Midterm Review: Essential US Government Vocabulary and Concepts

This page provides a comprehensive overview of crucial government vocabulary words and definitions, focusing on key terms, political ideologies, and governmental structures essential for understanding the US political system.

Vocabulary: Salience refers to the importance or prominence of an issue in politics.

Definition: An incumbent is a person currently holding a political office.

The concept of polarization is introduced as the division of society into sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions, which is increasingly relevant in modern US politics.

Highlight: Political realignment, such as the New Deal era, represents a significant shift in political party affiliations and ideologies.

The page outlines the basic differences between political ideologies:

• Liberals generally favor a more expansive use of government.
• Conservatives typically advocate for limited government intervention.
• Libertarians support minimal government involvement in both social and economic spheres.

Example: Democrats are often described as socially conservative but fiscally liberal, while Republicans are characterized as socially liberal but fiscally conservative.

The text also covers different types of government grants:

Definition: Categorical grants are funds provided by the government with specific conditions attached, while block grants offer more flexibility in their use.

Other important terms explained include:

• Decentralization: The distribution of power, often to state governments.
• Filibuster: A prolonged speech in the Senate to obstruct legislative progress.
• Factions: Groups of like-minded individuals that can form interest groups.
• Mandates: Official orders to carry out specific actions, with unfunded mandates requiring action without providing funding.

Vocabulary: The electorate refers to all eligible voters in a jurisdiction.

Landmark Court Cases and Constitutional Clauses

This page delves into significant Supreme Court cases that have shaped US constitutional law and highlights key constitutional clauses that define the powers of the federal government.

Three landmark court cases are discussed:

1. Marbury v. Madison (1803)

   Highlight: This case established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

2. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

   Definition: This decision affirmed that Congress has implied powers beyond those explicitly stated in the Constitution.

3. Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

   Highlight: This ruling established Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce and affirmed the supremacy of federal law over state laws in such matters.

The page also introduces two crucial constitutional clauses:

1. The "Necessary and Proper" Clause (also known as the "Elastic" Clause)

   Quote: "Congress can add whatever laws they would like" This clause, found in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, grants Congress the power to make laws necessary for executing its enumerated powers.

2. The Supremacy Clause

   Definition: This clause, located in Article VI, Paragraph 2 of the Constitution, establishes that federal laws take precedence over state laws when they conflict.

The page concludes with a list of additional important concepts in US government, including:

• Political parties and committees
• Public opinion
• The US Constitution and its amendments
• Principles of federalism
• American political culture
• Legislative processes
• Domestic policy

These topics provide a framework for understanding the complex interplay of institutions, ideologies, and processes that shape American governance.