us governmet Flashcards
1
Q
absentee ballot
A
A ballot, usually sent in the mail, that allows those who cannot go to their precinct on election day to vote.
2
Q
absolutism
A
The belief that the government should have all the power and be able to do whatever it wants.
3
Q
acquisitive model
A
A view of bureaucracies that argues agency heads seek to expand the size, budget, and power of their agency.
4
Q
actual malice
A
Knowingly printing falsehoods in order to harm a person’s reputation.
5
Q
administrative adjudication
A
The bureaucratic function of settling disputes by relying on rules and precedents.
6
Q
affirm
A
An action by the Supreme Court to uphold a ruling by a lower court; that ruling is now the legally binding one.
7
Q
affirmative action
A
Measures to give minorities special consideration for hiring, school admission, and so on, designed to overcome past discrimination.
8
Q
agency capture
A
The gaining of control (direct or indirect) over a government regulatory agency by the industry it regulates.
9
Q
agency representation
A
A type of representation in which the representative is seen as an agent, acting on behalf of the district, who is held accountable if he or she does not do as the constituents wish.
10
Q
agenda
A
setting
11
Q
amendment
A
A change to the Constitution.
12
Q
American conservatism
A
The belief that freedom trumps all other political considerations; the government should play a small role in people’s lives.
13
Q
American exceptionalism
A
The view that the United States is different from other countries.
14
Q
American liberalism
A
The belief that the government should promote equality in politics and economics.
15
Q
Americans with Disabilities Act
A
The major law banning discrimination against the disabled, it requires employers to make all reasonable accommodations to disabled workers; it passed in 1990.
16
Q
amicus curiae brief
A
Literally, a “friend of the court” brief. A brief submitted to the court by a group not involved in the case; it presents further arguments for one side in the case.
17
Q
anarchism
A
The belief that all governments are repressive and should be destroyed.
18
Q
appellate jurisdiction
A
The authority to review cases heard by lower courts.
19
Q
appointment power
A
The president’s power to appoint people to key federal offices.
20
Q
appropriation
A
The act of Congress formally specifying the amount of authorized money that an agency can spend.
21
Q
Articles of Confederation
A
America’s first national constitution, which loosely bound the states under a weak national Congress.
22
Q
attack journalism
A
Journalism that aims to undermine political leaders.
23
Q
Australian ballot
A
A ballot printed by the government that allows voting to be secret.
24
Q
authoritarian regime
A
A government that can do whatever it wants, without limits.
25
authority
The ability of the government to exercise power without resorting to violence.
26
authorization
A formal declaration by a congressional committee that a certain amount of money is available to an agency.
27
autocracy
A regime in which the government holds all the power.
28
bad
tendency rule
29
Bakke case
This Supreme Court Case decided in 1978 that affirmative action is legal as long as race is not the only factor considered.
30
balanced budget
When a government spends exactly as much as it takes in.
31
bicameral legislature
A legislature with two houses.
32
bilateral
A state acting in cooperation with another state.
33
bill
A proposed law or policy.
34
bill of attainder
A bill passed by the legislature that declares a person guilty of a crime.
35
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution, which safeguard some specific rights of the American people and the states.
36
Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act
A law passed in 2002 that banned soft money, put limits on issue advertising, and increased the amount people can donate to candidates; also called the McCain
37
bipolar system
An international system characterized by two superpowers that roughly balance each other.
38
blanket primary
A primary in which voters can choose candidates from more than one party; declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
39
block grant
A grant
40
blog
A weblog on the Internet; the thoughts and opinions of a person or group posted online.
41
brief
A document submitted to a court that presents one side’s argument in a case.
42
broadcast media
Media that is distributed over the airwaves.
43
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas
Supreme Court case that ended segregation and declared “separate but equal” to be unconstitutional.
44
bundling
The practice of lumping campaign donations from several donors together.
45
bureaucracy
An administrative way of organizing large numbers of people to work together; usually relies on specialization, hierarchy, and standard operating procedure.
46
buying power
One’s ability to purchase things; it is undermined by inflation.
47
cabinet
A group, composed of the heads of federal departments and key agencies, that advises the president.
48
caesaropapism
The belief that the powers of church and state should be united in one person.
49
candidate
centered politics
50
case law
The collection of court decisions that shape law.
51
casework
Work done by a member of Congress or his or her staff on behalf of constituents.
52
categorical grants
Money given for a specific purpose that comes with restrictions concerning how the money should be spent. There are two types of categorical grants: project grants and formula grants.
53
caucus
A gathering of political leaders to make decisions, such as which candidate to nominate for an office; set policy; and plot strategy.
54
census
Counting the population to determine representation in the House of Representatives; the constitution mandates one every ten years.
55
central bank
The institution with the power to implement monetary policy.
56
centralization
the process by which law
57
centrally planned economy
An economy where all decisions are made by the government.
58
charter
A document issued by state government granting certain powers and responsibilities to a local government.
59
checks and balances
The ability of different branches of government to stop each other from acting; designed to prevent one branch from gaining too much power.
