AP Government duel

Hyperpluralist Theory of Democracy seen as a system of many groups pulling government in many directions at the same time, causing gridlock and ineffectiveness

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

Legislative courts courts courts created by Congress for a specialized purpose with a narrow range of authority; judges serve a fixed term

Dealigning

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 collection of shared attitudes of citizens about government, politics and the making of public policy

attempting to influence policymakers through a variety of methods

Administrative Discretion

a situation in which men and women hold different positions on a wide range of political issues

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

Devolution

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

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

party officials in the Democratic Party who attend the national convention without having to run in primaries or caucuses

Random sampling

Checks and balances a system in which each branch of the government has the power to limit the other branches of government so that one is not dominant; each branch of government is subject to restraints by the other two branches

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

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

Delegate an elected official who considers it an obligation to vote the way the majority of his or her constituents wants

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

Deregulation 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

Direct democracy

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

Straight-ticket voting

equality of opportunity

Voter turnout the total number of votes cast for the highest office on the ballot

a consistent set of beliefs by groups or individuals

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

De jure segregation segregation segregation that results from law

Inherent powers powers powers, usually claimed by the president, that are implied but not specifically stated in the Constitution or are derived from the office

Divided government one party controls the executive (president) and the other party controls one or both houses of Congress

Advice and consent

Diplomacy

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"

Grassroots lobbying

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

The Supreme Court concluded that "actual malice" must be proved to support a finding of libel against a public figure. Principle of "breathing space"

Ideology a consistent set of beliefs by groups or individuals

Political party Voluntary association of people who seek to control the government through common principles, based on peaceful and legal actions such as the winning of elections; an organization that recruits, nominated, and elects party members to control the government

verbal and symbolic speech used together

people qualified to vote

Expressed powers

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

Mandates

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

Sound bite

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

Judicial activism a judicial philosophy that holds that courts have a more expansive role to play in shaping public policy

Federalist supported a strong central government and ratification of the Constitution

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

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

Civil liberties constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens. What the government can't do.

States cannot ban private schools to prevent religious courses. Wisconsin v. Yoder

Strict constitutionalist the view that justices should base decisions on a narrow interpretation of the Constitution

Soft money money used by national, state, or local party organizations that is not regulated by the Federal Election Commission

Loose Constructionist the belief that judges should have freedom in interpreting the Constitution

Precedent standards or guides based on prior decisions that serve as a rule for settling similar disputes

Affirmative action

the exercise of government power in doing those things necessary to maintain legitimate authority and control over society

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

End this game?