Key Themes and Fact Flashcards
Franking Privilage
Allows any member of congress to send mail without stamps if it has a signature.
Pork
Legislation that allows representatives to bring money and jobs to their districts in the form of public works programs, military bases, or other programs.
Devolution
The act if bringing legislation to a smaller scale.
Categorical Grant
Grant that appropriates federal funds to states for a specific purpose.
Block grants
A large grant given to a state by the federal government with only general spending guidelines
Judicial Activision
A philosophy of judicial decision making that posits judges should use their power broadly further justice
Judicial restraint
A philosophy of judicial decision making that posits courts should allow the decisions of other branches of government to stand, even when they offend a judges own principles
Writ of Certiorari
A request for the Supreme Court to order up records from a lower court to review the case
Rule of Four
At least four justices of the Supreme Court must vote to consider a case before it can be heard.
Electoral College
Representatives of each state who cast the final ballots that actually elect a president
Winner-take-all
An electoral system in which the party that receives at least one more vote than any other party wins the election
Voter turnout
The proportion of the voting age public that casts a ballot. Effected by income, education, race, gender, age, and party
Political socialization
The process through which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values. I.e. Parents
Voting patterns
Certain parties will vote on certain issues the same way y’all the time. Gun laws and abortion for example.
Veto
The power to reject a law