60
chief of state
The ceremonial head of government; in the United States, the president serves as chief of state.
61
citizen
A legal member of a political unit.
62
civic education
Education geared toward training the young to be good citizens.
63
civil liberties
Individual freedoms that the government cannot take away, including free speech, freedom of religion, and the rights of the accused.
64
civil rights
The rights of equality under the law.
65
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The major civil rights legislation in the modern era, the Civil Rights Act banned discrimination and segregation in public accommodations.
66
Civil Rights Cases
Supreme Court decision in 1883 that said the Fourteenth Amendment only made discrimination by government illegal; private citizens could do as they pleased.
67
civil service
Government employees hired and promoted based on merit, not political connections.
68
Civil Service Commission
The first federal personnel agency.
69
Civil Service Reform Act of 1883
Law that established the federal civil service; also known as the Pendleton Act.
70
Civil Service Reform Act of 1978
Law that updated and reformed the civil service.
71
civil society
The network of community relationships that builds social capital.
72
civil war
A war fought within a single country between or among different groups of citizens who want to control the government and do not recognize another group’s right to rule.
73
classical conservatism
A view that arose in opposition to classical liberalism; it claimed that tradition was very valuable, human reason limited, and stability essential.
74
classical liberalism
A view that arose in the early modern era in Europe; it argues for the value of the individual, the necessity for freedom, the importance of rationalism, and the value of the free market.
75
clear
and
76
closed primary
A primary in which the voter must belong to the party in which he or she participates.
77
closed rule
A rule on a bill, issued by the House Rules Committee, which limits or bans amendments during floor debate.
78
cloture
A motion to end debate in the Senate, it must be approved by sixty votes.
79
codetermination
A policy used in some states with strong social democratic parties that forces large corporations to have substantial representation from the workers on the board of directors
80
command economy
An economy where all decisions are made by the government.
81
commerce clause
A clause in Article I, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution that grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce.
82
common
carrier role
83
common law
A system of law, originally from England, in which previous decisions guide judges in interpreting the law.
84
communism
An extreme form of socialism that advocates violent revolution to create a socialist state.
85
comparative politics
An academic discipline that compares states in order to understand how they work.
86
concurrent powers
Powers exercised simultaneously by the states and the federal government.
87
concurring opinion
An opinion issued by a judge who votes with the winning side but disagrees with the majority or plurality opinion.
88
confederacy
A loose relationship among a number of smaller political units.
89
confederate system
A system of government with a very weak central government and strong states.
90
conformism
A tendency for people to act the same way, watch the same television programs, read the same books, and so on.
91
constituency
The people in a district represented by a legislator.
92
constitution
A set of rules that govern how power will be distributed and used legitimately in a state.
93
constitutional democracy
A type of government characterized by limitations on government power spelled out in a constitution.
94
constitutional government
A regime in which the use of power is limited by law.
95
constitutional powers
Powers of the president granted explicitly by the Constitution.
96
continuing resolution
A measure passed by Congress that temporarily funds an agency while Congress completes its budget.
97
conventional participation
Political participation in activities deemed appropriate by most; includes voting, donating to a campaign, and writing letters to officeholders.
98
convention delegate
A party member or official who goes to the national convention to vote for the party’s presidential nominee and to ratify the party’s platform.
99
cooperative federalism
A term used to describe federalism for most of the twentieth century (and into the twenty
100
corrupt practices acts
A series of laws in the early twentieth century that were the first attempts to regulate campaign finance.
101
credentials committee
Party officials who decide which delegates may participate in the national convention.
102
critical election
An election that marks the advent of a realignment.
103
dealignment
The loosening of party ties as more voters see themselves as independents.
104
decision
A document issued by the court stating who wins the case.
105
Declaration of Independence
The document written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776 that broke the colonies away from British rule.
106
de facto?segregation
Segregation that exists due to economic and residential patterns, not because of law.
107
defamation of character
Unfairly hurting a person’s reputation.
108
deficit spending
When a government intentionally spends more money than it takes in.
109
de jure segregation
Segregation imposed by law.
110
delegated powers
Powers granted by Congress to help the president fulfill his duties.
111
demand
side economics
112
democracy
Rule by the people.
113
democratic socialism
A peaceful form of socialism that works within democratic governments to attain socialism gradually.
114
demosclerosis
The inability of the U.S. government to get anything significant done because interest groups block all major change.
115
denial of power
Declaring that a certain person or group does not have a particular power.
116
depression
A severe economic downturn that lasts a long time; more serious than a recession.
117
deregulation
The repeal or reduction of regulations in order to boost efficiency, increase competitiveness, and benefit consumers.
118
deterrence
Threatening to use military force to prevent another state from taking a particular course of action.
119
devolution
The process of the national government giving responsibilities and powers to state, local, or regional governments.
120
dictatorship
An absolute government in which one person holds all the power and uses it for his or her own self
121
diplomacy
The act of negotiating and dealing with other nations in the world, trying to achieve goals without force.
122
direct democracy
A government in which the people come together to vote on all important issues.
123
discharge petition
A measure in the House that forces a bill out of a committee for consideration by the whole House.
