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American Government > Vocab > Flashcards

Vocab Flashcards

1
Q

Partisan Politics

A

The belief that loyalty to a party rather than your own beliefs is of the highest importance

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2
Q

Bipartisanship

A

The rare cooperation between the 2 parties

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3
Q

Tribalism

A

Extreme devotion to those with similar views to the point where one excludes those who think otherwise

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4
Q

Zero-Sum Politics

A

When one party gets a “gain,” it is seen as an automatic “loss” for the opposite side

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5
Q

Naturalization

A

The process in which residents gain US citizenship

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6
Q

Bill of Rights

A

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution protecting individual liberties

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7
Q

Electoral College

A

A body of representatives (electors) that aid in the election of the President and VP by casting votes per voting district

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8
Q

Congress

A

The bicameral system composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives

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9
Q

House of Representatives

A

Group of 435 members that are represented by district as determined by state population

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10
Q

Senate

A

Group of 100 members, consisting of 2 from each state elected “at large” by the entire state’s majority vote

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11
Q

Caucus

A

A meeting of party members to agree on leadership roles

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12
Q

House Rules Committee

A

The group that helps determine the priority of bill debate on the Congressional floor

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13
Q

Federalism

A

The dual-structured government between state and federal power in which varying issues are determined by different branches

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14
Q

Redistricting

A

The redrawing of district voting lines to account for population changes observed in the census

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15
Q

Reapportionment

A

The gain/loss of representation in Congress due to state population change. Some states may lose a Rep while others may gain one since the 435 members must always be split between the 50 states

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16
Q

Gerrymandering

A

The manipulation of district borders for uneven/corrupt political gain, illegal

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17
Q

Incumbent

A

A currently seated member of Congress (already elected)

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18
Q

Political Action Committee (PAC)

A

A group that can legally provide candidates with money for re-election campaigns

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19
Q

Casework

A

State/district representative efforts to make good connections with the public in hopes of gaining their vote

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20
Q

Standing Committee

A

A long-term committee that solves re-occurring issues

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21
Q

Select Committee

A

A temporary committee for issues that arise unexpectedly

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22
Q

Joint Committee

A

When a House and Senate member work together for advisory purposes only

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23
Q

Conference Committee

A

A committee that works out House and Senate disagreements on a bill before sending it to the President

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24
Q

Subcommittees

A

Smaller, specific divisions that cover certain issues and legislative bills regarding those issues

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25
Constituent
A person who is represented politically by a government official/office holder and has the opportunity to participate through voting
26
Congressional Oversight
When Congress oversees the actions/decisions of the Executive Branch as a way of "checks and balances"
27
Interest Groups
Advocates for a certain movement
28
Lobbyist
A person who looks to influence Congress by appealing to certain arguments
29
Log Rolling
An unofficial way to pass bills by voting for a bill in exchange for a vote on a different bill, completely legal
30
Pigeon Holing
When a bill is so low on the priority, it is subject to dying
31
Pork Barrel Legislation
Receiving federal tax money for home state/district measures
32
Gridlock
Little/slow bill debate
33
Power of the Purse
Congress's ability to fund for federal programs and policies as they see fit
34
Elastic Clause
States that Congress has the Constitutional power to do whatever is "necessary and proper"
35
Amnesty
Presidential ability to pardon a large group of people
36
Mandate
The expressed will of the people that drives Presidential action
37
State of Union Address
The President's annual plan going forward
38
Impoundment
The President's choice to NOT spend Congress approved funds
39
"Indirect" Voting
The process in which voters vote for state representation in elections and not just majority popular vote
40
Cabinet
The President's group of advisors that help him with executive decision making (VP, secretaries, etc)
41
National Debt
The total amount the US owes. We mostly are indebted to ourselves via gov bonds and the federal treasury
42
Debt Limit
A present "ceiling" for how much the US can go into debt, always extended by Congress
43
Deficit
The amount spent beyond what is budgeted by our country
44
Jurisdiction
The authority/right of a court to rule on a case
45
Indictment
The official accusation of criminal intent/actions
46
Due Process
The right for all to be treated fairly under the judicial branch and in court
47
Judicial Review
The power of the Supreme Court to rule things unconstitutional and therefore invalid
48
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Ruled that separate but equal facilities for blacks and whites are constitutional
49
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Dispute over Adams' attempt to stack the Supreme Court with 58 new Justices, ruling that the Supreme Court could deem past Court actions as "unconstitutional"
50
Brown v. Board (1954)
Overturns Plessy v. Ferguson by deeming separate but equal facilities are inherently unequal
51
Crideon v. Wraimwright (1963)
Established the right to the public appointment of an attorney when the accused cannot afford one on their own
52
Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
When a young adult was accused of rape and kidnapping and confessed to the public without the notion that he had the right to remain silent. Ruled that the accused must be informed of all rights in Court (Miranda Rights)
53
Legislative Branch
The group of government consisting of Congress responsible for making and passing laws
54
Executive Branch
Consists of the President and his officers responsible for making decisions and rulings that affect the entire country
55
Judicial Branch
Consists of the Supreme Court and Justices that interpret laws and cases by addressing their relevance to the Constitutional rights
56
Justice
A member of the Supreme Court serves for life and is appointed by the President
57
Amicus Curiae Brief
An informative report submitted from a friend of the Supreme Court (specialist) considered to be addressed during debate
58
Majority Opinion
The official opinion of the court that establishes legal precedent/ruling
59
Concurring Opinion
A statement that agrees with the majority but for a different reason or on the basis of adding/changing something
60
Dissenting Opinion
An official explanation as to why there is a disagreement with the majority

American Government (1 decks)

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