General US Terms Flashcards
Learn the General Vocab needed for A Level
Federalism
A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments
Divided Government
When Congress and President are controlled by different parties
Incumbency
The proportion of Congress men and senators re-elected to Congress in successive elections
Accountability
The requirement for representatives to answer for the way that they perform their duties
Cabinet Government
A body of important members of the government. The US do not have a cabinet government instead cabinet members act as an advisory council to the head of government rather than sitting in the legislature.
Constitution
A statement of the basic rules and principles of a political system. It specifies the structure of govt and principles of a political system.
Gridlock
A situation in which it becomes difficult for effective legislation to be passed due to the legislature being evenly divided or the legislature and executive being in a conflict.
Judicial Review
The power of the courts to set aside acts of the executive or legislature because they are in conflict with a higher authority such as the terms of a written constitution.
Limited Government
The idea that government restrictions on personal liberties and government intervention in the economy should be kept to an absolute minimum and specified by law. In the US the 9th and 10th Amendments to the Constitution set out the principle of limited government.
Lobby Group
A group of people with a common interest/concern who organise to influence the government in order to secure favourable outcomes e.g legislation
Lobbyist
A paid professional who advocates for specific legislation to be enacted by congress.
Political Action Committee (PAC)
These groups organise to collect funds to finance the political campaigns of politicians sympathetic to their aims. They also organise campaigns to defeat candidates who are not sympathetic to their aims. E.g NRA’s PAC is the NRA Political Victory
Pork Barrel Politics
Term used to describe government expenditure that is intended to benefit a politician’s constituents in return for their support by way of votes or campaign contributions.
Splendid Isolation
After WW1, America did not become involved in world affairs. The war was seen as typical of Old World politics and they were determined to remain apart.
Singular Executive
President is the only person in the executive who is directly elected.
