Civil liberties
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
At-large
Oversight
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
Rider
an addition or amendment added to a bill that often has no relation to the bill but that may not pass on its own
Pluralist theory of democracy
locally held meeting in a state to select delegates who, in turn, will nominate candidates to political office
grants federal funds given to the states for programs in broad policy areas with few, if any, restrictions
Mandatory spending
Court ruled that a DC law banning hand guns was unconstitutional. McDonald v. Chicago
Keynesian economics
the belief that inflation occurs when too much money is chasing too few goods; the government must manage the economy by spending more money when in a recession and cutting spending when there is inflation
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
Dual Federalism
a model of the relationship between the federal government and the states in which each is supreme in its own sphere; "layer cake federalism"
Apportionment
distribution of congressional representatives among the states, based on the population of each state
Party dealignment
weakening of ties between the voters and the two major parties
Honeymoon period
the time early in a new president's administration characterized by optimistic approval by the public
nominating election held to choose party candidates who will run in the general election
De jure segregation
segregation segregation that results from law
Judicial review
authority given the courts to review the constitutionality of acts by the executive, states, or the
weak government
government that has limited control over economy or personal lives
requirements imposed by the national government on state and local governments to comply with federal
Progressive
generally refers to the belief that government or people acting on its behalf can be used to address social problems or inequities facing the nation
Caucus (congressional)
a group of members of Congress who may or may not be from the same party but who share
Politico
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
the system in which a party leader rewarded political supporters with jobs or government contracts in exchange for their support of the party
joint resolution
Representative democracy
Good-faith exception
a rule of evidence that says that if the authorities act "in good faith," evidence that otherwise might have been excluded may be admissible. Modifies Mapp v. Ohio
special election initiated by petition to allow citizens to remove an official from office before his or her term
