AP Government Study Set questions and answers

Popular Sovereignty This principle states that the source of governmental power lies with the people. This belief stems from the concept of the social contract and the idea that government should be for the benefit of its citizens. People give consent to be governed. If the government is not protecting the people, it should be dissolved. Representative government: people vote to have their voice represented in government. Limited Government since the people give government its power, government itself is limited to the power given to it by them. In other words, the US government does not derive its power from itself. It must follow its own laws and it only act using powers given to it by the people. Rule of law: everyone is equal under the law. Protection of individual rights and freedoms. Civil rights and liberties. (Bill of rights) Checks and Balances in order to further protect the citizens, the constitution set up a system of checks and balances. Basically, each branch of government has a certain number of checks it can use to ensure the other branches do not become too powerful. For example, the president can pass/veto legislation, the Supreme Court can declare laws of congress or presidential acts unconstitutional, and the senate must approve treaties and presidential appointments. Separation of Powers the US government is divided into three branches so that no one branches so that no on branch has all the power. Each branch has its own purpose. Legislative: to make the laws. Executive: enforce the laws. Judicial: interprets the laws. Independent, co-equal in power. Federalism this is the idea that the central government does not control all the power in the nation. States also have powers reserved to them. This diction of powers separate and shared between state and national government does overlap and sometimes leads to problems such as what happened with the response to Hurricane Katrina between the state and federal governments. Expressed,Enumerated,Delegated given to the national government and directly stated in constitution- coin money, make war, regulate trade, make laws necessary and proper, inheart powers, conduct foregin relation, etc. Concurrent shared powers between national and state government - taxing and establishing courts, making laws, etc. Reserved (10th amendment) power to the states - creates local governments, election procedures, general health and welfare, etc. Dual (layered cake) separate and shared responsibilities at national and state level. Cooperative (marble cake) separate and shared responsibilities at national and state level. New or regulated federlism - (strings attached( federal grants, funded and unfunded mandates. Blocks - states decide, categorical - formula: predetermined criteria school lunch programs. Program- competitive apply for funds based on merit. Create a strong national government: Establishing the 5 principles in a federal system. Congress given the expressed powers: Levy and collect taxes, create a national currency, create trade regulations etc. Add a bill of rights Representation in voting: NJ Plan: 2 senators per state, VA plan: House based on population of state, a bicameral congress, slavery 3/5ths, led to the connecticut compromise or great compromise. Create Electoral College Voting: FOunders didn't trust true democracy so they had electors based on the total number of members in congress select the president. 270 votes were needed of the 538 electors to win the presidency. Amendment Process: Founders knew the constitution wasn't perfect. Formal 2.3rds of both houses propose, ratified by ¾ of the states. Informal amendments are everyday laws passed by the government. It's a difficult process to change laws. Founders wanted citizens to deliberate. Needed Bill of Rights Protections of civil rights and liberties against a too intrusive national government. Promised by federalists to anti-feds to get the constitution ratified.