18 Flashcards
non-governmental organization
A political actor that is not affiliated with a particular government. Many NGOs are nonprofit institutions run by private citizens, such as the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and the Catholic Church.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
An international treaty, signed in 1968, that aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.
objective reporting
Reporting only the facts with no opinion or bias.
office-block ballot
A ballot that groups candidates by office: All candidates for an office are listed together; also called the Massachusetts ballot.
Office of Personnel Management
The central federal personnel office, created in 1978.
oligarchy
Rule by the wealthy few.
ombudsperson
A person who investigates complaints against government agencies or employees.
open primary
A primary in which a person can participate in any party’s primary as long as he or she participates in only one party’s primary.
open rule
A rule on a bill, issued by the House Rules Committee, allowing amendments during floor debate.
opinion
A document issued by a court explaining the reasons for its decision.
opinion leader
A person whose opinion can shape the opinions of many others.
original intent
A judicial philosophy that states that judges should seek to interpret the law and the constitution in line with the intent of the founders.
original jurisdiction
The authority to be the first court to hear a case.
outside game
A term used to describe grassroots activism and other means to influence elections and policymaking.
overregulation
An excess of regulation that hurts efficiency.
oversight
Congress’s power to make sure laws are being properly enforced.
pack journalism
The idea that journalists frequently copy and imitate each other rather than doing independent reporting.
paradox of participation
When many people vote because they wish to make a difference, but the actual chances of making a difference are infinitesimally small.
pardon
A release from punishment for criminal conviction; the president has the power to pardon.
parliamentary democracy
A regime in which the legislature chooses the executive branch.
