Vocabulary (Chapters 8-14) Flashcards
1
Q
party organization
A
A specific political party’s leaders and workers at the national, state and local level
2
Q
party in government
A
The group of officeholders who belong to a specific political party and were elected as candidates of that party
3
Q
party in the electorate
A
The group of citizens who identify with a specific political party
4
Q
party system
A
Periods in which the names of the major political parties, their supporters, and the issues dividing them have remained relatively stable.
5
Q
Party principle
A
The idea that a political party exists as an organization distinct from its elected officials or party leaders
6
Q
Spoils system
A
Andrew Jackson–The practice of rewarding party supporters with benefits like federal government positions
7
Q
What are the party systems?
A
First (1789-1828): Federalists, Democratic-Republicans
Second (1829) Democrats, Whigs, key issues of tariffs and slavery
Third (1857) Democrats, Republicans, key issues of slavery and industrialization
Fourth (1897) Democrats, Republicans, key issues of immigration
Fifth (1933) Democrats, Republicans, key issues of size and scope of federal government
Sixth (1969-present) Democrats, Republicans (civil rights, social issues, foreign policy)
8
Q
Realignment
A
A change in the size or composition of the party coalitions or in the nature of the issuees that divide the parties. Realignments typically occurr within an election cycle or two, but they can also be longer
9
Q
National committee
A
An American political party’s principal organization, comprising party representatives from each state
10
Q
PACs`
A
An interest group or a division that can raise money to contribute to campaigns or spend on ads in support of a candidate. The amount a PAC can receive from each of its donors and the amount it can spend on federal electioneering are strictly limited
11
Q
527 organizations
A
A tax-exempt group formed primarily to influence elections through voter mobilization efforts and to issue ads that do not directly endorse or oppose a candidate. Unlike PACs, 527 organizations are not subject to contribution limits and spending caps
12
Q
issue ownership
A
The theory that voters associate certain issues or positions with certain parties (like Democrats and support for government-provided health insurance)
13
Q
caucus (democrats)
A
The organization of Democrats within the House and Senate that meet to discuss and debate the party’s positions on various issues in order to reach a consensus and to assign leadership positions
14
Q
conference (Republicans)
A
The organization of Republicans within the House/Senate that meet to discuss and debate the party’s various views…
15
Q
Party ID
A
A citizen’s loyalty to a specific political party
16
Q
primary election
A
A ballot vote in which citizens select a party’s nominee for the general election
17
Q
caucus (electoral)
A
A local meeting in which party members select a party’s nominee for the general election
18
Q
party platfrom
A
A set of objectives outlining the party’s issue positions and priorities. Candidates are not required to support their party’s platform
19
Q
unified government
A
A situation in which one party holds a majority of the seats in congress and president
20
Q
divided government
A
when the house, senate and pres are not controlled by the same party
21
Q
Duverger’s Law
A
The priniciple that in a democracy with single-member districts and plurality voting, only two parties’ candidates will have a realistic chance of winning political office
22
Q
Single member district
A
An electoral system in which every elected official rprersents a geographically defined area and each area elects one rep
23
Q
plurality voting
A
A voting system in whcih the candidate who receives the most votes wins, regardless if not more than half
24
Q
open primary
A
A primary election where any registered voter can participate
25
semi-closed
Any registered member of the party or independent register can vote
26
closed primary
only registered members of the party can vote
27
general election
The election in which voters cast ballots for House members, senators, and president/vp
28
majority voting
A voting system where you need at least 50%, if no candidate wins then there's a run off between the top 2
29
runoff election
Under a majority voting system, second election only held if no candidate wins the majority
30
proportional allocation
The practice of determining the number of convention delegates allottted to each candidate based on the percentage of the popular vote
31
winner-take-all
During the presidential primaries, the practice of assigning all of a given state's delegates to the candidate who receives the most popular vote--some republican primaries use this system
32
electoral college
the body that votes to select America's president and VP based on popular vote in each state. Each candidate nominates a slate of electors who are selects to attend the meeting of the college if their candidate wins the most votes in a state or district
33
electoral votes
votes cast by members of the electoral college
34
GOTV ("get out the vote")
A campaign's effotst to make sure its supports vote on election day
35
Federal Election Committee
The government agency that enforces and regulates election laws, made up of six presidential appointees, of whom no more than 3 can be of the same party
36
hard money
donations that are used to help elect or defeat a specific candidate
37
soft money
contributions that can be used for voter mobilization or to promote policy proposal as long as these efforts are not tied to a candidate
38
issue voters
people who are well informed about their own policy preferences and knowledgable about the candidates and who use all of this information when they decide how to vote
39
voting cues
pieces of info about a candidate that are readily available, easy to interpret, and lead a citizen to decide to vote for a particular candidate
40
coattails
the ability of a popular president to generate additional support for candidates affiliated with their party. Weak or nonexistent in most American elections
41
Interest groups
An organization of people who share common political interest and aim to influence public policy by electioneering and lobbying, testifying in hearings and drafting legislation
42
lobbying
efforts to influence public policy through contact with public officials on behalf of an interest group
43
pluralism
a view that identifies interest groups as the most important American political actors
44
interest group states
a government in which most policy decisions are determined by the influence of interest groups
45
Interest groups are proliferating because..
