a committee of Congress made up of members of both houses that focuses on issues of general concern but does not propose legislation
Federalisma division of governmental powers between the national government and the states
OversightCongress monitors policies of the executive branch; the process by which the legislative branch checks the executive branch to ensure that the laws Congress has passed are being administered in keeping with legislators' intent
Full faith and creditclause says that states are required to recognize the laws and legal documents of other states - Article 4
Political culture
a temporary committee of Congress set up for a specific purpose that is outside the scope of the standing committees
Strict constitutionalistthe view that justices should base decisions on a narrow interpretation of the Constitution
Random samplinga statistical technique that gives everyone in the target group the same opportunity to participate in a poll
Incorporation
Republica 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
Marble vs. layer cake federalismMarble cake means 1930s fed expansion, layer cake means they are supreme in separate areas
justice or justices who agree with the majority's ruling but not the reason behind the decision
tests the public reaction to policy or appointments by releasing information to the media and gauging public reaction
Honeymoon period
money used by national, state, or local party organizations that is not regulated by the Federal Election Commission
Floor leaders
Briefa written document submitted to a court that presents the facts and legal reasoning of a party to the lawsuit
Establishes that clothing is symbolic speech, and is protected unless its censorship is in the public interest.
Appellate jurisdictionjurisdiction 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 consistent set of beliefs by groups or individuals
the percentage that a scientific poll is likely to be off; a margin of error of +/- 3 percent is common
a rule of evidence that says that if the authorities act "in good faith," evidence that otherwise might have been excluded may be admissible. Modifies Mapp v. Ohio
interest groups compete in the political arena with each promoting its own policy preferences through organized efforts
Bill
party officials in the Democratic Party who attend the national convention without having to run in primaries or caucuses
Open primary
belief that a person can influence politics and public policymaking
tests the public reaction to policy or appointments by releasing information to the media and gauging public reaction
Boost!
Boost!
Free rideran individual who benefits from the activities of an interest group but does not support the group either financially or through active participation
the belief that inflation occurs when too much money is chasing too few goods; the government must manage the economy by spending more money when in a recession and cutting spending when there is inflation
a situation in which men and women hold different positions on a wide range of political issues
Electoratepeople qualified to vote
Republica 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
Frozen!
Frozen!
Open rule
Strict constitutionalistthe view that justices should base decisions on a narrow interpretation of the Constitution
Realigning electionwhen a minority party wins by building a new coalition of voters that continues over successive election
Barnettte v. McColummUpholds establishment clause and free exercise clause. Engel v. Vitale
a rule that says a person can't be tried twice by the same court under the same charges twice; from the 5th amendment
Frozen!
Frozen!
Open primarya 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
Opinion leaders
Policy adoptionthe approval of a policy by legislation
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
that evidence acquired as a result of an illegal act by police cannot be used against the person from whom it was seized
Politicsmethod of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government
Ex post facto lawa 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
Public opinion
Bill of Rightsthe first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, which protect basic civil liberties
Dealigning
Candidatecentered politics politics that focuses on candidates, their particular issues, and character rather than party affiliation
Rule of foura rule that says that four of the nine Supreme Court justices must agree in conference to hear a case
Mandatesrequirements imposed by the national government on state and local governments to comply with federal
a political organization, typically at the local level, that wielded considerable power through its ability to get out the vote; relied heavily on patronage and providing services to constituents and was often corrupt
Gridlock
Trusteeafter listening to constituents, elected representatives vote based on their own opinions
Political socialization
Media event
West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette1943, 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.