Vocab

Question 1

Affirmative Action

Answer 1

Government-mandated programs that seek to create special employment opportunities for AFAM and other victims of past discrimination.

Question 2

Amicus curiae

Answer 2

Friend of the court brief

Question 3

Blanket primary

Answer 3

Primary election in which voters may select a candidate from any party for each office. Same procedure as general elections.

Question 4

Block grants

Answer 4

Federal money given to states with only general guidelines for its use. The states have the authority to decide how the money will be spent.

Question 5

Bread-and-butter issues

Answer 5

Political issues directed at daily concerns for the working class. I.e.: job security, tax rates, wages, etc.

Question 6

Broad constructionism

Answer 6

Belief that the Constitution should be interpreted loosely

Question 7

Budget deficit

Answer 7

When federal expenditures exceed revenues, spends more than it gets

Question 8

Budget resolution

Answer 8

Set of budget guidelines that must pass both houses of Congress by April 15.

Question 9

Categorical grants

Answer 9

Federal aid given to states with strings attached, guidelines on how it must be spent.

Question 10

Civil court

Answer 10

Court in which lawsuits are heard.

Question 11

Civil disobedience

Answer 11

Nonviolent civil disobedience: protest peacefully against laws they believe unjust and be willing to accept arrest as a means of demonstration.

Question 12

Civil liberties

Answer 12

Protections against government power embodied in the Bill of Rights and similar legislation.

Question 13

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Answer 13

Segregation illegal in most public places; increased penalties for discrimination in employment, and withheld federal aid for schools who discriminate.

Question 14

Civil service system

Answer 14

Hire based of merit rather than on political beliefs or alliances. Replaced spoils system.

Question 15

Class action suit

Answer 15

Lawsuit filed on behalf of a group of people.

Question 16

“Clear and present danger”

Answer 16

Limits on free speech if it presents clear and present danger to the public or leads to illegal actions. (Shouting fire in a theatre)

Question 17

Closed primary

Answer 17

Voting is restricted for registered members of a political party

Question 18

Cloture

Answer 18

Motion in senate to end a debate, (stop filibuster). Requires 3/5 of senate vote

Question 19

Concurrent powers

Answer 19

Constitutional powers held by federal and state govt’s

Question 20

Congressional Budget Office

Answer 20

Congressional agency of budget experts who asses the feasibility of the president’s plan and who help create Congress’ version of the budget.

Question 21

A constitutional convention (not where Constitution was written)

Answer 21

(Not done yet) Way of amending the constitution.

Question 22

Cooperative federalism

Answer 22

“Marble cake” federalism, federal and state cooperate and share many powers

Question 23

Dealignment

Answer 23

Voters act independent of party affiliation. One consequence is spilt ticket voting

Question 24

Dual federalism

Answer 24

“Layered cake” federalism. Federal and state separate and independent.

Question 25

Due process of law

Answer 25

Legal procedures for arrest and trial of an accused criminal.

Question 26

Earmark

Answer 26

Provision within legislation that appropriates money to a specific project, usually to a specific region or small group of people.

Question 27

Elastic clause

Answer 27

Section of Constitution that allows Congress to pass laws that are “necessary and proper” to the performance of its duties.

Question 28

Entitlement programs

Answer 28

Social insurance programs that allocate federal funds to all people who meet the conditions. I.e. Social security

Question 29

Equal Rights Amendment

Answer 29

Failed Constitutional amendment that would have guaranteed equal protection under law for women.

Question 30

Establishment clause

Answer 30

Gov can’t “help” religion.

Question 31

Ex post facto laws

Answer 31

Banned in constitution. These laws would punish people for actions that occurred before such actions were made criminal.

Question 32

Exclusionary rule

Answer 32

Rule that prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence at a trial.

Question 33

Executive agreement

Answer 33

Same legal force as treaties but do not require senate approval. Not mentioned in constitution. Usually procedural.

Question 34

Executive privilege

Answer 34

Right of the president to withhold info when doing so would compromise national security.

Question 35

Extradition

Answer 35

Process by which governments return fugitives to the jurisdiction from which they fled.

Question 36

Adversarial System

Answer 36

System of law where the court is neutral, disputants can argue the merits of their cause.