Critical Facts: Vocabulary

Question 1

The process of influencing the actions and policies of government.

Answer 1

Politics

Question 2

Any system of government where power is held by the people.

Answer 2

Democracy

Question 3

These are the rules (Laws, Regulations, etc) and institutions (Legislative Branch, Executive Branch, etc) that make up the system of policymaking for the United States.

Answer 3

Government

Question 4

This enlightenment-age Philosopher, espousing ideas such as “Natural Rights” and government ruling by the “consent of the governed”, was a major influence on Thomas Jefferson and the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

Answer 4

John Locke

Question 5

The idea that people will allow their governments to rule over them, and in return that government will ensure an orderly and functioning society and protect the rights of those people it governs.

Answer 5

Social Contract

Question 6

The idea that the government’s right to rule comes from the people. That the people in a place ultimately have the decision-making power about what happens in that place.

Answer 6

Popular Sovereignty

Question 7

This is a kind of representative democracy, where the people in a place have power and they exercise that power through the use of elected representative who speak for them in government.

Answer 7

Republicanism/Republic

Question 8

A theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic government and that policy-making is most influenced by this participation.

Answer 8

Participatory Model of Democracy

Question 9

A theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policymaking process. AN example of a group could be a labor union, or an interest group, or any group of people with a particular focus. It is these groups, more than anything else, that drive policy-making in government.

Answer 9

Pluralist Model of Democracy

Question 10

A theory of democracy that the elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policymaking process. It is the richest and most powerful people in the country that have the most say in what happens.

Answer 10

Elite Model of Democracy

Question 11

A document that sets out the fundamental principles of governance and establishes the institutions of government for a given place or group.

Answer 11

Constitution

Question 12

This historical event was named after one of its military leaders, a former captain in the Revolutionary War. It involved a grassroots popular uprising against the state government of Massachusetts. This rebellion was eventually defeated but it was this event, and the government’s response to it, that highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation as a governing document.

Answer 12

Shay’s Rebellion

Question 13

An early plan of government that gave more populous states greater representation in Congress. Under this plan, the more populated stated would have more say then the less populated states.

Answer 13

Virginia Plan

Question 14

An early plan of government that proposed a unicameral legislature where each state delegation (chosen by state legislatures) would get one equal vote in that legislature. Under this plan, each state (regardless of population) would have an equal say in government.

Answer 14

New Jersey Plan

Question 15

An early compromise for a plan of government that settled issues of state representation. It called for a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives in which each state has representation based on the population of that state, and a Senate in which each state had equal representation regardless of population. This is the system currently used in American government today.

Answer 15

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Question 16

An agreement reached by delegates at the Constitutional Convention that a slave would count as three-fifths of a person in calculating a state’s representation.

Answer 16

3/5 compromise

Question 17

A design of government in which each branch has powers that can prevent the other branches from making policy. For instance, Congress can pass a law, but the President can veto it, or the Supreme Court could find it to be unconstitutional. Another example is that only the president can choose a Supreme Court Justice, but that choice must be confirmed by the Senate.

Answer 17

Checks and Balances

Question 18

The sharing of power between the national government and the states.

Answer 18

Federalism

Question 19

Authority or power that is specifically granted to a branch of government in the Constitution.

Answer 19

Enumerated Powers

Question 20

Authority of the federal government that goes beyond the powers specifically stated in the Constitution. It is power that the government is assumed to have.

Answer 20

Implied Powers

Question 21

Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution enumerates the specific powers that the government should have. At the end of the section, however, there is a clause that states the Federal government also has the power to pass ANY legislation that is necessary to execute the powers it has already been given. This clause gives the federal government much of its implied power. What is this clause called?

Answer 21

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Question 22

So basically, the Constitution is the boss. Any other law or action that goes against the Constitution is by definition unconstitutional, and therefore invalid. What is the constitutional clause, found in Article 6 of the United States Constitution, that defines the Constitution as the highest law of the land?

Answer 22

Supremacy Clause

Question 23

A series of eighty-five essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay and published between 1787 and 1788 that lay out some of the ideas and theories behind the proposed new Constitution. This was done in an effort to convince the states to ratify the new Constitution.

Answer 23

Federalist Papers

Question 24

What is the common name for the first 10 amendments of the United States Constitution? As part of a compromise between the Federalists and ant-Federalists, they were added to the constitution the same time it was ratified.

Answer 24

Bill of Rights

Question 25

What clause of the Constitution, found in Article I, Section 8, grants Congress the authority to regulate interstate business and commercial activity with foreign countries and within the United States?

Answer 25

Commerce Clause

Question 26

What is a term for authority and powers NOT given to the national government, but are instead retained by the states and the people? For example, the government of New Mexico decides what the speed limit will be, not the Federal Government. This is addressed specifically in the 10th amendment of the United States Constitution.

