Monster Vocab Test Flashcards
Caucus
When citizens (party members) meet with the purpose of selecting/nominating candidates for an election. This process of face to face meetings begins at the local level and eventually reaches the national level
Direct democracy
A form of government where all laws, bills, and issues are voted on directly by the people
Block grants
Large sums of money given to the state/local government by the federal government for broad purposes, giving state governments the freedom to do mostly what they would like with it
Congressional oversight
When congress keeps watch over the Executive branch, ie the president and federal agencies. This is done by congressional committees holding hearings and investigating bureaucratic agencies
Dealignment
Where a large portion of voters lose their affiliation with a political party, changing to nonpartisanship
Fiscal policy
A change in the government’s budget that influences the nation’s economy such as changes in income tax and public spending
General election
An election of candidates for office in which only one candidate is elected and then takes office
Closed primary
An election held by a political party in which only voters registered for the party vote upon that party’s candidate for the general election
Motion for cloture
The formal way of breaking a filibuster requiring 3/5’s of the Senate’s vote (60)
Super PAC/Independent expenditures
Committees that raise unlimited sums of money from corporations in order to advocate for or against political candidates. They may not donate directly however to candidates and are required by law to disclose all their members
Federalism
The separation of power between the State Government and the Federal Government and the constitutional relationship between the two.
Political socialization
The process in which an individual acquires knowledge of politics as well as political orientation
Expressed/enumerated powers
The powers and authorities of congress specifically listed in the constitution found in Article 1 section 8
Lame duck period
The period of time at the end of a presidential term in which Congress does not take the president as seriously because of his limited time remaining. Also during this period the president is able to act with less public and congressional scrutiny
Midterm election
Elections held at the midway point of a presidential term electing members of Congress, the House, and 33-34 seats in Senate. States may elect governors or legislature
Franking privilege
The right that members of congress and other government officials have that allow them to post mail for free using their signature instead of a stamp
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of trying to influence Congress to introduce, pass, or change laws by communicating directly with a member of congress
Grassroots lobbying
The encouragement of people to contact their representatives in regards to an issue or concern to influence policy making, as opposed to direct lobbying
Party polarization
The gap (usually increasing) between liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans.
Amicus curiae
Latin for “friend of the court”, it represents an interest group that is not a party that provides an informative brief to a case, often biased in favor of the interest group
Judicial activism
The theory that the judicial branch is co equal to the legislature and executive- judicial decisions that create new rights and/or policy
Horse race journalism
Political journalism that focuses on who wins and loses in elections and polling data, like a horse race
Casework
Direct assistance to constituents provided by members of Congress in cases of injustices or transgressions involved with the federal government or federal agencies
Casework
Direct assistance to constituents provided by members of Congress in cases of injustices or transgressions involved with the federal government or federal agencies
Issue network/iron triangle
An issue network is a group of parties, organizations, or individuals that team up in support of a specific issue related to government policy either on the domestic or foreign level
An iron triangle involves multiple private groups such as corps or congress teaming up to support a mutual private interest regarding governmental policy instead of a public interest
Political party
A group of people who share similar political views and work together to pass legislation that benefits their interests through the acquisition of political power
Gerrymandering
The strategic division of congressional districts in order to favor one party, even if that party is the minority
White house staff
personal assistants to the president
Filibuster
A strategy used in the senate where members attempt to delay or block the passing of a bill or other matter. A member of the senate may debate for as long as he/she wants, offering many motions that are considered obstructive to the passing of a bill
Executive order
Orders the president makes in order to direct federal agencies and officials that cannot be overridden by other branches
Critical elections
A significant change in the American political system in which new issues emerge. As a result, the minority party becomes the majority and the voting coalitions shift allegiance
Pork barrel spending
The political strategy of using federal funds to support institutions and local projects in a congressional district in order for the representative to maintain their constituents support
