Vocab Flashcards
Popular sovereignty
principle that the legitimacy of the government depends on the will or consent of its people
Pluralist democracy
a theory of democratic government in which group-based activism by nongovernmental interests organize to make an impact on political decision making
Separation of powers
the division of government powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches
Federalist
those who supported the Constitution as it was and argued for immediate ratification
Anti-Federalist
those who did not wish to ratify the Constitution because they had concerns about the strength of the central government
Checks and balances
processes in which each branch of government can impact the actions of the other branches
Federalism
the division of powers among local, state, and national governments
Implied powers
powers not directly stated in the Constitution but rather interpreted as belonging to the national government
Establishment clause
the First Amendment clause that specifies that the government cannot make a law that endorses an official national religion
Free exercise clause
the First Amendment clause that specifies that the government cannot prohibit the practice of or belief in religion
Selective incorporation
the process by which specific liberties in the Bill of Rights are applied to the states
Due process clause
citizen rights that protect against arbitrary action by national or state governments
Exclusionary rule
evidence illegally seized by law enforcement officers in violation of the suspect’s Fourth Amendment rights cannot be used against the suspect in criminal proceedings
Equal protection clause
part of the 14th Amendment that prohibits the states from denying anyone within their borders the equal protection of the laws
Privileges and immunities clause
part of Article IV, Section 2 intended to prevent states from discriminating against someone from another state or giving its own residents special privileges
veto
The president’s constitutional power to reject a bill passed by both houses of Congress
oversight
The effort by Congress to exercise control over executive agencies
agenda
The set of policies an official or group intends to pursue
Judicial activism
Court decisions that go beyond literal interpretations of the Constitution or a statute to consider broader societal implications
Issue networks
Groups that exert influence to impact a specific policy and agenda
Judicial restraint
Court decisions that adhere to literal interpretations of the meaning of the Constitution
Independent agency
A government agency that is not part of a Cabinet department
Government corporation
A government agency that performs a service normally provided by the private sector
Iron triangle
Cooperative relationships between congressional committees, agencies, and interest groups to affect policy making
conservatism
An ideology that believes that a large and powerful government poses a threat to citizens’ freedom and emphasizes preserving tradition and family to support society
liberalism
An ideology that believes in social, economic, and political change to support the well-being of individuals and produce equality
Sampling
In scientific polls, the process of selecting a small group to represent the most important characteristics of an entire population
linkage institutions
A structure or means through which individuals can communicate their preferences to policy-makers
Critical or realigning election
A turning point where several electoral groups change party loyalities, significantly affecting and effected by changes in party strategies and agenda
Super PAC
An “independent expenditure-only committee” that has no fundraising or spending limits, but cannot donate directly to political candidates or coordinate with them
Rational-choice voting
Decision based on what voter perceives to be his or her individual best interest
