AP Government duel

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

Lemon v. Kurtzman Creates the "Lemon Test", which has requires separate, secular, and neutral effect and intention in government action.

the majority of justices agree on the decision and the reasons for the decision

Policy implementation carrying out a policy through government agencies and courts

Supremacy clause national laws supersedes all other laws passed by states

the practice of allowing senators from the president's party who represent the state where a judicial district is located, to approve or disapprove potential nominees for the lower federal courts

Ratification

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

Grassroots lobbying organizing a letter-writing campaign or taking out ads to influence public opinion and persuade public officials to support a particular policy

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

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

Constitution

Deviating election minority party is able to win the support of majority party members, independents, and new voters

pork-barrel legislation

Politico a member of Congress who acts as a delegate on issues that constituents care about (such as immigration reform) and as a trustee on more complex or less salient issues (some foreign policy or regulatory matters)

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

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

Executive agreement agreement with another head of state not requiring approval from the Senate

Progressive tax a tax that is higher for those who make more money; the federal income tax is an example

Retrospective voting a method of evaluating candidates in which voters evaluate incumbent candidates and decide whether to vote for them based on their past performances

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

writ of certiorari a formal document issued by the Supreme Court to a lower court indicating that it will hear a case

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

Floor leaders direct majority or minority party strategy and decisions in the House and Senate

Exit poll

Hamdi v. Rumsfield (2004) US Gov needs to at least have a hearing to determine a war prisoner's charge

election commission

Eminent domain allows the government to take private property for public use, as long as just compensation is paid

Progressive generally refers to the belief that government or people acting on its behalf can be used to address social problems or inequities facing the nation

Policy formulation the development of an approach to solving a problem that is on the political agenda

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Precedent

belief that a person can influence politics and public policymaking

Federalist Papers written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to support ratification of the Construction

franking privilege allows members of Congress to mail letters and other materials to constituents free of charge

DC v. Heller (2008) Court ruled that a DC law banning hand guns was unconstitutional. McDonald v. Chicago

Open convention

Candidate centered politics politics that focuses on candidates, their particular issues, and character rather than party affiliation

Leak an unauthorized release of information to the press from someone in the government

Free rider an individual who benefits from the activities of an interest group but does not support the group either financially or through active participation

Politico

Strict constitutionalist

Closed primary a primary election that is limited to registered voters of a particular political party

Equal Protection Clause constitutional guarantee that everyone be treated equally

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

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

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

the process of reducing or completely eliminating federal government oversight of an industry so as to allow it to operate more freely; used to encourage competition and reduce costs to consumers

Anti-Federalists those opposed to the ratification of the Constitution because it gave too much power to the central government at the expense of the states and the lack of a bill of rights

Markup rewrite of a bill after hearings have been held on it

Direct primary

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

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

Critical elections sharp changes in the existing patterns of party loyalty due to changing social and economic conditions

Grants-in-aid programs, money, and resources provided by the federal government to state and local governments to be used for specific projects and programs

Betts v. Brady (1942)

Hate speech offensive speech against racial or ethnic minorities, women, and homosexuals that creates a hostile environment

distribution of congressional representatives among the states, based on the population of each state

Marble cake means 1930s fed expansion, layer cake means they are supreme in separate areas

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

End this game?