AP Government duel

stare decisis let the decision stand; court decisions are based on precedent from previous cases

a sum of money granted by the government or a public body to assist an industry or business so that the price of a commodity or service may remain low or competitive

Direct democracy

Realignment a shift of voting patterns to form new coalitions of party support

Checks and balances a system in which each branch of the government has the power to limit the other branches of government so that one is not dominant; each branch of government is subject to restraints by the other two branches

Congressional review

War Powers Act of 1973 a law that limits presidential use of military forces to sixty days, with an automatic extension of thirty additional days if the president requests such an extension

Impeachment

allows the government to take private property for public use, as long as just compensation is paid

Political action committees (PAC$) extension of an interest group that contributes money to political campaigns

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

the policies of government or the particular subject matter of the laws determining what the law is about and whether the law is fair or if it violates constitutional protections

Exit poll a poll conducted on election day to determine how people voted

Keynesian economics

a revision or change to a bill, law, or constitution

Unfunded mandates

Single-member districts only one representative is chosen from each legislative district

Deviating election minority party is able to win the support of majority party members, independents, and new voters

Referendum a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct

Slander false verbal statements about others that harm their reputation

Fighting words speech that is likely to bring about public disorder or chaos; may be banned in public places to ensure the preservation of public order

Representative democracy citizens choose officials who make decisions about public policy; a republic

Pocket veto when the president takes no action on a bill within ten days of Congress adjourning, the bill does not become law

Betts v. Brady (1942) Sixth amendment does not selectively incorporate to providing poor people in not-capital state cases a lawyer

Candidate centered politics politics that focuses on candidates, their particular issues, and character rather than party affiliation

Floor leaders direct majority or minority party strategy and decisions in the House and Senate

written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to support ratification of the Construction

a governing or controlling body whose power exists only within predefined limits that are established by a Constitution or other source of authority

Filibuster

Prospective voting

States cannot ban private schools to prevent religious courses. Wisconsin v. Yoder

Regressive tax a tax that is assessed on everyone at the same rate and, therefore, impacts the poor more than it impacted wealthy; sales tax is regressive

the difference in any year between government spending and government revenue

Roe v. Wade (1973) The Right to Privacy extends to letting women make decisions about their bodies without government surveillance.

Plurality vote electoral process in which the candidate who receives more votes than any other candidate is elected

Hate speech offensive speech against racial or ethnic minorities, women, and homosexuals that creates a hostile environment

Ratification method of enacting a constitution or amendment into law

Soft money money used by national, state, or local party organizations that is not regulated by the Federal Election Commission

Split-ticket voting

West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette 1943, forcing students to salute the flag is a violation of 1st amendment free speech, and is therefore unconstitutional. Such gestures = symbolic speech. Tinker v. Des Moines.

Coattail effect the ability of a strong or popular candidate to get other candidates on the ticket elected; it is a term most

when no candidate receives a majority of votes, and election held between the two candidates who recorded the most votes in the primary

Congress monitors policies of the executive branch; the process by which the legislative branch checks the executive branch to ensure that the laws Congress has passed are being administered in keeping with legislators' intent

Supremacy clause

the elected leader of the party with the most seats in the House or Senate

a two-house legislature

Maintaining elections

Establishes that clothing is symbolic speech, and is protected unless its censorship is in the public interest.

Before police interrogate, suspect must learn of rights like the Fifth Amendment

Off the record information

Midterm elections congressional elections held between presidential elections

Entitlement government benefits provided to Americans who qualify because of their age, income, and/or status

Honeymoon period

Realigning election when a minority party wins by building a new coalition of voters that continues over successive election

Procedural due process Constitutional requirement that governments proceed by proper methods; limits how government may exercise power.

Rider

identification of the problems and/or issues that require the attention of the government to resolve

Free exercise clause

Majority-minority districts drawing district boundaries to give a minority group a majority

interest groups compete in the political arena with each promoting its own policy preferences through organized efforts

End this game?