Vocab Flashcards
Balanced budget
When current government expenditures are equal to receipts
Bill of attainder
A law that punishes a person accused of a crime without a trial or a fair Hearing in court
Census
The official count of a population
Coalition buliding
The alliance of special interest groups with the purpose of achieving the same goal using both direct lobbying and Grassroots lobbying
Competitive federalism (new federalism)
Begun under Richard Nixon and known as a new federalism this approach stressed the downsizing of the federal government and more Reliance on revenue-sharing and grants
Concurring opinion
An opinion that agrees with the majority in a Supreme Court ruling but differs on the reasoning
Constituent services
A member of Congress providing services to vote as much as a a member of Congress providing services to voters such as providing help with federal agencies, federal grants, and students who want to attend the u.s. military academics, who live in the district that representative or Senator serves
Debt ceiling
A limit on the total amount of money the federal government can legally borrow
Deficit spending
Government practice of spending more than it takes in from taxes
Direct lobbying
Attempts to influence a legislators vote through personal contact with the legislator
Dual federalism
A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain Supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for the some policies
Environmental protection agency (EPA)
The US Federal agency with a mission to protect human health and the environment
Equality of opportunity
The idea that each person is guaranteed the same chance to succeed in life
Executive order
A rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law
Federalist Papers
A series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay ( using the name “publius”) published in New York papers and used to convince readers to adopt the new constitution
Focus Group
A small group of individuals who are lead in discussion of my professional consultants in order to gather opinions on and responses to candidates and issues
Franking privilege
The ability of members to mail letters to constituents free of charge by substituting their facsimile signature for postage
Grassroots
People or Society at a local level rather than at the center of a major political activity
GDP
Gross domestic product- the total market value of all final goods and services produced annually in an economy
Incorporation doctrine of the 14th Amendment
The legal concept under which the Supreme Court has nationalized the Bill of Rights by making most of its Provisions applicable to the states through the 14th Amendment
Incumbent
The current office holder
Inflation
A general and Progressive increase in prices
Loose construction
A board interpretation of the Constitution, making the Congress has powers Beyond those specifically given in the Constitution
Media
Connect citizens to a group that influences public policy
Motor Voter Act of 1993
Signs of the law by President Clinton, it enables people to register to vote at motor vehicle departments
Participatory democracy
A system of democracy in which all members of a group Community participate actively in making major decisions
Political participation
The many different ways that people take part in politics and government
Political platform
Formal Declaration of the principles and policies of a political party
Preamble
Introduction of the Constitution
Shay’s Rebellion
A 1787 rebellion in which X Revolutionary War soldiers attempted to prevent foreclosures of farms as a result of high interest rates and taxes
Speaker of the House
An office mandated by the Constitution. The speaker is chosen and practiced by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the presidency shed that office become vacant
Super PACs
A type of independent political action committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations unions and individuals but is not permitted to contribute to or coordinate directly with parties or candidates
Tracking polls
Continuous surveys that neighborhood campaign or news organization to chart a candidate’s daily rise or fall in support
Unanimous consent
An agreement by every Senator to the terms of debate on a given piece of legislation
Unfunded mandates
Programs that the federal government requires states to implement without Federal funding
Virginia Plan
A plan that called for three branches of government, if you just shuell, executive and legislature and the legislature based on population
Writ of certiorari
Order by Supreme Court directing a lower court to spend up the records of a case for review
Federalist 51 (madison)
“Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.” But what is government itself but the greatest of all Reflections on human nature. “ if men were angels…. checks and balances. Give the constitutional means and personal motives to resist in encroachment of the others. People are the primary check
Schenck v. United states 1919
A 1919 decision upholding the conviction of a socialist who had urged young men to resist the draft during World War 1. Justice Holmes declared government can limit speech at the speech provokes a clear and present danger of substantive evils
Brown v. Board of education 1954
1954- the Supreme Court overruled Plessy versus Ferguson, declared the racially segregated facilities and inherently unequal and ordered all public schools desegregated
Engel v. Vitale 1962
Prohibited state-sponsored receation of prayer in public schools by virtue of the first amendment’s Establishment Clause in the 14th Amendment due process clause Warren Court Street social activism
Wisconsin v. Yoder 197w
The court rules that Wisconsin cannot require Spanish parents to send their children to Public Schools beyond the eighth grade because it would violate long-held religious beliefs
Roe versus Wade 1973
Abortion rights fall within the Privacy implied by the 4th Amendment
Plannes parenthood v. Casey 1992
A 1992 case in which the Supreme Court Lucinda standards evaluating restrictions on abortion from one of strict security of any restraints on a mental rights to one of undue burden that permits considerably more regulation
Pluraist Theory
The theory that political power is distributed among a wide array of diverse and competing interest group