124
dissenting opinion
A court opinion written by the losing side that explains why it disagrees with the decision.
125
diversity
A mix of different cultural and religious traditions and values.
126
divided government
A situation in which one party controls the presidency, while the other controls at least one house of Congress.
127
divine right theory of kingship
The view that the monarch is chosen by God to rule with absolute power over a country.
128
division of labor
The practice of dividing a job into smaller component parts and assigning one person or group to do each part.
129
dual federalism
A term to describe federalism through most of the nineteenth century, where the federal and state governments each had their own issue areas, which rarely overlapped; also known as layer
130
due process clause
Part of the Fourteenth Amendment, which declares that no person can be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.
131
duopoly
A term to describe the overwhelming power of the two major parties in American politics.
132
Earned Income Tax Credit
A federal welfare program that refunds all or part of a poor family’s social security tax.
133
economic aid
Assistance to other countries designed to help the recipient’s economy.
134
economic group
An interest group that seeks material benefits for its members.
135
economic growth
The expansion of the economy, leading to the creation of more jobs and more wealth.
136
effective tax rate
The actual percentage of one’s income that one pays in taxes, after deductions and tax credits.
137
elastic clause
Clause in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution that says the Congress has the power to do anything that is necessary and proper in order to carry out its explicit powers; also called the necessary and proper clause.
138
elector
A member of the Electoral College.
139
Electoral College
The body that elects the president of the United States; composed of electors from each state equal to that state’s representation in Congress; a candidate must get a majority of electoral votes to win.
140
elitism/elite theory
The view that a small capable group should rule over the rest.
141
emergency powers
Inherent powers exercised by the president to deal with emergencies.
142
empire
A state that governs more than one national group, usually as a result of conquest.
143
enabling legislation
A law passed by Congress that lays out the general purposes and powers of an agency but grants the agency the power to determine the details of how it implements policy.
144
entitlement program
A program under which the federal government is obligated to pay a specified benefit to people who meet certain requirements.
145
enumerated powers
The powers specifically given to Congress in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution.
146
environmental impact statement
A statement that must be prepared by the federal government prior to acting that describes how the environment will be affected.
147
environmentalism
The belief that humans have an obligation to protect the world from the excesses of human habitation, including pollution and the destruction of wilderness.
148
equality of opportunity
When all people are given the same chances to compete and achieve so that those with talent and diligence will succeed, whereas others will not.
149
equality of outcome
When all people achieve the same result, regardless of talent or effort.
150
equal protection clause
Part of the Fourteenth Amendment, which states that states must give all citizens the equal protection of the law.
151
Equal Rights Amendment
A proposed amendment that would end gender discrimination; it failed to be ratified.
152
equal time rule
A broadcast media regulation that requires media outlets to give equal amounts of time to opposing candidates in an election.
153
equity
When all parties to a transaction are treated fairly.
154
establishment clause
A part of the First Amendment that forbids government establishment of religion.
155
excess demand
An economic situation in which the demand for something exceeds the supply.
156
exclusionary rule
A legal rule that excludes from trial evidence obtained in an illegal search.
157
executive leadership
The view that the president should have strong influence over the bureaucracy.
158
Executive Office of the President
A set of agencies that work closely with the president to help him perform his job.
159
executive order
An order issued by the president that has the effect of law.
160
executive privilege
The right of officials of the executive branch to refuse to disclose some information to other branches of government or to the public.
161
ex post facto law
A law that declares something illegal after it has been done.
162
expressed powers
The specific powers given to Congress or the president by the Constitution; also called the enumerated powers.
163
fairness doctrine
A broadcast media regulation that requires a broadcaster that airs a controversial program to also provide airtime to people with an opposing view.
164
faithless elector
An elector who votes for someone other than the candidate who won the most votes in the state.
165
fascism
Ideology from Italy that stresses national unity, a strong expansionist military, and absolute rule by one party.
166
federal budget
A document detailing how the federal government will spend money during a fiscal year.
167
Federal Communications Commission
The federal agency that regulates the broadcast media.
168
Federal Election Campaign Act
A law, passed in 1971, that limited expenditures on media advertising and required disclosure of donations above $100; made more stringent following the Watergate scandal.
169
Federal Election Commission
The independent agency established in 1974 to enforce campaign finance laws.
170
federalism
A system of government in which power is shared by national and state governments.
171
Federal Register
A federal publication that lists all executive orders.
172
federal reserve bank
The name of the central bank of the United States; often called the Fed.
173
federal system
A system of government where power is shared between the central government and state and local governments.
174
feminism
The belief that women are equal to men and should be treated equally by the law.
175
filibuster
A Senate tactic; a senator in the minority on a bill holds the floor (in effect shutting down the Senate) until the majority backs down and kills the bill.
176
First Continental Congress
A gathering of representatives from all thirteen colonies in 1774; it called for a total boycott of British goods in protest against taxes.
177
fiscal federalism
The practice of states spending federal money to help administer national programs.
178
fiscal policy
How the government influences the economy through taxing, borrowing, and spending.
