Ex post facto lawa law that makes an action a crime even though it was legal when it was committed or increases the penalty for a crime after it has been committed
Boost!
Boost!
double jeopardya rule that says a person can't be tried twice by the same court under the same charges twice; from the 5th amendment
Open primarya primary election in which an individual does not have to be a registered voter in a particular party to vote for candidates of that party
Apportionmentdistribution of congressional representatives among the states, based on the population of each state
Mass mediaall forms of communication that reach a large portion of the population
Declaration of Independence
Plurality voteelectoral process in which the candidate who receives more votes than any other candidate is elected
Single-member districtsonly one representative is chosen from each legislative district
Libel
Trial balloontests the public reaction to policy or appointments by releasing information to the media and gauging public reaction
Margin of errorthe percentage that a scientific poll is likely to be off; a margin of error of +/- 3 percent is common
when the president takes no action on a bill within ten days of Congress adjourning, the bill does not become law
Devolutionan effort to shift responsibility or domestic programs to the states in order to decrease the size and activities of the federal government
services performed by an elected official for constituents
extension of an interest group that contributes money to political campaigns
Grants-in-aid
Split-ticket votingvoting for candidates from more than one party in the same election
Unitary systema political system in which all power is derived from the central government
Natural rightsbasic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights a government cannot deny
Policy formulationthe development of an approach to solving a problem that is on the political agenda
Marble vs. layer cake federalismMarble cake means 1930s fed expansion, layer cake means they are supreme in separate areas
Judicial restraintholds that the Court should avoid taking the initiative on social and political questions, operating strictly within the limits of the Constitution
Pluralist theory of democracyinterest groups compete in the political arena with each promoting its own policy preferences through organized efforts
constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens. What the government can't do.
Frozen!
Frozen!
Governmentthe formal and informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy
Amicus curiae briefa brief submitted to the court by an interested third party that outlines issues it thinks are important in the case. amicus curiae literally means "friend of the court"
North American Free Trade Agreement
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Frozen!
Opinion leaders
Establishes that clothing is symbolic speech, and is protected unless its censorship is in the public interest.
Expressed powerspowers enumerated in the Constitution
Bench triala trial in which the judge who presides over the trial decides on guilt or liability
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Boost!
Midterm electionscongressional elections held between presidential elections
Rider
Deficit
centered politics politics that focuses on candidates, their particular issues, and character rather than party affiliation
Congressional oversightrefers to the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation
a political/economic system in which the government plays a major role (usually ownership) in determining the use of productive resources and the allocation of valuable goods and services; may be democratic or authoritarian
money used directly by a candidate running for office; it is subject to campaign finance laws and Federal
Keynesian economics
Federalist Paperswritten by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to support ratification of the Construction
The Supreme Court concluded that "actual malice" must be proved to support a finding of libel against a public figure. Principle of "breathing space"
Mass mediaall forms of communication that reach a large portion of the population
a lengthy speech designed to delay the vote on a bill in the Senate; can be ended by a cloture motion and vote
lowest level of federal courts, where most federal cases begin and trials are held
Incumbentthe person currently holding office
Margin of error
Frozen!
Frozen!
an elected official who considers it an obligation to vote the way the majority of his or her constituents wants
Earmarka designation within a spending bill that provides for a specific expenditure
Inherent powerspowers powers, usually claimed by the president, that are implied but not specifically stated in the Constitution or are derived from the office
Media event
Independent regulatory agencyan agency that is part of the executive branch and responsible for regulating and oversight of a segment of the economy; it is managed by a board or commission appointed by the president for a fixed term
Mandatory spendingspending required government spending by permanent laws; entitlements, for example social security or bond payments
Marble cake means 1930s fed expansion, layer cake means they are supreme in separate areas
Majority opinionthe majority of justices agree on the decision and the reasons for the decision
Frozen!
Frozen!
the president can reject a portion of a bill while approving the rest; declared unconstitutional
Strict constitutionalistthe view that justices should base decisions on a narrow interpretation of the Constitution
Impoundment
Caseworkservices performed by an elected official for constituents
a presidential appointment made when Congress is not in session; doesn't require immediate confirmation
Liberala person whose views favor more government involvement in business, social welfare, minority rights, and increased government spending