AP Gov Exam Study Guide questions and answers

Charles Beard's theory of the Constitution believed the Constitution was written in favor of the wealthy classes (land owners) Federalist no. 10 part of a collection of essays promoting ratification of the Constitution; written by James Madison, addresses the question of how to guard against factions-argued that a strong, big republic would be a better guard against those dangers Federalist no. 51 art of a collection of essays promoting ratification of the Constitution; written by James Madison, addresses means by which appropriate checks and balances can be created in government and also advocates a separation of powers within the national government Marbury v. Madison established the practice of judicial review McCulloch v. Maryland established two important principles in constitutional law: the Constitution grants to Congress implied powers for implementing the Constitution's express powers, in order to create a functional national government, and state action may not impede valid constitutional exercises of power by the Federal government. Divided government Governance divided between the parties, especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress Federalism separation of power between state and federal governments Mandate a president's claim of broad public support Block grants broad grants to states for prescribed activities, with only a few strings attached-states have greater flexibility Devolution Revolution the effort to slow the growth of the federal government by returning many functions to the states AFDC (aid to families with dependent children) federal guarantee of welfare checks for all eligible mothers and children TANF (temporary assistance to needy families) welfare block grant to states; you can be on welfare for only a total of 5 years in your lifetime; must be actively looking for a job Lopez v. U.S. (1995) the first United States Supreme Court case since the New Deal to set limits to Congress's power under the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. Iron Triangle a policy making alliance that involves very strong ties among a congressional committee, an interest group and a federal department or agency Issue Network relationships among interest groups, congressional committees and subcommittees, and the government agencies that share a common policy concern PAC(political action committee) the political arm on an interest group that is legally entitled to raise funds on a voluntary basis from members, stockholders, or employees to contribute funds to candidates or political parties Federal Election Campaign Act (1971) limited amounts that candidates for federal office could spend on advertising, required disclosure of the sources of campaign funds and how they are spent, and required PACs to register with the government and report all major contributions and expenditures Buckley v. Valeo allowed limitations on contributions and full and open disclosure of all fund-raising activities by candidates for federal office, as well as the system of public financing for presidential elections McCain-Feingold Act or BCRA (bipartisan campaign reform act) banned party hard money, restored long standing prohibition on corporations and labor unions for using general treasury funds for electoral purposes, and narrowed the definition of issue advocacy Issue Advocacy Groups promote a particular position or an issue paid for by interest groups or individuals but not candidates Soft money contributions to a state or local party for party building purposes War Powers Act (1973) intended to check the president's power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of Congress Filibuster 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 Hold a procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator temporarily blocks the consideration of a bill or nomination Cloture a procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate Pork Barrel Politics the appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district Log rolling Mutual aid and vote trading among legislators Riders a provision attached to a bill-to which it may or may not be related-in order to secure its passage Rules Committee determine the basic operations of their chamber Discharge Petition Petition that, if signed by a majority of the House, will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration Conference Committee committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form Seniority Rule a legislative practice that assigns the chair of a committee or subcommittee to the member of the majority party with the longest continuous service on the committee Speaker the presiding officer in the House, formally elected by the House but actually selected by the majority party Delegate an official who is expected to represent the views of his or her constituents even when personally holding different views Trustee an official who is expected to vote independently based on his or her judgment of the circumstances OMB (office of management and budget) Presidential staff agency that serves as a clearing-house for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies CBO (congressional budget office) an agency of Congress that analyzes presidential budget recommendations and estimates the costs of proposed legislation Single member district an electoral district in which voters choose one representative or official Safe seat an elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other, so the success of that party's candidate is almost taken for granted United States v. Curtiss-Wright involving principles of both governmental regulation of business and the supremacy of the executive branch of the federal government to conduct foreign affairs; the Court concluded that foreign affairs power was vested in the national government as a whole and also that the President of the United States had "plenary" powers in the foreign affairs field that was not dependent upon congressional delegation. Selective Perception the process by which individuals perceive what they want to in media messages Issue Framing presenting an issue in a way that will likely get the most agreement from others Pocket veto a veto exercised by the president after Congress has adjourned; if the president takes no action for ten days, the bill does not become law and is not returned to Congress for a possible override