AP Government duel

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

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

clause says that states are required to recognize the laws and legal documents of other states - Article 4

those individuals held in great respect because of their position, expertise, or personality, who may

Off year election

Bicameral legislature a two-house legislature

Enumerated powers powers that the Constitution specifically grants to the federal government

a speech or photo opportunity staged to give a politician's view on an issue; staged to present the candidate in a good light

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

Off the record information

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

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

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

Executive order

Independent regulatory agency an agency that is part of the executive branch and responsible for regulating and oversight of a segment of the economy; it is managed by a board or commission appointed by the president for a fixed term

On the record information

federal funds given to state and local governments for specific programs that usually require the recipient to match the money provided and have other strings attached

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

Regressive tax

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

Federalist Papers

Coattail

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

Fiscal federalism a type of federalism that deals with the flow of funds through grants and other means from the federal government to the states

Conference committee 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 efficacy belief that a person can influence politics and public policymaking

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

refers to the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation

Pluralist theory of democracy interest groups compete in the political arena with each promoting its own policy preferences through organized efforts

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

Candidate

Rule of four a rule that says that four of the nine Supreme Court justices must agree in conference to hear a case

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

Referendum

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

writ of habeas corpus a court order directing authorities to show cause for why a person under detention should not be released

Executive order

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

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

attempting to influence policymakers through a variety of methods

On deep background

Maintaining elections traditional majority power maintains power based on voters' party loyalty

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

Cabinet government departments headed by presidential appointees to help establish public policy and operate a specific policy area of governmental activity

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

Issue networks

Elastic clause

Policy implementation carrying out a policy through government agencies and courts

the policies of government or the particular subject matter of the laws determining what the law is about and whether the law is fair or if it violates constitutional protections

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

speech that is likely to bring about public disorder or chaos; may be banned in public places to ensure the preservation of public order

Supremacy clause national laws supersedes all other laws passed by states

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

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

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

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

Hyde Amendment (1976) Passed by Congress in 1976; excludes abortion from the comprehensive health care services provided to low-income people by the federal government through Medicaid.

Party dealignment

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

Conference committee

End this game?