AP Government duel

tests the public reaction to policy or appointments by releasing information to the media and gauging public reaction

the exchange of political favors for support of a bill; an agreement between two or more members of Congress to vote for each other's bills

Judicial Review

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

Standing committee a permanent committee of Congress that deals with legislation and oversight in a broad policy area

Conservative a person whose political views favor more local, limited government, fewer government regulations,

Mandates requirements imposed by the national government on state and local governments to comply with federal

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

Subsidy a sum of money granted by the government or a public body to assist an industry or business so that the price of a commodity or service may remain low or competitive

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

holds that the Court should avoid taking the initiative on social and political questions, operating strictly within the limits of the Constitution

Whip a majority/minority party leader in Congress who makes sure the party members are present for important votes and vote by party

an agency that is part of the executive branch but not included in any executive department; the head of the agency (NASA, CIA for example) is appointed by the president and serves at the pleasure of the president

alliances that develop between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees

Cabinet

Filibuster

government benefits provided to Americans who qualify because of their age, income, and/or status

Elite Theory of Democracy the idea that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization

Motor Voter Law allows citizens to register to vote at welfare and motor vehicle offices

a statistical technique that gives everyone in the target group the same opportunity to participate in a poll

Found a "right to privacy" in the Constitution that would ban any state law against selling contraceptives

Policy adoption

Libel false written statements about others that harm their reputation

Federal budget decicit the difference in any year between government spending and government revenue

Bench trial

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

Regressive tax a tax that is assessed on everyone at the same rate and, therefore, impacts the poor more than it impacted wealthy; sales tax is regressive

service casework; assistance to constituents by congressional members

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

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)

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

executive privilege

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

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

Brief a written document submitted to a court that presents the facts and legal reasoning of a party to the lawsuit

Incrementalism

Strict constitutionalist

Logrolling the exchange of political favors for support of a bill; an agreement between two or more members of Congress to vote for each other's bills

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

Unitary system a political system in which all power is derived from the central government

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

Executive order

Due process protection against the arbitrary loss of life, liberty, and property provided for under the 5th and 14th Amendments

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

Deficit government spending exceeds revenue

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

Establishment clause

when no candidate receives a majority of votes, and election held between the two candidates who recorded the most votes in the primary

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

Trial balloon tests the public reaction to policy or appointments by releasing information to the media and gauging public reaction

Hard money

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

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

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

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

Delegate

Cloture

pork-barrel legislation legislation giving benefits to constituents through sometimes unnecessary or unwise projects within a state or district, to enhance a member's chance of reelection

Privileges and Immunities Clause

President Pro Tempore serves as president of the Senate in the absence of the vice president; chosen by the majority

End this game?