Answer 26

Reserved Powers

Question 27

What constitutional clause requires states to recognize the public acts, records, and civil court proceedings from another state? For instance, if you get married in New Mexico, and you move to Hawaii…you’re still married.

Answer 27

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Question 28

What constitutional clause prevents states from discriminating against people from out of state? For instance, if the Sales tax in New Mexico is 6% we can’t charge a 10% sales tax to some people just because they are from a different state.

Answer 28

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Question 29

A governmental system that divided power between the national and state governments.

Answer 29

Federalism

Question 30

A form of American federalism in which the states and the nation operate independently in their own areas of public policy. So, the Federal government is responsible for some things and the state government is responsible for some things, and they don’t mix much.

Answer 30

Dual Federalism

Question 31

A form of American federalism in which the states and the national government work together to shape public policy. This often associated with the term “fiscal federalism” because the federal government influences policy in the states by offering money and resources to those states if they follow federal recommendations.

Answer 31

Cooperative Federalism

Question 32

A kind of grant-in-aid provided to states by the federal government which ust be used for a very specific purpose.

Answer 32

Categorical Grants

Question 33

A type of grant-in-aid provided by the federal government that gives state officials more authority and flexibility in how the money is used.

Answer 33

Block Grants

Question 34

A federal requirements that states must follow without being provided with funding. So basically the federal government says, “Ok, New Mexico, so you guys have to do this thing. And no, we’re not going to give you any money for it. Figure it out.”

Answer 34

Unfunded Mandate

Question 35

Legislation that directs specific funds to projects within districts or states. For instance, in the new federal budget there might be a provision for a new Military base that will be built in Utah. This will bring in a lot of money and jobs to the people of Utah, and was likely introduced by the senator and/or representatives form that state. What is this called?

Answer 35

Pork Barrel Spending

Question 36

Trading of votes on legislation by members of Congress to get their earmarks passed into legislation. For instance, a senator from Utah might convince a senator from Colorado to vote for that new military base in Utah…and in return the Utah Senator will agree to vote for that new dam that’s being built in Colorado. What is this process called?

Answer 36

Logrolling

Question 37

What is the intentional use of redistricting to benefit a specific interest or group of voters? That is, what do we call it when we draw really oddly-shaped voting districts in a state for the purpose of helping a specific demographic?

Answer 37

Gerrymandering

Question 38

What do we call a politician who is already in office and not running for that office the first time? These politicians have a significant advantage in elections, and are reelected 90% of the time.

Answer 38

Incumbent

Question 39

A tactic, only allowed in the Senate, through which an individual senator may use the right of unlimited debate to delay a motion or postpone action on a piece of legislation. Basically, he or she simply talks a bill to death.

Answer 39

Filibuster

Question 40

A procedure through which senators can end debate on a bill and proceed to action, provided 60 senators agree to it.

Answer 40

Cloture

Question 41

The power of a president to reject a bill passed by Congress, sending it back to the originating branch with objections.

Answer 41

Veto

Question 42

The executive branch office that assists the president in setting national spending priorities. This office, with guidance from the president, actually prepares the budget.

Answer 42

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Question 43

Any program that provides benefits for those who qualify under the law, regardless of income. They are benefits that people automatically get. For examples, social security, food stamps, and veteran’s benefits are examples of these kinds of programs.

Answer 43

Entitlements

Question 44

What do we call federal spending required by existing laws that is “locked in” the budget? These are things the government MUST put in the budget. For instance, the salaries of the members of Congress, or money for Medicaid and Medicare, are locked in to the budget and are automatically added.

Answer 44

Mandatory Spending

Question 45

What do we call spending for programs and policies that is at the discretion of Congress and the president? This is the money the government chooses to spend on programs.

Answer 45

Discretionary Spending

Question 46

In class we’ll talk about three different models, or theories, about how our representatives in government should vote. I will eventually want you to know what each of these models says, but for now you can just list those models in the space provided for you without providing explanation.

Answer 46

Delegate Model - Trustee Model - Politico Model

Question 47

When control of the presidency and one or both chambers of Congress split between the two major parties.

Answer 47

Divided Government

Question 48

An informal veto caused when the president chooses not to sign a bill within ten days, during a time when Congress has adjourned at the end of a session.

Answer 48

Pocket Veto

Question 49

An agreement between a president and another nation that does not have the same durability in the American system as a treaty but does not require Senate ratification.

Answer 49

Executive Agreement

Question 50

These are written comments issued by presidents while signing a bill into law that usually consist of political statements or reasons for signing the bill but that may also include a president’s interpretation of the law itself.

Answer 50

Signing Statement

Question 51

These are policy directives issued by presidents that do not require congressional approval. Often they have the force of Law, however. “Why should you do what I say? Because I’m the president, that’s why.”

