Monster vocab list Flashcards
Federalism
A way of organizing the government into two or more levels of government with formal authority over the same areas
Fiscal Federalism
The second major change in US federalism, congress appropriated funds as a way the federal government can influence and aide state governments
Cooperative federalism
IE - marble cake federalism. When the national and state governments share powers and policy assignments - blurred distinctions between levels of government
Block grants
Grants automatically given to states by the federal government. Adopted in 1966. EX: Temporary assistance to Needy Families
Unfunded mandate
A mandate of something required by the federal government, but that is not funded. EX: Americans with Disabilities Act
devolution
Transferring of policy responsibility from federal government to states
Categorical grants
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
Demographic
The science of human populations
Political Socialization
The process through which people acquire political attitudes and views from family, school, social media, etc
Political culture
Overall values shared by most people within a society
Gender gap
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
Single-member districts
Areas are divided into geographically defined voting areas and each area sends one representative. This is used in the house of representatives
Redistricting
The process of drawing boundaries for electoral districts., done by state legislatures
Gerrymandering
Manipulating electoral boundaries so that the area favors one party or another
Critical elections
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
realignment
Displacement of the majority party by the minority party
Dealingnment
A decline in party loyalties that reduces party commitment in the long term
Divided government
A government in which one party controls the presidency and another controls congress
Open primary
A primary election in which a voter may vote for either party
Closed primary
Primary in which voters must vote for a candidate in party they are registered with
Political efficacy
A citizens faith and trust in government and their belief that they can understand and influence political affairs
Caucus
A system of selecting delegates in which voters attend public meetings to express their views
General election
An election held to see which candidates will be chosen to office - including president and congress
Midterm election
Congressional elections that take place midway through a presidential term
PAC
Political Action Committee - allows corporations, labor unions, and others to donate money to campaigns
Super PAC
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)
Independent expenditures
Super PACs - they may engage in party building only and are not connected to candidates
Policy agenda
The issues that attract serious attention of public officials and others who are actively involved in politics
Horse race journalism
Journalism that focuses on polling data, public perception, and doesn’t focus on actual Canaanites stances
issue network (iron triangle)
subgovernments composed of interest group leaders interested in a particular policy -> group - agency - comitte
Political party
“team” sealing to gain control of the government by gaining control of an elected office
Political polarization
When two groups feel very strongly about a position and therefore are not willing to compramize
interest group
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.
Pluralism
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
Lobbying
Communication by someone other than a citizen acting on their own behalf directed to a government decision maker to influence their decisions
Grassroots lobbying
influencing government decision makers though indirect pressure (letters, emails, phone calls) from large numbers of constituents - also called indirect lobbying.
Expressed powers
Powers that are specifically expressed within the constitution
Implied powers
Powers that are not expressly stated in the constitution but that are “suggested” or implied within it
Franking privilege
The right of US congresspeople to send mail to constituents at no cost to the congressperson (it is paid for by the government)
Pork barrel
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
filibuster
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
casework
When a congressperson provides help to an individual constituent
Oversight
How congress reviews and checks the executive branch, especially with federal agencies
Motion for cloture
A motion to end a filibuster and begin voting on a particular bill. Must be voted for by 60 members who are policy generalists
incumbent
The person who is already elected to an office. They generally have an advantage in winning reelection
logrolling
When members of congress ‘trade favors’ - one person votes for another’s bill in return for the other persons vote on their bill.
Inherent powers
Powers granted to the government by the fact that it is a government - these are not specifically granted in the constitution
White house staff
Analysts and advisors to the president
Executive order
Rules issued by the president that do not need to be voted on by congress that hold the same rule as law
pocket veto
When a president takes no action on a bill (does not sign or veto it) and then congress adjourns within 10 days
Lame duck period
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
