Liberal
Mapp v. Ohio (1961)
Congressional oversight
refers to the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation
a program intended to give a boost of preference to minority applicants over white applicants in contracting, employment, housing, and college or professional school admissions
in the House, a rule that allows any amendments to a bill, regardless of whether they're relevant to the legislation
the view that justices should base decisions on a narrow interpretation of the Constitution
Open convention
Civil liberties
constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens. What the government can't do.
Caucus (congressional)
a group of members of Congress who may or may not be from the same party but who share
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
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
Devolution
an effort to shift responsibility or domestic programs to the states in order to decrease the size and activities of the federal government
Rules committee
determines the rules for debate for bills in the House
Party dealignment
weakening of ties between the voters and the two major parties
Fiscal federalism
a type of federalism that deals with the flow of funds through grants and other means from the federal government to the states
President Pro Tempore
Limited Government
Appellate jurisdiction
jurisdiction the power a court has to review the decision of a lower court; the Supreme Court exercises appellate jurisdiction in the overwhelming majority of the cases it hears
a convicted person is exempt from the penalties of a crime; only the president has this power at the national
the person currently holding office
the total number of votes cast for the highest office on the ballot
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.
Ideology
a consistent set of beliefs by groups or individuals
Extradition
special election initiated by petition to allow citizens to remove an official from office before his or her term
Standing committee
a permanent committee of Congress that deals with legislation and oversight in a broad policy area
Bill of Rights
the first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, which protect basic civil liberties
Pluralist theory of democracy
interest groups compete in the political arena with each promoting its own policy preferences through organized efforts
Federalist Papers
written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to support ratification of the Construction
Constitution
the document setting forth the laws and principles of the government; a plan for government
