AP Government duel

Mass media all forms of communication that reach a large portion of the population

nominating election held to choose party candidates who will run in the general election

Equal Protection Clause constitutional guarantee that everyone be treated equally

Constituency service casework; assistance to constituents by congressional members

Unfunded mandates mandates require states to enforce legislation without the funding necessary

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

Executive agreement

conformity to social norms and values, tough on criminals

Filibuster a lengthy speech designed to delay the vote on a bill in the Senate; can be ended by a cloture motion and vote

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

Incumbency effect tendency of those already holding office to win reelection due to advantages because they already hold the office

Policy formulation

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

Leak

Redistricting the process of redrawing congressional and state legislative districts to reflect population changes in the census; responsibility for redistricting usually falls to the state legislatures; follows reapportionment

Rule of four

an 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

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

Exclusionary rule that evidence acquired as a result of an illegal act by police cannot be used against the person from whom it was seized

Natural rights basic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights a government cannot deny

allows voters to petition to propose legislation and then submit it for a vote by qualified voters; not available at the national level

Unanimous consent

Referendum

independents

Dealigning

party officials in the Democratic Party who attend the national convention without having to run in primaries or caucuses

Hyde Amendment (1976)

New York Times Co. v. Sullivan The Supreme Court concluded that "actual malice" must be proved to support a finding of libel against a public figure. Principle of "breathing space"

Political party Voluntary association of people who seek to control the government through common principles, based on peaceful and legal actions such as the winning of elections; an organization that recruits, nominated, and elects party members to control the government

Trustee after listening to constituents, elected representatives vote based on their own opinions

a shift of voting patterns to form new coalitions of party support

Straw Poll a poll conducted in an unscientific manner, used to predict election outcomes

Media event a speech or photo opportunity staged to give a politician's view on an issue; staged to present the candidate in a good light

Monetary policy economic policy in which the money supply is controlled through the Federal Reserve

Electoral College representatives from each state who formally cast ballots for the president and vice president

Get-out-the-vote a campaign near the end of an election to get voters out to the polls

federal courts with appellate jurisdiction that review decisions of federal district courts, regulatory commissions, and other federal courts

Ratification method of enacting a constitution or amendment into law

government corporation

allows citizens to register to vote at welfare and motor vehicle offices

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

Privileges and Immunities Clause states are prohibited from unreasonably discriminating against residents of other states

Incrementalism small changes in policy over long periods of time; usually in reference to budget making - that the best indicator of this year's budget is last year's budget plus a small increase

Delegate an elected official who considers it an obligation to vote the way the majority of his or her constituents wants

General election voters choose office holder from among all the candidates nominated by political parties or running as independents

On deep background

Pure speech

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

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

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

De facto segregation

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

a political system in which power is divided between the national government and state government

Coattail effect the ability of a strong or popular candidate to get other candidates on the ticket elected; it is a term most

Democracy

Limited Government a governing or controlling body whose power exists only within predefined limits that are established by a Constitution or other source of authority

Discharge petition

government that has limited control over economy or personal lives

Mandatory spending spending required government spending by permanent laws; entitlements, for example social security or bond payments

a model of the relationship between the federal government and the states in which each is supreme in its own sphere; "layer cake federalism"

End this game?