APGOV Unit 1

In Fed. 10, Madison argued that by creating a large republic:

the new constitution made it less likely that a faction could gain enough power to completely dominate.

Enumerated powers

The powers of government explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Which of the following is an example of how separation of powers creates friction between the executive and legislative branches in the policy-making process?

The president threatens to issue an executive order for stricter gun control if Congress continues to refuse to take action.

Under the Constitution, how many votes are required to make an amendment?

Two-Thirds majority vote in congress, plus ratification by two-thirds of state legislatures

How did the legislative branch change from the Articles of Confederation to the US Constitution?

Under the Articles of Confederation, legislation was approved by the unicameral Congress of the Confederation. The United States Constitution established a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Federalism

A form of government in which power is divided between the federal/national government and state/local government.

Federal Mandate

A requirement the federal government imposes as a condition for receiving federal funds.

Which of the following is an example of checks and balances?

A rule issued by a bureaucratic agency may be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

The House of Representatives granted the Judiciary Committee authority to investigate impeachment of President Nixon for obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. Which constitutional ideal of democracy is demonstrated in this scenario?

Limited government

How did these Supreme Court cases illustrate how views of federalism shift in the United States?

McCulloch v. Maryland established that states did not have the power to tax federal institutions, such as the Bank of the United States. United States v. Lopez demonstrated a shift in federal authority by ruling that the federal government could not establish gun- free zones under the commerce clause.

Block Grants

Money from the national government that states can be spent within broad guidelines, (education, medical facilities, etc.)

Categorical Grants

Money granted by the federal government to state and local governments, with strict limitations on how it is to be spent.

Which of the following statements best reflects James Madison's beliefs about political representation as expressed in the passage? (Fed. 10)

People are best represented by a few politicians chosen to voice their issues.

The Declaration of Independence states "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." This was a revolutionary change from the system of British monarchy, which was based on the divine right of kings. For which of the ideals of democracy does this quote provide a foundation?

Popular sovereignty

Concurrent Powers

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments.

Necessary and Proper Clause

States that Congress, in addition to its express powers, has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government

Under the Articles of Confederation, how many votes were required to make an amendment?

The Unanimous approval of the states were required.

Creative Federalism

The balance of power between the states and federal government has been trending toward more federal regulation and less state control.

How do we make an amendment to the Constitution?

The framers made the amendment process difficult in order to protect individual rights.

What is an accurate comparison of the checks held by the legislative and judicial branches?

The legislature can check the judiciary by impeaching and removing judges, and the courts can check the legislature through the power of judicial review, which allows judges to declare a law to be unconstitutional.