AP Government duel

Popular Socereignty

Rider an addition or amendment added to a bill that often has no relation to the bill but that may not pass on its own

Electorate people qualified to vote

Sound bite

Establishment clause

the warning that an individual must be read at the time of arrest and questioning, letting him know his 5th and 6th amendment rights

Single-member districts only one representative is chosen from each legislative district

Federal system

Pure speech verbal communication of ideas and opinions

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

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

Procedural Due Process

Democracy a system whereby the people rule either directly or by elected representation

"marble-cake federalism" a model of the relationship between the federal government and the states that developed during the 1930s; the power of the federal government expands into areas that the states are usually responsible for

Impoundment

Government the formal and informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy

Party realignment

Ex post facto law a 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

Political culture a set of basic values and beliefs about one's country or government that is shared by most citizens

citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues; there are no elected officials;

redistribution of the 435 congressional seats among the states after the census determines changes in population distribution

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

Dissenting opinion opinion justice or justices who voted in the minority, explaining the reasons for opposing the majority opinion

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

Ideology a consistent set of beliefs by groups or individuals

writ of certiorari

government that has limited control over economy or personal lives

political organizations that use contributions from individuals, corporations, and labor unions to spend unlimited sums independent from the campaigns, yet influencing the outcome of elections

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

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

Line item veto the president can reject a portion of a bill while approving the rest; declared unconstitutional

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

Precedent

Congress 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

Mandates

corporation a corporation that may receive part of its funding from Congress and is managed by a board appointed by the president; the function it performs could be carried out by private enterprise; an example is the US Postal service

Caucus

states are prohibited from unreasonably discriminating against residents of other states

Sixth amendment applies to federal criminal cases with possible imprisonment and too poor defendant. Gideon v. Wainwright

Unanimous consent an agreement by every senator to the terms of debate on a given piece of legislation

Gerrymandering drawing of congressional districts to favor one political party or group over another

Hard money money used directly by a candidate running for office; it is subject to campaign finance laws and Federal

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

Recess appointment a presidential appointment made when Congress is not in session; doesn't require immediate confirmation

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

Liberal a person whose views favor more government involvement in business, social welfare, minority rights, and increased government spending

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

citizens choose officials who make decisions about public policy; a republic

De jure segregation

a party national convention at which no candidate has won a majority of the delegates in the primaries; the candidate is chosen by the convention

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

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

Federal system

Declaration of Independence

Prospective voting a method of evaluating candidates in which voters focus on candidates' positions on issues important to them and vote for the candidates who best represent their views

Rule of four

Prince v. Massachusetts

Cooperative federalism "marble-cake federalism" a model of the relationship between the federal government and the states that developed during the 1930s; the power of the federal government expands into areas that the states are usually responsible for

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

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)

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