Entitlements
Annual benefits “promised” by Congress to a certain number of recipients, with the expenditures often being uncontrollable because they’re dependent on the number of recipients
Original intent
The theory that the Supreme court attempts to understand the message of any particular provision to the federal constitution by determining how the provision was understood at the time it was written, drafted, or ratified and is used by judges to help guide their decisions
Log rolling/ reciprocity
The exchanging of votes by Members of congress (i support your bill if you support mine) to speed up the pace of the legislative process
Monetary policy
The management of money supply and interest rates by the Federal reserve Bank in order to manage the economy, with the most visible role being the raising and lowering of interest rates
Selective Incorporation
The ability of the federal gov to limit the states’ lawmaking process to ensure that states don’t violate rights provided in the Bill of Rights
Suffrage/franchise
The right to vote
Fiscal federalism
The way the federal gov provides grants, taxes, and spends with relation to local and states govs in which the federal gov can influence a state’s policy by either giving or denying a state grant
Writ of certiorari
A supreme court issued document that calls up a case from a lower court
Litigation
The process of taking legal action to defend or enforce a legal write aka a lawsuit
Uncontrollable spending
The portion of the federal budget spent on programs that congress and the president are unwilling to cut & or change due to lack of political will or capital
Political efficacy
A citizens belief that their vote can actually make a difference/political participation matters
Gender gap
Female tendency to vote more liberally bc of their support of social services & military and less conservative views
Single-member districts
An electoral system in which one elected official represents a geographically defined area
Pocket veto
Happens when congress adjourns within ten days of submitting a bill, president does nothing about bill and it gets vetoed and this cannot be overridden
Redisricting
When the government reviews or redraws a district in a state every ten years after us census
Independent expenditures
Spending for communication on behalf of a candidate made by groups or businesses such as PACs without any consultation with the candidate or their associates
Policy agenda
A set of issues that is viewed as important by people involved in policymaking created by the political parties and officials
Cooperative federalism
State and national government work together and share power to create policy they both agree on. They also share costs, administration, and blame for unsuccessful policies and programs
Stare decisis
Latin for “let the decision stand”. Courts regarding previous decisions and using them as precedent for the case being considered
Devolution
The transfer of power to a lower level, for policies from the federal government to state and lower governments
Demographics
Study of population based on factors like birth and death that change over time as a result of economic, cultural, and political circumstances
Political culture
A set of historically based, widely shared values about the nature of political systems people hold that shapes their political behavior and includes their ideas about what makes for a good society
Divided government
Occurs when different branches of the federal government are controlled by different political parties
Open primary
A type of election that allows voters (regardless of party affiliation) to participate in either the Democrat or Republican nominating contests (primaries)
Political Action Committee (PAC)
An organization formed by special interest groups that raises money privately to contribute to election campaigns regulated by the federal election committee
judicial review
The Courts ensure that legislative and/or executive actions do not violate the Constitution
categorical grants
Federal grants that are set aside to only be spent on certain projects or issues ie road projects
Interest group
A group that tries to influence politics and policies for a common cause through lobbying or putting pressure on policymakers to make policies in their favor
Pluralism
The optimistic theory that in American democracy because such a wide variety of interest groups contribute to policy making, policy in the US meets the demands of a wide a variety of if not all of its citizens
Unfunded mandate
A federal statute or regulation that requires state or local governments to do something without providing monetary incentive or benefits
Implied powers
Powers the fed gov has that arent written in the constitution but are assumed to exist that allow gov to make laws necessary and proper i.e. congressional right to maintain a national bank
Incumbent
The current holder of a political office (person in political office position/ who won the election)
Realignment
When the balance between political parties shifts for a long period of time maybe do to an event or change in party coalition
Republic
A type of government that’s representatives are elected by citizens to govern and create laws
Bipartisan
Support from both the democratic and republican parties for a policy
Discharge petition
Used in the House; brings a bill out of committee and to the floor for consideration
