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AP Gov Unit 1 Review
Underpinnings/Federalism Unit Review
76
Political Studies
12th Grade
04/08/2012

Additional Political Studies Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Politics
Definition
the struggle over power or influence within organizations.
Ex: Church or School funding distribution
Term
Institution
Definition
Am ongoing organization that performs a certain function
Ex: U.S. Gov't
Term
Government
Definition
The institution in which decisions are made that resolve conflicts or allocate benefits and privileges.
Ex: U.S. Gov't
Term
Order
Definition
A state of peace and security, maintaining order by protecting members of society is one of gov'ts oldest purposes.
Ex: Police force
Term
Liberty
Definition
The greatest freedom for an individual that is consistent with other individuals in their society.
Ex:Bill of Rights
Term
Authority
Definition
The right and power of a gov't or entity to enforce its decisions.
Ex: Putting lawbreakers in jail.
Term
Legitimacy
Definition
Popular acceptance of the right and power of a gov't to exercise authority.
Ex: Voting in American Gov't
Term
Totalitarian Regime
Definition
A gov't which controls all political and social aspects of its citizens lives.
Ex: USSR
Term
Authoritarianism
Definition
A regime where the gov't itself is the only aspect fully controlled by a ruler, there are other institutions in the country beyond gov't control.
Ex: Iran
Term
Aristocracy
Definition
Rule by an upper class
Ex: U.S. gov't (must have a lot of financial backing to enter)
Term
Democracy
Definition
Gov't where political authority comes from the people.
Ex: Ideal U.S. gov't
Term
Direct Democracy
Definition
Gov't where the people make decisions directly.
Ex: Ancient Greece
Term
Legislature
Definition
A gov't body made to make laws.
Ex: Congress
Term
Initiative
Definition
Voters propose a law
Ex: Prohibition
Term
Referendum
Definition
Legislature brings a law to the people.
Ex: Prop 101
Term
Recall
Definition
The people vote an acting lawmaker out of office
Ex: Can be done at the state level.
Term
Consent of the People
Definition
Gov't derives power from the consent of the governed.
Ex: Gov't by the people, for the people.
Term
Republic
Definition
Gov't where representatives vote on behalf of the people.
Ex: U.S. Congress
Term
Popular Sovereignty
Definition
Ultimate political authority is based on the will of the people.
Ex: UK gov't
Term
Democratic Republic
Definition
People elect lawmakers who then vote and make laws on the behalf of the people.
Ex: U.S. Congress
Term
Representative Democracy
Definition
Like Democratic Republic, but may have a ceremonial monarch.
Ex: Great Britain
Term
Universal Suffrage
Definition
Right of all adults to vote for their representatives.
Ex: Women's Suffrage movement
Term
Majority
Definition
>50%
Term
Majority Rule
Definition
Will of the majority will determine gov't decisions.
Ex: >50% in favor of legalizing drugs, gov't legalizes drugs
Term
Limited Gov't
Definition
Gov't power must be limited
Ex: Checks and Balances
Term
Majoritarianism
Definition
Gov't should follow what the majority of the people want.
Ex: Pro-gay right=legalize gay marriage.
Term
Elite Theory
Definition
The gov't will do what the select few with power want in order to further self-interests.
Ex: Campaign contributions from corporations.
Term
Pluralism
Definition
Groups will bargain to get the best deal for their members.
Ex: Interest groups
Term
Political Culture
Definition
Collection of beliefs held by a society toward gov't.
Ex: Most Americans believe in trial by a jury of peers.
Term
Political Socialization
Definition
The way a person develops political views.
Ex: Republican family will likely yield a republican child.
Term
Dominant Culture
Definition
The prevailing views of a society determine how a gov't will operate.
Ex: Judeo-Christian morality as a source for US gov't.
Term
Equality
Definition
All people hold equal worth.
Ex: All men are created equal.
Term
Property
Definition
Anything that can be owned.
Ex: Land
Term
Capitalism
Definition
An economic system where private ownership and wealth accumulation are key.
Ex: U.S. economic system
Term
Ideology
Definition
A political view system
Ex: Conservative
Term
Conservativism
Definition
Limited gov't, national defense, traditional values, little change.
Ex: Rick Perry
Term
Liberalism
Definition
Pro gov't action, welfare of individuals, pro-civil rights, tolerate social change.
Ex: Barrak Obama
Term
Socialism
Definition
Political ideology based on social and economic equality. Pro-gov't run business.