Large size and widespread influence of government
46
centralized groups
Interest groups that have an HQ. These group' lobbying decisions are made at the HQ by group leaders (AARP, NRA)
47
confederations
Interest groups made up of several independent organizations that provide much of their funding and hold most of the power
48
Invisible grassroots movement
Hold meetings or public protests, endorse candidates, run a wbesite with one or two people. The.y all lack formal dues-paying members and a formal organizational structure
49
revolving door
the movement of individuals from government positions to nobs with interest groups or lobbying firms, vice versa
50
mass associations
Interest groups that have a large number of dues-paying individuals
51
peak associations
interest groups whose members are businesses or other organizations rather than individuals, like BIPAC
52
collective action problem
A situation in which the members of a group would benefit by working together to produce some outcome, but each individuals is better off refusing to cooperate and reaping benefits from those who do the work
53
free riding
relying on others to contribure while failing to participate, yet still benefitting
54
selective incentives
benefits that can motivate participation because they are available only to those who participate
55
solidary benefits
Satisfaction derived from the experience of working with like-minded people, even if the group’s efforts do not achieve the desired impact.
56
purposive benefits
Satisfaction derived from the experience of working toward a desired policy goal, even if the goal is not achieved.
57
coercion
A method of eliminating nonparticipation or free riding by potential group members by requiring participation, as in many labor unions.
58
material benefits
Benefits that are provided to individuals for joining a group, such as a coffee mug or a T-shirt, that are distinct from the collective benefits provided by the group.
59
inside strategies
the tactics employed within DC by interest groups seeking to achieve their policy goals
60
outside strategies
the tactics employed outside DC by interest groups seeking to achieve their political goals
61
direct lobbying
attempts by interest group staff to influence policy by speaking with elected officials or burreaucrats
62
grassroots lobbying
a lobbying strategy that relies on participation by group members
63
astroturf lobbying
Any lobbying method initiated by an interest group that is designed to look like the spontaneous, independent participation of many individuals
64
salience
the level of familiarity with an interest group's goals in the general population. Interest groups are more likely to success when their request has low salience, or attracts little public attention
65
bicameralism
the system of having two chambers within one legislative body, like the House and Senate in the US Congress
66
pork barrel
legislative appropriations that benefit constituents, created with the aim of helping local representatives win reelection.
67
descriptive representation
representation in which a member of Congress shares the characteristics (such as gender, race, religion, or ethnicity) of his or her constituents
68
substantive representation
representation in which a member of Congress serves constituents' interests and shares their policy concerns
69
trustee
one of the two models of substantive representation; a member of congress who represents consituents while sometimes voting against the majority over moral concerns
70
delegate
a congressperson who loyally represents constituents direct interests
71
politico
a congerssperson who acts as a delegate on issues that constituents care about and a a trustee on more complex issues
72
electoral connection
the idea that congressional behavior is centrally motivated by members' desire for reelection
73
casework
Assistance provided by members of Congress to their constituents in solving problems with the federal bureaucracy or addrerssing other specific concerns
74
incumbency advantage
The relative infrequency with which members of Congress are defeated in their attempts for reelection.
75
The Home Style
shapes the way members allocate resources, the way they present themselves to the district
76
redistricting
Re-drawing the geographic boundaries of legislative districts. This happens every 10 years to ensure that districts remain roughly equal in population.
