democracy citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues; there are no elected officials; also called participatory democracy
a division of governmental powers between the national government and the states
Open primary
Rules committeedetermines the rules for debate for bills in the House
Federal budget decicitthe difference in any year between government spending and government revenue
an association of congressional members who advocate a political ideology, regional, ethnic, or economic interest
National debt
Great compromise
Political ideologya consistent set of beliefs about politics and public policy that sets the framework for evaluating government and public policy
Hate speechoffensive speech against racial or ethnic minorities, women, and homosexuals that creates a hostile environment
Moderate
Off year electionan election taking place in a year when no presidential elections are occurring; midterm election
when opposing parties and interests often block each other's proposals, creating a political stalemate or inaction between the executive and legislative branches of government
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
Civil libertiesconstitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens. What the government can't do.
Deregulationthe 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
the exercise of government power in doing those things necessary to maintain legitimate authority and control over society
powers enumerated in the Constitution
District courtslowest level of federal courts, where most federal cases begin and trials are held
Closed rulea rule issued by the House Committee on Rules, in which there is a strict time limit for debate and no amendments can be offered
Majority leaderthe elected leader of the party with the most seats in the House or Senate
Dual Federalisma model of the relationship between the federal government and the states in which each is supreme in its own sphere; "layer cake federalism"
Incorporationapplication of portions of the Bill of Rights to the states under the 14th Amendment
Markuprewrite of a bill after hearings have been held on it
a majority/minority party leader in Congress who makes sure the party members are present for important votes and vote by party
method of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government
A formal expression of congressional opinion that must be approved by both houses of congress and by the president; constitutional amendments need not be signed by the president
Natural rightsbasic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights a government cannot deny
Midterm electionscongressional elections held between presidential elections
New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) establishes?The government cannot exert prior restraint.
Frozen!
Frozen!
Boost!
Boost!
Pardona convicted person is exempt from the penalties of a crime; only the president has this power at the national
Random samplinga statistical technique that gives everyone in the target group the same opportunity to participate in a poll
Full faith and creditclause says that states are required to recognize the laws and legal documents of other states - Article 4
the process of redrawing congressional and state legislative districts to reflect population changes in the census; responsibility for redistricting usually falls to the state legislatures; follows reapportionment
verbal communication of ideas and opinions
Realigning electionwhen a minority party wins by building a new coalition of voters that continues over successive election
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan
Whipa majority/minority party leader in Congress who makes sure the party members are present for important votes and vote by party
Divided governmentone party controls the executive (president) and the other party controls one or both houses of Congress
Grassroots lobbyingorganizing a letter-writing campaign or taking out ads to influence public opinion and persuade public officials to support a particular policy
Majority leaderthe elected leader of the party with the most seats in the House or Senate
Earmarka designation within a spending bill that provides for a specific expenditure
Trial balloon
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.
Incrementalismsmall changes in policy over long periods of time; usually in reference to budget making - that the best indicator of this year's budget is last year's budget plus a small increase
Political agendaissues that merit action, as determined by the public or those in power
Civil rightspositive acts of government designed to prevent discrimination and provide equality before the law. What the government should do.
Rule of foura rule that says that four of the nine Supreme Court justices must agree in conference to hear a case
after listening to constituents, elected representatives vote based on their own opinions
Direct primaryparty members vote to nominate their candidate for the general election
Democracy
Mandatory spending
Gridlockwhen opposing parties and interests often block each other's proposals, creating a political stalemate or inaction between the executive and legislative branches of government
Issue networks
Natural rightsbasic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights a government cannot deny
Maintaining elections
Retrospectivevoting a method of evaluating candidates in which voters evaluate incumbent candidates and decide whether to vote for them based on their past performances
people who wish to maximize the personal liberty on both economic and social issues; prefer small,