179
fiscal year
A twelve
180
527 groups
A political organization, not affiliated with a party, that can raise and spend soft money; named after a section of the Internal Revenue Code.
181
flat taxes
A taxation system in which everyone is charged the same rate, regardless of income.
182
food stamps
Coupons issued by the government that can be used to purchase food.
183
foreign policy
A state’s international goals and its strategies to achieve those goals.
184
formalized rules
Another term for standard operating procedure.
185
formula grants
Grants in which a formula is used to determine how much money each state receives.
186
framers
The men who wrote the Constitution.
187
franking
The ability of members of Congress to mail informational literature to constituents free of charge.
188
free exercise clause
The part of the First Amendment that forbids the government from interfering in the free exercise of religion.
189
free rider
A person who benefits from an interest group’s efforts without actually contributing to those efforts.
190
front
loading
191
front
runner
192
full faith and credit clause
A clause in Article IV of the Constitution that declares that state governments must give full faith and credit to other state governments’ decisions.
193
fundamentalism
The belief that a religious document is infallible and literally true.
194
gag order
An order by a court to block people from talking or writing about a trial.
195
gender discrimination
Treating people differently and unequally because of gender.
196
general election
An election contest between all party nominees and independent candidates; the winner becomes a member of Congress.
197
general jurisdiction
A court’s power to hear cases, which is mostly unrestricted.
198
gerrymandering
The term used to describe the process by which the party that controls the state government uses redistricting to its own political advantage.
199
Gibbons v. Ogden
An 1824 Supreme Court case that gave the federal government extensive powers through the commerce clause.
200
Gideon v. Wainwright
Supreme Court case of 1963 that ordered governments to provide an attorney to criminal defendants who cannot afford one.
201
globalization
The trend toward the breakdown of state borders and the rise of international and global organizations and governments.
202
government
The organization of power within a country.
203
Government Accountability Office
Congress’s main investigative agency, the GAO investigates operations of government agencies as part of congressional oversight.
204
government bond
A promissory note issued by the government to pay back the purchase price plus interest.
205
government corporation
A federal agency that operates like a corporation (following business practices and charging for services) but receives some federal funding.
206
grandfather clause
A voting law that stated that a person could vote if his grandfather was eligible to vote prior to 1867; designed to keep blacks from voting.
207
grant
in
208
grant of power
Declaring that a certain person or group has a specific power.
209
grassroots activism
Efforts to influence the government by mobilizing large numbers of people.
210
Great Compromise
The compromise plan on representation in the constitutional convention; it created a bicameral legislature with representation determined by population in one house and equality in the other; also known as the Connecticut Compromise.
211
gross domestic product
The total value of all economic transactions within a state.
212
guerrilla war
A war in which one or both combatants use small, lightly armed militia units rather than professional, organized armies; guerrilla fighters usually seek to topple their government, often enjoying the support of the people.
213
gun control
Policies that aim at regulating and reducing the use of firearms.
214
Hatch Act
A law passed in 1939 that restricts the participation of federal civil servants in political campaigns.
215
hierarchy
An arrangement of power with a small number of people at the top issuing orders through a chain of command to lower
216
home rule
The granting of significant autonomy to local governments by state governments.
217
home style
The way a member of Congress behaves in his or her district.
218
honeymoon period
The first few months of an administration in which the public, members of Congress, and the media tend to give the president their goodwill.
219
horizontal federalism
How state governments relate to one another.
220
hyperpluralism
The idea that there are too many interest groups competing for benefits.
221
idealism
The view that states should act in the global arena to promote moral causes and use ethical means to achieve them.
222
ideology
A set of beliefs a person holds that shape the way he or she behaves and sees the world.
223
illegal participation
Political activity that includes illegal actions, such as sabotage or assassination.
224
impeachment
The power of the House of Representatives to charge an officeholder with crimes; the Senate then holds a trial to determine if the officeholder should be expelled from office.
225
implementation
The act of putting laws into practice.
226
implied powers
Powers given to the national government by the necessary and proper clause.
227
income distribution
The way income is distributed among the population.
228
income transfer
A government action that takes money from one part of the citizenry and gives it to another part; usually the transfer goes from the well
229
incorporation
The practice of federal courts forcing state governments to abide by the Bill of Rights.
230
incrementalism
The tendency of policy in the United States to change gradually, in small ways, rather than dramatically.
231
independent
A person who does not feel affiliation for any party.
232
independent executive agency
A federal agency that is not part of any department; its leader reports directly to the president.
233
independent regulatory agency
A federal agency charged with regulating some part of the economy; in theory, such agencies are independent of Congress and the president.
234
individualism
The idea that all people are different and should be able to make their own choices.
235
inflation
The increase of prices.
236
informational benefits
The educational benefits people derive from belonging to an interest group and learning more about the issues they care about.
237
inherent powers
The powers inherent to the national government because the United States is a sovereign nation.
238
in
kind subsidies
239
inside game
Interest groups’ efforts to influence government by direct and close contact with government officials; also known as lobbying.
240
interest group
An organization of people who share a common interest and work together to protect and promote that interest by influencing the government.
