Elite Theory of Democracy
the idea that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization
Administrative Discretion
the flexibility a federal agency can exercise in implementing legislation through its rules and regulations. the authority delegated to bureaucrats to use their expertise and judgment when determining how to implement public policy.
lowest level of federal courts, where most federal cases begin and trials are held
Hate speech
offensive speech against racial or ethnic minorities, women, and homosexuals that creates a hostile environment
Referendum
Fiscal policy
how the government uses taxes and spending to impact the economy
Majority leader
the elected leader of the party with the most seats in the House or Senate
an effort to shift responsibility or domestic programs to the states in order to decrease the size and activities of the federal government
Government
states may return fugitives to a state from which they have fled to avoid criminal prosecution at the request of the state's governor
Expressed powers
powers enumerated in the Constitution
Policy evaluation
determines is a policy is achieving its goals; usually carried out with congressional oversight
Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925)
States cannot ban private schools to prevent religious courses. Wisconsin v. Yoder
Impoundment
refusal of the president to spend money Congress has appropriated; was eliminated by the congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974
Declaration of Independence
drafted in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson declaring America's separation from Great Britain
Constituent
all residents of the state for senators, all residents of a district for House members
Exit poll
a poll conducted on election day to determine how people voted
Hyde Amendment (1976)
Passed by Congress in 1976; excludes abortion from the comprehensive health care services provided to low-income people by the federal government through Medicaid.
Policy implementation
carrying out a policy through government agencies and courts
Reapportionment
redistribution of the 435 congressional seats among the states after the census determines changes in population distribution
Opinion leaders
those individuals held in great respect because of their position, expertise, or personality, who may
Federal budget
amount of money the federal government expects to receive and authorizes government to spend for a fiscal year
Deregulation
the process of reducing or completely eliminating federal government oversight of an industry so as to allow it to operate more freely; used to encourage competition and reduce costs to consumers
a person whose political views favor more local, limited government, fewer government regulations,
extension of an interest group that contributes money to political campaigns
Policy formulation
a model of the relationship between the federal government and the states in which each is supreme in its own sphere; "layer cake federalism"
a 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
Mandatory spending
spending required government spending by permanent laws; entitlements, for example social security or bond payments
Commerce and slave trade compromise
resolved differences between northern and southern states at the constitutional convention; Congress could not tax exports nor ban the slave trade for twenty years
