AP Government duel

weakening of ties between the voters and the two major parties

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

Bench trial

Mass media all forms of communication that reach a large portion of the population

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

Nonpartisan election an election in which candidates run as independents without party affiliation

that evidence acquired as a result of an illegal act by police cannot be used against the person from whom it was seized

Blanket primary a primary election in which candidates from all parties are on the ballot, and a registered voter can vote for the Democratic candidate for one office and the Republican candidate for another

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

Straight-ticket voting voting for candidates all of the same party

Three-fifths compromise agreement at the constitutional convention that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House of Representatives and for taxation

Agenda setting identification of the problems and/or issues that require the attention of the government to resolve

Pardon

Pocket veto when the president takes no action on a bill within ten days of Congress adjourning, the bill does not become law

Joint committee

Judicial restraint

Barnettte v. McColumm Upholds establishment clause and free exercise clause. Engel v. Vitale

Discrimination unfair treatment of a person based on race or group membership

a formal document issued by the Supreme Court to a lower court indicating that it will hear a case

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

Electorate

Fiscal policy

Mandatory spending spending required government spending by permanent laws; entitlements, for example social security or bond payments

Delegated powers

Open primary a primary election in which an individual does not have to be a registered voter in a particular party to vote for candidates of that party

Executive order action by the president that does not require the approval of Congress; subject to judicial review

settled disputes between the states over the structure of the legislative branch; a solution to the problem of representation at the Constitutional Convention, in which the number of members that each state would have in the House of Representatives is determined by population, while each state would have equal representation in the Senate

Federalist Papers

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

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

Prince v. Massachusetts Religion does not override child labor laws. Wisconsin v. Yoder

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Straw Poll a poll conducted in an unscientific manner, used to predict election outcomes

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

the necessary and proper clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) that allows Congress to pass laws to carry out its expressed powers

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

the belief that inflation occurs when too much money is chasing too few goods; the government must manage the economy by spending more money when in a recession and cutting spending when there is inflation

Reserved powers under the 10th Amendment, powers not granted to the federal government or denied to the states reserved for the states or the people

Independent executive agency 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

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

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

Gridlock 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

Exit poll a poll conducted on election day to determine how people voted

Concurring opinion justice or justices who agree with the majority's ruling but not the reason behind the decision

national laws supersedes all other laws passed by states

Libertarianism

Electorate

Declaration of Independence drafted in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson declaring America's separation from Great Britain

Individualism the belief that individuals should be left on their own by the government

Ex post facto law a law that makes an action a crime even though it was legal when it was committed or increases the penalty for a crime after it has been committed

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

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

a revision or change to a bill, law, or constitution

Mapp v. Ohio (1961) Selectively incorporates 4th amendment. Later modified with "inevitable discovery" (good if would be found in a later, lawful search) and "good faith" (good if warrant was issued at all).

Incumbent the person currently holding office

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

Courts of Appeal federal courts with appellate jurisdiction that review decisions of federal district courts, regulatory commissions, and other federal courts

Mass media all forms of communication that reach a large portion of the population

Realigning election

Sixth amendment does not selectively incorporate to providing poor people in not-capital state cases a lawyer

End this game?