Ap us gov speed review

• The Declaration of Independence contains three ideals of democracy: natural rights, social contract, and popular sovereignty
• The Constitution gives us limited government and republicanism
• The Constitution established the US as a republic, not a democracy
• Three types of democracy


  • Participatory
  • Pluralist
  • Elite
• Federalists


  Supported the new Constitution, wanted a stronger central government, opposed the Bill of Rights
• Anti-Federalists


  Wanted states' rights, wanted a Bill of Rights, didn't want a strong central government
• The Articles of Confederation created a very weak central government
• The Constitutional Convention resulted in a brand new Constitution
• Four examples of negotiation and compromise in the Constitution


  • The Great Compromise
  • Establishing the Electoral College
  • Counting slaves as 3/5 of a person
  • Allowing the slave trade for 20 years
• Separation of powers


  • The powers of each branch of government
• Checks and balances


  • How the branches limit and influence each other
• Federalist 10 argues against democracy and says a large republic is the best way to control factions
• Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution and warned the new federal government would become oppressive
• Federalism


  The relationship between states and the federal government, which has evolved over time with the federal government gaining more power
• Types of government powers


  • Delegated
  • Reserved
  • Concurrent
• The US has moved from dual to cooperative federalism
• Block grants


  Grants where states have more leeway in how to use the money
• Categorical grants


  Grants where the federal government tells states exactly how to use the money
• The federal government has gained more power through changing interpretations of the Constitution, like the Commerce Clause
• US v. Lopez limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause
• Differences between the House and Senate


  • House is based on population and has 2-year terms, Senate represents states and has 6-year terms
  • House has more rules and leadership focus, Senate has filibusters and unanimous consent
  • House has discharge petitions, Senate has holds
• Most work in Congress is done in committees
• Types of congressional committees


  • Standing
  • Conference
  • Select
• Log rolling


  Vote trading in Congress
• Pork barrel legislation


  Providing money and benefits to someone's district
• Types of congressional spending


  • Discretionary
  • Mandatory
• Redistricting after the census can lead to gerrymandering
• Racial gerrymandering is not allowed according to Shaw v. Reno
• Wesberry v. Sanders established the one person, one vote principle
• Models of congressional representation


  • Trustee
  • Delegate
  • Politico
• Presidential powers


  • Foreign powers, informal powers like executive orders
• Congress can check the president through the confirmation process
• There is often tension between Congress and the president over lawmaking
• Federalist 70 argued for a unitary executive
• Bully pulpit


  The president's ability to get attention and influence through speeches and media
• Marbury v. Madison gave the Supreme Court the power of judicial review
• Judicial review


  • The Supreme Court's power to rule laws unconstitutional
• The Supreme Court often follows precedent (stare decisis) but not always
• The president nominates and the Senate confirms federal judges
• Checks on the courts


  • Constitutional amendments
  • Changing jurisdiction
  • Changing number of judges
  • Passing new legislation