Chapter 6

Question 1

spoils system

Answer 1

the practice of rewarding loyal partisans with government positions after they demonstrate their support during an election.

Question 2

divided government

Answer 2

a government whose president is from a different party than the majority in Congress.

Question 3

unified government

Answer 3

a government whose president is from the same party as the majority in Congress.

Question 4

going public

Answer 4

action taken by the president to communicate directly with the people usually through a press conference; radio broadcast, or televised speech to influence public opinion and put pressure on Congress.

Question 5

administrative law

Answer 5

the body of law created by executive agencies with the purpose of refining general law passed in legislation

Question 6

pocket veto

Answer 6

a veto that occurs automatically if a president does not sign a bill for 10 days after passage in Congress and Congress has adjourned during that 10-day period.

Question 7

veto threat

Answer 7

a public statement issued by the president declaring that if Congress passes a particular bill that he or she dislikes, it ultimately will be vetoed.

Question 8

executive order

Answer 8

an official means by which the president can instruct federal agencies on how to execute the laws passed by congress.

Question 9

executive agreement

Answer 9

an agreement between the United States and one or more foreign countries. Because it is not a formal treaty, it does not need Senate approval.

Question 10

signing statement

Answer 10

a public statement written by the president and attached to a particular bill to outline his or her interpretation of the legislation.

Question 11

parliamentary democracy

Answer 11

a form of democracy in which the executive is elected by the legislature and the government is responsible to the legislature.

Question 12

presidential system

Answer 12

a form of democracy in which the executive is elected independently and the government is not responsible to the legislature.

Question 13

mixed presidential system

Answer 13

a form of democracy in which the executive is elected independently and shares responsibility for the government with the legislature.

Question 14

line-item veto

Answer 14

a partial veto that allows three executive to strike specific passages from a given bill.

Question 15

special prosecutor

Answer 15

independent, private sector counsel hired by Congress to investigate government officials.

Question 16

impeachment

Answer 16

process by which the House of Representatives formally charges a federal government official with “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”