Answer 51

Executive Order

Question 52

Kicking a president out of office is a two-step process. First, a majority of the House of Representatives have to vote to formally accuse the president of a crime. If that happens, then the President is put on trial in the Senate. If 2/3 of the Senate finds the President guilty of whatever it is they were accused of, then the president is convicted and formally removed from office. What is the process of removing a president from office called?

Answer 52

Impeachment

Question 53

What is it called when the President makes a direct appeal to the public to pressure other branches of government to support his or her policies? This is often used in the State of the Union Address given yearly by the President.

Answer 53

Bully Pulpit

Question 54

The authority of the Supreme Court to strike down a law or executive action if it conflicts with the Constitution.

Answer 54

Judicial Review

Question 55

A judicial decision that guides future courts in handling similar cases.

Answer 55

Precedent

Question 56

What is the practice of letting a previous Court’s decision stand? Appeals Courts do not retry the facts of the case. Appeals are only granted if there was a fundamental problem in the way the first case was decided.

Answer 56

Stare Decisis

Question 57

In one or two sentences, compare and contrast the terms “Judicial Restraint’ and “Judicial Activism”.

Answer 57

Restraint – Conservative, relies on earlier precedent, Court is not a tool of social change. Activism – Bold action, Court is a tool of social change.

Question 58

The departments and agencies within the executive branch that carry out or implement the laws of the nation.

Answer 58

Federal Bureaucracy

Question 59

Coordinated and mutually beneficial action between the bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups to achieve shared policy goals.

Answer 59

Iron Triangle

Question 60

The piecemeal process through which the Supreme Court has affirmed that almost all of the protections within the Bill of Rights also apply to state governments. So basically, it’s when the Supreme Court takes a protection or right guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, and applies that to all the states as well as the Federal Government. For instance, in the Supreme Court case of Gideon v. Wainwright the Court found that the 6th amendment’s guarantee to an attorney in Federal Courts should ALSO apply to State courts as well. And now it does.

Answer 60

Selective Incorporation

Question 61

The clause in the Fourteenth Amendment (and the 5th Amendment, for that matter) that restricts state governments from denying citizens their life, liberty, or property without legal safeguards.

Answer 61

Due Process Clause

Question 62

This clause in the First Amendment denies the government the power to impose a religion on a person, or force citizens to support a particular religious belief.

Answer 62

Establishment Clause

Question 63

This clause in the First Amendment protection of the rights of individuals to exercise and express their religious beliefs.

Answer 63

Free Exercise Clause

Question 64

The suppression or censorship of material prior to publication on the grounds that it might endanger national security.

Answer 64

Prior Restraint

Question 65

What is the rule that evidence obtained improperly by the authorities, or without a warrant, is inadmissible in court? That is, if the police conduct an illegal search, they will not be able to use anything they find against you in court.

Answer 65

Exclusionary Rule

Question 66

The right to remain silent and to have an attorney present during questioning are important civil liberties. These rights must be given by police to individuals suspected of criminal activity.

Answer 66

Miranda Rights

Question 67

What clause of the Fourteenth Amendment has been used to protect the civil rights of Americans from discrimination based on race, national origin, religion, gender, and other characteristics.

Answer 67

Equal Protection Clause

Question 68

In what Supreme Court case, decided in 1896, did the Court set the “Separate but Equal” doctrine that led to a decades-long era of Segregation in the United States?

Answer 68

Plessy v. Ferguson

Question 69

Policies designed to address the consequences of previous discrimination by providing special consideration to individuals based upon their characteristics, such as race or gender.

Answer 69

Affirmative Action

Question 70

The intentional refusal to obey a law in order to call attention to its injustice.

Answer 70

Civil Disobedience

Question 71

The dominant set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that define the relationship between citizens and government.

Answer 71

Political Culture

Question 72

In this class we identify five core political values of American Political Culture. Please list those values. You need not define them, a simple listing will suffice.

Answer 72

Individualism, Equality of Opportunity, Free Enterprise, Rule of Law, Limited Government

Question 73

A kind of economic system in which government intrudes as little as possible in the economic transactions among citizens and businesses.

Answer 73

Laissez-faire enterprise

Question 74

The experiences and factors that shape an individual’s political values, attitudes, and behaviors. In other words, it’s not WHAT you believe…it’s how you got there.

Answer 74

Political Socialization

Question 75

A representative poll of randomly selected respondents with a statistically significant sample size, using neutral language.

Answer 75

Scientific Poll

Question 76

A survey conducted outside a polling place in which individuals are asked who or what they just voted for and why.

Answer 76

Exit Poll

Question 77

An individual’s coherent set of beliefs about government and politics. What’s right or wrong, or good or bad, it’s WHAT you believe.