241
international agreement
An understanding between states to restrict their behavior and set up rules governing international affairs.
242
internationalism
The view that the United States should play an active role in world affairs.
243
international law
A set of agreements, traditions, and norms built up over time that restricts what states can do; not always binding.
244
international organization
An institution set up by agreements between nations, such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
245
international system
The basic structures that affect how states relate to one another, including rules and traditions.
246
Internet media
Media that is distributed online.
247
interpretive reporting
Reporting that states the facts along with analysis and interpretation.
248
intervention
When a state sends military forces to help a country that is already at war.
249
iron triangle
An alliance of groups with an interest in a policy area: bureaucrats from the relevant agency, legislators from appropriate committees, and interest groups affected by the issue.
250
isolationism
The view that the United States should largely ignore the rest of the world.
251
issue advertising
Advertising, paid for by outside groups, that can criticize or praise a candidate but not explicitly say “vote for X” or “vote against X.”
252
issue network
A collection of actors who agree on a policy and work together to shape policy.
253
Jim Crow laws
Laws passed by southern states that imposed inequality and segregation on blacks.
254
Joint Chiefs of Staff
A group that helps the president make strategy decisions and evaluates the needs and capabilities of the military.
255
judicial activism
A judicial philosophy that argues courts must take an active positive role to remedy wrongs in the country.
256
judicial implementation
The process of enforcing a court’s ruling.
257
judicial philosophy
A set of ideas that shape how a judge or lawyer interprets the law and the Constitution.
258
judicial restraint
A judicial philosophy that believes the court’s responsibility is to interpret the law, not set policy.
259
judicial review
The power of the courts to declare laws and presidential actions unconstitutional.
260
jurisdiction
A court’s power to hear cases of a particular type.
261
justiciable question
A matter that the courts can review.
262
just
war theory
263
Keynesian economics
A demand
264
kitchen cabinet
An informal name for the president’s closest advisers.
265
Kyoto Protocol
An international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
266
laissez
faire capitalism
267
lawmaking
The power to make rules that are binding on all people in a society.
268
layer
cake federalism
269
legislative agenda
A series of laws a person wishes to pass.
270
legitimacy
Acceptance by citizens of the government.
271
Lemon test
A three
272
libel
Printing false statements that defame a person’s character.
273
liberalism
A theory of international relations that deemphasizes the importance of military power in favor of economic power, trade, and international institutions.
274
libertarianism
The belief that government should be small and most decisions left up to the individual.
275
liberty
The freedom to do what one chooses as long as one does not harm or limit the freedom of other people.
276
limited government
A government that places few restrictions on its citizens’ choices and actions, and in which the government is limited in what it can do.
277
limited jurisdiction
A court’s power to hear only certain kinds of cases.
278
limited war
A war fought primarily between professional armies to achieve specific political objectives without causing widespread destruction.
279
line
item veto
280
line organization
In the government bureaucracy, an agency whose head reports directly to the president.
281
literacy test
Historically, a test that must be passed before a person can vote; designed to prevent blacks from voting.
282
lobbying
Attempting to persuade government officials through direct contact via persuasion and the provision of material benefits; also known as the inside game.
283
logrolling
A practice in Congress where two or more members agree to support each other’s bills.
284
loophole
A part of a tax code that allows individuals or businesses to reduce their tax burden.
285
loose constructionism
A judicial philosophy that believes the Constitution should be interpreted in an open way, not limited to things explicitly stated.
286
machine
A very strong party organization that turns favors and patronage into votes.
287
Madisonian Model
A structure of government proposed by James Madison that avoided tyranny by separating power among different branches and building checks and balances into the Constitution.
288
majority leader
(1) In the House, the second
289
majority opinion
A court opinion that reflects the reasoning of the majority of justices.
290
majority party
In a legislative body, the party with more than half of the seats.
291
majority rule
The idea that the government should act in accordance with the will of the majority of people.
292
malapportionment
An apportionment of seats in Congress that is unfair due to population shifts.
293
mandate
When the federal government requires states to do certain things.
294
mandatory retirement
An employment policy that states that when an employee reaches a certain age, he or she must retire.
295
marble
cake federalism
296
markup
When a Congressional committee revises a bill in session.
297
material incentive
The lure of a concrete benefit, usually money, that attracts people to join a group.
298
McCain
Feingold bill
299
McCulloch v. Maryland
A Supreme Court case that granted the federal government extensive power to carry out its enumerated powers.
300
means
testing
301
media
Information and the organizations that distribute that information to the public.
302
media consolidation
The trend toward a few large corporations owning most of the media outlets in the country.
303
merit system
The practice of hiring and promoting people based on skill.
304
Merit System Protection Board
A board that investigates charges of wrongdoing in the federal civil service.
305
midterm election
A congressional election that does not coincide with a presidential election.
306
military aid
Assistance to other countries designed to strengthen the recipient’s military.
307
military
industrial complex
308
minority leader
In both the House and Senate, the leader of the minority party.
309
minority party
In a legislative body, the party with fewer than half of the seats.
