Monster vocab list

Question 1

Federalism

Answer 1

A way of organizing the government into two or more levels of government with formal authority over the same areas

Question 2

Fiscal Federalism

Answer 2

The second major change in US federalism, congress appropriated funds as a way the federal government can influence and aide state governments

Question 3

Cooperative federalism

Answer 3

IE - marble cake federalism. When the national and state governments share powers and policy assignments - blurred distinctions between levels of government

Question 4

Block grants

Answer 4

Grants automatically given to states by the federal government. Adopted in 1966. EX: Temporary assistance to Needy Families

Question 5

Unfunded mandate

Answer 5

A mandate of something required by the federal government, but that is not funded. EX: Americans with Disabilities Act

Question 6

devolution

Answer 6

Transferring of policy responsibility from federal government to states

Question 7

Categorical grants

Answer 7

Grants that the federal government offers, but isn’t required. In order for states to get the funding, the state must comply with certain federal standards. EX: American Battlefield Protection Grant

Question 8

Demographic

Answer 8

The science of human populations

Question 9

Political Socialization

Answer 9

The process through which people acquire political attitudes and views from family, school, social media, etc

Question 10

Political culture

Answer 10

Overall values shared by most people within a society

Question 11

Gender gap

Answer 11

The pattern in which women tend to vote for democratic candidates more often, likely because democratic candidates are more likely to support lower military spending and higher social spending

Question 12

Single-member districts

Answer 12

Areas are divided into geographically defined voting areas and each area sends one representative. This is used in the house of representatives

Question 13

Redistricting

Answer 13

The process of drawing boundaries for electoral districts., done by state legislatures

Question 14

Gerrymandering

Answer 14

Manipulating electoral boundaries so that the area favors one party or another

Question 15

Critical elections

Answer 15

Elections in which voters are more concerned than usual and there is high voter turn out. They also usually reveal new alignments in the electorate EX: In MA, the election of 1928 was a critical election and made MA democratic due to the immigrant population

Question 16

realignment

Answer 16

Displacement of the majority party by the minority party

Question 17

Dealingnment

Answer 17

A decline in party loyalties that reduces party commitment in the long term

Question 18

Divided government

Answer 18

A government in which one party controls the presidency and another controls congress

Question 19

Open primary

Answer 19

A primary election in which a voter may vote for either party

Question 20

Closed primary

Answer 20

Primary in which voters must vote for a candidate in party they are registered with

Question 21

Political efficacy

Answer 21

A citizens faith and trust in government and their belief that they can understand and influence political affairs

Question 22

Caucus

Answer 22

A system of selecting delegates in which voters attend public meetings to express their views

Question 23

General election

Answer 23

An election held to see which candidates will be chosen to office - including president and congress

Question 24

Midterm election

Answer 24

Congressional elections that take place midway through a presidential term

Question 25

PAC

Answer 25

Political Action Committee - allows corporations, labor unions, and others to donate money to campaigns

Question 26

Super PAC

Answer 26

A PAC that may raise unlimited funds of money but may not contribute to or coordinate directly with parties or candidates (speechnow.org v fec)

Question 27

Independent expenditures

Answer 27

Super PACs - they may engage in party building only and are not connected to candidates

Question 28

Policy agenda

Answer 28

The issues that attract serious attention of public officials and others who are actively involved in politics

Question 29

Horse race journalism

Answer 29

Journalism that focuses on polling data, public perception, and doesn’t focus on actual Canaanites stances

Question 30

issue network (iron triangle)

Answer 30

subgovernments composed of interest group leaders interested in a particular policy -> group - agency - comitte

Question 31

Political party

Answer 31

“team” sealing to gain control of the government by gaining control of an elected office

Question 32

Political polarization

Answer 32

When two groups feel very strongly about a position and therefore are not willing to compramize

Question 33

interest group

Answer 33

A collection of people who share a common interest or attitude and seek to influence government for specific ends. Interest groups usually work within the framework of government and try to achieve their goals through tactics such as lobbying.

Question 34

Pluralism

Answer 34

Theory of government that says that groups compete and counter balance each other, While not all groups are equal in power, the sheer number of groups prevents any one from being the most powerful

Question 35

Lobbying

Answer 35

Communication by someone other than a citizen acting on their own behalf directed to a government decision maker to influence their decisions

Question 36

Grassroots lobbying

Answer 36

influencing government decision makers though indirect pressure (letters, emails, phone calls) from large numbers of constituents - also called indirect lobbying.

Question 37

Expressed powers

Answer 37

Powers that are specifically expressed within the constitution

Question 38

Implied powers

Answer 38

Powers that are not expressly stated in the constitution but that are “suggested” or implied within it

Question 39

Franking privilege

Answer 39

The right of US congresspeople to send mail to constituents at no cost to the congressperson (it is paid for by the government)

Question 40

Pork barrel

Answer 40

When a congressperson routes government money to a particular project within their state to help them win reelection. These are usually snuck into big bills such as the budget bill.
Examples: bridge to nowhere, big dig tunnel

Question 41

filibuster

Answer 41

Essentially talking a bill to death, executed when a senator talks for hours and hours so that it passes the required voting time. This is ONLY allowed in the senate

Question 42

casework

Answer 42

When a congressperson provides help to an individual constituent

Question 43

Oversight

Answer 43

How congress reviews and checks the executive branch, especially with federal agencies

Question 44

Motion for cloture

Answer 44

A motion to end a filibuster and begin voting on a particular bill. Must be voted for by 60 members who are policy generalists

Question 45

incumbent

Answer 45

The person who is already elected to an office. They generally have an advantage in winning reelection

Question 46

logrolling

Answer 46

When members of congress ‘trade favors’ - one person votes for another’s bill in return for the other persons vote on their bill.

Question 47

Inherent powers

Answer 47

Powers granted to the government by the fact that it is a government - these are not specifically granted in the constitution

Question 48

White house staff

Answer 48

Analysts and advisors to the president

Question 49

Executive order

Answer 49

Rules issued by the president that do not need to be voted on by congress that hold the same rule as law

Question 50

pocket veto

Answer 50

When a president takes no action on a bill (does not sign or veto it) and then congress adjourns within 10 days

Question 51

Lame duck period

Answer 51

The period between when an election is held and the incoming official is inaugurated, and the sitting president is on their way out of office