Answer 77

Political Ideology

Question 78

An ideology favoring more control of social behavior more, fewer regulations on businesses, and less government interference in the economy. Overall, this ideology favors smaller government with lower taxes.

Answer 78

Conservative

Question 79

An ideology favoring less government control over social behavior and more greater regulation of businesses and of the economy. Overall, this ideology favors larger government withhigher taxes.

Answer 79

Liberal

Question 80

An ideology favoring very little government regulation and intervention beyond protecting private property and individual liberty.

Answer 80

Libertarianism

Question 81

The rise in the prices of goods and services. In the early 1980s a Burger King Whopper cost less than a dollar. Today the same burger costs almost 4 dollars. What causes this?

Answer 81

Inflation

Question 82

An economic theory that argues for government assistance for people who have little as a way of stimulating the economy. The idea is that the more people that have money, the more that money will be spent, which will stimulate business and the economy. So, economic growth is best stimulated from the bottom up.

Answer 82

Keynesian Economics

Question 83

An economic theory that argues for government for business, often in the form of lower taxes. The idea is that support for business will cause the economy to grow, resulting in the creation of more jobs, and so more money for the people. SO, the economy is best stimulated from the top down.

Answer 83

Supply-side Economics

Question 84

In one or two sentences, compare and contrast “Medicare” and “Medicaid”. Your answer should show that you know what these things are.

Answer 84

Medicare - a federal program that provides health insurance to seniors and the disabled. Medicaid - a federal program that provides health care for the poor.

Question 85

Any channels that connects individuals with government. Examples could include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

Answer 85

Linkage Institution

Question 86

A constitutionally required process for selecting the president through slates of electors chosen in each state, who are pledged to vote for a nominee in the presidential election. The general election happens in November, but in December it is THIS process that actually elects the President.

Answer 86

Electoral College

Question 87

An organization that raises money to elect and defeat candidates and may donate money directly to a candidate’s campaign, subject to limits.

Answer 87

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Question 88

An organized group of party leaders, officeholders, and voters who work together and whose primary purpose is to get candidates elected to political office.

Answer 88

Political Party

Question 89

The degree to which a voter is connected to and influenced by a particular political party. That is, what party do they believe in and support?

Answer 89

Party Identification

Question 90

What is the formal set of positions and policy objectives that members of a political party agree to? This set of positions is often revised at Political Conventions.

Answer 90

Party Platform

Question 91

What is a primary election in which all eligible voters may vote, regardless of whether or not they are registered with any given party? SO, if you’re an independent voter, and not a member of any party, you are STILL allowed to vote in this kind of primary.

Answer 91

Open Primary

Question 92

What is a primary election in which only those who have registered as a member of a political party may vote? So, if you’re NOT a Republican, you are NOT allowed to vote in the Republican Primary.

Answer 92

Closed Primary

Question 93

A process through which a state’s eligible voters meet to select delegates to represent their preferences in the nomination process. So, this is a way OTHER than a primary elections which states may use to choose a nominee.

Answer 93

Caucus

Question 94

A meeting among members of a political party, usually held every four years, where the Party Platform can be revised and delegates officially select their party’s nominee for the presidency.

Answer 94

National Convention

Question 95

A voluntary association of people who come together with the goal of getting the policies that they favor enacted. That is, a group of people who all support a similar political outcome and will work towards getting that accomplished. Examples could include the National Rifle Association (NRA) or the American Civil Liberty Union (ACLU).

Answer 95

Interest Group

Question 96

Individuals who enjoy collective goods and benefit from the actions of an interest group without joining. For instance, the Teacher’s Union in New Mexico negotiates for a raise for all the teachers in the state, and they get a 3% raise. Now, Mr. Mathis is NOT a member of the Teacher’s Union…but he still gets the raise. What’s the term for this?

Answer 96

Free-riders

Question 97

Interacting with government officials in order to advance a group’s public policy goals. For instance, you go to Representative Gomez’s office on behalf of an environmental Interest group to talk with her about how she should support some new legislation about environmental protection. Or perhaps you take Senator Smith to lunch and try to convince him to introduce a Bill that will benefit the Steel Workers in your state, whom you represent. What is this called?

Answer 97

Lobbying

Question 98

What is a brief, or informational report, submitted to the Supreme Court by someone who is NOT a party to the particular case being decided, or a “Friend of the Court”? This is done in an attempt to persuade the Court to agree with the arguments set forth in the brief.

Answer 98

Amicus Curiae Brief

Question 99

The slanting of political news coverage in support of a particular political party or ideology. For instance, Fox News is consistently leans towards the Right in its reporting, while MSNBC consistently leans to the Left. What is this called?

Answer 99

Partisan Bias

Question 100

Coverage of political campaigns that focuses more on the drama of the campaign than on policy issues.

Answer 100

Horse-Race Journalism