Law Flashcards
Law
A rule of conduct or action prescribed and enforced by a controlling authority.
Philosophy
The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence.
Jurisprudence
The philosophy of law.
Rule of Law
The principle that the law is equally enforced. All persons and institutions are equally accountable for upholding and abiding by the law.
Legal Validity
The enforceability of law.
Writ
An order issued by a legal authority with administrative or judicial powers.
Habeas Corpus
A fundamental right that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment. A common-law writ allowing detained persons to request a review of the legal validity of their detainment.
Ad Hoc
“For this.” Created or done for a particular purpose as necessary.
Policy
Any action or statement taken by the government. May be implicit or explicit.
Public Policy
Governance in response to societal issues.
Politics
Activities concerned with the governance of and between States. “Who gets what when and how.” -Harold Lasswell
“Who gets what when and how.”
Politics
Quote by Harold Lasswell.
Federalism
Distribution of power between a centralized authority and its constituents. Aka separation between state and federal government.
Act/Statute
Written law “enacted” by a legislative body (generally ‘statute’ is used to refer to multiple issues relating to a singular act).
Regulation
A legally valid rule issued by an administrative agency with legislative authority in regard to a specific issue (e.g. EPA’s S.A.F.E. Vehicle Rule).
Ordinance
Law or decree adopted by local government.
- Must not interfere with or contradict federal law. *
Sociology
The study of society, social change, and human behaviors.
Economics
The study of resource allocation, markets, and exchanges.
Public Administration
The study of the management and implementation of government programs and policy.
Recession
A period of economic contraction in which GDP value declines for two or more consecutive quarters.
GDP
Gross Domestic Product. The total sum of all goods and services produced by a country.
Budget Deficit
Difference between government spending and revenue. Deficit results in increased national debt.
Transfer Payments
Transfer of money from the government to individual recipients (e.g. social welfare programs, stimulus, disaster relief, farm subsidies, etc.).
Tax Expenditures
Government payments or subsidies in the form of tax credits or deductions (e.g. carbon credit).
Subsidy
Government incentives granted to state or public bodies to stabilize the economy by stimulating an industry or lowering the price of a commodity.
Initiative
A process that allows citizens to collect signatures to place NEW legislation (usually a statute or constitutional amendment) on the ballot for a vote.
Referendum
Aka Veto Referendum. A process that allows citizens to collect signatures to reevaluate (repeal or uphold) an enacted law.