77
apportionment
The process of assigning the 435 seats in the House to the states based on increases or decreases in state population
78
gerrymandering
Attempting to use the process of re-drawing district boundaries to benefit a political party, protect incumbents, or change the proportion of minority voters in a district.
79
gridlock
an inability to enact legislation because of partisan conflict within Congress or between congress and the pres
80
universalism
the norm that when benefits are divided up, they should be awarded to as many districts and states as possible
81
logrolling
A form of reciprocity in which members of Congress support bills that they otherwise might not vote for in exchange for other members’ votes on bills that are very important to them.
82
earmarks
Federally funded local projects attached to bills passed through Congress.
83
specialization
dedicating career to becoming an expert on a certain issue (John Lewis, civil rights)
84
seniority
the informal congressional norm of choosing the member who has served the longest on a particular committee to be the committee chair
85
majority leaderr
the elected head of the party holding the majority of seats in Senate
86
whip system
an organization of house leaders who work to disseminate information and promote party unity in voting on legislation. the whip takes a head count party members on votes and communicate to leaders
87
minority leader
the elected head of the party
88
president pro tempore
A largely symbolic position usually held by the most senior member of the majority party in the Se. Formal duties if pres and vp aren't there
89
roll call votes
A recorded vote on legislation; members may vote yes, no, abstain, or present.
90
party vote
A vote in which the majority of one party opposes the position of the majority of the other party.
91
party unity
party unity
| The extent to which members of Congress in the same party vote together on party votes.
92
standing committee
committees that are a permanent part of the House or Senate structure, holding more importance and authority than other committees
93
select committees
committees in the House or Senate created to address a specific issue for one or two terms, serve to collect info, draw attention
94
joint committees
committees that contain members of both House and Senate, but have limited authority, gathers info and provides estimates
95
conference committees
Temporary committees created to negotiate differences between the House and Senate versions of a piece of legislation that has passed through both chambers.
96
distributive theory
The idea that members of Congress will join committees that best serve the interests of their district and that committee members will support one another’s legislation.
97
informational theory
The idea that having committees in Congress made up of experts on specific policy areas helps ensure well-informed policy decisions
98
How a bill becomes a law
A member of Congress introduces the bill.
2. A subcommittee and committee craft the bill.
3. Floor action on the bill takes place in the first chamber (House or Senate).
4. Committee and floor action takes place in the second chamber.
5. conference committee works up disputes
6. conference committee version is given final approval on the floor of each chamber
7. pres signs or vetos
8. if bill vetos, 2/3 vote in both chambers
99
markup
One of the steps through which a bill becomes a law, in which the final wording of the bill is determined.
100
veto
The president’s rejection of a bill that has been passed by Congress. A veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate.
101
pocket veto
The automatic death of a bill passed by the House and Senate when the president fails to sign the bill in the last 10 days of a legislative session.
102
omnibus legislation
Large bills that often cover several topics and may contain extraneous, or pork-barrel, projects.
103
cloture
A procedure through which the Senate can limit the amount of time spent debating a bill (cutting off a filibuster) if a supermajority of 60 senators agree.
104
filibusterr
A tactic used by senators to block a bill by continuing to hold the floor and speak—under the Senate rule of unlimited debate—until the bill’s supporters back down.
105
hold
An objection to considering a measure on the Senate floor.
106
reconciliation
Reconciliation allows for expedited consideration of certain tax, spending, and debt limit legislation. The main advantage of the procedure is that reconciliation legislation is not subject to filibusters in the Senate, and therefore may be passed with simple majorities in the House and Senate.
107
closed rules (House)
Conditions placed on a legislative debate by the House Rules Committee prohibiting amendments to a bill.
108
open rules
Conditions placed on a legislative debate by the House Rules Committee allowing relevant amendments to a bill.
109
modified rules
Conditions placed on a legislative debate by the House Rules Committee allowing certain amendments to a bill while barring others.
110
What did the 17th amendment do?
allow for direct election of senators
111
oversight
congress overseeing the implementation of the law to make suer that burreaucracy interprets it as Congress intended
112
power of the purse
cut off funding to an agnecy
113
fire alarm oversight
members wait until there is a crisis before action
114
head of government
the president has the authority of the executive branch
115
head of state
the president represents the country symbolically and politically
116
recess appointment
Selection by the president of a person to be an ambassador or the head of
a department while the Senate is
not in session, thereby bypassing Senate approval. Unless approved
by a subsequent Senate vote, recess appointees serve only to the end of the congressional term.