Ex: Ideal form of communism
Term
Libertarianism
Definition
Nearly no gov't socially or economically.
Ex: Ron Paul
Term
Communism
Definition
Dictatorship where gov't controls everything in a socially equal manner (ideally).
Ex: USSR
Term
Fascism
Definition
One totalitarian ruler, very pro-war.
Ex: Nazi Germany
Term
Hispanic
Definition
Someone with heritage of a Spanish speaking country.
Ex: Hispanics
Term
Representative Assembly
Definition
A legislature composed of individuals representing the population.
Ex: Jamestown settlers
Term
Natural Rights
Definition
Rights of all people that cannot be restricted.
Ex: Life, liberty, property
Term
Unicameral Legislature
Definition
One legislative chamber
Ex: British Parliament
Term
Confederation
Definition
Political system where states retain ultimate authority except in areas they choose to give power to a central gov't, completely voluntary.
Ex: Articles of Confederation
Term
State
Definition
A group of people in a specific area lead by a single gov't.
Ex: Arizona
Term
Bicameral Legislature
Definition
Legislature with two parts.
Ex: U.S. congress
Term
Supremacy Doctrine
Definition
The idea that federal laws override state laws.
Ex: Illegal Marijuana
Term
Great Compromise
Definition
Combination of New Jersey and Virginia plans creating a house based on population and a house based on equality.
Ex: Connecticut Compromise
Term
Separation of Powers
Definition
Dividing gov't powers horizontally.
Ex: Judiciary/Executive/Legislative
Term
Madison Model
Definition
Model of gov't with three powers, executive/judicial/legislative
Ex: U.S. Federal Gov't
Term
Checks and Balances
Definition
Having gov't powers keep each other in line through a system of specific powers.
Ex: Impeachment
Term
Electoral College
Definition
A group of people selected to act as representatives for a vote for president. Number of reps per state is equal to their number of reps in both houses of congress.
Ex: U.S. Presidential Elections
Term
Federal system
Definition
Gov't system where one central gov't divides power into many smaller gov'ts.
Ex: U.S. Federal and state gov'ts.
Term
Ratification
Definition
Formal Approval
Ex: Ratify the constitution
Term
Federalist
Definition
Person in favor of new constitution
Ex: Madison
Term
Anti-Federalist
Definition
Person in favor of not ratifying the constitution.
Ex: Samuel Adams
Term
Executive Agreement
Definition
An agreement between two chiefs of state not needing approval by the legislature.
Ex: WWII weapons
Term
Judicial Review
Definition
Supreme Court can declare any law or act of gov't as unconstitutional.
Ex: Overruling segregation
Term
Unitary System
Definition
Gov't system where branching gov'ts only have powers given to them by the central gov't.
Ex: France
Term
Confederate System
Definition
Gov't system where central gov't only has the pwoer the states choose to grant it.
Ex: AoC
Term
Enumerated Powers
Definition
Powers expressly laid out in the constitution.
Ex: admitting new states
Term
Elastic Clause
Definition
Gives all powers necessary to carry out the enumerated powers.
Ex: regulative interstate commerce lead to stopping drug activity
Term
Police Power
Definition
Authority to legislate for the health and welfare of the people
Ex: School funding
Term
Concurrent Powers
Definition
Powers held by both state and federal gov't.
Ex: Taxes
Term
Supremacy Clause
Definition
Federal laws override state laws
Ex: Drug enforcement and marijuana.
Term
Interstate Compact
Definition
Agreement between two or more states.
Ex: Extradition of Criminals
Term
Commerce Clause
Definition
Congress can regulate trade within states and with foreign gov'ts.
Ex: Marijuana growth hurts drug dealers.
Term
Dual Federalism
Definition
System where central and local gov'ts remain supreme within their own spheres which never touch.
Ex: Pre-Civil War Union
Term
Cooperative Federalism
Definition
State and federal gov't cooperate to solve issues.
Ex: New Deal programs
Term
Picker-Fence Federalism
Definition
specific programs and policies are dealt with by all levels, while other are more locally or federally handled exclusively.
Ex: Current system of gov't
Term
Categorical Grants
Definition
very specifically defined grants for very specific uses
Ex: Medicaid
Term
Block grants
Definition
Wide spread grants to be used on many things
Ex: TANF
Term
Federal Mandate
Definition
A requirement in the central gov't that forces states to comply with it.
Ex: ocean-dumping restrictions
Term
Devolution
Definition
Spreading federal powers out to the states.
Ex: Republican Party goal
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