sharp changes in the existing patterns of party loyalty due to changing social and economic conditions
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
Lemon test
test standard set by the Supreme Court in Lemon v. Kurtzman to measure the constitutionality of state laws. Separate, Secular, and Neutral in effect and intent
Categorical grants
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
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
Bill
under Article I of the Constitution, the legislative branch consists of the House and Senate, which together form the US Congress; the prime responsibility is to make laws
Caucus (congressional)
a group of members of Congress who may or may not be from the same party but who share
Legislative veto
when Congress rejects an action of the president by a majority vote of both houses; declared
an unauthorized release of information to the press from someone in the government
speech plus
verbal and symbolic speech used together
Rule of four
justice or justices who agree with the majority's ruling but not the reason behind the decision
Policy adoption
the approval of a policy by legislation
Interest group
Roe v. Wade (1973)
Concurrent powers
governmental powers shared by the federal and state governments
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
constitutional guarantee that everyone be treated equally
complex process by which people get their sense of political identity, beliefs, and values
Dual Federalism
a model of the relationship between the federal government and the states in which each is supreme in its own sphere; "layer cake federalism"
Incrementalism
small 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
weak government
government that has limited control over economy or personal lives
Party dealignment
weakening of ties between the voters and the two major parties
Dissenting opinion
opinion justice or justices who voted in the minority, explaining the reasons for opposing the majority opinion
District courts
lowest level of federal courts, where most federal cases begin and trials are held
Representative democracy
citizens choose officials who make decisions about public policy; a republic
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
Filibuster
a lengthy speech designed to delay the vote on a bill in the Senate; can be ended by a cloture motion and vote
Substantive due process
