Federalist
supported a strong central government and ratification of the Constitution
Liberal
a person whose views favor more government involvement in business, social welfare, minority rights, and increased government spending
Direct democracy
democracy citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues; there are no elected officials; also called participatory democracy
Declaration of Independence
drafted in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson declaring America's separation from Great Britain
Congress may not make laws restricting or prohibiting a person's religious practices
Political party
Voluntary association of people who seek to control the government through common principles, based on peaceful and legal actions such as the winning of elections; an organization that recruits, nominated, and elects party members to control the government
the practice of a state choosing an early date to hold a primary election
Brief
Honeymoon period
Plurality vote
electoral process in which the candidate who receives more votes than any other candidate is elected
Johnson v. Zerbst (1938)
Privileges and Immunities Clause
states are prohibited from unreasonably discriminating against residents of other states
the belief that judges should have freedom in interpreting the Constitution
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
Pardon
Select committee
a poll conducted in an unscientific manner, used to predict election outcomes
Rules committee
determines the rules for debate for bills in the House
War Powers Act of 1973
a law that limits presidential use of military forces to sixty days, with an automatic extension of thirty additional days if the president requests such an extension
Constituency
service casework; assistance to constituents by congressional members
Strict constitutionalist
the view that justices should base decisions on a narrow interpretation of the Constitution
spending required government spending by permanent laws; entitlements, for example social security or bond payments
Regressive tax
a tax that is assessed on everyone at the same rate and, therefore, impacts the poor more than it impacted wealthy; sales tax is regressive
money used directly by a candidate running for office; it is subject to campaign finance laws and Federal
Dissenting opinion
opinion justice or justices who voted in the minority, explaining the reasons for opposing the majority opinion
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).
Roe v. Wade (1973)
The Right to Privacy extends to letting women make decisions about their bodies without government surveillance.
Policy formulation
the development of an approach to solving a problem that is on the political agenda
Unanimous consent
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"
