AP Government duel

the document setting forth the laws and principles of the government; a plan for government

Equal Protection Clause

Discharge petition a device by which any member of the House, after a committee has had a bill for thirty days, may petition to have it brought to the floor; requires 218 votes

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

Off year election an election taking place in a year when no presidential elections are occurring; midterm election

Concurrent jurisdiction

Interest group

Bench trial a trial in which the judge who presides over the trial decides on guilt or liability

Strict constitutionalist

determines the rules for debate for bills in the House

Soft money

Political culture

an agency that is part of the executive branch but not included in any executive department; the head of the agency (NASA, CIA for example) is appointed by the president and serves at the pleasure of the president

Procedural Due Process method of government action, or how the law is carried out according to established rules and procedures

President Pro Tempore

Inherent powers

Trial balloon

Impeachment

Dealignment when a significant number of voters choose to no longer support a particular political party

Standing committee

service casework; assistance to constituents by congressional members

Media event

executive privilege 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

Off the record information information provided in an interview that a reporter cannot directly use

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

door the practice of government officials becoming lobbyists for the industries or companies they were responsible for regulating while they were public servants

Lobbying attempting to influence policymakers through a variety of methods

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) Found a "right to privacy" in the Constitution that would ban any state law against selling contraceptives

Court ruled that a DC law banning hand guns was unconstitutional. McDonald v. Chicago

Midterm elections congressional elections held between presidential elections

Three-fifths compromise agreement at the constitutional convention that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House of Representatives and for taxation

Found a "right to privacy" in the Constitution that would ban any state law against selling contraceptives

a system in which each branch of the government has the power to limit the other branches of government so that one is not dominant; each branch of government is subject to restraints by the other two branches

Political ideology a consistent set of beliefs about politics and public policy that sets the framework for evaluating government and public policy

Open rule in the House, a rule that allows any amendments to a bill, regardless of whether they're relevant to the legislation

Federal budget decicit the difference in any year between government spending and government revenue

De jure segregation

tests the public reaction to policy or appointments by releasing information to the media and gauging public reaction

action by the president that does not require the approval of Congress; subject to judicial review

Direct democracy democracy citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues; there are no elected officials; also called participatory democracy

Cooperative federalism

Concurring opinion justice or justices who agree with the majority's ruling but not the reason behind the decision

Appellate courts courts with authority to review cases heard by other courts to correct errors in the interpretation or application of law

Plurality vote electoral process in which the candidate who receives more votes than any other candidate is elected

Lemon test test standard set by the Supreme Court in Lemon v. Kurtzman to measure the constitutionality of state laws. Separate, Secular, and Neutral in effect and intent

Block grants grants federal funds given to the states for programs in broad policy areas with few, if any, restrictions

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

when Congress rejects an action of the president by a majority vote of both houses; declared

Republic a government that derives its authority from the people and in which citizens elect government officials to represent them in the processes by which laws are made; a representative democracy

Devolution an effort to shift responsibility or domestic programs to the states in order to decrease the size and activities of the federal government

independents people who have no party affiliation

Fiscal policy how the government uses taxes and spending to impact the economy

Cabinet government departments headed by presidential appointees to help establish public policy and operate a specific policy area of governmental activity

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.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961) Selectively incorporates 4th amendment. Later modified with "inevitable discovery" (good if would be found in a later, lawful search) and "good faith" (good if warrant was issued at all).

Congressional oversight refers to the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation

Nonpartisan election an election in which candidates run as independents without party affiliation

Constituent all residents of the state for senators, all residents of a district for House members

Advice and consent the Senate's authority to approve or neglect the president's top appointments and negotiated treaties

Standing committee a permanent committee of Congress that deals with legislation and oversight in a broad policy area

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