Vocab 1 Flashcards
Amicus Curiae
Legal briefs submitted by the friend of the court to raise additional points of view and attempt to influence courts decision
14th amendment
Citizenship due process and equal protection of the laws
Articles of Confederation
First constitution of the United States which did not work
Block grants
A large sum of money granted by the national government to a regional government with only general provisions as to the way it is to be spent
Caucus
Any form of political meeting
Checks and balances
Where each of the three branches can limit the powers of the other branches
Citizens United versus FEC
Supreme Court held that limiting the amount of money, business, unions, and other groups to influence election is unconstitutional.
Commerce Clause
Gives Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations
Concurrent powers
Power is shared by both the state and federal government
Conference committee
Temporary committee composed of both houses to resolve bills passed in the house and senate
Conservative
Support limited government role in the economy, traditional values, and more active government role of national security. cautious about change and usually Republican
Constituent
Another word for voter
Critical election
New coalitions replace the old ones and the majority party is displaced by the minority
Efficiency
How much gets done in Congress
Electoral college
The group of people that formally cast votes for the United States Presidency
Establishment clause
Cannot prefer one religion over another no national religion and cannot tax Americans who prefer any religion
Expressed/enumerated/delegated powers
Powers given to the national government
Federalism
Government powers are between the national government and local or regional government
Federalist 10
Essay written by James Madison explaining the effect of factions on the country
Filibuster
Unlimited debate in the Senate to stall voting on a bill
Free exercise clause
The ability to practice whatever religion or believe in what you want
General election
A regular election of candidates for office as opposed to a primary election
Gerrymandering
Draw district lines to favor one political party over another
Horse race journalism
Listen covering presidential elections on a day-to-day basis
Implied powers
Powers that the national government has that goes beyond expressed powers
InCorporation
The Bill of Rights applied to only federal but not state governments
Incumbency
Political candidate who is running for reelection
Interest groups
Groups of people typically concerned with influencing officials to support issues that impact membership
Iron triangle
(Sub governments) alliances between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees
Judicial review
Review by the US Supreme Court of the constitutional validity of the legislative act
Legislative oversight
Review policies/programs of executive branch
Liberal
Supports active government role in promoting individual welfare and civil rights and excepts peaceful political change within the political system and is usually part of the green or Democratic Party
Lobbying
Attempting to influence policymakers into supporting their cause by supplying data to support their position
Logrolling
I’ll support your bill if you support my bill
Mandate
Requirements that the federal government places on state and local government.
McCain Feingold act
Band use the soft money in federal campaigns. Increased limits on individual contributions, and required candidates to stand by their advertisements
Midterm elections
Held every four years when no presidential election is being held also have a lower voter turnout
Motor Voter laws
Permits people to register to vote at the same time as getting a license
Necessary and proper clause
Gives Congress all of the powers to fulfill their expressed powers
PACs
Form after 1910s campaign-finance reform is preventing labor unions and corporations run directly contributing to a candidate running for office
Patronage
The act of donating money
Platforms
The values that a party aligns with
Plurality
The majority of the votes
Political Socialization
The process an individual acquires political values and views
Pork Barrel legislation
Projects attached to bills that are federally funded local projects
Power of the purse
Congress’s ability to have control over the money
Primary
Held every four years where the president is selected
Pluralist theory
Interest groups compete to promote their interests and make public policy. Requires compromise between groups
Reserved powers
Powers Reserved to the states
Separation of powers
The three branches of government
Single member district
We’re only one representative is elected
Social contract theory
There is an unwritten agreement between the government and the government. The government should protect their rights, and if they fail, they should overthrow the government
Suffrage
The right to vote
Veto
The presidents power to overthrow bills
voting rights act of 1965
Outlawed racial discrimination in voting