310
Miranda v. Arizona
A 1966 case in which the Supreme Court ruled that police must inform suspects of their rights when arrested.
311
mixed economy
An economy that includes elements of the free market and central planning.
312
monarchy
A regime in which all power is held by a single person.
313
monetary policy
An economic policy that seeks to control the supply of money in the economy.
314
monopolistic model
A view of the bureaucracy that says bureaucracies have no incentive to reform or improve performance because they face no competition.
315
Monroe Doctrine
An American policy, set by President James Monroe in 1823, that claims America’s right to intervene in the affairs of Western Hemisphere nations.
316
multiculturalism
The idea that Americans should learn about and respect the many cultural heritages of the people of the United States.
317
multilateralism
The idea that nations should act together to solve problems.
318
multinational corporation
A business that operates in more than one country.
319
multiple
member district
320
multipolar system
An international system with more than two major powers.
321
nation
A large group of people who are linked by a similar culture, language, and history.
322
national convention
A convention held by a political party every four years to nominate candidates for president and vice president and to ratify the party platform.
323
national debt
Money owed by a government.
324
national interest
Things that will benefit and protect a state.
325
nationalism
A belief in the goodness of one’s nation and a desire to help make the nation stronger and better.
326
National Security Council
A part of the White House Staff that advises the president on security policy.
327
nation
building
328
nation
state
329
Nazism
Political ideology from Germany that stressed the superiority of the German race, authoritarian rule by one party, military expansion, and a longing for a mythical past.
330
necessary and proper clause
A clause at the end of Article I, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution that grants Congress the power to do whatever is necessary and proper to carry out its duties; also known as the elastic clause.
331
necessary evil
Something that is believed to be needed but is not good in and of itself; many Americans see government as a necessary evil.
332
negotiated rule
making
333
neoconservatism
A recent development in American conservatism that believes the power of the state should be used to promote conservative goals.
334
New Deal coalition
The supporters of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal; the coalition included labor unions, Catholics, southern whites, and African Americans; helped the Democrats dominate politics from the 1930s until the 1960s.
335
new federalism
An American movement, starting in the 1970s, to return power to state and local governments, thereby decreasing the amount of power held by the federal government.
336
New Jersey Plan
A plan at the constitutional convention that gave each state equal representation in the legislature.
337
nihilism
The belief that in order to remake society, one must first destroy the current society.
338
Nineteenth Amendment
Passed in 1920, it gave women the right to vote.
339
No Child Left Behind Act
A law passed in 2001 that expanded federal funding to schools but required increased testing and accountability.
340
noneconomic group
An interest group that works on noneconomic issues; also called a citizens’ group.
341
nongovernmental actor
A participant in the international arena that is not part of a government; such participants include nongovernmental organizations, multinational corporations, and international organizations.
342
nongovernmental organization
A political actor that is not affiliated with a particular government. Many NGOs are nonprofit institutions run by private citizens, such as the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and the Catholic Church.
343
Nuclear Non
Proliferation Treaty
344
objective reporting
Reporting only the facts with no opinion or bias.
345
office
block ballot
346
Office of Personnel Management
The central federal personnel office, created in 1978.
347
oligarchy
Rule by the wealthy few.
348
ombudsperson
A person who investigates complaints against government agencies or employees.
349
open primary
A primary in which a person can participate in any party’s primary as long as he or she participates in only one party’s primary.
350
open rule
A rule on a bill, issued by the House Rules Committee, allowing amendments during floor debate.
351
opinion
A document issued by a court explaining the reasons for its decision.
352
opinion leader
A person whose opinion can shape the opinions of many others.
353
original intent
A judicial philosophy that states that judges should seek to interpret the law and the constitution in line with the intent of the founders.
354
original jurisdiction
The authority to be the first court to hear a case.
355
outside game
A term used to describe grassroots activism and other means to influence elections and policymaking.
356
overregulation
An excess of regulation that hurts efficiency.
357
oversight
Congress’s power to make sure laws are being properly enforced.
358
pack journalism
The idea that journalists frequently copy and imitate each other rather than doing independent reporting.
359
paradox of participation
When many people vote because they wish to make a difference, but the actual chances of making a difference are infinitesimally small.
360
pardon
A release from punishment for criminal conviction; the president has the power to pardon.
361
parliamentary democracy
A regime in which the legislature chooses the executive branch.
362
partisan journalism
Journalism that advances the viewpoint of a political party.
363
party activist
A person who is deeply involved with a party; usually more ideologically extreme than an average party voter.
364
party
centered politics
365
party
column ballot
366
party identification
Feeling connected to a political party.
367
party in government
The role and function of parties in government, particularly in Congress.
368
party in the electorate
Party identification among voters.
369
party organization
The formal structure and leadership of a political party.
370
party platform
The collection of issue positions endorsed by a political party.
371
party reform
Measures aimed at opening up party leadership adopted by the major parties following the 1968 election.
372
patronage
Government jobs and contracts given out to political allies in exchange for support.
373
Pendleton Act
Another name for the Civil Service Reform Act of 1883.
