AP Government duel

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

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

Symbolic speech using actions and symbols rather than words to convey an idea

a committee made up of members of the House and Senate that is responsible for reconciling the differences when two versions of the same bill pass both houses of Congress

Political socialization complex process by which people get their sense of political identity, beliefs, and values

Casework services performed by an elected official for constituents

Federalist

the time early in a new president's administration characterized by optimistic approval by the public

Party machine

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

Superdelegates

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

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

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

Separation of powers practice by which power is divided among three branches of government; each branch has its own powers and duties and is independent of and equal to the other branches

Entitlement

Incorporation application of portions of the Bill of Rights to the states under the 14th Amendment

prior restraint action by the government to prevent the publication of material; censorship

Earmark a designation within a spending bill that provides for a specific expenditure

Cloture

Issue networks the numerous people who are involved in the formulation of policy, including the president, members of Congress, the cabinet, lobbyists, interest groups, government agencies, and scholars; a looser relationship than the iron triangles

Constitutional requirement that governments proceed by proper methods; limits how government may exercise power.

Off year election

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

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

Administrative Discretion the flexibility a federal agency can exercise in implementing legislation through its rules and regulations. the authority delegated to bureaucrats to use their expertise and judgment when determining how to implement public policy.

Amicus curiae brief a brief submitted to the court by an interested third party that outlines issues it thinks are important in the case. amicus curiae literally means "friend of the court"

Deficit government spending exceeds revenue

Federal question

Hard money

equality of opportunity everyone should have the same chance; what individuals make of that chance depends their abilities and efforts

Political culture

North American Free Trade Agreement created to allow the free movement of goods between Canada, Mexico, and the US by lowering and eliminating tariffs

a 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

Amicus curiae brief a brief submitted to the court by an interested third party that outlines issues it thinks are important in the case. amicus curiae literally means "friend of the court"

Elastic clause

Joint committee a committee of Congress made up of members of both houses that focuses on issues of general concern but does not propose legislation

Concurrent powers governmental powers shared by the federal and state governments

a group of members of Congress who may or may not be from the same party but who share

Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925)

Midterm elections congressional elections held between presidential elections

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

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

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

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

Majority leader the elected leader of the party with the most seats in the House or Senate

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

Soft money

voting for candidates from more than one party in the same election

Party machine 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

Incorporation application of portions of the Bill of Rights to the states under the 14th Amendment

special election initiated by petition to allow citizens to remove an official from office before his or her term

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

a revision or change to a bill, law, or constitution

determines is a policy is achieving its goals; usually carried out with congressional oversight

Bill of Rights the first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, which protect basic civil liberties

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

Concurrent jurisdiction jurisdiction the authority to hear cases is shared by federal and state courts

Great compromise 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 is determined by population, while each state would have equal representation in the Senate (two senators per state)

Redistricting

End this game?