Advise and consent
The power of the Senate to approve or disapprove of any of the president’s appointments or treaties
Anti-Federalists
Components of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption
Exit poll
Public opinion surveys to use by Major media posters to predict electoral winners with speed and precision
Federal Reserve System
The country’s Central banking system which is responsible for the nation’s monetary policy Barry letting supply of money and interest rates
Funded mandates
Regulations passed by Congress or issued very literary agencies in the states with federal funds to support them
Horse race journalism
Election coverage by the mass media that focuses on which candidate is ahead earlier than on National issues
Impeachment
An action by the House of Representatives to kiss president vice president or other civil officers of the United States committing treason bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors
Lobbyist
A person who is employed by and ask for an organized interest group or Corporation to try to influence policy decisions and positions in the executive and legislative branches
Monetary policy
Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling the money supply and interest rates
Unconventional political participation
The means by which people get involved in the political process when conventional means though such as protest and civil disobedience
Gideon v. Wainwright 1963
Supreme Court case in which the Court ruled that a defendant is in a family trial must be provided a lawyer free of charge and the defendant cannot afford one. It started that the 14th amendment allows the Bill of Rights to be applied to the United States including Amendment 6 (right to a lawyer)
Judicial review
Review by the US Supreme Court or the Constitutional validity of a legislative act
Legislative veto
The authority of Congress to block a presidential action has taken place. The Supreme Court has held that Congress does not have this power
Popular sovereignty
I believe the ultimate power resides in the people
Unalienable rights
Rights that cannot be taken away
Unanimous decision
A decision made by the Supreme Court that has no dissent. A unanimous decision by the court is 9-0
Unwritten Constitution
Traditions president and practice incorporated into our form of government that adds The Constitution’s elastically and is viability. Political parties the president cabinet political action committees and the federal bureaucracy are important examples
Conservative
A person who believes government power particularly in the economy should be limited in order to maximize the individual freedom
Creative federalism
During the Great Society the marble cake approach of intergovernmental relations
Habeas corpus
An order to produce an arrested person before a judge
Senatorial courtesy
Presidential customs of submitting the names of prospective appointees for approval two senators from the state in which the appointees our to work
Bureaucracies
Large administrative agencies reflecting a hierarchical Authority job specialization and rules and regulations that drive them
Civil liberties
Constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens
Commerce Clause
The clause in the Constitution Article 1 Section 8 Clause 1 that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affects more than one state or other nations
Committee-of-the-whole
A committee that consists of an entire legislative body used for a procedure in which a legislative body expedites its business are resolving itself into committee itself
Culture of poverty
The argument that poor people adopt certain practices that differ from those of middle-class mainstream Society in order to adapt and survive in difficult economic circumstances
De jure segregation
Racial segregation that occurs because of laws or administrative Decisions by public agencies
Elastic clause
The final paragraph of Article 1 Section 8 of The Constitution which authorizes congress to pass all laws in this area and proper to carry out the enumerated powers
Grand old party GOP
Nickname for the Republican Party
Liberals
People who generally favor government action and view change as progress
White House staff
Personal who run the White House and advise the president. Includes the chief of staff and press secretary
Majority leader
The legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority of seats in the house or Senate
Open primary
Apparel action in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place
Shaw v. Reno 1993
No racial gerrymandering race cannot be the sole of predominant factor in redrawing legislative boundaries majority-minority districts
Cruel and unusual punishment
Corson’s is permitted by the 8th and management. Above the Supreme Court has ruled the mentary distances for certain offenses are unconstitutional it has not held that the death penalty itself constitutes cruel and unusual punishment
Gridlock
An inability to nice legislation because of partisan conflict within Congress or between Congress and the president
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
A law passed in 1990 that requires employers and public facilities to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities and prohibits discrimination against these individuals and employment
Pork barrel legislation
Laws passed by Congress that appropriate money for local Federal projects
Strict-constructionist approach
The View that judges should decide cases strictly on the basis of the language of the laws and the Constitution
Referendum
A legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate
Ratification
Formal approval final consent to the electronics of a constitution Constitution Amendment or treaty
Gender gap
A term that refers to the regular pattern by which women are more likely to support Democratic candidates. Women tend to be significantly less conservative than man and are more likely to support spending on social services and to oppose higher levels of military spending
Direct primary
A primary where voters directly select candidates who will run for the office
Marble cake federalism
The theory that all levels of government can work together to solve common problems. Also known as cooperative federalism
Battleground States. Swing States.