117
executive orders
Proclamations made by the president that change government policy without congressional approval.
118
commander in chief
The Constitution makes the president the commander in chief of America’s military forces but gives Congress the power to declare war.
119
executive agreement
An agreement between the executive branch and a foreign government, which acts as a treaty but does not require Senate approval.
120
state of the union
An annual speech in which the president addresses Congress to report on the condition of the country and to recommend policies.
121
executive privilege
The right of the president to keep executive branch conversations and correspondence confidential from the legislative and judicial branches.
122
cabinet
15 executive department heads who implement the president's agenda in their respective positions
123
unilateral action (presidential)
Any policy decision made and
| acted upon by the president and presidential staff without the explicit approval or consent of Congress
124
unitary executive theory
The idea that the vesting clause of the Constitution gives the president the authority to issue orders and policy directives that cannot be undone by Congress.
125
going public
a president's use of speeches and other public communications to appeal directly to citizens about what issues the president would like the house and senate to act on
126
bureaucracy
the vast network of agencies that makes up the executive branch
127
civil servants
employees within the government
128
regulation
a rule that allows the government to exercise control over individuals and corporations by restricting certain behaviors, written by bureaucrats
129
notice-and-comment procedure
A step in the rule-making process in which proposed rules are published in the Federal Register and made available for debate by the general public.
130
state capacity
the knowledge, personnel and institutions needed to implement effectively policies
131
problem of control
in ensuring that when bureaucrats implement policies they follow these officials’ intentions but still have enough discretion to use their expertise.
132
regulatory capture
A situation in which bureaucrats favor the interests of the groups or corporations they are supposed to regulate at the expense of the general public.
133
red tape
Excessive or unnecessarily complex regulations imposed by the bureaucracy, why gov stuff takes so long
134
standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Rules that lower-level bureaucrats must follow when implementing policies.
135
Office of Management and Budget
An office within the EOP that
is responsible for creating the president’s annual budget proposal to Congress, reviewing proposed rules, and performing other budget-related tasks.
136
independent agencies
government offices or orgs that provide gov services and are not a part of an executive department
137
budget maximizers
Bureaucrats who seek to increase funding for their agency whether or not that additional spending is worthwhile, blamed for growth in government
138
turkey farms
Agencies to which campaign workers and donors can be appointed in reward for their service because
it is unlikely that their lack of qualifications will lead to bad policy.
139
police patrol oversight
A method of oversight in which members of Congress constantly monitor the bureaucracy to make sure that laws are implemented correctly.
140
fire alarm oversight
A method of oversight in which members of Congress respond to complaints about the bureaucracy or problems of implementation only as they arise rather than exercising constant vigilance.
141
original jurisdiction
The authority of a court to handle a case first, as in the Supreme Court’s authority to initially hear disputes between two states. However, original jurisdiction for the Supreme Court is not exclusive; it may assign such a case to a lower court.
142
Marbury v Madison
John Marshall was appointed chief justice 1801, Marbury v Madison (1803) gave the SCOTUS judicial review
143
judicial review
The Supreme Court’s power to strike down a law or an executive branch action that it finds unconstitutional.
144
plaintiff
brings the case
145
defendant
the person or party who is being charged/sued with a crime
146
class-action lawsuits
a case brought by a group of individuals on behalf of themselves and others in the general public who are in similar circumstances
147
standing
Legitimate justification for bringing a civil case to court.
148
senatorial courtesy
A norm in the nomination of district court judges in which the president consults with his or her party’s senators from the relevant state in choosing the nominee.
149
moootness
The irrelevance of a case by the time it is received by a federal court, causing the Supreme Court to decline to hear the case.
150
solicitor general
A presidential appointee in the Justice Department who conducts all litigation on behalf of the federal government before the Supreme Court and supervises litigation in the federal appellate courts.
151
attitudinalist approach
A way of understanding decisions of the Supreme Court based on the political ideologies of the justices.
152
judicial restraint
The idea that the Supreme Court should defer to the democratically elected executive and legislative branches of government rather than contradicting existing laws.
153
judicial activism
The idea that the Supreme Court should assert its interpretation of the law even if it overrules the elected executive and legislative branches of government.
