an effort to shift responsibility or domestic programs to the states in order to decrease the size and activities of the federal government
Mapp v. Ohio (1961)
Popular Socereignty
basic principle of US government which holds that the people are the source of all governmental power
settled disputes between the states over the structure of the legislative branch; a solution to the problem of representation at the Constitutional Convention, in which the number of members that each state would have in the House of Representatives is determined by population, while each state would have equal representation in the Senate
drawing of congressional districts to favor one political party or group over another
joint resolution
A formal expression of congressional opinion that must be approved by both houses of congress and by the president; constitutional amendments need not be signed by the president
stare decisis
let the decision stand; court decisions are based on precedent from previous cases
Legislative veto
when Congress rejects an action of the president by a majority vote of both houses; declared
Conservative
a person whose political views favor more local, limited government, fewer government regulations,
Precedent
standards or guides based on prior decisions that serve as a rule for settling similar disputes
Candidate
centered politics politics that focuses on candidates, their particular issues, and character rather than party affiliation
Straw Poll
Rule of four
a rule that says that four of the nine Supreme Court justices must agree in conference to hear a case
when the president takes no action on a bill within ten days of Congress adjourning, the bill does not become law
Socialism
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
segregation that results from living patterns rather than law
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
Bill of attainder
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.
Courts of Appeal
federal courts with appellate jurisdiction that review decisions of federal district courts, regulatory commissions, and other federal courts
Realigning election
Gender gap
a situation in which men and women hold different positions on a wide range of political issues
Midterm elections
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
Policy formulation
the development of an approach to solving a problem that is on the political agenda
Recall
special election initiated by petition to allow citizens to remove an official from office before his or her term
franking privilege
allows members of Congress to mail letters and other materials to constituents free of charge
Open primary
a 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
Legislative Branch
under Article I of the Constitution, the legislative branch consists of the House and Senate, which together form the US Congress; the prime responsibility is to make laws
a claim by the president or a member of the executive branch that information or documents requested by Congress or the courts do not have to be turned over because of the separation of powers
