Senatorial courtesy
centered politics politics that focuses on candidates, their particular issues, and character rather than party affiliation
Caucus (congressional)
a group of members of Congress who may or may not be from the same party but who share
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
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
Enumerated powers
powers that the Constitution specifically grants to the federal government
franking privilege
Participatory democracy
De facto segregation
segregation that results from living patterns rather than law
Civil liberties
constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens. What the government can't do.
Regressive tax
Party realignment
a shift in voter loyalty in response to critical events; 1932 election of FD Roosevelt
Good-faith exception
a rule of evidence that says that if the authorities act "in good faith," evidence that otherwise might have been excluded may be admissible. Modifies Mapp v. Ohio
Devolution
an effort to shift responsibility or domestic programs to the states in order to decrease the size and activities of the federal government
Concurrent jurisdiction
jurisdiction the authority to hear cases is shared by federal and state courts
Dissenting opinion
opinion justice or justices who voted in the minority, explaining the reasons for opposing the majority opinion
Libel
the person currently holding office
Earmark
a designation within a spending bill that provides for a specific expenditure
Precedent
standards or guides based on prior decisions that serve as a rule for settling similar disputes
Legislative veto
when Congress rejects an action of the president by a majority vote of both houses; declared
Referendum
a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct
Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)
all residents of the state for senators, all residents of a district for House members
New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) establishes?
The government cannot exert prior restraint.
Political socialization
complex process by which people get their sense of political identity, beliefs, and values
Miranda warning
the warning that an individual must be read at the time of arrest and questioning, letting him know his 5th and 6th amendment rights
Pure speech
verbal communication of ideas and opinions
Gatekeepers
media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who decide what news to present and how it will be presented
a situation in which men and women hold different positions on a wide range of political issues