374
per curiam
An unsigned decision issued by an appellate court; it reaffirms the lower court’s ruling.
375
pigeonholing
The ability of a committee to kill a bill by setting it aside and not acting on it.
376
Plessy v. Ferguson
The Supreme Court case of 1896 that upheld a Louisiana law segregating passengers on trains; it created the separate but equal doctrine.
377
pluralism
The view that society contains numerous centers of power and many people participate in making decisions for society.
378
plurality
More votes than any other candidate but not a majority.
379
plurality opinion
An opinion written by the majority of justices on the winning side.
380
pocket veto
An unusual type of presidential veto: When the president neither signs nor vetoes a bill, after ten days the bill dies if Congress is not in session.
381
political action committee
An organization, usually allied with an interest group, that can donate money to political campaigns.
382
political appointees
Federal bureaucrats appointed by the president, often to reward loyalty.
383
political culture
The set of beliefs, values, shared myths, and notions of a good polity that a group of people hold.
384
political economy
The study of how politics and economics interact.
385
political efficacy
The belief that the government listens to normal people and that participation can make a difference in government.
386
political equality
Treating everyone the same way in the realm of politics.
387
political participation
Engaging in actions to achieve political goals.
388
political party
An alliance of like
389
political science
The systematic, rigorous study of politics.
390
political socialization
The process by which political culture is passed on to the young.
391
politics
The process by which government decisions are made.
392
polling
Assessing public opinion by asking people what they think and feel.
393
pollster
A person who conducts polls.
394
poll tax
A fee for voting, designed to keep blacks and other poor people from voting.
395
popular sovereignty
A regime in which the government must respond to the wishes of the people.
396
Populists
A political movement in the late nineteenth century that fought on behalf of the poor workers and farmers; fused with the Democratic Party in 1896.
397
pork
Money spent by Congress for local projects that are not strictly necessary and are designed to funnel money into a district.
398
poverty line
The federal standard for poverty: Anyone below a certain income level is considered poor.
399
power
The ability to get others to do what you want.
400
power of the purse
The ability of Congress to spend money; all federal expenditures must be authorized by Congress.
401
precedent
A court ruling bearing on subsequent court cases.
402
preemption
The practice of the national government overriding state and local laws in the name of the national interest.
403
Presidential Commission
A body that advises the president on some problem, making recommendations; some are temporary, whereas others are permanent.
404
presidential democracy
A regime in which the president and the legislators must be entirely separate.
405
president pro tempore
In the vice president’s absence, the presiding officer of the Senate.
406
primary election
An election within a party to choose the party’s nominee for the office.
407
print media
Media distributed via printed materials.
408
prior restraint
Stopping free expression before it happens.
409
private bill
A bill that offers benefit or relief to a single person, named in the bill.
410
private good
A good that benefits only some people, such as members of a group.
411
privatization
The practice of private companies providing government services.
412
privileges and immunities clause
Part of the Fourteenth Amendment, which forbids state governments from taking away any of the privileges and immunities of American citizenship.
413
probability sample
A sampling technique in which each member of the population has a known chance of being chosen for the sample.
414
professional legislature
A state legislature that meets in session for long periods, pays its members well, and hires large support staffs for legislators.
415
progressive taxes
A taxation system in which the rich must pay a higher percentage of their income than the poor.
416
prohibited powers
The powers specifically denied to the national government by the Constitution.
417
project grants
Categorical grant programs in which states submit proposals for projects to the federal government and the national government chooses which to fund on a competitive basis.
418
proportional representation
An electoral system in which each party gets a number of seats in the legislature proportionate to its percentage of the vote.
419
prospective voting
Making a vote choice by looking to the future: Voters choose the candidate(s) they believe will help the country the most in the next few years.
420
proxy war
A war fought by third parties rather than by the enemy states themselves.
421
public administration
The task of running the government, and providing services through policy implementation.
422
public assistance
Another term for welfare.
423
public education
Informing the public about key issues and about what Congress is doing about those issues.
424
public good
A good that benefits everyone, not just some; also called collective good.
425
public opinion
The basic attitudes and opinions of the general public.
426
public policy
Any rule, plan, or action pertaining to issues of domestic national importance.
427
public representative role
The role of the media to act as a representative of the public, holding government officials accountable to the people.
428
purposive incentive
The lure of a desire to promote a cause.
429
rally ’round the flag effect
A significant boost in presidential popularity when a foreign crisis arises.
430
random selection
A sampling technique to ensure that each person in the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample.
431
ranking member
The senior committee member from the minority party.
432
ratings game
The practice of organizations rating members of Congress based on votes that matter to the organizations and their members.
433
rational choice theory
An approach that assumes people act rationally in their self
434
rationalism
The belief that human reason can find solutions to many of our problems.
435
realignment
A dramatic shift in the balance of the two parties that changes the key issues dividing the parties.
436
realism
A theory of international relations that stresses the importance of power (particularly military power) and claims that states act in their national interest.
437
reapportionment
The process of reallocating representation in the House of Representatives after a census; some states will gain seats, while other will lose them.
