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Question 1

standard operating procedure

Answer 1

A set of rules established in a bureaucracy that dictate how workers respond to different situations so that all workers respond in the same way.

Question 2

stare decisis

Answer 2

The legal doctrine of following precedent.

Question 3

state

Answer 3

A political unit that has sovereign power over a particular piece of land.

Question 4

statecraft

Answer 4

The exercise of power, guided by wisdom, in pursuit of the public good.

Question 5

State of the Union address

Answer 5

A constitutionally mandated message, given by the president to Congress, in which the president lays out plans for the coming year.

Question 6

statute

Answer 6

A law passed by Congress, a state legislature, or some other government body.

Question 7

stewardship theory

Answer 7

A view of presidential power, put forward by Theodore Roosevelt, arguing that the president is uniquely suited to act for the well-being of the whole nation because he or she is elected by the whole nation.

Question 8

straight-ticket voting

Answer 8

Voting for only candidates from one party.

Question 9

strict constructionism

Answer 9

A judicial philosophy that argues that constitutional interpretation should be limited to the specific wording of the document.

Question 10

subnationalism

Answer 10

Identification with small ethnic and regional groups within a nation.

Question 11

suffrage

Answer 11

The right to vote; also called the franchise.

Question 12

sunset provisions

Answer 12

Expiration dates written into some federal programs; Congress can renew the program if it is satisfied that the program is achieving its objectives.

Question 13

sunshine laws

Answer 13

Laws that require government agencies to hold public proceedings on a regular basis.

Question 14

superdelegate

Answer 14

A party leader or elected official who is automatically granted delegate status for the national convention; superdelegates do not have to be chosen in primaries.

Question 15

Super Tuesday

Answer 15

A term used to describe primary elections held in a large number of states on the same day.

Question 16

Supplemental Security Income

Answer 16

A federal program that provides a minimum income to seniors and the disabled who do not qualify for social security.

Question 17

supply-side economics

Answer 17

An attempt to improve the economy by providing big tax cuts to businesses and wealthy individuals (the supply side). These cuts encourage investment, which then creates jobs, so the effect will be felt throughout the economy; also known as trickle-down economics.

Question 18

supremacy clause

Answer 18

The part of Article VI of the Constitution that specifies that the federal Constitution, and laws passed by the federal government, are the supreme law of the land.

Question 19

supremacy doctrine

Answer 19

The doctrine that national law takes priority over state law; included in the Constitution as the supremacy clause.

Question 20

surplus

Answer 20

When a government spends less money than it takes in.