Federalism
Block grants:
General grants that can be used for a variety of purposes within a broad category. Fewer strings attached so that state and local governments have greater freedom in how money is spent
A committee chair in Congress is ALWAYS:
a member of the majority party
Separation of powers and checks and balances:
Federalist #51
Name 3 beliefs of Conservatives.
Favor longer sentences for criminals, traditional marriage, tax cuts, Pro-life, limit the expansion of immigration, promote military spending, deregulation of business, oppose separation of church and state, limited govt, rule of law, free markets, fiscal responsibility
What was the clause in Article I, Section 8 that was used in US v. Lopez?
Commerce Clause
Categorical grants:
Grants that have a specific purpose by law and may even require matching funds from the states, local and state governments
What's the difference between the enumerated powers and implied powers?
The enumerated powers are given explicitly to Congress in Article I, Section 8 and implied powers are powers that are not explicitly given to Congress BUT can be reasonably inferred.
Beware of factions and promote large republics:
Federalist #10
Name 3 liberal beliefs:
Gay marriage, Pro-abortion, favor reduced sentences for criminals, favor expansion of immigration, favor regulations of business, pro-taxes, Promote reduced military spending, for separation of church and state
Redistricting is justiciable:
Baker v. Carr
Revenue Sharing:
No strings attached form of aid to state and local governments and could be used for virtually any project. It was eliminated under the Reagan administration.
3 unique powers of the House:
Revenue Bills start in the House, Impeachment starts in the House, and the House elects the POTUS if there is an Electoral tie.
1) Judicial review, 2) Independence of the judiciary, 3) Life tenure of the judiciary and the 4) Integrity of the courts which are not influenced by factions (political parties).
Federalist #78
Four Linkage Institutions:
Media, Political Parties, Elections and Interest Groups
Judicial Review is established:
Marbury v. Madison
Types of Federalism:
Dual Federalism-layered cake-in which the federal government and the state govt are supreme in their own domain, Cooperative Federalism-marble cake-which responsibilities are shared between the states and feds, Devolution-where the federal government transfers responsibilities to state and local government, Fiscal Federalism, the reason they get along-providing grants to influence state and local governments.
3 unique powers of the Senate besides creating bills:
Confirming presidential appointments, finishing the impeachment of the president by putting him on trial and negotiating treaties
Energy protects the liberties and rights of the people:
Federalist #70
Theories of Democratic Govt:
participatory democratic theory-Govt depends on the consent of the governed, and it emphasizes citizen participation.
pluralist theory-Interest groups compete in the political arena with each promoting its policy preferences
elite theory-A small number of powerful elites (corporate leaders, top military officers, govt leaders) form the upper class, which rules in its own self-interest.
bureaucratic theory-The hierarchical structure and standardized procedures of modern govts allow bureaucrats, who carry out the day-to-day workings of the govt, to hold the real power over public policy.
5. hyperpluralism-Too many interest groups pulled in numerous directions and at the same time, causing gridlock and ineffectiveness
Racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional:
Shaw v. Reno
Mandates and give an example:
Feds give money to the states but the feds supervise how the states implement the money. Requirements (No Child Left Behind)
Name and describe the types of committees in Congress:
Standing (permanent and required committees for every Congressperson), Joint (Both the House and the Senate work on some problem together), Select (Both the House and the Senate investigate something) , Conference (Similar bills from the House and the Senate are streamlined and sent to the President to sign or veto).
Which Amendment gave power back to the states:
10th Amendment
5 problems with the Articles of Confederation:
Congress could not take the states, inability to tax interstate trade, inability to raise an army to put down Shays Rebellion, No President in the Executive Branch, No Judicial branch, Changing the Articles required unanimous consent from all states, States held most power, Regardless of population, each state had only one vote in Congress, Not a strong central govt
The Supremacy Clause and the BUS was established:
McCullough v. Maryland