The Constitution I
gives Congress interstate regulatory power
Interstate Commerce clause
After every census the congressional districts are redrawn based on population
Redistricting
Citizens meet and vote directly on government decisions
Direct Democracy
President cannot withhold pentagon papers from the press (no unlimited right to executive privilege)
NY Times v. USA
If Gov’t does not protect these rights, then the People have the duty to change/destroy
Declaration of Independence
Presidents are elected by this
electoral college
Abolition of Slavery
13
first 10 amendments of the Constitution
Bill of Rights
held every four years in which president is elected
General elections
major change in the core members/beliefs of a political party- either one major party is replaced by another, or the two major parties completely change viewpoints
Realignment
Apportionment of districts must be as fair as possible “one man, one vote”
Baker v. Carr
Outline of federal gov’t structure, powers, and limits to those powers
Three branches (L, E, J) [Sep. of P’s] that can limit each other [Ch & B’s]
Federal system of government
Supreme Law Bill of Rights
Constitution
people from either party can vote (must choose to vote for either democrats or republicans)
Open primaries
Lays out the roll of the Legislative Branch
Article I
people shall be free to exercise their own religion and government cannot establish an official religion
establishment clause or free exercise clause
people vote on laws and constitutional amendments within state (direct democracy)
Initiative
represent specific ideological positions, sometimes can serve as “spoilers” but rarely make much of an impact
Third parties
Established Judicial Review
Marbury v. Madison
limitations placed upon the central government rendered it ineffective at governing the continually growing American states
Articles of Confederation
close relationship between interest groups, congress, and agencies
Iron triangle
Presidential Vote for D.C.
23rd
gives congress flexibility to make laws necessary and proper
necessary and proper clause (elastic clause)
The practice of redistricting in order to benefit a specific party by drawing districts based on the demo of their residents
Gerrymandering
Permanent panel with full legislative functions and oversight responsibilities. The members become experts
Standing Committee
Overturned Plessy, rules segregation is unconstitutional
Brown v. Board of Ed
Without an independent judiciary, any rights reserved to the people by the Constitution “would amount to nothing,” since the legislature cannot be relied upon to police itself.
Federalist 78
Includes members of both houses to perform housekeeping tasks of studies
Joint Committee
Deals with state citizenship, the relationship between states, and the relationship between the states and the federal government.
IV
president must enforce ALL laws passed by congress
Take Care Clause
a collection of people who share a common interest or attitude, and seek to influence government. These groups use fundraising and lobbying to influence the political process. these can be unions, government groups, businesses, think-tanks, or ideological groups
Interest Group
Federal courts that hear appeals from district courts, no juries, decisions made by panels of appointed judges. To get here someone must claim that their constitutional rights have been violated
Courts of Appeals (circuit courts)
No school-led daily player allowed in public schools
Engel v. Vitale
written by Madison, discusses importance of checks and balances and the separation of powers in the constitution
Federalist Paper #51
Formed to tackle specific tasks within standing committee
Subcommittee
Lays out the Amendment process of the constitution
Article V
Against unreasonable Search and Seizure
4th amendment
principle that courts will not overturn previous decisions
Judicial Restraint
sharing powers between state and federal governments
Cooperative Federalism, aka “Marble Cake” Federalism
Established federal supremacy over states
McCulloch v. Maryland
a bill of rights was necessary to protect the people from the government
Brutus I
Special type of joint committee that reconciles senate and house versions of a bill
Conference Committee
Lays out the rules of the Executive branch
Article II
denies government the right to deny people of life, liberty, or property without due process of law (trial)
Due Process Clause
people can only vote if they are a registered member of the party
Closed primaries
System of government in which the central government is extremely powerful, and individual states have few powers
Unitary System
States must provide attorneys to defendants
Gideon v. Wainwright
written by Madison, discusses importance of factions, factions are inevitable, but factions are best handled by a large republic.
Federalist Paper #10
Tax exempt organization created to influence the nomination/election of a candidate
527 group
Right to Vote at Age 18
26th
states must honor laws and court rulings of other states
Full Faith and Credit
Temporary groups with limited purposes (investigation)
Select or Special Committee
government’s patterns of spending, taxing, and providing grants to influence state and local governments
Fiscal Federalism
Government can limit speech – “clear and present danger test”
Schenk v. USA
White Americans who say they agree with the notion of desegregation but criticize the manner in which civil rights activists go about achieving it are the biggest obstacle standing in the way of racial equality. The demeaning and "paternalistic" attitude of white moderates shows a lack of real understanding about the realities of segregation. It is this group that perpetuates the notion that time, not human intervention, will be the great equalizer—which discourages others to join the campaign for civil rights.
Letter from a Birmingham Jail
Perform services on behalf of government. These are established by Congress outside of the Executive Branch
Social Security Administration
Central Intelligence Agency
Environmental Protection Agency
Independent Executive Agencies
Two-Term Limit on Presidency
22nd
Federal law is superior to state law. This came out of the court case McCulloch vs. Maryland, in which there was debate as to whether or not the Bank of the United States had to pay Maryland state taxes. The Supreme Court ruled that because the Bank of the US was NATIONAL it did not have to follow Maryland STATE law. This ruling overturned the idea of nullification by which states could override federal law
Supremacy Clause
the view that judges should discern the general principles underlying the constitution, and apply them to modern circumstances. These justices typically try to overturn precedent
Activist approach
Belief that the state and national governments are supreme within their own sphere of influence
Dual Federalism, aka “Layer Cake” Federalism
selective incorporation of the 2nd amendment
McDonald v. Chicago
Argues that unity in the executive branch is a main ingredient for both energy and safety. Energy arises from the proceedings of a single person, characterized by, "decision, activity, secrecy, and dispatch," while safety arises from the unitary executive's unconcealed accountability to the people.
FED #70
right of president to keep certain documents private if pertaining to national security
Executive privilege
Lays out the rules of the Judicial Branch
Article III
Every 10 years a count of the total population, different ethnic groups, religions, and how people vote
The Census
1. Limited soft money
2. Still allowed PACs and interest groups to spend infinite amounts of money on issue advocacy
McCain-Feingold Act
Citizens choose officials who make decisions on government policy
Representative Democracy (Republic)
“Separate but equal” is ok, allows for segregation
Plessy v. Ferguson
Double Jeopardy
.
Belief that government must manage the economy by spending more money during recessions and cutting spending when there is inflation
Keynesianism
Congressional Compensation
27th