AP Government duel

Maintaining elections

generally refers to the belief that government or people acting on its behalf can be used to address social problems or inequities facing the nation

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

Margin of error the percentage that a scientific poll is likely to be off; a margin of error of +/- 3 percent is common

Electorate people qualified to vote

Pure speech verbal communication of ideas and opinions

West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette 1943, forcing students to salute the flag is a violation of 1st amendment free speech, and is therefore unconstitutional. Such gestures = symbolic speech. Tinker v. Des Moines.

Delegate an elected official who considers it an obligation to vote the way the majority of his or her constituents wants

a party national convention at which no candidate has won a majority of the delegates in the primaries; the candidate is chosen by the convention

Popular Socereignty

Marble cake means 1930s fed expansion, layer cake means they are supreme in separate areas

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

Federal question a question of law based on interpretation of the US Constitution, federal laws, or treaties

Gender gap

Bicameral legislature

a rule that says a person can't be tried twice by the same court under the same charges twice; from the 5th amendment

money used directly by a candidate running for office; it is subject to campaign finance laws and Federal

a committee of Congress made up of members of both houses that focuses on issues of general concern but does not propose legislation

method of government action, or how the law is carried out according to established rules and procedures

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

Patronage the system in which a party leader rewarded political supporters with jobs or government contracts in exchange for their support of the party

Prince v. Massachusetts

gives Congress the powers to pass all laws necessary and proper to carry out their constitutional duties, found in Article I, Section 8, Clause 18; also called the elastic clause

a very brief excerpt from a political speech aired on television or radio

Soft money money used by national, state, or local party organizations that is not regulated by the Federal Election Commission

Federal budget

Get-out-the-vote a campaign near the end of an election to get voters out to the polls

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

Off the record information information provided in an interview that a reporter cannot directly use

Realignment a shift of voting patterns to form new coalitions of party support

when a minority party wins by building a new coalition of voters that continues over successive election

New York Times Co. v. Sullivan The Supreme Court concluded that "actual malice" must be proved to support a finding of libel against a public figure. Principle of "breathing space"

federal spending set by the government through appropriations bills, including operating expenses and salaries of government employees

Before police interrogate, suspect must learn of rights like the Fifth Amendment

Incumbent the person currently holding office

Leak

Open convention a party national convention at which no candidate has won a majority of the delegates in the primaries; the candidate is chosen by the convention

using actions and symbols rather than words to convey an idea

Federalist supported a strong central government and ratification of the Constitution

Trustee after listening to constituents, elected representatives vote based on their own opinions

amount of money owed by the government

Direct democracy democracy citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues; there are no elected officials; also called participatory democracy

At-large

Powell v. Alabama (1932) The Supreme Court ruled here that the right to counsel was required by law in death penalty trials. Also, capital cases must have counsel when defendant cannot defend because of "ignorance, feeblemindedness, illiteracy, or the like". Selective Incorporation case based on the sixth amendment. Gideon v. Wainwright

Legislative courts courts courts created by Congress for a specialized purpose with a narrow range of authority; judges serve a fixed term

Executive order

Federal budget

Pure speech

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

Issue networks

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

weak government government that has limited control over economy or personal lives

constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens. What the government can't do.

to social norms and values, tough on criminals

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

Keynesian economics 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

DC v. Heller (2008) Court ruled that a DC law banning hand guns was unconstitutional. McDonald v. Chicago

allows members of Congress to mail letters and other materials to constituents free of charge

Democracy a system whereby the people rule either directly or by elected representation

Implied powers

End this game?