Midterm 2 - Welch Flashcards
What is a unitary system?
The national government is supreme. States and counties have only as much power as they are granted by the national government. Ex. Britain
What is a confederal system?
The central government has only the powers given to it by the states and counties. It cannot act directly on citizens and it can be dissolved by the states that created it. Ex. Iroquois League
What is a federal system?
The national government is sovereign, but the states and counties do retain residual power.
What is residual power?
The government is the most influential, with the states and counties exercising whatever power the national government does not explicitly claim
What is nation-centered federalism?
Stresses the national government is sovereign. Relies on the supremacy clause
What is the supremacy clause?
The treaties, the constitution, and “laws made in pursuance thereof” are to be the supreme law of the land
What does the tenth amendment say?
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.”
What is dual federalism?
Sovereignty is divided among the national and state governments, so that each is essentially equal
What is cooperative federalism?
The collaboration and competition of all levels of government both formal and informal
What is fiscal federalism?
Allocation of government funds among the national, state , and local governments
What are grants-in-aid?
Payments made by the national government to states and local governments to fund programs established through national legislation
What are unfunded mandates?
National government requires state governments to implement certain policies without compensation for the associated expenses
What is a ballot initiative?
Voters sign a petition to have a policy proposal placed onto ballot
What are interest groups?
Organizations that try to achieve their goals with government assistance
What is lobbying?
The effort of interest groups to influence government decisions
What is political efficacy?
The belief that they can make a difference
What is the free-rider problem?
Problem created when individuals benefit from actions of groups they are not a part of
What is a constituency?
The district a member of congress represents
What is reapportionment?
When the 435 House seats are allocated among the states based on the latest US census
What is redistricting?
When states must redraw their district boundaries every ten years
What is a gerrymander?
A district whose boundaries are devised to maximize the political advantage of a party or a racial group
What are pork-barrel projects?
Special projects, buildings, and other public works in the district or state of a member of Congress that he or she supports because they provide jobs for constituents and enhance the member’s reelection chances
What is a filibuster?
A continuous speech made by one or more members to prevent a piece of legislation from being brought the floor for a vote
What is the cloture rule?
Allowed debate to be cut off by two-thirds of those present and voting
What are authorizations?
Acts that enable agencies and departments to operate, either by creating them or by authorizing their continuance
What are appropriations?
Acts that give federal agencies the authority to spend the money allocated to them
What is senatorial courtesy?
When senators from a the president’s party expect to strongly influence judicial nominations to district and circuit courts
What is executive privilege?
Allows presidents to refuse requests to publicly disclose the contents of internal documents and conversations with their aides and advisers
What are signing statements?
When presidents sign a new bill into law, they may also set out their interpretation of the new law, indicating which provisions they find problematic
What is the president’s recognition power?
The power of the president to receive or not receive the credentials of a foreign ambassador and thus fully recognize the nation that the ambassador represents
What is imperial presidency?
A term that came into place in the late 60’s to describe the growing power of the president
What is hierarchical?
Stipulating which workers have the power to issue commands, about what, to whom
What are formal rules?
Written job descriptions and guidelines for good performance, for promotion, and for grievances are essential to bureaucracies
What is the patronage system?
Allowed elected officials to fill administrative jobs on the basis of political loyalty, often referred to as the spoils system
What is the Administrative Procedure Act?
Passed in 1946, requires public participation in the bureaucratic rule-making process
What is the Freedom of Information Act?
Passed in 1966, allows any person to apply to an agency, through a formal procedure, for access to unclassified documents
What is the Sunshine Act?
Passed in 1976, requires that meetings be conducted openly, with advance notice to the public, unless voted for otherwise