438
recession
An economic downturn; milder than a depression.
439
redistributive policy
A government action that takes money from one part of the citizenry and gives it to another part; usually the transfer goes from the well
440
redistricting
Redrawing district boundaries after a state loses or gains seats in the House of Representatives.
441
regime
A word used to describe a particular government.
442
regressive taxes
A taxation system that costs the poor a larger portion of their income than it does the rich because the amount of tax gets smaller as the amount to which the tax is applied gets larger.
443
regulated federalism
The practice of the national government imposing standards and regulations on state governments.
444
regulatory policy
Government policies that limit what businesses can do; examples include minimum wages, workplace safety measures, and careful monitoring of stock sales.
445
remand
Sending a case back to a lower court for a new trial or proceeding.
446
rent voucher
A voucher issued by the government that can be used to pay all or part of a poor person’s rent.
447
representative democracy
A system of government in which the people elect officials to represent their interests in the government.
448
representative sample
A sample that resembles the population as a whole.
449
reprieve
A formal postponement of the execution of a criminal sentence; the president has the power to grant reprieves.
450
republic
A regime that runs by representative democracy.
451
reregulation
Significantly changing government regulations on an industry.
452
reserved powers
The powers reserved to the states and the people in the Tenth Amendment.
453
responsible party
A party that is strong enough to carry out a specific platform if elected to office.
454
retention election
A state election, held in states using the merit plan for selecting judges, in which voters are asked whether a judge should keep his or her job.
455
retrospective voting
Making a vote choice by looking to the past: Voters support incumbents if they feel that the country has done well over the past few years.
456
revenue agency
A government agency that raises money by collecting taxes or fees.
457
revenue sharing
The practice of the federal government giving money to the states with no strings attached; started by the Nixon Administration and ended by the Reagan Administration.
458
reverse
When a court overturns a lower court’s ruling, declaring it void.
459
reverse discrimination
Discrimination against majority
460
revolution
A major event causing a fundamental change in a state.
461
rider
An amendment attached to a bill that has nothing to do with the bill itself.
462
right of rebuttal
A media regulation that requires broadcasters to give people an opportunity to reply to criticisms aired on the outlet.
463
rights of the minority
Rights held by the minority that must be respected by the majority.
464
Roe v. Wade
A 1973 Supreme Court case that legalized abortion during the first trimester.
465
rogue state
A state that does not follow international law or unspoken rules of the global arena.
466
roll
call vote
467
rugged individualism
A form of individualism that emphasizes self
468
rule
making
469
rule of four
An informal rule in the Supreme Court: Four justices must agree to hear a case for the Court to issue a writ of certiorari.
470
sample
A group of people who are used to stand in for the whole population in a poll.
471
sampling error
Mistakes in polls caused by bad samples.
472
school vouchers
Government money given to parents to help pay for tuition at private schools.
473
Second Continental Congress
The governing body over the colonies during the revolution that drafted the Articles of Confederation to create the first national government.
474
selective incentives
The lure of benefits that only group members will receive.
475
selective incorporation
Forcing states to abide by only parts of the Bill of Rights, not the whole thing.
476
self
selected candidate
477
senatorial courtesy
A tradition in which a Senator, if he or she is of the president’s party, gets input into nominees for federal judgeships in his or her state.
478
separation of powers
Dividing up governmental power among several branches.
479
sexual harassment
Unwanted and inappropriate physical or verbal conduct of a sexual nature that interferes with doing one’s job or creates a hostile work environment.
480
Shays’ Rebellion
A 1786 uprising of Massachusetts farmers against high taxes and debt.
481
signing message
A message attached to a bill the president signs, explaining his or her understanding of the bill.
482
single
member district
483
skewed sample
A sample that is not representative and leads to inaccurate polling results; a deceptive practice used to manipulate public opinion.
484
slander
Publicly stating things that the speaker knows to be untrue that hurt a person’s reputation.
485
social capital
Mutual trust and habits of cooperation that are acquired by people through involvement in community organizations and volunteer groups.
486
socialism
Political view that the free market breeds servitude and inequality and should be abolished.
487
social security
A social insurance program that aims to keep retired people and the disabled out of poverty.
488
sociological representation
A type of representation in which the representative resembles the constituents in ethnic, religious, racial, social, or educational ways.
489
soft money
Unregulated money raised by parties and spent to influence elections indirectly; banned by the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.
490
solicitor general
A high
491
solidarity incentive
The lure of a social benefit, such as friendship, gained by members of an organization.
492
sovereignty
The right to exercise political power in a territory.
493
Speaker of the House
The leader of the House of Representatives, elected by the majority party.
494
special district
A type of local government designed to meet a very specific need.
495
special election
An election to replace a member of Congress who leaves office in between regular elections.
496
specialization
The practice of a group or person becoming extremely knowledgeable and skilled at one specific task.
497
splinter party
A third party formed when a faction from a major party breaks off and forms its own party.
498
split
ticket voting
499
spoiler
A losing candidate who costs another candidate the election.
500
spoils system
The practice of an elected officials rewarding supporters and allies by giving them government jobs.
