Checks and balances
Dual Federalism
Policy evaluation
determines is a policy is achieving its goals; usually carried out with congressional oversight
independents
people who have no party affiliation
Entitlement
government benefits provided to Americans who qualify because of their age, income, and/or status
direct majority or minority party strategy and decisions in the House and Senate
Political socialization
complex process by which people get their sense of political identity, beliefs, and values
action by the president that does not require the approval of Congress; subject to judicial review
Procedural due process
Constitutional requirement that governments proceed by proper methods; limits how government may exercise power.
Elastic clause
the necessary and proper clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) that allows Congress to pass laws to carry out its expressed powers
Executive agreement
Gridlock
when opposing parties and interests often block each other's proposals, creating a political stalemate or inaction between the executive and legislative branches of government
Moderate
person whose views are between conservative and liberal and may include some of both ideologies
Devolution
Categorical grants
federal funds given to state and local governments for specific programs that usually require the recipient to match the money provided and have other strings attached
executive privilege
a claim by the president or a member of the executive branch that information or documents requested by Congress or the courts do not have to be turned over because of the separation of powers
Filibuster
speech that is likely to bring about public disorder or chaos; may be banned in public places to ensure the preservation of public order
Articles of Confederation
the first written constitution of the United States, which went into effect in 1781; it created a unicameral legislature, in which each state had one vote but no executive or judicial authority; the power of the central government was extremely limited
Impeachment
National debt
authority given the courts to review the constitutionality of acts by the executive, states, or the
Rule of four
a rule that says that four of the nine Supreme Court justices must agree in conference to hear a case
DC v. Heller (2008)
Court ruled that a DC law banning hand guns was unconstitutional. McDonald v. Chicago
Marble cake means 1930s fed expansion, layer cake means they are supreme in separate areas
Appellate courts
Open rule
in the House, a rule that allows any amendments to a bill, regardless of whether they're relevant to the legislation
Politico
a member of Congress who acts as a delegate on issues that constituents care about (such as immigration reform) and as a trustee on more complex or less salient issues (some foreign policy or regulatory matters)
issues that merit action, as determined by the public or those in power
Incumbency
effect tendency of those already holding office to win reelection due to advantages because they already hold the office
