or monarch. Sampling Error - ANS The % margin of error of a survey. Randomized polls accurate to 3%.
Swing State - ANS A state that could go either way in a presidential elections (unlike "safe states"). Target of a lot of attention in elections. Also known as "battleground states" or "purple states" (Ohio, Florida in 2008) Unitary State - ANS A state ruled by one central government. This is the system used by most countries. Compare with federal state. United Nations - ANS Replaced the League of Nations after WWII. Global organization to maintain peace and facilitate diplomacy. US Constitution - ANS "The supreme law of the land." Written in 1787 at Philadelphia Convention to replace Articles of Confederation and create stronger central government. Outlines structure & power of 3 branches of national government. Oldest written constitution still in use (but amended 27 times plus myriad informal amendments). US v. Morrison (2000) - ANS Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) unconstitutional because it exceeded Congress' commerce clause power. With Lopez v. United States, two recent cases checking commerce clause growth of federal power (unchecked since New Deal). Next up: Obamacare. Virginia Plan - ANS Also known as the Big State Plan. Wanted proportional representation in Congress (based on population).
White Primary - ANS 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; giving African Americans only the opportunity to vote for white racist A or white racist B. World Trade Organization - ANS Economic organization to promote global wealth. Measurement Error - ANS An error in collecting polling data. Example = response bias or confusing questions. Libertarianism - ANS Belief in as much freedom and as little government as possible (tolerates some government to provide stability & security). Supports free market economy, no government regulation of morality, low taxes. Socialism - ANS A policial ideology that opposes capitalism and supports government control of major aspects of the economy (ex. electricity, health care). Declaration of Independence - ANS Thomas Jefferson's statement of political liberalism (limited government to protect life liberty and pursuit of happiness; right to revolution). Philadelphia Convention (1787) - ANS 12 states send delegates to revise the Articles of Confederation; Delegates soon agree to draft completely new Constitution with stronger federal government. Elite conspiracy?
Congressional Caucuses - ANS Association of members created to support a political ideology or regional economic interest (black caucus, women's caucus, blue dog democrats...) House and Senate Whips - ANS Deputy leadership position. Connects leaders with "rank and file" members, and tries to encourage party unity & discipline Senate Leaders - ANS 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. Standing Committees - ANS Permanent committees in House and Senate that handle bills dealing with a particular subject area. Examples: Defense, Budget, Education. House Rules Committee - ANS 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). House Ways and Means Committee - ANS Important House standing committee responsible for initiating all taxation bills. Appropriations Committees - ANS Decide how to spend money allocated to each spending category by Budget Resolution; 12 subcommittees for major areas of budget (ex. defense, energy, agriculture); major source of earmarking
Budget Committee - ANS House & Senate standing committees that begins budget process in Congress by setting overall budget size and amounts that will be spent on different topics (ex. defense, education) Subcommittees - ANS A group within a standing committee that specializes in a subcategory of the standing committee's responsibility. (Ex. House Committee on Foreign Affairs has subcommittees on Asia, Europe, Africa, etc.) Conference Committees - ANS A joint committee appointed to resolve differences in the senate and house versions of the same bill Joint Committees - ANS Congressional committees to discuss & supervise certain topics, with membership drawn from both houses. (ex., Committee on Library, Taxation) Select Committees - ANS Temporary congressional committees appointed for a specific purpose, such as impeachment investigations or the "Super Committee" on the Budget Committee Chairperson - ANS 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.
