ch 7 (vb)

Question 1

bicameral legislature

Answer 1

A law making body made of two houses (bi means 2). Example: Congress (our legislature) is made of two house - The House of Representatives and The Senate.

Question 2

cohabitation

Answer 2

Under the French political system, when the president is from one political party while a different political party controls the legislature

Question 3

delegate

Answer 3

Representative who attempts to do exactly what his or her constituents want

Question 4

divided government

Answer 4

When one political party controls the presidency and another party controls either all or part of the legislature

Question 5

filibuster

Answer 5

A delaying tactic used by a senator or a group of senators—who indefinitely talk about the bill—to frustrate the proponents of the bill and ensure defeat of the measure

Question 6

first-past-post system

Answer 6

An electoral system in which the candidate with the most votes wins regardless of whether that person has a majority of the votes cast; there is no runoff election

Question 7

geographic representation

Answer 7

A legislature divided according to geography, in which people are represented by the area they live in

Question 8

gerrymandering

Answer 8

The process of intentionally drawing districts to gain a partisan advantage

Question 9

gridlock

Answer 9

When the checks and balances within the presidential system work too well so that they not only prevent one institution from overwhelming the others but also prevent anyone from doing much of anything

Question 10

ideological representation

Answer 10

Representation in which people’s belief is the main concern of leadership

Question 11

immobilism

Answer 11

When, because of the complexity and fragility of a ruling coalition, it becomes nearly impossible to enact any kind of coherent policies out of fear that a coalition party will break away and force the government to collapse

Question 12

imperial presidency

Answer 12

The accumulation of tremendous power in the presidency at the expense of the other branches of government, especially the legislative branch

Question 13

minority government

Answer 13

When the majority party does not share power with any other party but relies on an agreement that states another party will provide support or will abstain from voting if there is ever a no-confidence vote

Question 14

multiparty systems

Answer 14

Systems comprised of multiple, distinct, and officially recognized groups, otherwise known as political parties

Question 15

policy stability

Answer 15

When the social and economic environments within the country tend to be very consistent over time

Question 16

politicos

Answer 16

People who are active in party politics

Question 17

pork barrel politics

Answer 17

Occur when representatives use their political office to bring federal money to their districts through projects and jobs

Question 18

proportional representation

Answer 18

A system in which there is representation of all parties in a legislature in proportion to their popular vote

Question 19

shadow government

Answer 19

A type of oversight or checking performed in a parliamentary system by those members of the minority party who would take the office if that party were to capture the majority

Question 20

trustee

Answer 20

A country or government charged with the oversight of a trust territory

Question 21

two-party system

Answer 21

A system that favors moderate political parties that can create coalitions to gain sizable numbers of voters

Question 22

unicameral legislature

Answer 22

A legislature with one house

Question 23

unity government

Answer 23

When the two major parties, though in opposition, work together to achieve a higher national purpose

Question 24

vote of no confidence

Answer 24

A parliamentary device by which the government can be dissolved by a simple majority vote of the legislature