The key states that the presidential campaigns focus on because they are most likely to decide the outcome of the Electoral College vote
Cooperative federalism
A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. They may also share cost Administration and even blame for programs at work poorly
Federal election campaign Act FECA
First major federal law 1971 Australian Federal elections.. Federal Election Commission FEC. Require disclosure of sources of campaign funds transparency set limits on contributions to candidates individual equal 1000 Pacs equals 5000 spending limits for candidates limits on independent expenditures
Third political parties
Any political party that is not one of the two major parties
Electoral college
A group of people named by each state legislature to select the President and Vice President
Reserved power clause
Found in Tenth Amendment it gives States Powers not delegated to the national government
Hyperpluralist Theory
A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened
Majority opinion
A court opinion or affecting the views of the majority of the judges
Party identification
Is Citizens self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other
Religious right
politically active religious conservatives especially Catholics and image Ella Christians who became predictably vocal in the 1980s against feminism abortion and homosexuality who promoted Family Values
Safety net
Government programs that protect people experiencing unfavorable economic conditions
Single-issue groups
Groups that have a narrow interest tend to dislike compromise and often draw membership from people new to politics
Closed primary
A primary in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote
Conference committee
Committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form
Ranking Committee Member
The senior member of the minority party serving on a congressional committee who works closely with the committee chair deciding on committee business
Poverty line
The estimated minimum level of income needed to secure the necessities of life
Prospective voting
Voting for a candidate because you favor his or her ideas for handling issues
Recession of 2008
Caused by collapse of the housing market the mismanagement of housing mortgages by Banks and the bankruptcy of major investment firms
Separation of church and state
Constitutional principle found in the First Amendment which prevents our government from setting up an official Church from providing support for religious institutions or from crying church membership to vote
Congressional budget office CBO
An agency of Congress the Allies is presidential budget recommendations and estimates the cost of proposed legislation
Discretionary spending
Spending category about which government planners can make choices
Lame duck
And outgoing official serving out the remainder of a term after retiring or being defeated for re-election
Laissez-faire
Idea that government should pay as small a role as possible and economic affairs
Baker vs. Carr 1972
Case that asked. One-man vote. This isn’t created guidelines for drawing up congressional districts and guarantee a more Equitable system of representation the citizens of each state
Republican Party
Political party that believed in non expansion of slavery and consisted of wigs in. Democrats and free soldiers in defiance to the slave powers
Discount rate
The minimum interest rate set by federal reserve for Lending to other Banks
Distributive policy
Results in the government giving benefits directly to people groups farmers and businesses. Typical policies include subsidies research and development funds for corporations and direct government aid for Highway construction and education
Invisible primary
Early attempts to raise money line up campaign Consultants media attention and get commitments for support even before candidates announce they are running
War Powers Act of 1973
And I 73 Congress passed this law which requires that soldiers sent into military action overseas by the president be brought back within 60 days unless Congress approves action
Ticket splitting
Ring with one party for one office and with another party for for another office. It has become the norm in American voting behavior
Party realignment
The displacement of the majority party but the majority party usually during a critical election period
Layer cake federalism
Frozen characterized by a national government exercising its power and apparently from state governments
Keynote address
Key speech at the national nominating convention that outlines the themes of the campaign
Filibuster
A tactic for defeating a bill in the Senate by talking until the Bill’s sponsor withdraws it
Fiscal policy
Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling taxing and spending
Closed rule
A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that prohibits any amendments to bills provides that only members of the committee reporting the pill they offer amendments
Constituent
A person whom remember of Congress has been elected to represent
Federalism
A form of government in which power is divided between the federal or national government and the states
Implied powers
Powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions
New Hampshire primary
First presidential primary and it’s winner becomes the Medias major attention
Non-preferential primary
Where voters choose delegates who are not bound to vote for the winning primary candidate
Political socialization
The process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions
Procedural due process
Constitutional requirement that governments proceed by proper methods limits how government May exercise power
Sequestration
The action of taking legal possession of assets until the debt has been paid or other claims have been met
Marbury versus Madison 1803
This case establishes the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review
Standing committee
A permanent committee established new legislature usually focusing on policy area
Rules Committee
Deciding Committee of the House of Representatives that provide special rules under which specific bills can be debated amended be considered by the house
Free enterprise
Economic system in which individuals and businesses are allowed to compete for profit with a minimum of government interference
Three-Fifths Compromise
Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the house for a presentation and Taxation purposes. Negated by the 13th Amendment.
All politics is local
Phrase coined by former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill speaker 1977 through 1987 and refers to how the behavior of congressmen and women on the local level will it turning factor for the way voters perceive their represent
Congressional oversight
How are used by Congress to gather information useful for the formation of legislation review the operations and budgets of executive departments and independent regulatory agencies conduct investigations through committee hearings and bring to the Public’s attention and need for public policy
Direct tax
A tax an individual pays directly to the government
Selective incorporation
The process by which provisions of the Bill of Rights are brought within the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment and so applied to State and local governments
Rule of four
At least for justices of the Supreme Court must vote to consider a case before it can be heard
Double jeopardy
The prosecution of a person twice for the same offense
Apportionment bill
Congressional legislation that has spinning of the basic. Federal bill made up of 13 apportionment bills
Representative democracy
A form of democracy in which citizens elect officials to govern on their behalf
